Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

Truly, you can't see clearly when you're in the thick of it.

Su Bai, who'd spoken the most during this whole situation as the Pokémon Center's operator, wasn't even on-site. Without his aura present, Lucario had no way of understanding what Su Bai was saying—which was why it had stayed silent.

Ironically, it was Machamp's aggressive competitive aura, radiating unintentionally, that left the newly arrived Lucario a little… confused.

"Uh… hello, Lucario. Where did you come from? And why are you here?"

Xiao Zhang obediently repeated Su Bai's questions.

Lucario finally turned its head—completely ignoring Machamp, who was still flexing his muscles like it was in a bodybuilder competition—and opened its mouth.

"Luuuuuuu~~~!"

A long string of calls flowed from Lucario's mouth.

Xiao Zhang instinctively turned toward the orb, and as expected, Diancie's cheerful voice came through.

"The beautiful and lovely Diancie, reporting for translation! Hehe~!"

"Lucario says… it doesn't really know what happened either! It was just sparring with a Hitmonchan, and then when it blinked—boom—it was suddenly here!"

"After wandering around a bit, it noticed some weird activity at the top of this snowy mountain."

"As a Pokémon with a strong sense of justice, Lucario decided to come investigate, to see if it could help resolve the issue."

"And then it sensed the aura of Pei Jingguo and Xiao Zhang. Mmm~ it says your auras are… trustworthy!"

As Diancie finished translating, the frown on Su Bai's face finally began to ease.

Now everything made sense.

As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Lucario naturally enjoyed challenging strong opponents, just like Machop had in the past. Sparring with a Hitmonchan? Totally on brand.

And when the system randomly summons Pokémon from the Pokémon world, there doesn't seem to be strict targeting. If Lucario had been very close to the summoned Hitmonchan, it likely got pulled in by accident.

It was a slim possibility—but not impossible.

And judging from the system's lack of concern over such anomalies, it probably didn't consider individual cases like this a big deal. After all, the Pokémon House and Pokédex functions didn't strictly follow generational limits either.

With the mystery solved, Su Bai let out a breath of relief.

The system was the foundation of everything he'd built in this world—it couldn't be malfunctioning.

Now that his worries had been lifted, Su Bai's tone lightened noticeably.

"So… this really is a very noble Lucario."

"Its Ability must be Justified."

Su Bai gave Diancie a little pat on the head in thanks, then continued explaining:

"Justified is a hidden ability only a small number of Lucario can have—just like Wang Tao's Torterra having Shell Armor. It's quite rare."

"Technically, the ability's effect is just a one-stage Attack boost when hit by a Dark-type move."

"But even without a direct personality trait written into the ability, its name alone tells you what kind of Pokémon we're dealing with."

"It's no wonder that, while most Pokémon fled in panic, Lucario ran toward the danger. It's a warrior among Pokémon!"

There was one thing Su Bai didn't say aloud: Lucario had chosen to come to Xiao Zhang and Pei Jingguo—because their aura revealed their hearts.

Lucario was a Pokémon that only approached Trainers with pure intentions.

"So that's how it is… Thanks, Professor Su!"

Xiao Zhang nodded in understanding, then walked over to Machamp and gave it a pat on the shoulder.

"Machamp, it's not here to fight. Be nice."

"Machamp!"

Machamp looked reluctant but lowered its arms. To it, Lucario was a worthy opponent—and it really wanted a sparring match.

Xiao Zhang stepped forward and tried his luck.

"Umm… Lucario, would you be willing to be my partner?"

He pulled out a Poké Ball and waved it gently in front of Lucario.

This Pokémon just checked all his boxes.

If he could catch it right now—it'd be an absolute jackpot!

Even more tempting was Lucario's mysterious aura power. It might belong to the Pokémon world, but…

If Xiaofei could simulate a bond-based power like the Force of Bonds through sheer spiritual energy, then maybe he could train his body to master aura as well.

As a martial artist, Xiao Zhang's pursuit of strength never wavered.

"Luuu~!"

Lucario glanced at the Poké Ball, then looked up toward the summit—and shook its head decisively.

It pointed toward the top of the mountain and let out a firm cry.

Xiao Zhang awkwardly withdrew the Poké Ball and turned back to the orb.

"Uh… Professor Su? Didn't you say Lucario was drawn to us because of our aura? Does that mean… maybe it wants to be Pei Jingguo's partner?"

He looked toward Pei Jingguo, who was still watching the situation calmly, arms crossed over his longsword.

Pei Jingguo blinked and shook his head.

"Doubt it. I'm a swordsman… I don't really know how to train Fighting-types."

By now, many of the first-generation Trainers had figured out some patterns when it came to catching Pokémon.

When capturing a wild Pokémon, the Trainer's type or role didn't matter much—like how Wang Tao caught Electrode when it was weakened.

But when acquiring Pokémon through the Pokémon House or Pokédex pulls, things were different.

Sometimes the match was about compatibility—like Li Xiaoyu's adaptable Eevee.

Other times it was about personality—like Xiao Zhang's Machop or his Honedge.

Or maybe it was based on synergy or balance—like Ding Yue's Talonflame, or Principal Lu's Mr. Mime.

Basically, when a Pokémon was drawn to a Trainer, there was always a reason.

Wild Pokémon didn't follow the same rules, but when certain conditions were met, they often became easier to catch.

But this Lucario, who had actively sought them out, didn't seem to match Pei Jingguo, the stoic swordsman.

If anyone fit the bill, it should've been Xiao Zhang—not Pei Jingguo.

"But it doesn't look like it wants to join me either…"

Xiao Zhang sighed, disappointment plain on his face.

"Don't be too down! Diancie's got something to say!"

Su Bai chuckled and handed the mic back to Diancie.

"Translation time~! This Lucario is such a chivalrous Pokémon!"

She pointed dramatically (despite Xiao Zhang not being able to see her) toward the summit of the snow-covered mountain.

"It says: 'Not until this looming crisis is resolved will I consider journeying with a Trainer!'"

"If you wish to become its Trainer—then show your worth in the battle to come!"

(End of Chapter)

✅ Pokémon Clarifications:

Lucario (路卡利欧) confirms it was summoned by accident while sparring with Hitmonchan (快拳郎).

It possesses the Justified (正义之心) Ability, a rare Hidden Ability.

Its decision to join a Trainer is conditional on their actions in the upcoming conflict—a noble test of worth.

Su Bai likens it to a Pokémon warrior of justice—and he's not wrong.