Goals and Aspirations

"Ian, may I travel with you?"

I almost habitually replied to her with a "No."

Ever since my parents died in my previous world, I've shut myself off to many things. One of such things is friends and relationships.

People tend to feel happy and joy by surrounding themselves with other people after their family members die, but I'm different.

I would always feel anxiety whenever I created a relationship with someone. I felt that way because these people that I connected with will always leave me when the sun goes down. Every time someone left, I would always feel an extreme sense of dread.

Hence, I didn't make many deep connections to keep the things I don't like away.

Moving in with a romantic partner might've been a good choice for me at that time. However, I didn't have the financial ability, and I'd be hurt even more if they left.

Not to mention that… I'm not always the brightest when it comes to maintaining connections.

Nevertheless, this isn't the situation anymore, is it?

"Is that a no, Ian?" Zaphiel asked with a gloomy face after noticing that I went quiet.

I stared into the bright eyes of the girl and nodded. "Let's journey together then, Zaphiel."

"I knew you'd say no. I'm such a clutz after all… huh? You said you'll travel with me!?" Zaphiel's frown turned upside down and quickly leaned in to grab my hands. She lifted it up to her chest and gripped them tightly.

"...Yes, that's what I said" I struggled my hands freed from hers, only to see that she held it again.

"Then!! Let's get to know each other first!" Zaphiel's sparkly eyes activated once again.

"Well, let's talk while we walk. I want to see if we can make it out of this forest by nighttime." I broke free again and ran away from her. She repeatedly broke my no-no zone, and I felt kind of weird having my hands grabbed by her.

"Ahh!! Wait for me, Ian! I'm not as fast as you are!" Zaphiel pleaded and chased.

I slowed down, and eventually, Zaphiel and I were walking side by side. I've already said that I'll travel with her, so running didn't bring me any benefits. I'd only be wasting my energy if I continued to do so.

"You're so good at battling, Ian. What are you going to do on our journey? Are you going to become a Pokemon Master?" Zaphiel curiously asked.

After hearing her, I gave the question a thought.

What do I really want to do in this Pokemon world? Should I become a Pokemon breeder? Maybe I should enter the Pokemon League, or perhaps become a Pokemon Coordinator?

There are really too many occupations, and I'm not sure what I should do…

One thing is for sure, though. It's that I need a way to get a lot of reputation points since that's the anomaly that will help me strengthen my Pokemons. Currently, it seems that I need to impress people.

Going by this train of thought, then I should become someone that will always be on the stage as that is the most sure-fire way of getting more points.

After keeping Zaphiel in suspense for a bit, I answered: "I'm not sure, but I want to be on stage. I guess the Pokemon League and Pokemon Contests have the most viewerships, so I'll do those?"

I said so, but I wasn't sure if the Pokemon occupations that I know of are similar to the ones here in this world. Nevertheless, Zaphiel answered my inner question quickly.

"Yeah, those events do have the most viewerships, so you'll definitely get the most exposure if you do those things!"

"That said, I still don't know where I should start." I brushed the two Pokeball that are on my belt and felt a sense of loss.

"Hmm… Perhaps you can start by challenging the Bug Gym in Silkis Town, Ian. I heard that the beginner trainers that come from our village always challenge that Gym first. From what I've seen, your battle commands are super duper amazing! Perhaps you might even beat the Gym Leader on your first try!"

"Is that so? I suppose I'll challenge that Gym first then." I rubbed the non-existing beard on my chin and began boasting in my mind. Maybe I'll really win on my first try? The battle strategy that I implemented before was really good. I might really have a natural gift in battling with Pokemon.

"Anyways, what about you, Zaphiel? What do you want to do on our journey?" My attention turned away from myself and went towards the girl.

After hearing my ask, Zahpiel's beautiful eyes became bright again. She clenched her fists and pointed them forward. "I want to be a Top Pokemon Coordinator, Ian! Although you say that you want to do this too, I won't lose to you! My mother's dream was to become a Top Pokemon Coordinator, but she never achieved it. In my journey, I'll definitely obtain this title!"

I smiled and joked. "What If I received the title before you?"

"As if, Ian! I'm going to beat you down and receive the title before you do! You may be good at Pokemon battles, but Pokemon contests are totally different!" Zaphiel scoffed and glared at me in displeasure.

"You haven't even seen me compete in one yet, Zahpiel! Maybe I'm one hundred times better than you!"

"You-!! You're starting to show your true colors now, aren't you, Ian!?" Zaphiel's face flushed and tackled me with a slight force.

"Heh." I chuckled. I kinda enjoy being near a person like this who can joke around.