Morning light spilled through the inn window, soft and golden, painting the wooden walls of Shion's room in long stripes. Birds chirped somewhere outside. A distant bell rang probably the baker opening for the day.
Shion stirred.
He sat up slowly, rubbed his eyes, and turned his head
and stared.
Bidoof was lying spread-eagled on his back, drooling onto the pillow, a plump snot bubble wobbling at the tip of his nose with every breath. The sheer serenity of it made the scene almost holy.
"…Seriously?"
Shion tilted his head. The snot bubble pulsed.
He blinked, stared a second longer, then shook his head and stood, stretching.
Kiba was already awake, tail wagging slowly, head rested between his front paws in the corner. His bandages were gone, but the fur was still slightly ruffled in places.
"Morning," Shion said quietly, kneeling beside him. "Feeling better?"
Kiba gave a soft bark in reply.
Shion smiled. "Great. Let's go get some breakfast."
The word "breakfast" had a magical effect.
Bidoof snapped upright, eyes wide. "DID YOU SAY BREAKFAST?"
Shion jolted. "You were snoring three seconds ago!"
"I was in a meditative state," Bidoof said, adjusting his fur smugly. "Focused on caloric recovery."
Kiba barked again, amused.
Shion shook his head. "Right. Come on, you two."
---
The main hall of the inn was already bustling with travelers. The fire from the night before had died down, replaced by shafts of morning sun and the smell of berry cakes, roasted meat, and fresh bread.
As they descended the stairs, Shion's mind drifted.
The memory of last night still lingered. The bloodied man at the door. His gasping voice. The cries of a shrine under attack. And Kaela the strange, sharp-tongued girl who'd leapt into action without hesitation.
He hoped she was alright.
He glanced across the dining hall—
And there she was.
Kaela sat alone at a table near the window, hunched over a plate of sizzling root hash and grilled fish. Her hair was tied back now, revealing a few fresh burn marks along her left arm. Her coat was slung over the back of the chair. She looked exhausted, but alert.
Shion hesitated. Then, gathering his courage, he walked over and stopped by her table.
Kaela looked up.
"Oh. It's you," she said flatly, chewing.
There was a pause.
"…What's your name again?"
Shion smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "Uh… Shion. And you're Kaela, right?"
"Right. Sit if you want."
He did.
A passing waitress stopped by, and Shion ordered a simple plate of eggs, toast, and some steamed berry slices for himself, Kiba, and Bidoof.
Kaela looked down at the chubby brown Pokémon that had just waddled up to the table, eyeing the syrup like it was sacred.
"…That's your Bidoof?"
"Uh. Yeah."
"…How did it get that fat?"
Bidoof glared up at her. "Excuse me?"
Kaela blinked. "It's like a Snorlax trapped in a Bidoof's body."
Shion choked on his breath, trying not to laugh.
Bidoof puffed up. "I'll have you know, this body is a result of high metabolism, divine energy storage, and post-traumatic gluttony!"
Kaela narrowed her eyes. "It talks weird."
"He's just loud," Shion offered quickly.
"I'm also eloquent," Bidoof huffed.
Kaela turned her attention to Kiba. The Lycanroc had settled beside Shion's chair, calmly observing the morning crowd.
"So this is your Lycanroc. You didn't bring him down last night."
"He was tired," Shion said. "Still recovering."
Kaela leaned down and gave Kiba a pat on the head.
"…Hm. Strong posture. Good coat. But the color's weird. Midday Lycanroc are supposed to be light brown, not orange."
Shion froze.
"I-it's a rare coat variant," he blurted. "Likes to play in the dirt a lot. Just… stuck, y'know?"
Kaela's hand shot back like she'd touched a hot plate.
"Ew."
Kiba tilted his head, ears twitching, confused.
Shion grimaced. "Sorry, Kiba."
The Lycanroc barked gently, seemingly unfazed.
Their food arrived, and the trio dug in. Kaela ate quickly and efficiently. Shion, hungrier than he thought, found himself relaxing a little. Even Bidoof was too focused on the berry jam to complain.
After a while, Shion cleared his throat. "So, uh… what happened last night?"
Kaela looked up from her mug. "Talonflame. Red-eyed. Corrupted."
Shion winced. "Was anyone hurt?"
"No one died. But the shrine's damaged. Some of the carvings were scorched. The wind chimes are gone."
She stared into her drink.
"It was stronger than I expected. But I've seen worse."
There was silence for a moment.
"Thanks for going," Shion said quietly. "I wanted to help, but… Kiba wasn't ready."
Kaela shrugged. "You did the smart thing. Charging into a corrupted Pokémon unprepared gets you killed."
She finished the last of her fish, stood, and stretched.
"Well. Time to go."
Shion stood too, watching her pull on her coat.
"Wait!" he said. "Um do you know where the nearest clinic is?"
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I want to get Kiba checked out. Make sure he's really okay."
She pointed out the front window. "Three blocks down, left at the windmill, behind the berry market."
Shion winced. "Can you… maybe show me? I'm bad with directions."
Kaela stared at him.
Shion offered a sheepish smile. "I'll probably end up in someone's attic by accident."
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"…Fine."
The visit to the clinic had gone well—mostly.
The moment they stepped in, the doctor gave Kiba a gentle once-over, nodding in approval at his recovery progress. Kiba wagged his tail proudly.
Then came Bidoof.
"Do we need to have your Bidoof checked, too?" the doctor asked, squinting behind her glasses. "Its… condition looks a little concerning."
Shion glanced at Bidoof, who was snoozing on the bench, looking like a sentient sack of dough.
Bidoof opened one eye. "I am the pinnacle of plush perfection."
The doctor raised an eyebrow.
Shion cleared his throat. "Uh. He's fine. Just… built different."
The doctor shrugged and scribbled something on a clipboard. "Keep an eye on his sugar intake."
"No promises," Bidoof muttered and rolled over.
---
Clinic visit complete, Kaela didn't say much as shion followed her as she look at him not saying a word
Soon, they turned a corner and stood before a large, two-story stone building with wooden beams and wide windows. A metallic crest of crossed swords and a Poké Ball was carved above the entrance, flanked by two banners fluttering in the breeze.
The Adventurer's Guild.
Shion stared up at the sign like it was a piece of myth brought to life.
He'd heard of it before, of course. Stories from traveling merchants. Fantasies whispered in Riverleaf about brave explorers and monster slayers.
But now he stood before it.
And the doors were open.
Kaela glanced back at him. "You should stop following me go do your own thing "
Shion blinked. "R-Right...."
Kaela went inside as shion followed her she sigh but just continued walking
Inside was a burst of noise and color. The first floor was a wide open hall, bustling with activity. Long tables lined the center, packed with adventurers of all kinds grizzled veterans, young rookies, Pokémon resting at their feet or standing nearby.
There were notice boards against the wall, pinned with quests, job flyers, escort requests, lost item bulletins, though Shion only caught a glance.
Kiba rested comfortably in his Poké Ball. Bidoof was still in his bag, snoring softly.
Shion stuck close to Kaela as they weaved through the crowd.
Some people glanced at him just a kid with messy hair, a big bag, and nervous eyes but most ignored him after a second look. Kaela was clearly known here. A few nodded to her in passing, others made space.
To Shion, the place smelled like old parchment, roasted meat, and charcoal smoke.
He was about to ask Kaela a question when he realized
She was gone.
He turned in a slow circle, heart speeding up.
"Oh no."
A man with a jagged scar across his cheek and a Houndoom at his side noticed him standing awkwardly near the entrance.
"You lost, kid?"
Shion gulped. "No, I'm just uh looking for the desk…"
The man snorted and turned away.
Shion spotted a long, curved wooden counter ahead where several guild clerks sat behind small stacks of papers and crystal-glass screens. He took a deep breath and walked up.
A young woman with short auburn hair, a white blouse, and a sapphire brooch looked up and smiled brightly.
"Welcome! I don't think I've seen you before. Here to register?"
Shion's voice caught in his throat. "Uh. Y-yeah. I think so."
She tilted her head, tapping a crystal stylus against her palm-sized scrollpad. "Alright! What's your name?"
"Shion."
"Great. You from around here?"
"No. I'm from a village called Riverleaf."
"Ah, one of the western farming provinces." She nodded knowingly. "Long way from home."
Shion nodded, already sweating under the stares of a few curious adventurers.
She smiled kindly, noticing his nervousness. "Don't worry. Everyone starts somewhere. First time in a guild?"
"…Yeah."
---
"Well," the clerk said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "let me give you the rundown."
She pulled out a scroll from under the desk and unfurled it. On it were seven colored tiers, each with a name and crest.
> Elvaris Adventurer Rank System:
Bronze – Entry-level. Basic delivery, herb gathering, low-threat patrols.
Iron – Low-level combat, minor escort jobs.
Steel – Mid-tier. Combat-heavy. Escort missions across regions.
Silver – Trusted adventurers with combat experience.
Gold – Veterans. Can take dangerous recon, relic recovery, rare Pokémon pursuit.
Platinum – Elite. Assigned to large-scale missions. Limited access to artifact sites.
Mythic – Legendary status. Kingdom-contracted, often tied to historical events.
"Most adventurers start at Bronze. You'll be limited to non-dangerous jobs at first. Things like harvesting rare berries, fetching items, helping townsfolk with mild wild Pokémon."
She looked up. "No rampaging Ursaring quests just yet."
Shion chuckled weakly. "That's… probably for the best."
"Each job earns you coin and reputation. Complete enough and your rank increases. Some ranks require a formal exam, sometimes a practical field test."
She slid a smooth silver-and-wooden card across the counter. It had a crystal core and a slot for his name, which glowed faintly as she tapped the stylus.
> Name: Shion
Rank: Bronze
Origin: Riverleaf Village
"Here's your adventurer card. Don't lose it. You'll need it to accept quests, check into guild outposts, and register for healing services."
Shion stared at the card in his hand.
It was warm.
Somehow heavier than it looked.
"…I'm an adventurer now?"
She smiled. "You are. Welcome to the guild."
---
A Pause, and a Realization
He stepped back from the counter, eyes still on the card.
A weeks ago, he was planting seeds in Riverleaf's soil.
Now, he had a traveling bag, a talking Bidoof, his weird orange colored Lycanroc… and an adventurer license.
He suddenly felt very far from home.
Bidoof stirred in his bag. "Did you do something stupid while I napped?"
"…I might've just became an adventurer ."
"Oh joy. Bureaucracy and bruises."
Shion sighed and tucked the card into his cloak.
From across the hall, he caught a flash of familiar dark hair. Kaela was standing near the mission board, arms crossed, talking to a tall man with white armor and a Metagross standing silently beside hin
She looked serious.
Focused.
Shion wondered what rank she was.
Probably Silver. Maybe even Gold.
And here he was Bronze rank, shaking in his boots.
Still… he had a start.
And he'd walked here on his own