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The Trainer License is less about permission and more about liberation for trainers.
After all, in the early days, trainers could capture Pokémon without registration or restrictions. It was only after the League considered the dangers of Pokémon—especially since anyone could wield this power if they wished, and there was no way to outright ban it—that limitations were imposed.
First, they mandated registration, then restricted the number of Pokémon new trainers could capture. Only those who proved themselves could continue capturing more.
For a group of people wielding supernatural power, this was understandably hard to accept. Yet despite that, these rules were successfully implemented and became mainstream ideology in society.
Truly admirable.
---
Monday.
The third day since Li Xiang obtained his Trainer License.
After enduring countless "trials and tribulations," he could finally visit the long-awaited Conservation Base and freely choose the Pokémon he wanted.
Maybe one. Maybe two. Maybe even more.
And all of it would be entirely up to him.
The feeling was like the first time he used a game cheat code—a slight sense of guilt, but also an overwhelming excitement that threatened to spill over.
The combination of the two created a uniquely exhilarating sensation.
Li Xiang couldn't help but hum a tune and wiggle around, much to the disdainful looks of Torracat and Purugly.
Riolu, sitting on his lap, tilted its head up in confusion, wondering if its trainer had lost his mind.
"Calm down! This isn't a trip to the supermarket! If they don't agree, I won't sign the papers!"
Mrs. Yin glared at him through the rearview mirror and warned:
"If you dare force or trick them, I'll let Arcanine bite you!"
"…."
Li Xiang immediately stopped moving. Arcanine was very obedient to Mrs. Yin—if she told it to bite, it absolutely would.
"Your son is an honest guy! How could I ever do something like that? Mom, you gotta trust me!"
He protested.
"Oh? Really?"
Mrs. Yin scoffed but didn't press further. She needed to focus on driving.
---
Half an hour later.
They arrived at the Conservation Base.
Li Xiang quickly hopped out of the car to drop his things off in the office.
Come to think of it, it had been almost half a month since he last came here. He wondered if—
"Long time no see, Xiao Xiang~"
A voice that sent shivers down his spine rang out, followed by a pair of cold, delicate hands pinching his cheeks.
"Mmm… You've lost some weight, but you're still just as pinchable."
Su Yiliu said, pressing her entire body against him.
This woman… truly a mix of love and hate.
Li Xiang sighed internally before righteously breaking free from Su Yiliu's embrace. He had serious business today—no time for casually taking advantage.
Su Yiliu pouted in dissatisfaction. This almost-thirty-year-old woman was still a master at acting cute, though it clashed somewhat with her mature looks and figure.
And she was directing it at the wrong person.
If Su Yiliu ever made that expression at any of her admirers in the sanctuary, they'd probably explode on the spot. Unfortunately, she never did.
Maybe that was why she was still single?
Well, her love life wasn't his concern.
Li Xiang tossed the thought aside and flashed her a smile instead.
---
The sanctuary kept a detailed registry of every Pokémon currently housed within its walls—including their levels, abilities, moves, and specialties, and this registry was absolutely not for public disclosure.
Mrs. Yin had no intention of bending the rules for Li Xiang either. Her stance was clear: she'd help with the adoption paperwork, but everything else was up to him.
Handing him a detailed list to pick Pokémon like a shopping catalog?
Impossible!
The Pokémon in the sanctuary weren't commodities like those in breeding farms. Many of them had been hurt—even abused—by humans before being rescued by Rangers who risked their lives to save them.
If Li Xiang treated them like groceries to pick and choose, not only would the Rangers object, but even Mrs. Yin, as deputy director, couldn't stomach it.
However…
Where there's a will, there's a way.
Since the direct approach with Mrs. Yin was a dead end, Li Xiang planned to take a detour—through Su Yiliu.
But to his surprise, even the usually easygoing big sister refused his request this time.
"Sorry, Xiao Xiang. This is part of the oath we take as members of the Ranger-affiliated organization. Everyone swears to protect Pokémon above all else when they join."
Su Yiliu clasped her hands apologetically, but her expression was uncharacteristically firm.
It was then that Li Xiang realized: while Breeding Farms and Conservation Bases differed greatly in their philosophies toward Pokémon.
The former sold Pokémon to households, aiming to popularize them among the public. Consumers could pick freely, even return them if unsatisfied.
- Human-centric.
The latter, however, were guardians of Pokémon, protecting those harmed by humans and ensuring they weren't hurt again. Every adoption required multiple screenings, and even after placement, the sanctuary would conduct regular follow-ups.
- Pokémon-centric.
Thus, Li Xiang's desire to pick Pokémon from a list like a catalog would never gain support from anyone in this sanctuary.
It violated the very principles they stood for.
A contradiction, wasn't it?
On one side, Pokémon were treated as commodities. On the other, they were treasured like priceless gems.
But it was precisely because this world wasn't a dictatorship of any single ideology—because it embraced diverse beliefs—that such rich stories could unfold.
At first glance, the League seemed unified. But as an organization of hundreds of thousands (if not millions), it was impossible for everyone to share the same voice.
Mrs. Yin and her colleagues were only peripheral members of the Ranger network—their beliefs hadn't fully aligned yet.
If Li Xiang were speaking to an actual Ranger, his mindset might have earned him a stern lecture, followed by an emergency ideological re-education session.
…Okay, maybe that was exaggerating.
The Ranger Union was a relatively mild organization, far from the extreme eco-terrorism of some manga antagonists.
But their belief in absolute equality between humans, Pokémon, and nature clearly clashed with mainstream values.
Most people agreed with the concept of "co-prosperity with Pokémon," but subconsciously, many still viewed humans as the dominant species.
The Ranger philosophy had yet to gain universal acceptance.
Well.
There goes the dream.
Li Xiang sighed inwardly. If even Su Yiliu's backdoor was closed, what else could he do?
His only option now was the bare-bones list posted on the bulletin board—names only, no details.
---
The adoption process at the sanctuary followed strict steps:
1. The adopter could specify the species they wanted, after which a staff member would escort them to meet the Pokémon.
2. Interaction would take place.
3. If the Pokémon was willing to leave and the adopter was satisfied, both parties could proceed with paperwork.
4. After adoption, there was a two-year probation period with monthly check-ins at the sanctuary. In special cases, staff could visit the adopter's home instead.
In short—tedious.
But it was undeniably thorough in prioritizing the Pokémon's well-being.
Of course, no one could deny this system was far more cumbersome than simply buying a Pokémon from a breeder.
However, the two organizations had fundamentally different purposes. The sanctuary never forced people to adopt instead of buy—they only advocated for it, never slandering breeders in the process.
---
"Basically bringing home a high-maintenance royalty."
Li Xiang stretched as he watched the Pokémon roaming freely in the distance.
Currently, the sanctuary housed 5,210 Pokémon.
Of those, 1,133 were off-limits to Li Xiang:
- Some were protected by law.
- Some held deep hostility toward humans.
- Some simply wanted to return to the wild.
In theory, the latter two groups could be adopted—if Li Xiang could persuade them, but if even professional caretakers struggled with that, what chance did a twelve-year-old have?
"Gotta try anyway! Maybe I can charm a real gem!"
Now fully warmed up, Li Xiang's confidence surged.
Fortune favors the bold. A man without dreams is no better than a Magikarp.
As a pioneer of the new era, he believed in charging forward despite the odds!
…With proper safety measures, of course.
Li Xiang slipped into the protective gear reserved for outsiders. Previously, he'd been here as staff family—now, he was an adopter. Different status, different treatment.
"Ready?"
Su Yiliu appeared beside him, her figure still striking even in the loose protective suit.
This woman was infamous for slacking off. As a department head, she should've been delegating tasks in the office—not personally handling grunt work like this.
Li Xiang gave a thumbs-up. "Absolutely!"
He was prepared for a long battle. Unlike other adopters, his biggest advantage was time—he could spend as much as needed to win over Pokémon that might otherwise ignore him.
Plus, while normal adopters weren't allowed to bring their own Pokémon into the sanctuary's roaming zones…
Li Xiang's team had already marched in under the fearless leadership of a certain chubby translator.
In this sanctuary, Purugly reigned supreme.
---
Su Yiliu released a round, pink Pokémon with small wings, a curly tail, and a crescent mark on its forehead—Clefable.
"Let's go. Which type do you want to see first?"
She asked.
Li Xiang grinned.
"Same as always—Steel-type."