Chapter 54

"Shinx!"

This time, before Diluc could ask, Takumi spoke with a subtle expression:

"I suggest you choose this one. You can nurture it to reach the Elite level without any issues."

"Although Shinx in its initial form is quite weak, once it evolves into Luxray, it gains significant combat power. It has the ability to see through walls and detect prey on the other side of a thick wall..."

After a pause, Takumi added:

"In the Pokémon world, the international police often train Luxray to serve as an assistant. Its golden eyes are practically a machine for identifying evil and dangerous elements!"

The latter half of the sentence made Diluc decide:

"Alright, I'll choose Shinx then."

Takumi nodded, then handed two blank Pokédexes to Eula and Barbara.

"Your turn..."

Eula's palms were already covered in sweat as she watched Diluc draw his Pokémon, feeling even more nervous than he was.

Unlike Diluc, who could always return to his family and become a wealthy noble, Eula was different. She carried the blood of Lawrence's sinners, facing rejection and resistance from the people of Mondstadt. Her ties to her clan were almost completely severed.

If she lost her title as "one of the strongest combat forces," Jean and the Knights of Favonius might no longer rely on her or accommodate her.

Eula feared that the world would turn dark.

"I can't afford to fail."

"I need a powerful Pokémon!"

Eula took a deep breath and pressed the screen of the Pokédex with her trembling fingers.

Beep!

The result appeared—

"Charmander!"

When the Pokédex read out, "First-Generation Kanto Starter," Eula could feel the envious gazes from Kaeya, Diluc, and Barbara.

At the Knights' headquarters, not long ago, Jean had called everyone to share information about Pokémon.

Below the pseudo-legendaries, the Kanto Starters were considered highly valuable.

Of course, dragon-types and psychic-types were also highly coveted options, but starters like Charmander were the second-best choice.

"Is this a dragon-type starter?" Eula asked, her breath slightly quickened.

Charmander... just by looking at the name and listening to the voice introduction on the Pokédex, it seemed like it might be.

Suddenly, Diluc, who had just finished his draw, couldn't help but clench his fists, feeling a bit envious of Eula. She was incredibly lucky to draw this powerful Pokémon on her first attempt.

"No, Charmander is not a dragon-type Pokémon," Takumi said with a chuckle, shaking his head.

"It's a fire-type Starter."

"Of course, just because it's not a dragon doesn't mean Charmander isn't strong."

"Its final evolution is Charizard, and Charizard often appears in the main teams of Champions and even Masters."

"Tell me, is it strong or not?"

Takumi hadn't even gotten to some of the other aspects. When Pokémon's animated and comic versions are turned into holographic virtual games in the future, people in Teyvat will be able to understand more intuitively what makes Charmander so special.

Charmander... it was once the protagonist's standard starter Pokémon. Not having Charmander was like not being a true protagonist.

Later, in the Galar region from the Sword and Shield generation, Champion Leon's Gigantamax Charizard was a legendary force—Leon, the strongest Champion, relied on Charizard to suppress Cynthia and her Garchomp, ranking first in the Master League.

The key was...

Takumi's expression grew serious as he stared at the Charmander on the Pokédex.

It had golden pupils.

The flame on its tail burned with a golden hue.

"It's also a shiny—one in a million."

"What the heck?" Kaeya was stunned.

Diluc's envy froze on his face. The righteous man could not utter a single complaint.

This was too special!

Eula herself was even more confused, her head full of question marks:

"Shiny? A shiny Pokémon?!"

"Huh? I actually drew a shiny one?!"

A shiny Pokémon.

This information had been discussed before by Jean, who had expressed deep envy of Ningguang, the only customer so far to have received a shiny pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

Eula had never dared to dream of this. She had only hoped for a Starter Pokémon or a dragon-type. Drawing a shiny was beyond her imagination.

Takumi looked deeply at Eula.

There was one more piece of information that Takumi hadn't shared.

The potential growth of this shiny Charmander exceeded that of Hu Tao's Gible and Ningguang's shiny Beldum.

If there was a competition for the Pokémon with the greatest potential, the winner would definitely be Eula and her Charmander!

"That'll be 100 million Mora," Takumi said, glancing at the system's suggested selling price and quoting an astonishing amount.

A hundred million Mora—twice the price of the Gible.

Eula struggled to stay composed. The normally cold and straightforward female knight had lost her composure.

She stammered:

"A hundred million Mora? Oh, alright!"

"No, no, that's not it!"

"I don't think it's too expensive!"

"I just think it's so unreal, so incredible!"

"As a descendant of sinners, do I really deserve this kind of luck? Have I actually been chosen?"

Takumi couldn't help but smile as he saw her drop her protective guard.

"Eula Lawrence."

He called her by her full name, his voice suddenly mysterious and distant.

Eula looked at Takumi in a daze. At that moment, she felt like she was looking directly at a god.

"This Charmander will take you to fly to another vast sky."

"There, there's no so-called old nobility, no family glory, and you will break free from all the heavy chains..."

"You are you. You are Mondstadt's future Champion Trainer!"

Takumi's gaze seemed to pierce through her soul.

Eula was stunned.

Was this "me"—someone who had found their path in a new era?

A Champion Trainer... that sounded good.

From this day on, Eula had found her direction, her path. Relief and determination shone in her eyes.

Eula stepped back.

Next was Barbara.

Barbara said, "Club Manager Takumi, I want a Pokémon that can sing and heal."

Then, Barbara, the Deaconess of the Church of Favonius, drew the Pokémon of her dreams—an Igglybuff.

It was pink and round, with big red eyes that looked innocent and kind.

"Wow, so cute! So adorable!" Klee chimed in.

"Klee wants a Pokémon like this too!"

Little Klee got close, her face almost touching the Pokédex screen, her eyes filled with stars.

The description on the Pokédex matched Takumi's statement:

"The evolved forms are Jigglypuff and Wigglytuff."

"This type of Pokémon is very gentle and caring. With proper training, it will gradually unlock singing and healing abilities."

Takumi picked up Klee, who was practically leaning on Barbara's Pokédex, by her backpack, lifting the little girl.

"Now it's your turn, Klee. Please register your Pokédex and draw your initial Pokémon."

Klee was lifted into the air, but she wasn't scared at all. Instead, she spread her arms and legs out as if she were flying, with a cute smile.

She giggled and said:

"Klee already drew hers!"

"Meloetta, please show my Pokédex to the big brother. La la la~"

At that moment, everyone, including Takumi, turned curiously to look at the image on the Pokédex that Meloetta was holding up.

Everyone was stunned.

"!!!"