Pokemon: This Trainer is Too Cautious!

"This... isn't good."

Ace frowned slightly. Professor Oak's sudden change left Ace feeling a bit unable to accept it for a moment.

"Take it. Consider it compensation for my earlier test of you, old man that I am."

Professor Oak clapped Ace on the shoulder firmly. "Remember, though this world is cruel, it isn't necessarily ugly. Hold onto your inner convictions and live life fearlessly."

Ace was somewhat stunned, looking at the item in his hand. A hint of guilt, he wasn't sure when it had started, began to rise within him.

Perhaps it was gratitude towards Professor Oak, or perhaps shame for the darkness within himself.

Ace opened the Pokédex. As the power turned on, an electronic voice said: "This Pokédex is presented to Acemit. May you remain true to your initial resolve and become an excellent Trainer."

"That Poké Ball contains a Squirtle. The original Squirtle had a slight accident, so I reapplied to the League for this one. It's yours now."

As Professor Oak's words fell, Ace opened the Poké Ball, and a blue, turtle-like Pokémon appeared before him.

Pokémon: Squirtle

Gender: Male

Level: 5

Ability: Torrent

Nature: Bold

Aptitude: Superior

Egg Moves: None

Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Withdraw.

Fold...

"Side Quest (Professor Oak's Recommendation Letter) completed. Quest Rating: C. Quest Reward: 2000 Gold, 2 Quest Points."

"Side Quest (Chosen One) completed. Quest Rating: D. Quest Reward: 300 Gold, 1 Quest Point."

Both side quests were completed, but the ratings weren't very good.

However, it was understandable. After all, one was delayed for so long. Judging by the system's nature, for the "Chosen One" side quest, the system probably intended for Ace to get that Squirtle before Blue.

And the "Professor Oak's Recommendation Letter" quest's rating sharply dropped because of a single system prompt.

"The Pokédex allows you to know about any Pokémon you see, and also to view the Pokémon you've caught."

Professor Oak explained to Ace, "Currently, Bill's Pokémon Transfer System has also finished development. I've also equipped the Pokédex with a small transfer device. If you have any Pokémon you can't properly care for, you can use the Pokédex to transfer them to me for safekeeping. Alternatively, once you meet other Pokédex owners and exchange contact information, you can mutually trade and transfer Pokémon."

Ace nodded silently. If the Pokédex had such a function, it would be extremely convenient for certain matters in the future.

Ace crouched down and gently stroked Squirtle's smooth head. He said to Squirtle, "From now on, I'm your Trainer. Let's work hard together."

Squirtle nodded with a smile. It was very pleased with the Trainer before it.

As for Cynthia, after hearing about all the benefits of the Pokédex, she also tried to get one from Professor Oak.

However, Professor Oak politely declined Cynthia.

Pokédexes weren't given out casually; every person who possessed a Pokédex was carefully selected by Professor Oak.

As the pampered young lady of a prominent family, Cynthia naturally fell outside of Professor Oak's assessment criteria.

Cynthia was upset about this but could do nothing.

With the quests successfully completed and a bountiful harvest, Ace and Cynthia bade farewell to Professor Oak and headed towards Mt. Silver.

After leaving Pallet Town, Ace and Cynthia released Aerodactyl and Dragonair, then, with their help, flew towards Mt. Silver.

"Still sulking?"

Flying in mid-air, Ace glanced at Cynthia, who still seemed like a pouting child, and couldn't help but ask.

"Strange, you actually initiated conversation with me." Cynthia sat on Dragonair, looking at Ace with surprise.

"Just had some thoughts clearer now," Ace took a deep breath. "And you probably won't be staying in Kanto for too long. Sinnoh is your home."

"So you mean you're not going back to Sinnoh?" Cynthia glanced at Ace. For some reason, she felt a little uncomfortable.

"No, what's there to go back for?" Ace said with a touch of nonchalance. "If conditions allow, I plan to settle in Kanto."

"Suit yourself," Cynthia said flatly, then said nothing more.

The two continued their journey in silence until they reached the foot of Mt. Silver. When Cynthia was about to have Dragonair fly upwards, Ace stopped her.

"There are often turbulent air currents above Mt. Silver year-round. Flying-type Pokémon can't survive up there. Forcing your way up, unless you're lucky enough to avoid the turbulence, is very dangerous if you encounter it."

Hearing Ace's words, Cynthia nodded, not wanting to risk it.

At the foot of the mountain, the two recalled Aerodactyl and Dragonair, allowing them to rest, while also releasing Happiny and Gible respectively.

"Follow me. I've been here once before; I still remember the way."

Ace led the way towards Mt. Silver, and Cynthia quickly followed.

Ace still chose the path he had taken before. This time, however, they didn't encounter the Primeape tribe. Instead, after walking for a while, they came across a Lickitung.

"Not very strong, I'll leave it to you." Ace took a glance and handed the Lickitung over to Cynthia.

Cynthia didn't decline. She stepped forward, looked at the Lickitung, and said, "Go, Gible! Dragon Claw!"

Gible charged forward, swiftly rushing towards Lickitung. A faint glow appeared on its short claws.

The sudden attack startled Lickitung. It then extended its tongue and licked at the charging Gible.

"Thud!"

With a dull thud, Dragon Claw and Lickitung's tongue collided. The highly elastic tongue directly bounced Gible away.

After landing, Gible instantly burrowed underground, which stunned Lickitung again.

"Bang!"

The ground beneath Lickitung's feet cracked. Gible burst straight up, fiercely striking Lickitung's abdomen, making it stumble.

"Dragon Claw!"

Having closed in on Lickitung, with no tongue to hinder it, Gible's Dragon Claw now rained down on Lickitung's abdomen.

The continuous blows made Lickitung close its eyes in pain.

"Boom!"

Falling heavily to the ground, Lickitung was defeated by Gible's string of attacks, losing its ability to battle.

"Not bad. You know how to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses," Ace commented. As for the Pokémon at the foot of the mountain, they generally didn't have very high battle awareness and were at the bottom of Mt. Silver's food chain.

The higher one went on Mt. Silver, the stronger and higher-leveled the Pokémon became.

Even the system's quest, which required Ace to reach the summit of Mt. Silver within two years, gave ample time, indicating the strength of Mt. Silver's Pokémon.

This time, Ace was here for special training, not to reach the summit, so he planned to take it slow, gradually advancing upwards with Cynthia.

If necessary, they could even stay in one area for a longer period to adapt to the strength of Mt. Silver's Pokémon.