Pokémon orphanage

Although he had to conduct a follow-up visit, just seeing that A-Bo had completed its evolution, Taylor had no intention of going through the full procedure.

The evolution of Pokémon in this world isn't based on levels, and there's no such thing as levels in this world.

After checking the box on the follow-up list, Taylor put away the report.

"Come, come, try the tea I made myself," Mr. Hick walked over with a teapot in his hand, smiling.

A light scent of tea moved up, lingering faintly at the tip of Taylor's nose.

Taylor couldn't help but lick his lips. He enjoyed drinking tea quite a bit.

Although Mr. Hick was very old, he looked healthy and walked with great vigor.

"Sorry to bother you, Grandpa Hick," Taylor said politely, taking the tea.

Mr. Hick was an outstanding contributor to the Alliance, but Taylor didn't know what specific honors he had received.

After all, he couldn't find any information about him online, and the old man didn't talk much about his past.

But now, sitting in Mr. Hick's house, Taylor gained some preliminary understanding of the old man's history.

Although most of the furniture was ordinary, a golden Poké Ball displayed in a cabinet was enough to prove the old man's achievements.

The First Class Merit of the Alliance, awarded by the Alliance, was this golden Poké Ball, made of pure gold and extremely valuable.

Of course, the honor carried by this medal far outweighed the value of the gold itself.

It's said that there's a chance of earning third-class merit, second-class merit is rare, and first-class merit is almost unattainable while still alive. This shows how extraordinary it is to receive first-class merit.

After chatting with Mr. Hick for a bit and checking the compatibility score as usual, Taylor prepared to leave.

The compatibility between Mr. Hick and A-Bo had increased by 2%. It seemed that after adopting A-Bo, the old man had given his whole heart.

Although Mr. Hick warmly invited Taylor to stay for dinner, Taylor missed his Pokémon orphanage and politely declined.

When Taylor returned to the Pokémon orphanage, he went to the infirmary first to check on the Teddiursa. At that moment, the Teddiursa was still receiving treatment and hadn't woken up.

"This little guy must have suffered a lot," Taylor said, inspecting the medical cabin to confirm everything was in order, then feeling relieved.

As soon as he stepped out of the infirmary, Taylor heard a dull thud.

Bang!

The sound was like thunder, startling him slightly.

"Krow!" Kuro, disturbed by the noise, swooped down from the sky and landed on Taylor's shoulder.

"This guy Bonk," Taylor said, his heart aching as he looked toward the training area and walked over.

There weren't many Pokémon in Taylor's Pokémon orphanage now. Aside from the socially anxious Casey, there were only Kuro, who flew around freely, Bonk, who suffered from neurological meningitis, and Puffin.

Puffin, however, had a good personality and physique, and the only reason it was abandoned was its appearance.

So Puffin actually worried Taylor less.

The one who worried Taylor the most was Bonk.

Taylor hurried to the spot where Nova and Dusk had exercised that morning.

As he arrived, he saw Bonk charging at a wooden stake, its heavy breathing kicking up dust on the ground.

Bonk took a deep breath, twisted its body, and swung a punch at the stake.

But the next second, its fist inexplicably struck its own face.

The force sent Bonk stumbling to the side.

A red fist mark was left on Bonk's face.

Taylor walked over, noticing a glimmer of tears in Bonk's small eyes.

Upon seeing Taylor, Bonk awkwardly turned its head, trying to lie on the ground to hide its tears.

However, the imbalance caused by neurological meningitis made Bonk stumble.

It fell into Taylor's arms.

Bonk's body stiffened instantly.

Taylor gently patted Bonk's back.

Primeape is a Pokémon with a fiery temper, but at that moment, Bonk was trembling in Taylor's arms.

Taylor could feel the clothes on his chest slowly dampening.

Kuro stayed still, perched quietly on Taylor's head.

"Do you want revenge?" Taylor asked softly.

Bonk suddenly raised its head, shook it, paused, then shook it again.

Bonk was in pain, shaking its head frantically, and Taylor held it steady.

"Okay, I get it," Taylor said, touching Bonk's head.

He knew Bonk wanted to nod.

Looking at Bonk, now calmer, Taylor narrowed his eyes.

Bonk had been abandoned, but not at Taylor's Pokémon orphanage.

It was sent by Officer Jenny, found at the Pokémon Center and treated there.

Although Pokémon Centers provide free basic medical care, other treatments require payment.

The Miss Joys had pooled money to help Bonk recover from its meningitis.

"It's been delayed too long. If it could have received treatment earlier," Officer Jenny had said with a hint of anger when she brought Bonk to Taylor.

And so, a Primeape with lingering neurological issues joined Taylor's Pokémon orphanage.

The basic medical cabin couldn't cure Bonk's condition; it required a medical cabin upgraded three times.

Taylor checked his happiness points.

Upgrading the medical cabin cost a thousand happiness points.

After Nova and Dusk were adopted, they had earned Taylor 400 happiness points.

Combined with the 100 points he hadn't used before, Taylor had just over 500 points.

"This thing," Taylor said, looking at the Pokémon orphanage system's exchange interface.

There was an item costing 10 happiness points, not much.

Its purpose was to identify the person who abandoned a Pokémon.

Taylor had never used it before.

He felt its value was limited.

What was the point? Even if he found the abandoner, they'd likely refuse to take the Pokémon back. And if they did, who could guarantee they wouldn't abandon it again?

Or worse, seal it in a Poké Ball, encase it in cement or toss it into the sea?

A case like that was featured on the Kanto TV program "Jenny's Statement." A Pokémon, abandoned in the sea, starved to death inside its Poké Ball.

They died at the hands of the cruel intentions of their once-trusted trainer.

Though such people were rare, Taylor didn't dare take the risk.

The little ones were already pitiful enough.