"Hmph… who knows if any of this is real. I couldn't find a single piece of information about Squirtle online."
Lily pouted slightly, though she was clearly just saying it casually.
At this point, she had basically learned everything she wanted to know.
"Boss, can Pokémon battles really guarantee the health and safety of Pokémon?"
She blinked her clear eyes and asked Ren once more, just to be sure.
"Lily, you're not seriously thinking about letting Charmander battle, are you?"
Emma was startled and turned to her best friend in surprise.
"I'm just asking. If safety can really be guaranteed, then it shouldn't have any… bad effects, right?"
Lily sounded a little unsure. Pokémon battles were still far too unfamiliar to them.
But to be honest, she was genuinely curious.
She had always been a competitive person, and the mysterious, unknown field of Pokémon battles fascinated her deeply.
"There's no need to worry about safety," Ren said calmly.
"Pokémon have their own built-in protection mechanisms."
"Their physiques are extremely special. As long as a Pokémon hasn't reached its physical limit, no matter how many attacks it takes, it will only lose the ability to continue battling."
"This state—losing the ability to battle—is how victory or defeat is determined. As long as no excessive attacks are made after that point, their lives are fully protected."
Of course, that was only relative.
If a Pokémon fought frequently over a long period without proper treatment and rest, hidden injuries could still accumulate.
But those risks could be avoided entirely.
It all depended on whether a Trainer was competent and responsible.
"Also," Ren added seriously,
"I want to emphasize that Pokémon battles are friendly competitions—just like sports matches. Malicious attacks are absolutely forbidden."
He wanted to promote Pokémon battles, but never at the cost of harming Pokémon.
"If it's truly healthy competition and the pursuit of victory, then it's not unacceptable."
After thinking it over carefully, Emma's resistance to Pokémon battles eased considerably.
But…
She glanced down at Squirtle.
Uh…
Such a cute little turtle—could it really defeat an opponent?
With Water Gun?
Or… would Squirtle jump on the opponent and bite them?
When Emma imagined Squirtle climbing onto Charmander, opening its tiny mouth and chomping down on Charmander's head, she couldn't help shivering.
That mental image was way too strange.
"My little fox is basically a fairy—it doesn't know how to fight," Jason said, hugging Vulpix tightly.
Even though he was very interested in Pokémon battles, he couldn't bear the thought of his adorable Vulpix getting hurt from a collision or fall.
That would absolutely break his heart.
Hearing this, Ren froze for a moment and looked at Jason with a rather odd expression.
"Uh… sir," Ren said kindly,
"your Vulpix is male."
Jason's expression instantly stiffened.
"Male…?"
He lowered his head and stared at the six-tailed fox in his arms, who was yawning lazily.
So cute… yet it actually has—
Doesn't that mean it'll grow into a male Ninetales in the future?
"Woo?"
Vulpix clearly had no idea what kind of emotional storm its Trainer was experiencing. It blinked its big eyes in confusion and let out a soft cry.
"Pfft—"
Emma and Lily couldn't help laughing.
"Well then, boss," Lily said,
"how can we make Charmander grow faster?"
Seeing Jason lost in thought, she turned back to Ren.
"Just let it move around more, make sure it gets enough nutrition, and do some appropriate training," Ren replied with a chuckle.
"Pokémon training involves many aspects."
"Hmm… training."
Lily looked at Charmander thoughtfully.
How should she train it?
Exercise?
"Or," Ren added,
"you can battle more. Battles allow both the Trainer and Pokémon to gain experience and learn faster."
Battling really was one of the most effective ways to grow.
"If we battle…"
Lily's eyes lit up as she turned to Emma.
Right—why not try it out with Emma?
She wanted to experience Pokémon battles for herself.
"Uh… I—"
Emma naturally understood what Lily meant, but she still hesitated.
"Hey, little sister, I'll be your opponent!"
Suddenly, Jason's voice rang out.
Ren and the two girls looked at him in surprise.
After all, just a minute ago, he had sworn he would never let his Vulpix battle.
"I'm a professional gamer!" Jason said confidently.
"My Vulpix can definitely do it too!"
His eyes burned with determination.
Since Vulpix was male, he had no more psychological burdens.
He wanted to train Vulpix into the strongest—and most handsome—fox!
Let's go!
"Alright then. My Charmander won't lose to a fox."
Infected by Jason's fighting spirit, Lily became equally fired up.
No matter how you looked at it, her little fire dragon was a dragon.
How could it possibly lose to a six-tailed mutant fox?
—Completely ignoring the fact that Charmander was, at present, just a red-skinned lizard.
"Since both guests are interested," Ren said with a smile,
"I'll provide the battlefield."
The moment he said it, excitement surged in his chest.
This would be—
The first Pokémon battle in this world.
A truly historic moment.
He'd definitely have Diancie record it later and upload it to Bilibili as promotional material.
Perfect.
I'm a genius.