Not long after, Ryan Ford and the others arrived at their destination.

Today was the peak day for registering as a trainer, so the Pokémon Center was a bit crowded. However, the staff worked very efficiently, and it only took an hour for Ryan Ford and the others to complete all the procedures. Now, they could go back and receive their Pokémon egg.

“Starting today, I’m a trainer too?”

Even after walking out of the Pingcheng Building, Ryan Ford still hadn’t calmed down.

Although he told himself not to get too excited and to wait until he got the Pokémon egg, he couldn’t help but feel a little thrill.

However, what Ryan Ford found a bit disappointing was that the regular trainer’s identity information was directly linked to his ID card. It was just registered online, and no other proof of identity was issued.

What Ryan Ford really wanted was that license for professional trainers.

When they returned to the breeding house, it was still Henry White who received Ryan Ford and the others. But this time, Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford never brought up the matter of the evolution stone, which made Henry White’s smile freeze a little.

With Henry White’s subtle hints, Mr. Ford awkwardly but politely brushed the topic aside, making it clear that the deal wasn’t going to happen.

“Mission accomplished.”

Ryan Ford secretly gave a thumbs up.

He wouldn’t touch such a luxury item as an evolution stone, not even the Moss Rock that would let Eevee evolve into Leafeon.

Unless he could get it for free.

At last, Ryan Ford finally got his own starter Pokémon… egg.

Holding the transparent incubator that Mr. Henry White had prepared to secure the Pokémon egg, Ryan Ford gripped it even tighter, afraid he might drop it.

Inside, the egg with a white base and brown markings floated up and down in the thick nutrient solution…

“This is the guidebook for hatching Pokémon eggs. Pokémon are much more resilient than ordinary animals, so you don’t need to worry too much about the hatching process. Just follow the instructions,” said Henry White.

Most Pokémon can take on tigers and leopards right after birth, unlike ordinary animals that are so fragile when they’re born.

“Understood.” Ryan Ford nodded.

Next, Ryan Ford, Mr. Ford, and Mrs. Ford all thanked Henry White for his explanations along the way.

“You’re welcome.” Henry White didn’t dwell on the evolution stone issue and smiled as he saw them out of the breeding house.

Now, Ryan Ford had only one thought: go home and hatch the Pokémon egg.

Every second that Eevee wasn’t hatched was torture for Ryan Ford.

However, according to Mr. Henry White’s introduction, the egg should hatch within a week after the nutrient solution is drained, but no one could say exactly when. This made Ryan Ford feel a bit anxious.

“Come to think of it, this glue-like nutrient solution can actually delay the hatching of the Pokémon egg and enhance the newborn’s resistance… That’s really amazing. I wonder who came up with it,” Ryan Ford thought, a little surprised.

Oh well, never mind. Better make a wish for instant hatching.

Chapter 7: Scarf and Milk

After returning home, Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford started cooking, while Ryan Ford took the Pokémon egg to his bedroom.

After gently placing the incubator on the desk, he began to flip through the guidebook he’d received.

On the first page, the image of a Pokémon caught Ryan Ford’s eye.

This Pokémon looked like it was based on a fox, with most of its fur being brown.

The tip of its fluffy tail and the ruff around its neck were cream-colored. Its legs were short and thin, each with three toes and pink paw pads. Its eyes were also brown, drawn very vividly, and its long, rabbit-like ears were adorable.

Eevee, Normal type, Evolution Pokémon…

No matter how many times he looked at it, it was still so cute.

No wonder it was considered the best Pokémon to have as a pet—absolutely adorable…

“According to the guidebook, you just have to press the buttons in order to drain the nutrient solution. After that, the trainer has to stay by the Pokémon egg’s side at all times.”

Ryan Ford sighed. The process of becoming a trainer was quite different from what he’d seen in the anime.

In the anime, the starter Pokémon given to new trainers had already been raised for a while and could join battles right after being caught.

But here, rookie trainers like them basically had to start from the egg and raise the Pokémon themselves.

Of course, this rule had its benefits: it made it easier for the Pokémon and trainer to form a deep bond. After hatching, Pokémon usually liked to rely on the first creature they saw.

Ryan Ford didn’t rush to do anything. He kept reading, as there was more information about Eevee at the back of the guidebook. But it was really just a few lines, simply recording Eevee’s info.

And the moves it could learn.

After a glance, Ryan Ford lost interest. This was clearly an ultra-simplified, bare-bones version of a Pokédex—about the same level as that single Pokémon card James had in the anime…

“The only useful part is the food recommendations, but those are probably common knowledge and can be found online. Still, it’s better than nothing.”

Time passed quickly, and by the time Ryan Ford finished reading the guidebook, lunch was ready.

Ryan Ford rarely ate with his parents. He usually ate at the school cafeteria, and Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford were busy with work and didn’t have time to cook for him. Today was a special occasion.

Having the whole family eat together, Ryan Ford felt pretty good.