The status of a Trainer was extrely prestigious in this world.
However, not everyone qualified to beco a Trainer.
Strictly speaking, the Trainer qualification was a luxury that many people couldn't afford.
From birth, families had to donate 100,000 Pokédollars to the Pokémon League annually until their child reached college age at 18. Only those with this financial commitnt and a clean background could enter schools with Pokémon specialties and obtain Trainer qualifications.
Economics ford the first barrier to becoming a Trainer.
Roy's family wasn't wealthy, but they were financially comfortable, and his parents loved him dearly. For the future of their only child, they had diligently contributed 100,000 Pokédollars every year.
Today, Roy would officially enroll at Capital University, which offered Pokémon-related majors.
Early in the morning, Roy rode his bicycle to Capital University.
The traffic light at an intersection near the school turned red. Roy stopped at the crosswalk and noticed a Caterpie resting on top of the traffic signal.
Roy took out his bread, tore off a small piece, and offered it to the Caterpie. As he gently stroked its head, he joked:
"Good morning, Rayquaza."
"Woo~~"
The green Caterpie—jokingly compared to the legendary dragon—nuzzled against Roy's hand and slowly consud the bread crumbs, as if it were a god accepting an offering from a devoted follower.
[Connecting...]
[Contact with Pokémon established. System activated. Ga start.]
[Pokémon Assistant at your service]
[The Pokémon owned by the player, their attributes, and Popularity values will be presented as data]
[Popularity can be converted into points, which can be exchanged for various items for your Pokémon, including but not limited to: Energy Cubes, TMs, Evolution Stones, held items, training equipnt, virtual training programs, ga Stones, Z-Crystals...]
[Item Shop Panel Activated]
[Trainer Panel Activated, including the 'Pokémon Affinity' ability]
[Loading complete. Enjoy your adventure!]
"..."
Roy stared blankly at the nearly transparent system panel that had appeared before him. After ten seconds of silence, he clasped his hands together and gave a serious bow to the "god" perched on the traffic light.
Five minutes later, Roy entered Capital University, locked his bicycle, and made his way to classroom 201.
It was still early, with no one else in the classroom yet. After finding his assigned seat, Roy took out his phone and began reviewing information about Pokémon majors.
The Pokémon Academy was divided into two main departnts: the Trainer major and the Breeder major.
The university didn't assign students to majors imdiately; instead, it based these decisions on examination results.
On the first day of enrollnt, the school allowed freshn to enter the university's exclusive Pokémon Ranch to select their starter Pokémon.
One week after receiving their Pokémon, freshn would take an entrance exam.
Those who wanted to enter the Trainer major would be tested through freshman-versus-freshman battles.
Those pursuing the Breeder major would take a written examination.
The university would assign majors according to these results, along with determining class placents, ntoring professors, and other educational resources.
Students who perford well received more resources—a complete ritocracy based on strength and ability.
Hiding one's talents and waiting to surprise everyone later? That strategy didn't exist here, because pretending to be weak could easily make you actually beco weak.
The vast majority of renowned Trainers gained their fa early, attracting attention and expectations while enjoying better educational resources.
Take the well-known Frances, for example, who won three university championships in a row. He didn't even attend his senior year, graduating early to challenge the professional Trainer circuit.
Gradually, more students entered the classroom. The extroverted ones had already started chatting, and several people spoke to Roy, who responded politely.
Just then, a young woman walked into the classroom, drawing everyone's attention.
She had straight, smooth black hair, clear eyes, perfectly shaped lips, and a clean, beautiful appearance.
She wore a white shirt with a beige knitted sweater, a black pleated skirt, and black stockings that created an elegant contrast.
She was undeniably beautiful.
The young woman looked around the classroom, her gaze stopping on Roy before she walked toward him.
Without hesitation, she sat down beside him.
"I heard you stood up Reece yesterday?"
"Don't listen to his nonsense," Roy put down his phone and said seriously. "I only walked with him for five minutes anyway, and I only left because sothing ca up."
The girl made a noncommittal "hmm" sound.
Her na was Serena.
She was Reece's sister.
Because of their connection through Reece, Roy and Serena had known each other since childhood. Due to their one-year age difference, their relationship could only be described as cordial but not particularly close.
The reason Serena was sitting in this classroom now was because her high school grades were so exceptional that she had skipped a grade to attend university. This marked the first ti they would be classmates.
Having grown up alongside such a beautiful and academically excellent girl, Roy naturally had so feelings for her. Just yesterday, he had wanted Reece to help match them up.
However, for Roy now, his heart was filled with thoughts of becoming a Trainer. Won and romance were no longer his priority.
"Which major are you going to apply for?" Serena asked while taking out her phone.
"Trainer."
"...Trainer?" Serena paused, then turned to look at Roy with surprise. "Didn't you originally plan to apply for the Breeder major?"
Roy was slightly taken aback, rembering that he had indeed told his buddy Reece about this a month ago. He hadn't expected Serena to know about it too.
Since when did Reece beco such a gossip?
"The person I was the day before yesterday isn't the person I was yesterday, and the person I was yesterday isn't the person I am today," Roy said philosophically, adding a touch of humor. "Everyone changes."
Serena blinked, showing no intention of trying to persuade him otherwise. She simply whispered:
"Being a Trainer is dangerous."
She was right.
The profession of Trainer was both noble and dangerous.
An excellent Trainer couldn't be developed simply through training and simulated battles.
Even during their education, students who applied for the Trainer major had to venture into unsafe areas outside the city for fieldwork at the end of each sester.
The university would arrange appropriate protection for every aspiring Trainer. Even so, the Trainer major had nearly a 10% mortality rate among college students each year.
And once soone beca a professional Trainer, the death rate rose even higher.
Seeing that Roy's expression remained unchanged, Serena sighed imperceptibly and said casually, "I still plan to major in Breeding."
"That's great, it complents my choice perfectly," Roy laughed.
The Pokémon Breeder program also trained a type of Trainer, but one whose focus wasn't battling—it was breeding and caring for Pokémon.
From this perspective, the Trainer profession could more accurately be called 'Pokémon Battle Trainer.'
The status of Pokémon Breeders wasn't low. From the standpoint of integrating Pokémon with technology to improve daily life, Breeders could shine even brighter.
For instance, one entrepreneur had revolutionized national logistics by employing teams of well-trained Machamp, enabling deliveries even in wilderness areas.
There was also a saying online that behind every successful Trainer was a Breeder who silently supported them.
At that mont, a middle-aged professor entered and interrupted their conversation.
"Hello everyone, I am Professor Christian, in charge of freshman orientation."
After Professor Christian delivered what sounded like a rehearsed welco speech, he began taking attendance.
Three minutes later, after confirming everyone was present, Professor Christian announced, "Students, I will now take you to Capital University's Pokémon Ranch, where you'll choose your starter Pokémon."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire classroom beca animated. Even Serena, with her quiet personality, couldn't help but look excited.
"You will have one hour in the ranch."
"After that hour, regardless of whether you've secured a starter Pokémon or not, you must leave the Pokémon Ranch. Violating this rule may result in imdiate expulsion."
"Are there any questions?"
Silence filled the room.
The rules of Capital University weren't new; anyone with minimal research would know them already.
Pokémon Ranches were operated by virtually every Pokémon University.
Within the ranch lived Pokémon belonging to professors, counselors, and graduates of the school, as well as the offspring of these Pokémon.
With the consent of the original owners, new students had the right to choose their starter Pokémon from among these offspring.
But this wasn't as simple as "pick whichever one you like."
If the Pokémon you wanted didn't like you in return, you couldn't force it to go with you.
Generally, the rarer and stronger the Pokémon, the higher their standards.
After all, the parents of these Pokémon had their own Trainers, many of whom were professional-level. Under their influence, the Pokémon had developed their own criteria for judging potential Trainers.
Mutual selection, growth, and achievent—this defined the relationship between Trainer and Pokémon.
"Very good," Professor Christian nodded. "Students, please line up according to your student numbers and follow ."
The college students showed good discipline, with no disruptions. Roy and Serena were near the front of the line. They followed Professor Christian for about five minutes until they reached a huge greenhouse complex.
At the entrance to the ranch, a few senior students smiled as they distributed Poké Balls to the freshn.
Roy curiously picked up the red and white Poké Ball and examined it carefully.
This was the first ti in either of his lives that he had touched a Poké Ball.
In this world, only those with Trainer qualifications could legally possess Poké Balls.
Additionally, private manufacturing and selling of Poké Balls was illegal, with severe violations punishable by death.
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