Lucien gave a brief introduction to all the Pokémon gathered before him.
In this era, humans knew nothing about the relative strength of different species. They chose their partners based mostly on appearance and personality.
Some preferred fluffy, cute Pokémon, while others gravitated toward large or imposing ones.
The blue-haired girl in front of him thought for a long time before finally pointing at a small, harmless-looking Buneary.
"Your Highness, I want to choose this one!" she said. Her name was Melanie.
"Buneary is a wonderful partner. I'm sure the two of you will get along well," Lucien nodded. He directed the latter part of his words toward Buneary.
Buneary buzzed happily in response—it clearly liked Melanie too.
Melanie stepped aside to wait.
Then the next child stepped forward to choose a partner, and then the next.
Following the basic procedure of distributing starter Pokémon, Lucien quickly matched suitable partners for the first group of children. Then the second group arrived, then the third… by noon, all forty-two children had found a Pokémon partner.
They stood in four neat rows in the courtyard of the breeding center, all of them looking at Lucien with bright, expectant eyes.
"Congratulations," Lucien said with a warm smile. "You've officially become beginner-level Trainers. Do you remember what I said earlier about what a Trainer is?"
"A Trainer is someone who raises magical beasts, commands them in battle, and spars with them!" Alex shouted proudly.
"Correct," Lucien nodded. "But do you know why Trainers fight?"
That question left the children puzzled at first.
Then one boy raised his hand. "To protect our territory?"
"And to help humans who are harmed by wild monsters?" another girl added.
Lucien smiled. "Exactly. Trainers battle to protect their home, to protect people and magical beasts alike, and to make our land a better place."
He looked toward Anna and gave her a small signal. She nodded.
"Hehe, leave this part to me!"
Anna turned around and carried out a wooden box filled with Berry-crafted Poké Balls.
The children's eyes widened instantly.
"This," Lucien said, picking one up, "is called a Poké Ball. It represents the bond between a Trainer and their magical beasts."
He pressed the button, and with a soft burst of light, Larvesta appeared beside him.
"This small sphere can serve as a comfortable home for a magical beast. If they trust you, they will willingly enter the ball. Let me show you."
Lucien gently tapped the Poké Ball against Larvesta's head.
In the next moment, Larvesta transformed into a beam of red light and was drawn inside.
"WOOOW!"
"That's incredible!"
The children were stunned.
Then a girl raised her hand nervously. "Your Highness… but the ball is so small, and the magical beasts are so big. Won't they be uncomfortable inside?"
"Good question," Lucien said, pleased. "But don't worry. magical beasts naturally possess the ability to shrink. And the interior of a Poké Ball isn't as simple as it looks. It's actually filled with soft, cloud-like cotton. To a magical beasts, it feels like resting on warm, drifting clouds."
The cotton used came from Whimsicott's fluff and naturally shed down feathers from Swablu, some of the softest materials in existence.
Kyurem had also translated Lucien's explanation for the Pokémon and confirmed its accuracy with Dragonite, Serperior, and Larvesta.
"As the first generation of Trainers in this territory, each of you will receive three Poké Balls. If you meet other magical beasts who wish to join you, you may use these to invite them. If you ever run out, you can buy more at the Friendship Shop in town."
"But even without a Poké Ball," Lucien added with a smile, "your bond with your magical beasts won't change."
The children listened carefully.
"Do you understand?" Lucien asked.
"Understood!" they shouted together.
Lucien said calmly, "Very good, that's all for today. Starting tomorrow, you will need to go to the school in the city center to study. There will be teachers and scholars there to teach you literacy and magical beasts knowledge."
Subjects such as types, moves, type matchups, evolutions and other basics would all be included.
Among the people the old king had sent were many scholars. Although they understood very little about Pokémon, they were highly knowledgeable in other academic fields.
As for the Pokémon-related knowledge and teaching materials, Lucien would compile those himself.
But that would have to wait until proper modern papermaking was ready, Lucien thought.
"What? School?"
The children's eyes widened with shock.
Could they really attend school like noble children?
"Of course," Lucien said with a smile. He understood their disbelief. "In my territory, everyone can attend school."
The children froze for a moment, then their faces lit up with joy.
This was something they had never dared imagine.
"Everyone, go back and get to know your partners," Lucien said.
"Yes, Your Highness!" the children responded together, excitement bubbling in their voices.
With their new Pokémon partners, the children made their way back toward Lucien City.
Lucien nodded to Lillian and headed back toward the city hall.
He sat behind his desk, deep in thought.
Although the territory now had its first trainers, he could not relax.
Unlike future generations, these children knew nothing about trainers or Pokémon. There was still a great deal of work ahead of him.
The image of Tepig and the other beginner Pokémon crossed his mind. Lucien picked up a pen and began writing down everything he remembered about each species.
These notes could serve as temporary teaching materials for the school.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Right after, Elif's voice called from outside.
"Your Highness Lucien, the scholars from the capital are waiting outside."
"Let them in," Lucien said.
"Yes, Your Highness."
The door opened, and Elif entered with around a dozen people dressed in long academic robes.
Among them were an elderly grey-bearded man, a bright-eyed middle-aged scholar, and a woman with spectacles.
They all looked nervous facing Lucien, then bowed respectfully. "Your Highness!"
"Rise," Lucien said. He looked over the gathered scholars. "I asked you here because I need your assistance."
"Please give us your instructions, Your Highness. We will do everything in our power," the elderly scholar replied quickly.
"You all arrived from the capital nearly two months ago, correct?" Lucien asked.
"Exactly one month and eighteen days, Your Highness," the old man answered.
"That is quite a long time," Lucien nodded. "From today onward, I want all of you to head to the school. I will be sending you a group of students. Your responsibility will be to teach them reading and writing."