Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Xia Chen crumpled the soft, fluffy hair she had combed out into a ball, braided it into a small white hat, and placed it on the head of Dorgonmesia.

Nodding in satisfaction, he casually replied, "It's not that it's inconvenient for me, it's just that I'm worried about Xiaoxi. Are you all really that trusting of me?"

Xiao Xi and her sister are cut from the same cloth; she's a definite pretty little girl.

Judging from his own experience, Xia Chen felt that he would not have entrusted Xiao Xi to the care of a stranger he had only known for three or four days.

tide Jiana saw things very clearly. "The outside world is far more complicated than the village. It's much safer to leave her in your care than to let her venture out on her own. If you really have that kind of intention..."

Xi Jiana smiled like an older sister, "Then I think it's quite suitable. You're only four years older than Xiao Xi, aren't you?"

Xia Chen was slightly speechless, almost forgetting that this village was practicing a tradition from a thousand years ago.

What was the tradition a thousand years ago...? It was the tradition of getting married at thirteen or fourteen.

After clearing his mind of all the jumbled thoughts, Xia Chen hesitated for a moment before agreeing to become Xiao Xijiana's temporary guardian.

"Alright, since you're all comfortable with this, I'll have no problem with it. I'll bring her back before I leave Hoenn. Whether she wants to travel independently then is up to her."

Finally receiving Xia Chen's affirmative reply, Xi Jiana jumped off the bed with a smile and said, "Then I'll be leaving Xiao Xi in your care for the next few days!"

The long legs swayed as she walked out of Xia Chen's room, and with a click, the door closed, leaving Xia Chen alone, gently stroking the fluffy fur and lost in thought.

"Another little one to take care of..."

Xia Chen scratched Xianbu's sensitive spot on the top of his head with his left hand and stroked Xianbu's chin with his right, skillfully using both hands simultaneously, eliciting a pleasant purring sound from the latter.

“Buyi… (There, it feels good…)”

"But it's also more interesting, isn't it?"

Chapter 314 Sticky Beauty, Do You Want to Fly? (5.6k)

The next morning.

The first rays of sunlight shone on the tranquil and serene Meteor Village, where the air was filled with the unique, refreshing scent of morning dew.

The soaring song of the Bluebird awakened all the residents of the village. The Mandible Ants slowly crawled out of their holes to forage for food, while the Armored Dragons looked up with envy at the flock of Salamanders that soared through the sky for their daily morning exercise.

The village, silent all night, gradually came back to life amidst the fragrance of flowers and the whispering of dragons.

Today is a special day, as Princess Higana from Meteor Village is leaving her hometown for a trip.

The villagers got up early to see her off.

Grandmother, older sister, Uncle Zhenya, Little Bluebird Qixi, and many more people and elves, all of whom had been by Xijia's side since she was born, stood at the village entrance, gazing at the girl beside Xia Chen with expressions of reluctance and worry.

The girl was no longer as lively and cheerful as usual; her gaze as she looked back at her family was full of longing.

Wanderers are always so conflicted, yearning for the endless and fascinating distance, yet also longing for everything in their hometown, especially since this wanderer is a fourteen-year-old girl.

However reluctant they were, the time for parting had to come. Before Xiao Xi turned around to follow Xia Chen, her relatives and friends gave her their most sincere wishes.

"Take good care of yourself while you're out there, and don't cause Xiao Chen too much trouble."

"Fight more battles and make our Meteor Village famous!"

"If you're bullied, just tell me, and I'll ride over on my Salamence and chop off the hands of whoever bullied you!"

"You brat, you've kidnapped our little princess, so you'd better treat her well. If Xiao Xi suffers any injustice, you'll be in for a world of hurt!"

"Seven—(Come home early, I'll be so lonely without you...)"

Amidst warm blessings, Higanbana waved with tears in her eyes, then jumped onto Salamence and followed Guleton's figure into the boundless blue sky.

The fledgling dragon has finally spread its wings.

…………

There was no farewell banquet or special farewell ceremony as Xia Chen left Meteor Village.

Compared to when they arrived, there were more keystones that could change the world, and a little follower who was initially quiet but quickly became a chatterbox.

"Brother Xia Chen, where are we going now?"

"Kanaz City is the closest to here and is also the largest city in the Hoenn region."

"Oh~ I've heard about it. My older brothers and sisters who went on trips mentioned this place when they came back. They said it's huge, even bigger than Meteor Cave... By the way, where should we stay over there? Do you have a house there?"

"...No, but I have money."

"Oh, so what are we going to Kanaz City for?"

"...I'm starting to regret bringing you along."

The pointless chatter went on for almost the entire way, even getting so annoyed that Guleton covered his ears with the feathers on his head, but Xia Chen had no choice but to patiently respond.

However, this little guy, though annoying, has certainly added some fun compared to the somewhat mundane journey of the past.

Although Xia Chen complained, the smiles that occasionally appeared on his lips reflected his truest feelings.

Because they had to accommodate the flying speed of the Salamence beneath Higanbana, their return journey took a little longer.

About half an hour later, the outline of Kanaz City, this steel jungle, came into view. Xia Chen landed on his own initiative, and although he didn't know why, Xi Jiana did the same.

Xia Chen was very satisfied with Xiao Xi's awareness and execution. He explained, "Trainers are generally prohibited from riding Flying-type Pokémon in the skies above most cities. Please keep that in mind in the future."

Higana nodded repeatedly, "Oh, oh."

The shift from flight to walking didn't have much of an impact on Guleton, this ancient paradoxical species of motor lizard; the large lizard, which hadn't run wildly in a long time, was even more excited.

The speed of the Salamence, which only has four short legs, dropped sharply.

Seeing that they wouldn't be able to enter the city before noon if they continued driving at such a snail's pace, Xia Chen decisively let Xijia sit behind him, and then took her to experience what real speed and passion were like.

Therefore, Leighton only used about 10% of its speed, and Higana screamed repeatedly, saying that the speed was too fast and she couldn't stand it.

In less than ten minutes, the two found themselves in a steel jungle, completely different from the rural landscape of Meteor Village.

…………

Upon arriving in Kanaz City, Higana was curious about everything in the city.

Why can buildings be built so tall? Why are there metal-clad creatures instead of elves running on the roads? And... what was the first place Xia Chen brought me to?

"Hello, welcome to the Hoenn League Trainer Service Center, Rustboro City Branch. How can I help you?"

The receptionist greeted the attractive couple and secretly speculated about their relationship.

Siblings? Lovers?

If it's the latter, I think we need to inform Ms. Officer Jenny.

"Brother Xia Chen, where is this?"

The little girl tugged at the boy's sleeve and asked, looking around curiously.

The receptionist pondered for a moment. If they were siblings, there wouldn't be a prefix before "brother." Could they really be a couple?

This young man is really being tortured!

Xia Chen had no idea what was going on in the woman's mind, and he was too lazy to answer Xijiana's incessant questions. He simply said, "Hello, I'm here to help my sister register as a trainer."

The receptionist maintained a professional smile and nodded politely, "Okay, please show your birth certificate, ID card, and Pokémon information."

Xia Chen was taken aback by the question and turned to look at Xi Jiana, "Xiao Xi, do you have such a thing?"

He regretted asking the question as soon as it left his mouth. Meteor Village was isolated from the world; how could something like this exist there...?

Sure enough, Higanbana blinked her big, bewildered eyes, looking completely innocent. "Huh? What is this? I don't know..."

The receptionist's smile gradually froze, and her gaze toward Xia Chen became increasingly dangerous.

Could this guy be a human trafficker?

Xia Chen understood the meaning in her eyes this time and quickly explained, "It's like this, this little girl is a Meteorite, you know the Meteorites, right?"

The receptionist's expression finally softened. Although the Meteor Clan is mostly known to the outside world through legends, Meteor Falls is located north of Kanaz City. She had worked and lived here for several years and knew a little about it.

She released her finger from the alarm and smiled, saying, "If that's the case, please go to the relevant department to complete the formalities before registering."

Xia Chen didn't have the time to do such things. After thinking for a moment, he dialed a number—the number of a local tyrant in Kanaz City.

"Hello, Mr. Xia Chen, are you having any trouble?"

A gentle and reliable voice came from the other end of the phone; it was Mr. Kuroda, the chief steward of the Devon Group and secretary to President Zvoich.

"Hello, Mr. Kuroda, there is something I'd like to ask you for a favor, it's like this..."

After briefly explaining the situation, Kuroda replied, "Understood, please wait a moment," and then hung up the phone.

Ten minutes later, Xia Chen saw the Devon Group's car that had picked him up a few days ago at the entrance of the Trainer Service Center.

…………

Kuroda wasn't the only one who got out of the car; several men in formal suits also got out. According to Kuroda, they were people who had come specifically to help Higana with her paperwork and documents.

Xia Chen clicked his tongue slightly, once again appreciating the power and status of Devon Corporation in Kanaz City, and even in the Hoenn League.

The civil servants in this alliance can be transferred at will, and the Devon Group is far more than just a single company.

With Kuroda's help, all of Higanbana's paperwork and documents have been completed. Even the strict requirement that one must be sixteen years old to register as a trainer has been bypassed. She is only one step away from officially becoming a trainer—registering to possess a Pokémon.

Higana followed the staff into a small room.

"Miss Higanbana, please release your starter Pokémon. We need to take photos of it, collect its DNA, and input other information."

After seeing the immense power behind this young girl, the receptionist's tone softened considerably.

"Ah, is it over here?"

Because this is a photo studio for new Pokémon trainers to register, it's not very big. Higanbana looked around at the somewhat cramped environment and hesitated.

The receptionist replied matter-of-factly, "Yes, is there anything wrong with you?"

"My starter Pokémon is a bit big..."

Xiao Xi wasn't quite sure if her Salamence could fit inside.

The receptionist maintained her professional smile, saying, "Don't worry, there won't be any problems."

It's just a starter Pokémon, how big can it be? Little girls are just making a fuss over nothing.

Higana nodded obediently and readily took out an old red and white ball—the Meteor Village was isolated from the world, and this kind of thing, which only appeared in modern times, had been stored in the warehouse for a long time, and was probably older than Higana.

"Loki, be good when you come out."