Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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Duan Tianxing led Li Xiang back to the main hall.

The three boys had finished their stance training and were now resting at the side.

Seeing Duan Tianxing enter, they immediately straightened their posture, wearing expressions of utter dread.

Was he really that intimidating?

Li Xiang glanced at Duan Tianxing. The man certainly carried an imposing aura, but it didn't seem so overwhelming as to warrant this reaction.

Maybe there was something he didn't know.

"From today onward, Li Xiang will officially join Zhenxing Dojo as a new disciple. He's the youngest among you, so as his senior brothers, you must take good care of him."

Standing with his hands behind his back, Duan Tianxing's voice rang out deep and commanding.

To be honest, Li Xiang still hadn't figured out the man's age.

Forty? Fifty? Sixty?

All were plausible guesses.

"Yes, Master!"

The three boys responded in unison, standing tall and firm.

Duan Tianxing then turned to Li Xiang, saying, "If you have any questions regarding the dojo or your training, feel free to ask them. They'll assist you. Of course, you may also come directly to me."

"Understood," Li Xiang replied, nodding.

A soft sensation brushed against his feet—it was Litten.

This was its first time being apart from Li Xiang for over half an hour, and it clearly missed him.

Duan Tianxing glanced at Litten before commenting, "Your Pokémon relies on you too much. While that's a good thing, it's also not entirely beneficial."

Li Xiang froze for a moment, realizing that he hadn't seen Duan Tianxing's Pokémon yet, nor had the man ever mentioned them.

Considering the implication of his words, Li Xiang replied, "I understand. I'll keep it in check."

Everything needed balance. While Litten's closeness to him was a mutually cherished bond, excessive dependence could lead to issues down the line.

Li Xiang hoped that Litten would grow into a self-reliant companion with its own ideas—capable of making decisions and evaluating risks, like Mudkip, who would alert Ruby to its surroundings.

He didn't want a mindless battle machine that only followed commands.

Being obedient was good, but being too obedient was not.

At the moment, this was only a budding concern—a tiny sprout just emerging. If handled properly, it could lead to a great outcome.

This was precisely why a Trainer's first Pokémon was so significant.

Litten tilted its head in confusion, entirely unaware of the conversation taking place.

...

Li Xiang placed Litten outside the main hall, encouraging it to make friends with the Pokémon belonging to Lu Chengfeng and the others.

He still remembered why he had chosen Litten in the first place.

He didn't want to raise it poorly.

Litten hesitated for a moment, nervously eyeing the "fierce" Pokémon before cautiously approaching.

As it turned out, the Hakamo-o and the others didn't give Litten any trouble. In fact, since their Trainers were learning martial arts together, they were surprisingly friendly toward it.

At their core, most Pokémon in this world were pure-hearted and not inclined to harm others without reason.

Plus, it wasn't just humans who feared Duan Tianxing.

In no time, the four Pokémon became fast friends, joyfully playing together in the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Li Xiang officially began learning Zhenxing Dojo's foundational martial art: Beng Quan, under the direct instruction of Duan Tianxing.

After a brief warm-up to loosen his muscles, Duan Tianxing began.

"Let's not waste time. Today, I'll teach you the most fundamental posture of Beng Quan—stance training. This stance is essential, regardless of the technique or defense you'll use in the future."

He demonstrated the posture while explaining, urging Li Xiang to follow along. Whenever Li Xiang made an error, Duan Tianxing would either point it out or physically adjust his position.

The man's strength was something else.

Li Xiang felt like his bones were being realigned each time.

Even through Duan Tianxing's thin robes, Li Xiang could sense the sheer power of his exaggeratedly muscular physique.

This must be what they mean by "all muscle, lean in clothes, ripped when bare," Li Xiang thought, genuinely envious.

What boy doesn't dream of having abs?

The only reason they don't is laziness.

Stance training was both simple and difficult. 

Simple, because the movements weren't complex. Difficult, because maintaining them was grueling.

Duan Tianxing instructed him to hold the posture for ten minutes without moving, no matter what happened—not even if someone tickled him or made him laugh.

After giving these instructions, Duan Tianxing left.

What was this?

No supervision, relying entirely on trust?

Li Xiang doubted Duan Tianxing's faith in a child's self-discipline.

How many kids could resist moving for ten minutes straight? Even adults might struggle.

While silently criticizing this setup, Li Xiang heard rhythmic thud thud thud sounds.

Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his three senior brothers practicing on training equipment he hadn't seen before.

'A wooden dummy for martial arts?'

Li Xiang immediately thought of Wing Chun.

It made sense—boxing training often involved punching bags, focus mitts, and kick pads. How could martial arts training lack proper equipment?

"Phew..."

Li Xiang exhaled slowly, his body beginning to feel sore.

His physique was still that of a beginner; no one could transform overnight.

Relax. Stay calm.

Li Xiang eased his muscles, trying not to tense up too much. Stance training and holding poses were meant to feel natural; being too rigid would only exhaust him faster.

Time crawled by.

As it was summer, and the hall lacked air conditioning, even the faint breeze was hot. Within moments, Li Xiang was drenched in sweat.

Litten, observing him from outside, curiously approached and meowed twice. When Li Xiang didn't respond, it used its paw to tug at his pant leg.

'You little rascal!'

Li Xiang resisted the urge to scold Litten, keeping himself as still as a statue.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed. Maybe the ten minutes were up, or maybe not.

No one had told him to stop, and he couldn't check his watch from this angle.

With no visible clock around, he was left guessing.

Finding no entertainment in being ignored, Litten wandered off to play with Monferno.

Fire-type Pokémon always seemed to gravitate toward each other, sharing an innate bond. Their mutual love for summer gave them a "common language."

Duan Tianxing returned, finally releasing Li Xiang from his torturous stance.

The boy stretched his aching back, wiping sweat from his brow.

Stance training was harder than he'd imagined.

"Your physical fitness is lacking. In addition to stance training, you'll undergo basic conditioning exercises," Duan Tianxing declared.

At some point, a short leather whip had appeared in his hand.

Li Xiang's eyes widened.

'Wait, was he just out looking for that whip?'

'If I'd given up early, would I have been whipped on the spot?'

Holy crap!

'This guy really uses corporal punishment!'

Li Xiang lamented internally. He'd assumed Duan Tianxing didn't care much about whether he trained or not.

But clearly, this was an old-school, "spare the rod, spoil the child" kind of teacher.

No wonder his senior brothers were so afraid of him.

No wonder the dojo was so sparsely attended. A more modern approach wouldn't have alienated so many students.

Yet despite the grueling training and frequent thoughts of quitting, Li Xiang didn't give up.

His parents had pinned high hopes on him, especially his father, Li Zhehan. And his mother, Yin Tao, genuinely wanted him to learn martial arts for self-defense.

He didn't want to let them down.

In his previous life, he'd seen his parents disappointed too many times.

Just once, he wanted to make them proud.

So Li Xiang gritted his teeth and endured, following Duan Tianxing's rigorous guidance.

Of course, he'd overestimated himself.

Duan Tianxing's training was almost as intense as what he'd give a high-level Pokémon—unrelenting and brutal.

Every time Li Xiang collapsed, Duan Tianxing would approach, commanding him to get up.

If he didn't rise immediately, there'd be no negotiation—just a snap of the whip. It was like herding cattle.

Yet no matter how much it hurt, whenever Li Xiang checked his skin, expecting welts, he found nothing but redness.

Not even a bruise.

What was this? Hitting the flesh without breaking the skin?

Li Xiang had no words. He could only push through.

The money had been paid, and he'd willingly committed to this. There was no turning back now.

Though tempted to run away, he knew he'd regret it later.

Li Xiang hated the taste of regret the most.

....

Far away, Litten noticed its Trainer being whipped. Furious, it bared its teeth and claws, ready to charge at Duan Tianxing.

However, after running just a few steps, Litten was pinned down by Monferno and the other Pokémon.

They tried to persuade Litten not to be hasty and foolish, but how could Litten listen?

In the end, it was only after Li Xiang, exhausted like a stray Growlithe, ordered it to stop that it finally obeyed.

As a result, Li Xiang earned another whip from Duan Tianxing, who told him not to get distracted.

'This is so unfair!'

Li Xiang felt utterly helpless, his tears turning into sweat.

.....

And so...

By the end of the morning, Li Xiang could only lean half his body against the wall to keep himself from collapsing. He was drenched as if he'd been caught in the rain, with his clothes clinging to his skin and his eyes stinging painfully.

Duan Tianxing warned him that if he dared to sit or lie down, he'd willingly give him two more whips.

What else could Li Xiang do but cling to the wall?

Giving up was not an option.

After resting for about five minutes, Duan Tianxing said, "Duan Yu, Lu Chengfeng, take him to the showers. Wang Dong, go to the storage room and find a full set of smaller-sized clothes for him."

"Yes!"

The three in training responded in unison.

Duan Tianxing turned and left, saying, "I'll be waiting for you in the dining hall."

Only after he had walked away did the three dare to approach Li Xiang.

"Junior Brother, how are you holding up? Can you manage?"

Lu Chengfeng squatted on the ground, looking up sympathetically at Li Xiang, who hung his head low.

"If not, just cry it out—it might feel better."

"You'll get used to it; we all went through the same thing."

Wang Dong didn't mind the sweat soaking Li Xiang and patted him on the shoulder. "Master is a sharp-tongued, sharp-hearted kind of person. Whatever you do, don't go against him. If you talk back, you're done for."

Duan Yu didn't say a word. Instead, he lifted Li Xiang's arm onto his shoulder.

Seeing this, Lu Chengfeng reached for Li Xiang's other arm.

The two of them carried Li Xiang, who was too exhausted to speak and looked like a lifeless body, toward the west side.

Wang Dong headed to the storage room.

This wasn't exactly voluntary, but it wasn't coercion either this time.

"Thank you…"

Li Xiang managed to thank them.

...

The western side of the dojo housed the showers, which resembled old-school communal bathhouses from the '80s and '90s, with white tiled walls and iron pipe faucets.

Litten hated water, even if it was warm.

So it waited outside with Monferno.

"What a pity the Senior Sister isn't here. Otherwise, you'd get to enjoy her personal service," Lu Chengfeng said.

Li Xiang lay sprawled on a scrubbing platform like a dead pig while Lu Chengfeng scrubbed his back.

Meanwhile, Duan Yu stood on the other side, massaging Li Xiang's arms and legs to relax his muscles.

"S-Senior Sister?"

Li Xiang raised his head slightly.

Lu Chengfeng's face lit up with pride. "That's right! The brightest flower of Zhenxing Dojo—Senior Sister Bai Ji!"

"And where is she?"

Li Xiang turned his head to ask.

Lu Chengfeng, scrubbing away, replied, "Where else? Studying out of town."

"The Trainer Academy?"

"No, Cultural University, majoring in law at Yu University. Senior Sister is 23 this year." Lu Chengfeng flashed a grin.

A 23-year-old Senior Sister...

Li Xiang glanced at Duan Yu and asked, "How many disciples does our master have?"

Duan Yu, who was massaging Li Xiang's biceps, answered calmly, "Originally six. You're the seventh."

"Right, you're probably the last disciple," Lu Chengfeng added with a nod.

Li Xiang was puzzled. "Last disciple? Why? Master didn't tell me anything about that."

"As if he'd tell you!"

Wang Dong returned, pointing his thumb outside. "I left the clothes for you outside."

Li Xiang called out a loud thank-you.

Lu Chengfeng laughed. "It's normal for you not to understand Master's temperament yet. He's not much of a talker. Unless it's something incredibly important, he either won't say it or will say it much later."

"Then how do you know—"

"Master has a jade pendant, a large piece split into seven parts. Every time he takes on a disciple, he gives away a piece when the timing feels right. You're the seventh, so now it's complete," Duan Yu explained.

Li Xiang was stunned. This was a thing?

"And besides, Master is getting older. By the time we're grown, he'll be ready to retire," Wang Dong added, picking up one of Li Xiang's legs to massage it.

Were they really this considerate?

Was everything that happened yesterday just a dream? Or had he misunderstood?

Being pampered by these three made Li Xiang doubt whether he was hallucinating from exhaustion.

These three were too kind.

"How old is Master? And the other senior disciples? What about you?"

He decided to dig for some answers.

"Master is 51 this year. Second Senior Sister, Qi Sun-sun, is 20 and studying at Yu University's Pokémon Breeding Academy," Duan Yu began, sounding like a cold, precise machine. "Third Senior Sister, Jiang Shangrou, is 18 and attending Yu University's Trainer Academy. After that, it's me, 15, attending Qingcheng High School. I plan to become a doctor."

He glanced at Li Xiang.

Three Senior Sisters?

And a prodigy heading to med school?

Li Xiang didn't quite understand Duan Yu's choices, but it was personal and none of his business.

Lu Chengfeng chimed in, "Next, there's me—your Fifth Senior Brother. I'm 13 and studying at Qingcheng Basic Trainer Academy—"

"I'm the Senior Brother!" Wang Dong interjected unhappily.

Lu Chengfeng waved it off. "Oh, relax, I'll finish first. Does it matter that much? Anyway, I'm your Fifth Senior Brother, and I want to join an acting academy and become an action star!"

He kicked the air twice with dramatic sound effects.

Wang Dong scoffed but then eagerly turned to Li Xiang. "Junior Brother, I'm the real Fifth Senior Brother. I'm also 13 and in the same class as him."

He pointed at Lu Chengfeng.

"After graduation, I plan to head to Yunzhou and start a business!"

A construction worker background?

This was too...

Li Xiang was speechless. He realized that Duan Tianxing's disciples were a mixed bag of ambitions.

Too bad his status as the youngest disciple wasn't unique.

Turning his head, he noticed the three staring at him intently, their expressions unsettling.

"W-What's wrong?"

"Junior Brother, it's your turn!" they said in unison.

Fine.

Li Xiang closed his eyes and said, "I'm 11 years old and about to start at the Basic Trainer Academy. My goal is to get into an Advanced Trainer Academy."

His tone was calm, but his heart was firm. Having a second chance at life, he was determined to live brilliantly and happily!

But hearing this, the three exchanged glances as if they'd heard something shocking.

Duan Yu hesitated. "Junior Brother, maybe you should reconsider?"

"Yeah, yeah!"

The other two nodded.

Li Xiang was stunned. "Reconsider? What's there to reconsider?"

Duan Yu turned his head, avoiding Li Xiang's gaze. "Well, the dojo... It needs someone to inherit it…"

Huh?

Huh???

"Wait!" Li Xiang shot up, only to fall back down from the pain.

"What did you just say?"

Despite the soreness, he asked again.

Duan Yu stopped holding back and declared loudly:

"Junior Brother, all six of us have clear goals, so the dojo needs you to inherit it! Zhenxing Martial Arts depends on you to carry it forward!"

"Exactly!"

"That's right!"

The other two chimed in.

???

Were these three messing with him?

Li Xiang frowned. He wasn't naïve enough to believe their nonsense. These three, who didn't dare speak up in front of their master, talking about inheriting the dojo?

Did they think Duan Tianxing and the Senior Sisters didn't exist? What gave them the authority to decide that?

Even if, for argument's sake, they were telling the truth, what did it have to do with him?

In his past life, such an opportunity would've made him ecstatic.

But now—

Sorry, being a Pokémon Trainer was his true passion. Everything else could take a backseat.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Brothers. Let's talk about it later."

Li Xiang dismissed them perfunctorily.

But the three clearly saw his rejection.

"Junior Brother, think it over! This is a big deal!"

Lu Chengfeng came forward to persuade him, gently patting Li Xiang's back, "Look, doesn't this bath look comfortable?"

What does inheriting a Dojo have to do with bathing?

"Let's talk about it later, let's talk about it later."

Li Xiang forced himself to sit up, deeply disappointed. He had thought these three had suddenly developed a conscience.

In a world where the mainstream revolved around Pokémon, why would he forgo being a Trainer to inherit a dojo and bear the responsibility of revitalizing it?

Was he crazy, or was this world crazy?

"Junior Brother, don't leave just yet!"

Lu Chengfeng grabbed Li Xiang and pushed him back onto the scrubbing platform.

Li Xiang's vision darkened, and he nearly passed out from the pain.

Anger surged within him. He glared at Lu Chengfeng and snapped, "Are you at it again? My fading memories were just about to resurface!"

Hearing this, Lu Chengfeng awkwardly laughed and quickly stepped back. "Just joking, Junior Brother, don't get mad..."

Li Xiang slowly climbed off the platform. "Enough. I'm really grateful for your help today, Senior Brothers. Your skills are impressive. I'll find a way to thank you properly another day. Goodbye for now."

With that, he walked to the shower, rinsed off the grime, wrapped a towel around his waist, and left the room.

The three of them were left staring at each other, full of regret.

They realized they had been too hasty. If they had waited longer, until Li Xiang developed a sense of belonging to the dojo, maybe their plan could have worked.

"Sigh..."

The three let out a collective sigh.

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