I run an orphanage in the Pokémon world.

It's not easy to open the door.

Ah Kai sighed. There hadn't been many tasks on the website he was running lately. Fortunately, he had helped a girl with her homework, which made the website somewhat famous among students, attracting many fun-loving people and some quirky individuals. The tasks posted were all sorts of bizarre.

The absurd quests, such as "Help me find Ho-Oh and pluck its feathers" or "I want to catch Mew," caught Kai off guard. Putting aside how far-fetched the idea was, even if it were possible, Kai couldn't muster any interest in the rewards they offered.

Finding Ho-Oh gives you 1,000 Alliance Coins, and taming Mew gives you 30 Alliance Coins. Akai was almost laughing in exasperation.

However, some of these tasks are indeed quite normal.

[ID: Evergreen Third High School Ghost Stories]

[Request: Help me unravel the seven mysteries of the school]

[Paid Reward: 1200 Alliance Coins]

However, Akai had no intention of going over there. These people were mostly just making jokes here, which Akai could tell. So now Akai had an extra task every day: to find out what people could do from these orders.

Soon, Akai saw an interesting order.

[ID: Sleepyhead who feels insecure at night]

[Requirement: To get a good night's sleep without being bothered by annoying ghost Pokémon]

[Paid Reward: 400 Alliance Coins]

It's a very peculiar task, but in Akai's opinion, it's still feasible.

Chapter 185 Happy Birthday!

"Well..." Teng Shu yawned as he walked out of the office. He had just finished reading those textbooks, and now his mind was full of strange and bizarre knowledge points. He even thought of some knowledge points when looking at a light bulb, which was quite absurd.

However, as soon as he stepped outside, Teng Shu was stunned.

The lights outside have been turned off, and it's now dark. The entire corridor is pitch black, but Teng Shu can see some candles on both sides of the corridor. The small, lit candles are emitting a faint glow, forming a path.

Teng Shu even wondered if he had stumbled into some strange film set, like a horror movie set or some other eerie place. But looking at the alleyways and those unique candles, it didn't seem quite right. After all, horror movies usually don't use candles like those used for confessions of love.

"What's going on?" Teng Shu was a little confused. He was about to go to inspect the outside of the orphanage and then go back to his bedroom to sleep, but he didn't expect to see such a scene. It was really too strange.

Teng Shu was a little confused, but he still followed the candlelit path out, and then he discovered that this thing was even spread throughout the stairwell, forming a path.

"Why does it feel like I'm about to be exorcised while walking here?" Teng Shu scratched his head, somewhat confused about the situation, but he didn't say anything and continued walking forward.

This unique path stretched out, but what puzzled Tengshu the most was that there wasn't a single person on it. Not to mention Ash and Rock, there wasn't even a single Pokémon. This made Tengshu even more confused.

Soon, Teng Shu discovered that the candlelit path led to the cafeteria, which was located in a dimly lit area. Teng Shu walked over with some doubt. As soon as he entered the cafeteria, the entire cafeteria was instantly lit up, and the light made Teng Shu subconsciously squint.

"Dean Tengshu! Happy birthday!" Locke shouted happily, followed by Ash's voice and the cheerful shouts of the Pokémon. Tengshu was a little confused. He looked at the cafeteria in front of him, Locke was smiling, and there was a small banner hanging in the cafeteria that read "Happy Birthday Dean Tengshu." All the Pokémon were on the side. Tengshu was a little confused.

Standing next to Locke was Grandpa Xingzhen, who smiled at him and then came over to hand Tengshu a teapot. The workmanship was quite good, and Tengshu thanked him before putting it away.

Ash's face was flushed, clearly showing his excitement. He then ran over and put a small paper crown on Tengshu's head. Tengshu was a little amused and embarrassed, but he still lowered his head and let Ash put the crown on him.

"Birthday?" Teng Shu blinked, then remembered the newbie gift pack he received when he came to this world. The gift pack had registered a set of information for him. He had glanced at it at the time and then complained, "This birthday is the same as mine." But then Teng Shu forgot about it.

After all, in the world of Pokémon, Tengshu is quite busy. He has things to do every day, such as cooking and grocery shopping. So Tengshu doesn't really pay much attention to his birthday. Anyway, he didn't celebrate his birthday much before. For Tengshu, his birthday is just like any other ordinary day.

Looking at his phone, Teng Shu suddenly realized that today was indeed his birthday.

"Thank you all." Teng Shu touched his nose. He was quite touched. Although he didn't celebrate his birthday much before, for Teng Shu, birthdays didn't have much value. At most, they were just a way to prove that he had grown a year older. And now that he was thirty, he no longer had the idea of ​​having to drag his friends out to dinner for his birthday like he did when he was younger.

Unexpectedly, Locke and his group actually knew...

No, it should be Locke who knew. After all, the information about Tengshu is only available in the League, and Locke probably looked at some information when he joined the company, so he knew his birthday. Pokémon don't have a tradition of celebrating birthdays, so it was probably Locke who brought it up, and as a result, all these little guys popped out.

Xiao Zhi and the old man naturally joined in as well, but these guys were really good at hiding. There wasn't a sound in the morning, and Teng Shu didn't even realize that today was his birthday.

A unique gift box flew to Tengshu's front. Tengshu knew it was from Kai, and he happily put it away. He didn't intend to open it, but seeing the expectant eyes of the Pokémon around him, he opened it and took a look.

It was a knitted hat, quite thick, and Tengshu was very happy. The weather had been cold lately, so it was a nice gift.

Despite being bundled up in the dead of winter, his face was still cold. The knitted hat would keep his head warm, as Teng Shu knew that prolonged exposure to cold wind could cause headaches, likely due to vasospasm.

Then the Abandoned Monkey ran over, but since it didn't know what to give, it gave Tengshu a pair of gloves. Looking at the knitted design, Tengshu knew that the Abandoned Monkey definitely didn't make them himself; it was probably made by Akai.

It must have been tough on Kai, a Psychic Pokémon, to sew clothes so skillfully.

Immediately after, Dong Shi Miao, Dark Raven, and Tong Ou Xiong also ran up and gave Teng Shu a gift: earmuffs. Teng Shu was both amused and exasperated. These were probably all Kai's doing, but thinking about it carefully, it made sense. Only Kai in the orphanage knew how to make these kinds of things.

Bellsprout and Rattata brought two berries, while the newly joined Pokémon, represented by Charmander, brought Vine Tree a strangely shaped stone that looked somewhat like a Poké Ball. It's unclear where these little guys found it.

Tengshu happily accepted it, but ChouChouHua was not very willing and even hid in the back. Tengshu didn't mind. ChouChouHua's situation was special. It was like a stray cat that had been abandoned. Tengshu had just brought it home, so ChouChouHua was definitely not going to cooperate. But it didn't matter. It would be fine later.

"Thank you all." Teng Shu smiled happily. He had forgotten when the last time he had such a lively birthday celebration was. At this moment, Locke also made way for him. Behind him, there was a huge cake on the table. Teng Shu looked at the cake with some surprise. When did Locke buy this cake?

However, Teng Shu didn't ask any more questions. Instead, he happily spent his first birthday in the Pokémon world with his friends at the orphanage.

Chapter 186 Special Children's School

On the night the birthday party ended, Teng Shu originally wanted to rest early, but just as he was about to rest, he saw a text message on his phone.

"Huh? There's such a thing?" Teng Shu looked at the text message on his phone, somewhat surprised. He really didn't expect to encounter something like this.

The message was sent by the alliance office.

[Dean Tengshu, in order to carry out the "Caring for Pokémon Starts with Children" campaign and to demonstrate the League's concern for disadvantaged groups, we are holding a children's Pokémon interaction event. Tomorrow, the Chosei City Special Children's School will be visiting your location to conduct the event...]

"I didn't expect the alliance to hold such an event. But is it tomorrow? Isn't that a bit too rushed?" Teng Shu muttered to himself as he took his phone to charge it, a little puzzled.

Teng Shu could understand holding such an event, since he used to go on spring and autumn outings when he was in school, visiting parks, amusement parks, and even prison zoos.

Teng Shu had previously heard that some wealthier schools would organize overseas trips for their students.

Therefore, Teng Shu could understand and accept that his orphanage would become a playground for the children of the alliance. However, the group that came this time was a bit unusual. It was a special children's school, which was a kind of term, but it was actually a school for disabled children.

Moreover, this timing is a bit too rushed. Usually, you should be notified three days in advance. I don't know why it happened so quickly.

Despite some doubts, Teng Shu went to bed to rest. He had stayed up late because of the birthday party, and he needed to go to bed early so he could make breakfast tomorrow.

...

Youyang is a student at Changqing Special Children's School.

"Good boy, when you go to school today, you have to be a good boy and listen to your teacher, okay? You can also go to the orphanage to see Pokémon today, this is a great policy of the League." Youyang listened quietly to his mother's nagging, his face expressionless.

He was mute, born mute, unable to speak, and that's how he entered a special needs school.

Youyang hated the pitying looks in people's eyes, hated the way others treated her, and hated the insincere concern from the Alliance.

Although she claimed to be showing concern, she grouped them together and gave them special school uniforms. While her mother explained it as a way to show care and encourage others to be kinder to them, Youyang saw it as an insult—an insult that stigmatized them.

"...Do you understand, son?" Youyang's mother patted her son's shoulder reassuringly, and Youyang nodded silently.

Then, carrying his schoolbag and his belongings, he left home.

Outside was the bustling street of Changqing City, with crowds laughing and joking, but Youyang only found it noisy.

The world is so bustling, but what does that have to do with Youyang? He's just a mute.

"Youyang, you're here? Hurry up and get on the bus, we're about to leave." The teacher stood at the school gate, waved to him, and Youyang walked over quickly. Then, following the teacher's instructions, he calmly got on the bus.

Sitting in the car, looking at the classmates around her, Youyang's eyes held a complex expression.

Great Arceus, if you truly exist, then why are there so many tragedies in this world? Why are there so many children, yet they cannot speak, hear, or see?

Youyang's gaze fell. Children like them were different from birth, but Youyang never wanted to be different. He would rather be an ordinary child.

After a while, the car arrived at the outskirts of Changqing City. The car was quiet. Although they were mute, they could still communicate by gesturing.

"Youyang, do you see that house outside?" A companion sitting next to Youyang was happily gesturing as she watched, but Youyang glanced at the building outside with a hint of indifference in her eyes.

However, I still made a "I saw it" gesture.

“I heard this is the biggest welfare home around here.” Youyang’s companion gestured happily. Youyang nodded and then closed her eyes.

For disabled people like them, becoming a trainer is almost impossible, since they can't even command their own Pokémon, so how can they fight?

Although it's possible to fight using sign language, gestures, and other methods, what's easy for ordinary people to do as a trainer is incredibly difficult for a child like Youyang.

Even if someone is blind, they won't be able to command Pokémon, since they can't even see how the Pokémon and their opponent are fighting, so they naturally won't know how to command them, unless they have some special abilities.

Youyang knew that there was a person who could neither speak nor see who became the regional league champion, but the reason he was able to succeed was because he had superpowers.

After getting off the bus, Youyang stood silently at the door with her homeroom teacher. Other classmates also came to the welfare home out of curiosity. However, because there weren't many people in the entire special children's welfare home, after all, the permanent population of Changqing City was not large, so there were naturally even fewer disabled children.

"Welcome to the Care and Welfare Home." The door opened, and a man walked out, accompanied by a group of Pokémon, his smile so warm.

"Dean Teng Shu, it's really a pleasure to have you bring us here." The principal of the special children's school smiled at Teng Shu and said, and Teng Shu politely shook hands with him.

Tengshu got up early to make breakfast, and after finishing, he waited for the children from the special needs school to come over for an activity. Actually, it wasn't much of an activity; it was just a chance for the children to interact with the Pokémon at Tengshu's welfare home.

"You're too kind, Principal." Teng Shu said with a smile, his eyes showing a complex mix of emotions as he looked at the little ones in front of him.

These children are all disabled. Some of them have lifeless eyes, while others look curiously to the left and right, and then communicate using sign language.

These are all disabled people.

These children were born with disabilities, and from a young age, Arceus took away something that should have been theirs.

"Dean Teng Shu, according to the alliance's arrangements, we will be staying with you for two days..." However, before Teng Shu could say anything, the principal pulled him aside to discuss the arrangements for this period of time.

Chapter 187 Yuuyo Wants to Be a Trainer

"What Pokémon is this? It looks so cool!" During their free time, Youyang was pulled aside by her friend, who pointed at the Forsaken Pokémon and excitedly gestured.

Yu Yang glanced at the Pokémon that was training, and from its physique and appearance, Yu Yang knew what kind of Pokémon it was.

So Youyang gestured a number.

"Abandoned Monkey." Yu Yang's eyes showed some surprise. He really didn't expect to see such a unique Pokémon in this place, which made Yu Yang a little excited.

"Youyang, do you know this Pokémon? You're amazing!" His friend looked at Youyang in surprise. He had never heard of this Pokémon before. The school only taught Pokémon from the Kanto region, not from other regions, so his friend didn't know that there was a Pokémon like Forsaken. But Youyang recognized it instantly.

Youyang grinned. He was very knowledgeable about all things Pokémon, having read the books countless times every day.

However, Yu Yang's expression immediately darkened. What use was all that knowledge to him? Becoming a trainer was an unattainable dream, and besides, his family couldn't offer him any help. They couldn't even raise those powerful Pokémon, so how could he succeed?

Seeing that Youyang's expression had become so strange, her friend didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only pat Youyang on the shoulder. Her friend had always known about Youyang's dream and her predicament.

Youyang squatted down dejectedly to the side, and then noticed that his friends were gathered around in front of him. This made Youyang a little curious. What were they doing?

So Youyang walked over and found that the crowd was surrounding a Pokémon, a special Pokémon.

Charmander.

Charizard, one of the most famous Pokémon in the Kanto region, is incredibly popular, especially its final evolution, Charizard, which many players enjoy using. However, the Charizard in front of him had empty eyeballs, which shocked Yu Yang, and also...

Sympathetic?

"Dean Teng Shu, it seems that Little Fire Dragon is quite popular." A woman looked at Teng Shu and said with a smile. Teng Shu nodded after hearing this. He had just finished discussing the schedule with the principal of the special children's school.

Actually, there wasn't much of an arrangement. In essence, it wasn't a big deal. Although the children at the special needs school had some special needs, there were only a few things to arrange. At most, they asked Tengshu if there were any potentially risky places. Upon hearing this, Tengshu designated the small lake behind the school, where Water-type Pokémon could rest, as a restricted area.

No matter when or how old the students are, just make all areas with water off-limits.

"Perhaps it's... empathy." Teng Shu looked at the little fire dragon surrounded by a group of children outside the window, his eyes filled with a gentle warmth.

The principal had also gone back; he had other matters to attend to, so the director of the academic affairs office was left here.

"Hmm? Who is that kid?" Teng Shu noticed that among the children watching outside the window, there was a student who seemed a bit eccentric and didn't look too good. However, what caught Teng Shu's attention the most was the student's head of blond hair, which made him look rather unique.

"That child is Youyang, from the class with limited spoken language skills. He really wants to be a Pokémon Trainer." The head of the academic affairs office recognized the child at a glance and introduced him.

Teng Shu raised an eyebrow. So he wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer? But thinking about it carefully, it's actually quite normal. After all, for most children in the Pokémon world, becoming a Trainer is the top priority.

However, it is very difficult to become a trainer for children who cannot speak.

Teng Shu glanced at it and hurriedly went downstairs. It was almost time to start preparing lunch.

“There are a lot more little ones in the orphanage, so we need to prepare an extra portion of meals.” Teng Shu stood in the kitchen, looking at the ingredients around him, then picked out some and put them aside.

Although the league allowed the event to proceed, Tengshu also received subsidies, since the league couldn't possibly let Tengshu operate at a loss.

Therefore, Tengshu is not too stingy with ingredients. Of course, he will not choose some overly expensive ingredients. On the one hand, the alliance will not reimburse them, and on the other hand, there are not enough of them to make dishes.

"I'll make curry today." Teng Shu looked at the ingredients he had selected and instantly decided on the lunch he would make today.

As Teng Shu began to work, the rich aroma of curry filled the air, instantly attracting the attention of everyone in the orphanage. Even the abandoned monkey, who was exercising, couldn't help but speed up its workout.

"Dean, are you making curry today?" Locke was the first to run over, looking at Teng Shu excitedly and asking. Teng Shu nodded; he was making curry beef.

Curry is a very common flavor choice, both in the Pokémon world and in the previous life. However, there are many choices of curry. Tengshu chose the sweet version, which is more suitable for children. If you want to eat spicy curry, you have to add some seasonings separately.