Chapter Four: Distributing the Frostbadges

"Customizing the appearance means I can choose any look I want, right? Even something as outlandish as a full belt, perhaps? When the time comes, whether it's a Z Crystal, a Mega Evolution Stone, or even a Terastal Orb, I could study them, fuse them all together, and use them like a Kamen Rider—slotting them in with a flourish? Add a dramatic pose, and it might look pretty cool, too.

That idea sounds promising. But if I try to mimic the moves for Z-Moves, it might go from stylish to downright abstract. Stripping away the prefixes, it seems my golden finger is simply called the 'Blueprint Synthesizer'—direct and to the point.

Appearance... Appearance...

Zhu Suihan pondered, but the number slowly drifting out of the storage box caught him off guard.

[Research Points]: 2

Huh? I haven't even settled on a form, yet the golden finger has already activated. I haven't even created an account and you're telling me the newbie village phase is over?!

"Wait."

Zhu Suihan glanced at the peacefully sleeping Lapras and suddenly realized something. One Ice Beam took out a tiny Phanpy, then Ampharos finished the job with a thunderous strike. Research Points, so the 'resource carrier' for the golden finger is actually Pokémon—more specifically, the knowledge held by Pokémon?

Like the Hisui Pokédex?

"Encouraging me to bond more closely with Pokémon, but I can't exactly become a future thief. How am I supposed to earn points?"

Zhu Suihan rubbed his chin, recalling his first encounter with the cheat.

Forget it, I'll make it a censer.

Appearance isn't important; if I want a change later, I can just buy a new skin. The material looks simple, but the design is strikingly elegant, with an undertone of history and nobility. Zhu Suihan couldn't help but suspect the form was modeled after a certain tycoon's prized collection.

"How do I use this? There's no starter pack or system shop."

Suddenly, those systems that hand out missions right from the beginning seemed rather appealing.

Having points means I can redeem something, or perhaps claim 'achievement rewards' like filling out a Pokédex.

Zhu Suihan placed his palm on it and tried: "Give me an Arceus Water Plate."

[Unable to redeem!]

As expected.

"Give me a pinch of Sacred Ash."

[Unable to redeem!]

Zhu Suihan scratched his head. "Uh, just a basic ecological research report on Mareep, the simplest kind."

[Research points sufficient, redeem?]

Now it made sense.

This isn't spending points in exchange for items; it's more like the rewards for Pokédex completion in Scarlet and Violet—every milestone gets you some small bonus.

Of course, my cheat is definitely stronger than those token rewards.

Redeem.

Zhu Suihan confirmed decisively. Smoke curled from the censer, and streams of knowledge flowed into his mind.

Then, he opened a text editor on his computer and frantically typed away.

The content was mostly identical to what he remembered from the Pokédex, but with more detailed descriptions. For example, cleaning Mareep outdoors on rainy days requires precautions against electric shock; in dry conditions, remember to hydrate Mareep to avoid fires or explosions.

The final section described a 'Large Capacity Environmental Battery' design, claiming it could safely store excess electric power from Mareep as long as the environment wasn't as extreme as Primal Sea or End of Land.

Electric insulation is easy to understand, given Mareep's rubbery skin, but humans aren't so fortunate.

Zhu Suihan mused, "I see. This is an encyclopedia."

The redeemed ecological report isn't like a memory bread you can instantly master; you have to learn it. Typing out all the information was mainly to reinforce his memory.

Thankfully, while it's not instantly absorbed, the new knowledge stays in Zhu Suihan's mind, ready to be reviewed at any time.

An encyclopedia—this covers non-combat concepts.

If I focused on being a trainer, it'd be a more comprehensive tome like 'The Secrets of the Earth'!

But what does that matter to me?

Zhu Suihan shook his head. He hoped to travel with Pokémon companions, but becoming a trainer was another story.

"If I can't redeem valuable items like Plates, maybe I can access species data?"

He silently wished, "Redeem information on Lugia's group habits."

[Insufficient research points, unable to redeem!]

As expected, the prompt changed.

Compared to Plates or Sacred Ash, at least there's an explanation for why it can't be redeemed this time, not just a flat refusal.

"One research point corresponds to the most basic ecological report on an ordinary Pokémon, data you could find in real-world research."

Zhu Suihan analyzed the cheat's mechanics. "I wonder if there's a discount after I learn something, a more humane design?"

If there were a system of levels like cultivation ranks, then single digits would cover common Pokémon, double digits would go further, and so on.

Although Mareep is a second-stage evolution, its population is large and well-studied, so the price isn't high.

"Never mind, I don't have enough research points anyway."

Zhu Suihan lightly stepped over Lapras, intending to find something to drink.

"And then, my own condition."

Staying up late—it's practically an all-nighter by now, spent in intense research and thought.

"I... don't feel tired?"

He draped a lock of long hair over his shoulder; white hair, possibly stained blue from sleeping in an icy coffin.

"Why does such a Mary Sue trait appear in me?"

Antiques buried underground get earth stains; what is this, ice stains?

Thinking of his astonishing appetite, Zhu Suihan felt strangely amused.

Charge for two hours, run for a hundred days?

......

The next morning, Zhu Suihan appeared punctually in the spectator seats of the battle arena, at the assistant's invitation.

More precisely, the assistant noticed the lab lights were still on and found Zhu Suihan still tapping away.

"Chikorita, use Leaf Blade!"

"Chika!"

Chikorita leapt into the air, swinging its large leafy head, sending blades of green light flying at Lapras.

Yes, Lapras was fighting again—clearly hoping to redeem itself in front of Zhu Suihan.

"I'm strong too!"

Elder Liu commanded steadily, "Dodge right, Ice Beam—quick shot!"

A blue beam burst forth, almost without charging, so its power wasn't great.

But Lapras wasn't aiming at the airborne Chikorita, but at its landing spot!

"Chikorita, roll away as soon as you hit the ground!"

Zhu Suihan nodded slightly—correct move.

Rolling may look clumsy, but it's effective.

Chikorita isn't known for its bulk, so it likely can't stabilize itself instantly on the icy surface. Rolling is a wise decision.

"Water Gun, follow up!"

A jet of water shot out, tracking Chikorita's rolling path.

"Change trajectory!"

The trainer clenched his fist. "Jump up, Chikorita!"

Zhu Suihan: ?

"Chika!"

After rolling, Chikorita charged its leafy head downward, bouncing itself into the air, evading the water gun's laser-like shot!

The height wasn't impressive, but it created a chance to counterattack!

"Energy Ball!"

"Chi—ka!"

Chikorita charged up, launching an Energy Ball at Lapras. Elder Liu's eyes narrowed as he gave another order.

"Target it, Hydro Pump!"

"Uuu!"

A faint song accompanied a massive column of water, blasting through the Energy Ball and striking Chikorita directly!

Boom!

The explosion echoed. Zhu Suihan gently waved away the smoke.

Smoke doesn't mean a knockout, but this was an exchange of moves—so it counted.

The referee assessed the situation, glanced at Elder Liu, and after a nod, raised the flag.

"Chikorita is unable to battle!"

Zhu Suihan was stunned. Where's the rest of the announcement?

Wait, does this mean the child could get a badge?

Definitely a novice—only Chikorita as a partner?

Elder Liu, leaning on his cane, strode sternly toward the boy holding Chikorita.

"Lift your head."

Faced with 'Elder Liu of Winter,' the boy shrank back, a bit nervous.

"Tell me: why does your battle style with Chikorita involve so much jumping?"

It's understandable when using Energy Ball, seizing the moment, but what about the initial Leaf Blade? Can't it be used while standing on the ground?

"My Chikorita is quite energetic; during our travels, it likes to hop around."

The challenger steadied himself. "In wild battles, we've suffered a lot, so I thought, if my commands clash with Chikorita's habits, why not integrate them?"

"Just like earlier, when the pressure isn't high, we don't force aerial maneuvers—it's our hidden card."

If not for practicing this routine, he would have panicked during the first Ice Beam, and Lapras would have hounded them, leaving no chance to counterattack.

"Good."

Elder Liu reached into his coat and handed the boy the Frozen Badge.

"If you forced Chikorita to adapt, you wouldn't get this badge. But since you two devised this battle style together, you deserve it."

Elder Liu's face was stern. "Remember today's battle. Remember the unity between you and your Pokémon."

"I hope in the future, you will have more hidden cards and stand higher with your Chikorita."

The challenger gaped, eyes wide in disbelief.

He'd done his homework before coming; 'Elder Liu of Winter' is a legendary figure.

Elder Liu actually encouraged him after the battle!

Elder Liu frowned. "Child, snap out of it."

"Yes, yes!"

The challenger blushed with excitement. "Chikorita and I will work even harder!"

As he turned to pick up Chikorita and celebrate, he froze.

A white-haired figure was crouched beside Chikorita, watching as his partner devoured food with gleeful abandon.

"Chika, Chika~~"

A fragrant aroma wafted from Chikorita, a sure sign of good spirits.

Challenger: ?