Chapter 3: One Family

Both Woobat and its evolution, Swoobat, belong to the bat-type Pokémon category, along with Noibat. Their signature move is the rather irritating Supersonic. Woobat resembles a purple bat, possessing bat-like wings and keen ears, but it also exhibits some reptilian features. Its ears, which are even larger than its head, are layered in multiple structures, and there’s a striking pattern between its eyes. Highly sensitive to sound, it is classified as a sound-wave Pokémon.

In the game, Woobat has the lowest base stats among all Dragon-type Pokémon, with a total of only 245 points. Its evolution, Swoobat, is not considered particularly strong in gameplay either. Nevertheless, Xia Yu remains quite pleased with his first Pokémon. After all, reality differs from the game, where everyone has a complete Pokédex and a shiny Rayquaza at their disposal. In real life, let alone a Legendary, even Mythical Pokémon are scarce. For Xia Yu to have obtained a Dragon-type Pokémon is already quite an achievement.

“Xiao Yu, remember to take good care of your Pokémon egg,” Charles reminded him upon returning home. “This egg doesn’t look like it belongs to a Woobat. I can’t tell exactly what Pokémon it is until it hatches. Fortunately, I’m on leave these days, so we can have Volcarona help with the incubation.”

Charles’s words were filled with affection for Xia Yu. Volcarona, with its Flame Body ability, is undoubtedly excellent at speeding up egg hatching. That Charles would lend his ace Pokémon for the incubation shows how doting he is toward his younger brother.

“Thanks, big bro.” Xia Yu picked up the egg and placed it gently into the incubator at home. As he looked at the purple patterns on the eggshell, a smile spread across his face.

“Incubating Pokémon eggs in reality is quite different from the game. In the game, all you need to do is keep walking to hatch them. But in real life, you have to maintain the right temperature and humidity. If possible, you can also supplement with nutrient solutions to improve the Pokémon’s physical condition. If you’re particularly wealthy, you can even use nutrient solutions imbued with specific elemental properties.”

Staring at the egg inside the incubator, Xia Yu was already contemplating how to procure a nutrient solution that combined Dragon- and Flying-type properties.

Ordinary nutrient solutions cost about 150,000 per bottle, enough for a standard Pokémon hatch. However, elemental nutrient solutions are far pricier, ranging from 750,000 to 1.5 million depending on the energy type. For Woobat, the Dragon-type nutrient costs 1.5 million per bottle, while the Flying-type costs 1.1 million. Even with a compromise, it would still cost about 1.2 million.

This price made Xia Yu gasp. With 1.2 million, he could buy a pretty good starter Pokémon. Spending so much on energy nutrient solutions was simply beyond his means.

Though his family was relatively well-off, they were not wealthy by extravagant standards. Compared to the truly great families, their holdings were modest. His grandfather’s generation was ordinary, and it was only after his father seized the opportunity to become the Gym Leader in Starlight City that they entered the ranks of the affluent.

“Money’s tight.” Xia Yu couldn’t help but complain. Whether in his previous life or this one, money was always crucial. “Where can I earn some?”

He began to consider ways to make money. In this world, the most lucrative industries were all Pokémon-related, such as Poké Ball manufacturing, berry cultivation, and energy cube production.

Xia Yu’s father owned vast forested land used for growing berries and producing energy cubes.

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A clicking sound echoed as the door opened. Xia Yong and his wife stepped inside.

Xia Yong, aged fifty-three with graying temples and a robust build, was accompanied by Lin Xuemei, Xia Yu’s mother in this life. She worked as a Pokémon nurse and served as the deputy director of the city’s largest Pokémon medical center.

Upon entering, they noticed Xia Yu crouched beside the incubator, frowning slightly as they spotted an unfamiliar purple Pokémon egg inside.

“Where did this egg come from?” Xia Yong asked.

“I brought it back from the wild today,” Xia Yu explained. “It’s my starter Pokémon.”

“Yours?” Xia Yong was surprised. He had tried gifting Xia Yu starter Pokémon several times before, only to be refused. He never expected Xia Yu to willingly capture one today. “Lin, come take a look at this egg.”

Lin Xuemei, youthful and beautiful in her younger days, held a doctoral degree. Her family was full of scholars; Xia Yu’s maternal uncle was a Pokémon researcher, and his maternal grandparents were Pokémon professors—a family renowned for their academic pedigree.

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Xia Yong had truly lucked out marrying Lin Xuemei, a refined lady from such a distinguished family. Their marriage had caused quite a stir, and Xia Yong often said that marrying Lin was the proudest moment of his life. Naturally, their relationship was deeply affectionate.

“Xiao Yu?” Lin Xuemei set down her bag, surprised to see her son’s change of heart. He had never wanted to become a Pokémon Trainer before.

Though surprised, Lin Xuemei did not press him but encouraged, “There’s still a year before the entrance exam. If you want to become a Trainer, it’s not too late. I want to see what kind of Pokémon egg this is.”

She approached the incubator and examined the egg carefully. Its purple patterns intertwined with black lines were quite rare.

The egg was plump and round, its shell glossy and radiant. The patterns were vibrant and thick. Judging by its appearance alone, the Pokémon inside seemed to have excellent potential.

“Where did you get this egg?” Lin Xuemei asked, already forming a rough guess.

“From a cave in the Qianlian Mountains, about two hundred miles away,” Charles, lounging on the sofa, interjected. “I encountered a Noivern there. It was quite strong. The egg should be its offspring, but judging by its appearance, it doesn’t look like a Woobat’s egg.”

“This definitely isn’t a Woobat’s egg,” Lin Xuemei smiled. “It’s a Woobat egg. You’re lucky—Dragon-type Pokémon are very rare. This Woobat should have excellent potential.”

“Woobat’s evolution, Swoobat, is a formidable Dragon-type Pokémon, especially in battles at night or in darkness, where its strength is amplified. Swoobat has a fierce temperament and is a spirited Pokémon. However, if you feed it ripe fruit it likes, it becomes surprisingly gentle. Even the three-headed Hydreigon fears it in the dark and will avoid fighting before night falls. It’s aggressive and ruthless, but in darkness, it reigns supreme.”

“Xia Yong, bring that bottle of nutrient solution here. This is my son’s first Pokémon — we must lay a solid foundation.”