Chapter 2: I'm Serious, I Want to Drop Out
1186 Words
Mu Hsu looked at the system and couldn't help but furrow his brows.
"Are they really trying to make me a trainer?"
"Heh, dream on!"
"Become a trainer? Not a chance!"
Mu Hsu gave the system a side-eye glance and muttered to himself.
"Strength is something that only needs to be enough. Being too strong is unnecessary. The world is full of strong trainers, but I just want to travel the world happily with my beloved girl. Everything else is irrelevant."
"The system must have a conspiracy; it wants me to become stronger and help it achieve some hidden purpose. That's it!"
"Pah, I'm not becoming a trainer, nor will I ever become strong. Dream on!"
Mu Hsu sneered at his system and called out his Greninja again.
"Kura!"
As usual, Greninja made a stylish entrance, standing up straight with one hand on his head and the scarf flying around his neck.
Mu Hsu looked at the show-off Greninja and felt a little embarrassed.
From the looks of him, he could probably guess what kind of person that irresponsible father was...
"Let's go, I'll introduce you to my mom, and then we'll go to school."
After washing up and changing his clothes, Mu Hsu said to Greninja.
Greninja was first surprised, then quickly nodded.
"So soon I'll be meeting lady master? Little master really trusts me!"
"Master is right! Little master is really easygoing, so rest assured, Little master, I will protect you!"
Mu Hsu was unaware that his words had sparked so many thoughts in Greninja's mind.
Taking him out of the room, Mu Hsu saw that his mother was already ready to go and approached her.
"Mom, we don't seem to need to buy a starter Pokémon at the Incubation House."
Upon hearing this, his mother looked up at Mu Hsu.
Simultaneously, she saw Greninja standing upright.
"Kura!"
(Greetings, lady master. Greninja reporting for duty!)
His mother was slightly taken aback, but then quickly calmed down as if she had remembered something.
"Hello there, Greninja."
She greeted Greninja warmly and then looked at Mu Hsu.
"Since we have Greninja now, there's no need to go to the Incubation House again. Why don't you two sit down while I make some food for you."
Mu Hsu quickly stopped his mother who was about to start cooking.
"Don't bother cooking, Mom. I want to talk to you about something."
Seeing that Mu Hsu was looking at her seriously, his mother sat down, waiting for Mu Hsu to continue.
Mu Hsu cleared his throat when he saw that his mother was sitting down.
"I want to drop out of school."
"Kura?"
"What?"
Greninja and his mother almost simultaneously asked in surprise.
"Yes, I want to drop out of school."
Seeing that Mu Hsu wasn't joking at all, his mother asked, "Why? Did he say something to you?"
The "he" she mentioned naturally referred to the unreliable man who had been missing for many years.
"No, Mom, don't worry. I haven't seen him. Dropping out is my own idea."
Once Mu Hsu said it was his own decision, his mother relaxed a bit but still looked at him with some worry.
"Here's the thing, Mom. I think the school doesn't help me much."
"I don't want to be a trainer, and I don't want to become strong. I just want to live a easy life."
"So, I want to drop out and explore the world in my own way."
His mother was stunned for a moment and then looked at Mu Hsu, who seemed full of yearning. From the bottom of her heart, she began to doubt what was wrong with the kid.
What do you mean by exploring the world?
"Have you thought it over?"
Mu Hsu nodded.
"Well, then I'll contact your teachers now."
She was just an ordinary housewife and had never left Feng City before.
In her eyes, her son is her everything—hope, dependence, and support.
Since Mu Hsu had made up his mind, her job was to support him, not stand in his way.
"No need, Mom, I'll go by myself," Mu Hsu said.
When Mu Hsu finished speaking, he was about to leave.
Greninja, seeing Mu Hsu about to leave, quickly shouted, "Kura!"
"Hey, hey, hey, take me with you, young master!"
Hearing this croaking sound, Mu Hsu suddenly remembered that he had forgotten about this guy.
"Alright, we'll go together. Let's go register first."
In this world, every citizen has the right to own a Pokémon, whether they are trainers or not. However, they must register it first, otherwise they will be considered to be engaging in illegal trading of Pokémon or for other purposes and leading to an investigation from the League.
Middle School of Feng City, Mu Hsu's school.
Although it's Saturday today, the security guard is still diligently guarding his post.
Taking out his student ID, Mu Hsu confidently enters the campus.
As for Greninja, it has already been recalled into the Pokéball. After all, they haven't registered yet, so it's better to keep a low profile and avoid trouble.
Arriving at the principal's office, Mu Hsu knocked on the door.
"Come in."
A woman's voice came from inside.
Mu Hsu was a bit puzzled. Isn't the principal an old guy?
Opening the door, Mu Hsu understood.
It turns out teachers are having a meeting.
"I think we should try our best to compete for the opportunity in this competition," said the principal when he saw Mu Hsu enter. "Who are you?" he asked curiously.
"Sir, I am a student from Class 16, Grade 3. My name is Mu Hsu," said Mu Hsu confidently. Then he continued before anyone could interrupt him, "I've come to apply for dropping out of school."
"Dropping out? Dropping out?" The word "Dropping out" reverberated through the room.
This statement instantly silenced the entire principal's office. Middle School of Feng City, a top school nationwide, known for its elite teaching staff, advanced facilities, and a large number of Pokémon teaching tools. Countless parents are eager to send their children here in the hope of obtaining good grades in the exams and entering excellent colleges in the future.
And now, this young man was saying he wanted to drop out?
"Can you make such a decision, Mu Hsu?" The head teacher stood up and walked towards Mu Hsu, looking at him with a stern expression.
"Or go back and discuss it with your family. This is not something a child can decide."
"You're still young. We'll consider it as a joke this time. Don't be naughty again."
As the head teacher spoke, he extended his hand, signaling Mu Hsu to leave.
Mu Hsu shook his head. "I really want to drop out, and my family agrees."
As soon as Mu Hsu finished speaking—
"Nonsense!"
The vice principal stood up abruptly.
"What can you do if you drop out now? Do you want to work to make a living?"
"Now you have such excellent education resources for you, at your disposal, to help you with your study. Yet, you don't cherish it!"
- Writer
