Su Bai froze for a second when he saw who walked in.
At Haicheng No. 1 High, there were two major tracks: general academics and the Awakened program. Students with awakened abilities trained under specialized instructors, while everyone still attended the same general curriculum.
Su Bai hadn't awakened, but his academic performance was always excellent.
As someone who hadn't awakened but consistently ranked among the top students—and with his particularly handsome face—he'd become something of a minor celebrity at school.
Liu Yunlan and Murong Nan, the two girls now in his shop, were the school's undisputed beauties. Both had awakened early and excelled in their studies.
Su Bai knew them, at least enough to exchange nods in the hallway.
But all of that had little to do with the current Su Bai, now the proud owner of a Pokémon shop.
Since they were guests, Su Bai stood up and greeted them with a polite smile.
"Welcome to Su's Pokémon Shop. As you can see, I'm the owner."
Murong Nan tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful.
"You still haven't awakened, have you?"
Su Bai waved his hand casually.
"Doesn't matter. Running a pet shop is a pretty promising career too, don't you think?"
Murong Nan looked like she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Meanwhile, the more blunt and energetic Liu Yunlan blurted out:
"That amazing voice just now—did it come from here?!"
"Don't tell me you've got some secret superstar Singer-Class Awakened hiding in your shop!"
She peeked around curiously, scanning the shop windows—only to find them completely empty.
"But wait… your shop's got nothing in it!"
"Also, this little guy is so adorable! I've never seen this type of contract beast before! Don't tell me… you awakened after all?"
Meloetta tilted her head and pointed to herself with a tiny finger.
"Melo…? Melo~?"
Did they just call her… a humanoid contract beast?
She was a Mythical Pokémon, not some contract beast!
Su Bai scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
In a world overrun with death beasts and mutant creatures, it wasn't surprising that Meloetta would be mistaken for something else.
Contract tamers were indeed a unique type of profession in this world.
But unlike frontline combatants, their strength came primarily from their beasts.
And while "contract beasts" sounded similar to Pokémon, there was a fundamental difference.
Contract beasts were actually reconditioned death beasts—creatures full of rage, bloodlust, and negative energy. Even under binding contracts, they were prone to going berserk.
They were dangerous, costly, and unreliable as companions.
Basically, people used contract beasts more to gamble their lives than to protect them.
Su Bai shook his head.
"Nope, not a contract beast. And I still haven't awakened."
He extended his hand, and Meloetta cheerfully jumped into his palm, twirling gracefully on one foot before letting out a sweet call:
"Melo~ Meloetta!"
Su Bai gently patted her head.
"This is my Pokémon. Her name is Meloetta."
"In fact, that's what I sell here—Pokémon."
"They're destined to be the best companions for Awakened individuals, fighting and adventuring alongside them."
"Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?"
Meloetta's two chirps practically melted both girls' hearts.
The two beauties leaned in close, eyes sparkling like stardust as they stared at her adorable face.
Liu Yunlan gasped.
"That voice! That's exactly what I heard earlier!"
"I thought some elite Singer-Class pro was hiding in your shop…"
"But it was this little cutie all along!"
Let's face it—no girl can resist something so overwhelmingly cute.
And really, what creature could outshine the real-life version of Meloetta?
Murong Nan was mesmerized, her gaze locked on the Mythical Pokémon. Then, after a long pause, she suddenly looked up and said firmly:
"I want to buy her. How much?"
She'd pay anything.
Seriously—anything.
Don't be fooled by Murong Nan's usual icy demeanor at school.
What girl wouldn't want to own a Pokémon like this?
Liu Yunlan gave her a look like she'd just broken the rules of the universe.
Then she turned her sharp gaze toward Su Bai.
Su Bai chuckled and gently raised his palm.
Meloetta obediently floated up and perched on his shoulder.
Taking a sip of tea, Su Bai replied calmly:
"Meloetta is my precious partner. No amount of money could make me sell her."
Meloetta's cheeks flushed with joy. She snuggled against Su Bai, clearly delighted by the statement.
Liu Yunlan and Murong Nan exchanged glances, disappointment written across their faces.
They were both from wealthy families, but neither would force someone to sell what they didn't want to.
Su Bai noticed their reaction and chuckled.
"While Meloetta isn't for sale… I do have other Pokémon available."
Liu Yunlan's ears perked up.
"Other Pokémon? Can they sing as beautifully as Meloetta?"
She pointed straight at the little Pokémon, practically drooling.
Murong Nan didn't say anything, but her expression mirrored the same anticipation.
Su Bai laughed.
"I can't guarantee that, but you've come at the perfect time."
He pulled out three commemorative Poké Balls and a thick Pokédex, placing them gently on the counter.
"To celebrate our grand opening, these three special Poké Balls each contain a rare Pokémon."
"Of course, you can also use the Pokédex to blind-draw a Pokémon at random."
"Just so you know, each commemorative Poké Ball costs one million credits."
"For the others, the price depends on the species you get."
"Think carefully—once these are gone, there won't be any more."
"The commemorative Poké Balls are only available during the grand opening event!"
The girls stared at each other, dumbfounded.
After a moment, Liu Yunlan finally burst out:
"One million?! Su Bai, are you robbing people?!"
"Do you even know what a million credits means?!"
"A juvenile contract beast that can fight is worth only half that!"
"Who would pay a million just for a pet?!"
A million credits wasn't a small amount.
Even though Liu Yunlan came from money, her entire allowance—saved over many years—barely added up to just over a million.
Was Su Bai targeting her piggy bank specifically?
If he had offered Meloetta for a million, she wouldn't have hesitated.
But this was random draw.
Who knew what they might end up with?
Su Bai wasn't flustered in the slightest.
Taking a calm sip of tea, he replied:
"Don't compare my Pokémon to those mindless contract beasts."
"My Pokémon understand emotions. Isn't that right, Meloetta?"
"Melo~ Melo!"
Meloetta's cheerful response nearly made Liu Yunlan drool all over the floor.
Just as she opened her mouth to argue again—
Murong Nan silently pulled out a sleek black crystal credit card and placed it on the counter.
"I'll take one."
Liu Yunlan froze mid-sentence.
"You're seriously buying it?!"
"That's a million!"