Manor Lord of the Elf World

Chapter 201 The First Breeze Rises
Tangcao Town, early spring.

The town is surrounded by lush green grass and wildflowers, creating a unique and beautiful landscape as the hillsides undulate.

In a mansion in the town, a woman wearing an apron walked to a wooden door on the second floor, knocked, and called out:

"Xiaochun, it's time to get up! Isn't today your day to go to the Trainer Association to pick up your starter Pokémon? If you sleep in any longer, someone else might get all the Pokémon!"

Inside the room, a girl who looked to be about sixteen years old suddenly woke up from her sleep. She rubbed her eyes, and after hearing her mother's words, she immediately let out a panicked cry.

"Oh no! I'm going to be late!"

"Crash!"

The sharp cry startled the Bean Doves on the branches outside the window. As if frightened, these Pokémon, which could be seen everywhere, flapped their wings and flew away.

Xiaochun hurriedly threw off the covers and got out of bed. She pushed open the door, and without bothering to wash up or eat breakfast, rushed out of the house, leaving behind only one sentence.

"Mother, wait for me to come back before you have breakfast!"

The woman looked helplessly at her daughter's retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh.

"This child, sigh..."

The woman got up and went into the house to help her daughter tidy up the bedding.

A hint of worry was hidden in her eyes.

I don't know if agreeing to let Xiaochun become a trainer was the right or wrong thing to do.

You should know that the wild is not like the town. There are dangerous wild Pokémon everywhere. If you accidentally provoke them, you can easily be attacked.

Moreover, setting aside the dangers of wild Pokémon, survival in the wild would likely be a significant challenge for a child who has just turned sixteen.

Sufficient food, clean clothes, medicinal herbs...

If everything goes smoothly, that's fine. But what if something unexpected happens, like getting lost or losing your food?

Haru, completely absorbed in her Pokémon friends, was oblivious to her mother's worries.

After leaving home, she went straight to the Trainers Association in town.

Tangcao Town is geographically remote and not very large, but even here, His Majesty Raven has built a Trainer Association.

As soon as Xiaochun arrived at the association's entrance, she saw that a lot of people her age had already gathered there.

These people included not only trainers from Karakuri Town, but also many children from nearby Deer Town and other small villages.

Although there were quite a few people, it wasn't as overwhelming as I had imagined.

Perhaps it's because many parents worry about their children encountering danger in the wild that they don't let them become trainers? Xiaochun wondered.

She ran into the association and said to a staff member:
"Hello! I'm here to claim my starter Pokémon! What should I do?"

The staff member said, "Please come this way!"

"Yes!"

Led by the staff member, Xiaochun quickly arrived at a room.

Three Pokémon were already waiting here.

The three Pokémon were talking to each other when they saw her coming over, and immediately turned their gazes toward her.

Their eyes shone with bright anticipation and curiosity, as if they wanted to see what their future human partners would be like.

Xiaochun was also a little nervous.

Her gaze fell upon the Pokémon.

In the past year, a Pokémon school has been built in Tangcao Town, where Pokémon knowledge is taught.

In addition, bookstores also sell books with Pokémon images and information... Through these methods, Xiaochun has now learned about quite a few Pokémon.

For example, right now, she recognized the names of the three Pokémon in front of her at a glance.

From left to right: Tantan Mouse, Pickpocket Cat, and Psyduck.

"These are the Pokémon prepared for you by the Trainers Association. You need to choose one of these three as your starter Pokémon."

The staff member smiled and continued the introduction:
"The one on the left is called Tinder, a Pokémon with a strong sense of vigilance and good at patrolling."

Upon hearing its name, the tantrum mouse jumped up excitedly: "Tantrum!"

It then looked at the girl in front of it with anticipation. Would she choose it?
"So cute!" As a girl, I can't resist these adorable Pokémon.

However, there were still two Pokémon waiting to be introduced, so Xiaochun patiently waited.

"The one in the middle is called Caterpillar. It's a little guy who's good at using its agile movements to launch surprise attacks on other Pokémon."

Compared to the Detective Mouse, the Pickpocket Cat seemed much calmer. It simply curled the corners of its mouth and looked at Xiaochun with its bright eyes.

Xiaochun's heart stirred slightly. "This little kitten is so cute!"

"So this one on the right... its name is Psyduck. Don't let its silly appearance fool you, Psyduck can spit out a very powerful water gun to attack its opponents!" the staff member explained.

"Quack?" Psyduck tilted its head, supporting its head with its two webbed feet, and looked at Haru.

"So, which one would you like to choose?" the staff member asked.

Choose... You have to choose one of these three Pokémon!

Xiaochun's gaze swept across the three completely different Pokémon in front of her, and for the first time in her life, she experienced what it meant to have a decision-making problem.

However... although she cares a lot about the cute appearance of Pokémon, Xiaochun is very clear in her heart that cuteness alone is not enough to travel in the wild; she also needs the Pokémon's own power.

The highly wary Scrub can help keep an eye out for other dangerous wild Pokémon in the vicinity.

A calm pickpocket cat can outmaneuver its opponent and launch an attack with agile speed.

Despite its seemingly dull appearance, Psyduck can unleash a surprisingly powerful water gun to defeat its enemies.

Which one should I choose?
This is such a difficult decision!

The staff did not disturb her, but gave her ample time to think.

After a moment, as if she had finally made up her mind, Xiaochun said to the staff, "I've decided! I choose Tantan Mouse!"

Upon hearing this, the Detective Mouse jumped up excitedly.

The other two Pokémon couldn't help but show a disappointed expression.

"Have you made a decision?" the staff member asked.

Xiaochun looked away, avoiding the disappointed looks in the other two Pokémon's eyes, and nodded, saying, "Yes, I've decided!"

When it comes to surviving in the wild, the power of the Detective Mouse is still more useful!
"So, starting today, Tantan Mouse will be your partner. You will travel together, live together, take care of each other, and never abandon one another," the staff member said with a smile.

Xiaochun and Tantan Mouse looked at each other and then nodded together.

"Ok!"

"Tantan!"

"Then, please accept this." The staff member handed over a package.

Xiaochun reached out and took the package, opened it, and saw a book inside.

"This is information and portraits of some wild Pokémon that have been discovered so far, specially printed by His Majesty Raven. It can help you learn more about Pokémon in the wild."

Xiaochun's eyes lit up. This is good stuff!

Then, the staff handed over a few round objects: "These are the Poké Balls for the Detective Mouse. In addition to these, the Trainer Association will also give you five empty Poké Balls as a gift."

"However, at this stage, we suggest that you do not capture too many Pokémon, because one person alone may not be able to take care of so many Pokémon."

"I understand!" Xiaochun nodded repeatedly. "Also, this is your Trainer ID. It proves your identity and records your Gym Badge collection. Please keep it safe." The staff member handed over another item.

Xiaochun accepted it solemnly.

"Alright, let's begin your trip!" the staff member said with a smile. "Before you start your journey, we have a few suggestions for you."

"Please speak!" Xiaochun felt that these must be very important things as well.

"For your safety, you can stay in town and train the Detective Mouse for a while. Once it becomes stronger, you can start your journey. This way, you will also have some ability to protect yourselves."

"Also, when catching new Pokémon partners, we recommend that you catch Pokémon that can surf, swim, and fly first."

"This way, when you encounter a river that you cannot cross, you can use the power of Water-type Pokémon to cross it, or you can travel by riding a Flying Pokémon."

"Yes! We will definitely remember!" Xiaochun nodded and kept these words in mind.

*
At the same time, in Flying Cloud City, at the Trainers Association.

Derek gazed at the three Pokémon before him and calmly fell into deep thought.

On the left is a small, blue Pokémon that stands on two legs and looks like a puppy; its name is Riolu.

In the middle is a four-legged rat Pokémon with a pair of large front teeth, Rattata.

On the right is a white, mushroom-shaped Pokémon with a cap very similar to a Poké Ball, very short arms, and a large, round, pink mouth. Its name is Agaric.

"Three choices?" Derek thought to himself.

The three Pokémon in front of him were also watching him.

Derek crouched down to observe the appearance and condition of the three Pokémon up close.

He wants to become a great trainer, achieve a ranking in the year-end tournament, and gain the favor of His Majesty Raven.

Only in this way could he enable his mother to live a good life.

He must work extremely hard to achieve this goal.

Just like humans, Pokémon vary in strength. He needs to select the most talented and strongest Pokémon and grow stronger together with it to become a powerful trainer.

Of the three Pokémon, Riolu appeared calm, its eyes filled with determination.

Little Rada seemed very afraid of strangers; there was a hint of fear and timidity in its eyes.

"Little Rada is timid by nature..." Derek thought to himself.

Oh dear, the mushroom blinked its beady eyes, looking innocent and naive, like a child who knew nothing of the world.

"Child, who do you choose?" the old man asked.

The three Pokémon in front of him were also looking at Derek, waiting for his answer.

Derek had already made up his mind.

“Sir, I would like to choose Riolu,” he said.

“Riolu… is indeed a very good child.” The old man nodded and said, “In that case, I will entrust this Riolu to your care from now on.”

"Yes!"

The old man gave Derek some more instructions, and then handed him some essential items for a new trainer, thus concluding the task of selecting starter Pokémon.

Derek, holding the certificate that represented his identity as a trainer, turned and left the Pokémon Association.

"Next, it's time to train Riolu to become stronger, and then challenge the gym!" Derek thought to himself.

There is a gym in their city of Flying Cloud, and Derek plans to go there later to see how strong the gym leader is.

However, he had some things to do before that.

"Riolus, I am Derek, and I dream of becoming the strongest trainer in the Kingdom of Eindooc!" In a secluded corner, Derek finally revealed his ambition to his Pokémon.

Riolu's eyes flickered slightly; it could sense its partner's desire to become stronger.

“From now on, please take good care of me, Leorio,” Derek said earnestly.

"Woof." Riolu nodded.

Derek didn't rush off on his trip. He returned home and, seeing his mother's worried face, reassured her:

"Mother, don't worry, I've grown up now."

"Sigh!" The woman sighed deeply. She wanted to persuade him, but she knew that with her son's personality, once he had made a decision, no amount of persuasion would change it.

The woman turned around, took out a cloth bag from her body, opened the bag, and inside were some copper and silver coins that she had obviously accumulated over a long period of time.

“When you’re out and about, you’ll definitely need money for many things. This is what I’ve saved up over the years for you.”

Derek paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Mother, I've earned quite a bit of money working here, enough to live on. Besides, I've heard that people all over the world are paying to hire trainers to help them, so you can earn a lot of money even outside."

"While I'm away, remember to eat well. Once I become a great trainer, I'll come back and take you to live a good life."

Hearing her son's words, the woman couldn't help but smile on her aged, wrinkled face.

She then sighed helplessly and said, "Oh, you child, you're talking about me the other way around."

“Mother, I will definitely make sure you live a good life!” Derek promised.

"Okay, then I'll wait at home!" The woman nodded with a smile.

"..."

Derek led Riolu out of the house, clenching his fists and making a silent resolution.

He's determined to become a great trainer!

Raven City.

Raven sat at his desk, listening to Elif report on intelligence sent by trainer associations from various regions.

"Your Majesty Raven, eligible individuals from various regions have already gone to the Trainers Association to collect their starter Pokémon, as arranged by you."

"According to statistics from trainer associations in various regions, around three thousand people have already received their starter Pokémon."

Three thousand...

Raven nodded slightly.

This number is neither high nor low, which makes sense, considering that despite his strong promotion of trainers and Pokémon, in the minds of most people, some Pokémon are still considered dangerous creatures.

In addition, trainers need to survive in the wild, where countless unknown and dangerous wild Pokémon inhabit the area...

The number three thousand had already exceeded his expectations; Lei Wen had thought it would be even less.

“That’s enough,” Raven said.

However, what worries him is how many of those three thousand trainers will be left by the end of the year.

It's important to know that even in the anime, every year some trainers traveling abroad get into trouble for various reasons.

Not to mention the backwardness of today.

This is also the main reason why Raven did not choose to become a trainer at the age of ten, as is the case in the anime.

However, this is a process that the world must go through to move forward.

Raven has been making various efforts to reduce this number as much as possible.

The school teaches wilderness survival skills, and the association advises trainers to raise Pokémon in towns first, and only venture out when they have sufficient self-defense capabilities. It also suggests prioritizing Flying and Water types when catching Pokémon.

(End of this chapter)