7 A Textbook of Pokémon

As someone who came from a world where Pokémon were merely a fictional concept experienced through games, shows, and books, the opportunity to read actual documentation on them was very relevant to my interests.

I could spend hours contemplating and making my own assumptions about them, relying on guesswork and keen observation to squeeze out as much information as I could. However, obtaining actual facts about Pokémon had always seemed like an elusive task, almost impossible to achieve—up until now.

As I flipped through the pages of the book, I would constantly compare and contrast the knowledge I held to the information stated within the book.

The first couple of pages stated basic things, covering the basics of what Pokémon were and presenting a prevailing theory about their origins within this world.

According to the writings of Edward Heath, the author of this book, he posited that Pokémon were mystical creatures brought into existence alongside humans. In his precise words, "Pokémon, like humans, owe their existence to a power surpassing even the saints themselves. Perhaps it is that force that crafted the entirety of the Eternal Sea. The Divine."

One of the things I had become clearly aware of in this world was the concept of saint-worshipping, which seemed true due to the way people spoke.

To put it simply, the worshipping of saints in Luminae was a form of Ancestor Worship based upon the pantheon of Saintly Martyrs, pure-blooded men and women whose virtue in life and nobility in death elevated them to godhood after their passing.

This assumption of mine was further reinforced after reading a book that mentioned the most preeminent Saintly Order known as the Crimson Martyrs. These were individuals of pure lineage who met their demise in the midst of a significant triumph or while defending their country from imminent catastrophe.

All in all, it was the utmost honor to be elevated to Sainthood. For the individual themself, for their family, and for their legacy.

And according to the contents of this book, it appears that while the people held deep reverence for the saints, they were also keenly aware of the fact that there was very likely something akin to a deity, that was way above their saints. This unknown was simply labeled as The Divine.

Unbeknownst to them, this was ironically true, in the sense that this world and the Pokémon world were one and the same, of course. Obviously I knew of the alpha and god Pokémon, Arceus. However, the extent to which this held true for the Eternal Sea remained uncertain in my estimation.

I had been very observant of my surroundings, much to a point of obsession, and I came to realize that the Eternal Sea, contrary to my initial assumptions, did not precisely mirror the Pokémon world from my previous life. Even the historical events in this world seemed to diverge from what I had known in the Pokémon world.

For an example, Poké balls. This was a significant invention in the Pokémon world that existed from an early time. However, here, in a Pokémon book, there had not been a single thing regarding anything similar to it. Such things had not yet been developed.

This alone indicated that the current world I found myself in was distinct from the Pokémon world. And that was even more of a reason to find out as much information about it as I could.

Another intriguing revelation I stumbled upon in my reading was the prevalence of Pokémon battling in this world, which starkly contrasted the historical context of the Pokémon world I knew.

In the Pokémon world's history, during the period when Poké balls were not widely known, people were less inclined to actively engage with Pokémon, let alone participating in battles involving them. However, in this world, it appeared that people had a different perspective and approach when it came to interacting with Pokémon.

Furthermore, in the absence of Poké balls, the people of this world employed a myriad of methods to capture Pokémon. This particular section of the book intrigued me greatly, as I had long been curious about how individuals in this world managed to acquire Pokémon without the aid of Poké balls.

According to the book, some utilized nets, skillfully casting them to ensnare and secure their desired Pokémon. Others relied on concocted potions or enticing berries to attract and capture Pokémon, employing a more strategic and seductive approach.

Furthermore, depending on their lineage, individuals in this world underwent rigorous training from a young age, honing their swordsmanship and physical prowess to effectively capture and tame wild Pokémon.

I looked over the potions and berries, and to my astonishment, the berries specifically were strikingly familiar. Despite the passage of time since my engagement with Pokémon games and media, I could still recall some of the prominent berries that left a lasting impression on me. While I couldn't remember all of them in detail, the main ones resurfaced in my memory, slapping me with a sense of nostalgia and recognition.

The Cheri berry, the Chesto berry, the Pecha berry, and the Oran berry were among the berries that resurfaced in my memory. They were among the berries I used to use constantly while playing the games.

The potion names, on the other hand, were unfamiliar to me. None of these potions matched any that I had encountered in the games or other Pokémon-related media. It was understandable, though, considering that this world was not the Pokémon world I knew.

Looking over the rest of the book, I licked my lips since they had gone dry. The remaining pages of the book wasn't particularly significant or new to me. It mainly consisted of information I already knew or could easily grasp on my own.

There was no need to waste my time finishing the book at the moment, especially since Diane would likely soon appear to announce that it was bedtime. However, there was something else important that I had to attend to before then.

I stood up, feeling the need to stretch my body after sitting on the carpet for a couple of hours. Holding the textbook firmly in my hands, I walked over to the table and gently placed it down. Turning my attention to the shelves of books, I made my way over and began looking over the collection.

The books on the higher shelves were impeccably organized and neatly arranged, quite distinct from the books within my reach. In contrast, the books I frequently explored were in a disarray, haphazardly placed and often out of alphabetical order. This was a consequence of how many books I continuously ran through.

Despite the diligent efforts of the servants to tidy the study every day, ever since I gained access, it seemed to inevitably end up in disarray by the end of each day.

My eyes scanned the bookshelves for a brief moment, quickly assessing which of the accessible books held the least value. I planned to repurpose one of them as a makeshift notebook.

Although the books contained numerous pages, each one had a series of nearly empty pages at the beginning and end. That much space was enough for what I would need to write.

I reached out and picked up a children's tale about a boy on an adventurous journey. With the book in hand, I made my way back to the table and settled into the wooden chair; I would need to be comfortable for the amount of writing I was about to do.

Without wasting any time, I flexed my fingers and started writing. I diligently recorded the names of various berries along with their corresponding effects. It was a necessary refresher for me. This textbook would likely not be as accessible as it was today next time I came to the study, so I had to make the most of my time now, while I had the chance.

Additionally, I made sure to note the names of the potions mentioned in the book, even though the ingredients required to make them were not provided.

I planned to study all of this for the unforeseeable future.