One million credits was by no means a small amount.
Although Murong Nan's family was well-off, they weren't obscenely rich. That black crystal card even contained her very first startup fund for her journey as a professional Awakened.
Liu Yunlan knew this, which was why she was so shocked!
But before Yunlan could even voice her objections, Su Bai—who had been moving at a relaxed pace—suddenly snatched the card with lightning speed!
Even Murong Nan didn't have time to react—her card was already in Su Bai's hand.
With a swift motion, he swiped it through the register.
The store's Rotom-powered register chimed with a mechanical voice:
"Transaction complete. 1,000,000 credits received."
Su Bai grinned to himself. No way was he letting Liu Yunlan ruin a sale like this.
The money was in. Deal done. No take-backs.
Besides, most of the equipment and inventory in the shop were practically antique. Bills for water, electricity, daily expenses—those weren't going to pay themselves.
His parents' inheritance had mostly dried up during his school years.
Right now, Su Bai desperately needed this money!
Pushing the three identical commemorative Poké Balls forward, Su Bai cheerfully returned the black card to Murong Nan and said:
"Well then… please choose your very first Pokémon, Trainer."
Murong Nan dazedly accepted the card.
Wait a second—wasn't this guy supposed to be unawakened?
How was he faster than some close-combat pros?
She didn't even see his hand move!
Still…
Now staring at the three identical Poké Balls in front of her, how was she supposed to choose?
Su Bai watched her carefully and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
When he used to play Pokémon games back in the day, he probably looked just like this—agonizing over which starter egg to pick.
Now they were Poké Balls instead of eggs, but the hesitation of someone about to choose their first companion was exactly the same.
Murong Nan stared at the three Poké Balls for a long while before finally asking:
"Can I touch them before deciding?"
Su Bai raised an eyebrow but nodded.
"Of course. But you only get one chance."
Murong Nan visibly relaxed at that.
She reached out slowly, planning to touch each one in turn.
From the outside, there was no way to tell them apart.
But the Pokémon inside could sense the outside world.
The moment her fingers brushed the first Poké Ball—it trembled slightly.
Murong Nan's eyes widened in surprise.
After a few moments, she said softly:
"I don't want to check the others. I'll choose this one. Is that okay?"
Su Bai nodded without hesitation.
"A Pokémon chooses its Trainer just as much as a Trainer chooses their Pokémon."
He was curious, too. This kind of mutual selection was rare. What would the result be?
With Su Bai's approval, Murong Nan carefully picked up the Poké Ball.
From this one, she could feel a sense of warmth and familiarity.
She had originally intended to touch all three, but once she held this one—she no longer wanted to let go.
Su Bai pointed to the raised button at the center of the Poké Ball.
"Then the deal is sealed."
"All that's left is for you to press that button… and throw it."
"Your partner will appear."
He was just as curious. With nine generations of starter Pokémon to pull from—which one had she picked?
Murong Nan nodded and did as instructed—pressing the center of the Poké Ball, then tossing it with a flick of her wrist.
Bang!
With a soft sound, a blue-colored Pokémon appeared before them.
It was small, round, and had tiny legs that made standing look like a challenge. Its head was large and perfectly round, its eyes shining like sapphires.
The moment it saw Murong Nan, its eyes squinted with joy and it waddled over happily—throwing itself into her arms!
Murong Nan caught it instinctively, surprised and delighted.
She turned her head toward Su Bai, who was already chuckling.
"Looks like your luck's pretty great."
"That's Piplup, also known as the Round Penguin Pokémon."
"It's one of the most beloved starters out there."
Not only was Piplup strong—it was also immensely popular.
In fan polls from Su Bai's past life, Piplup often ranked as the most popular starter across all generations.
And its final evolution, Empoleon, was a common powerhouse in competitive battles—regal and formidable.
A perfect blend of charm and might.
Su Bai gave Murong Nan a thoughtful look.
"Now that I think about it… Piplup's personality is kind of like yours."
"This really does feel like fate."
Most Piplup were known for being proud and fiercely independent.
Murong Nan, with her cool and aloof "ice queen" demeanor, was a perfect match.
Murong Nan, however, wasn't listening at all.
Her entire attention was fixed on the adorably round, blue penguin in her arms.
The cold expression she usually wore had completely vanished—her face now lit up with pure joy.
She had been jealous of Su Bai's Meloetta before…
But now that she had Piplup?
No regrets at all!
Liu Yunlan, on the other hand, was practically green with envy.
"Even this one is so cute?!"
She pouted and said begrudgingly:
"Nan-nan, I think you've been scammed. I mean, yeah it's cute, but a Pokémon without combat abilities won't be much help!"
But even as she grumbled, her hand involuntarily reached out to pet Piplup.
Such an adorable little penguin—surely just hugging it once wouldn't hurt?
But Piplup merely glanced at her hand—and then immediately buried its face in Murong Nan's chest, with a hint of disdain in its eyes.
Liu Yunlan was stunned.
Su Bai burst out laughing.
"That's Piplup for you. Cute, but super proud."
"Say it has no battle value in front of it again, and it'll never let you touch it."
Piplup's infamous pride wasn't just for show. If you dared insult it, there was no way it would let you cuddle it.
Ignoring Yunlan's indignant face, Su Bai pulled out a card and handed it to Murong Nan.
"Here, take this. It's a copy of your Pokédex."
"It doesn't have all the functions of a full Pokédex, but you can use it to view your Pokémon's details."
"Its learned moves are listed in there too."
Murong Nan took the card and glanced at it.
"Pound, Growl, Water Gun…?"
"That doesn't sound very powerful…"
After all, she was already a D-rank Awakened, and her class was none other than the much-coveted Mage, something Su Bai had once dreamed of becoming.
"Water Gun" didn't exactly scream powerful spell.
Hearing her doubt, Piplup peeked out of her arms—looking deeply wounded.
Su Bai raised his hands in mock defeat.
"Hey, it's still young. Pokémon grow fast, but they all start somewhere."
"Underestimate it now, and it might get upset."
He pointed to Piplup's sullen face.
As a proud Pokémon, being looked down on by its Trainer would hurt more than any injury.
Murong Nan immediately cuddled Piplup, whispering apologies and stroking its head.
Su Bai, seeing the moment was right, opened the back door.
Back when the Su family business was thriving, they'd bought out the land behind the store.
Now, it would serve nicely as a training ground.
Su Bai casually leaned a piece of iron plate against the wall and grinned.
"Alright, let's see what your Piplup is made of."
"Go ahead, Trainer. Show us what you've got."