Heiwa First Academy.
As the only elite academy in Heiwa City, it boasted formidable faculty, excellent students, and a considerable number of graduates who went on to become Professional Trainers.
This year brought no surprises. Heiwa First Academy once again served as an examination site for the university entrance exams.
The battle examination was the final component of the elite high school entrance exams, which meant the testing period had officially concluded.
Minato donned his blue and white uniform and left his home. He wandered around outside for a while before arriving at his school.
Along the way, he spotted many Pokémon, though most were Caterpie, Pidgey, and other common species.
The rarer Pokémon walked alongside people, apparently already captured.
Upon entering Heiwa First Academy, Minato headed straight for Room 302 in the Integrated Studies Building.
This served as the meeting place for a small club of only five members.
Minato was part of the "Heiwa First Academy Psychology Club."
Before the world changed, their work involved counseling students suffering from academic stress under the guidance of a teacher.
Of course, modern students possessed strong pride. Even when stressed, they wouldn't bother coming to such a place for consultation. Thus, the members had plenty of free time.
But according to his memories, the situation had changed.
Their club now handled mediation between students and their Pokémon regarding relationship issues.
Apparently, the weekly workload was substantial. If not for the teacher handling the main responsibilities, they wouldn't have time for classes.
"Eh... Upperclassman, you didn't go home."
Minato pushed the door gently and found it unlocked. Looking inside, he immediately recognized the girl in blue denim shorts and a white t-shirt.
This was the upperclassman he had chatted with earlier, the senior who had mentored him since he joined the club and taught him many techniques.
Beside her, a Persian yawned, looking thoroughly exhausted.
Since today was the entrance exam day, she wasn't wearing her uniform and looked considerably more vibrant than usual.
"Minato?"
"No... Teacher Sato brought over the Breeder examination materials for this year at noon. I wanted to take them home and look through them," said the upperclassman, Yukari.
"Breeder examination materials? The latest ones?!"
"Yes. Do you want to take a look?"
Pokémon Breeders represented an alternative career path for ordinary Trainers.
Those who disliked battling but enjoyed raising Pokémon typically chose to obtain a Breeder license, specializing in Pokémon care.
The status of Professional Breeders was no lower than that of Professional Trainers. As the saying goes, behind every successful Trainer stood a Breeder silently supporting them. This illustrated the significance of Breeders.
Many large corporations related to Pokémon also preferred hiring Breeders to care for their creatures.
Most importantly, Breeders didn't need to fulfill obligations like Professional Trainers, who had to venture into Special Zones and other dangerous areas. Breeders lived quite comfortable lives.
Mediating relationships between Pokémon and Trainers was actually one of the many required skills for Breeders.
Members of the "Heiwa First Academy Psychology Club" like Minato were essentially Breeders simplified by a factor of one hundred.
Precisely because of this, the club members paid close attention to the Breeder profession.
The national Breeder Association examination occurs annually just before the university entrance exams. After the exams concluded, the first-hand materials from the examination began circulating.
Teacher Sato had obtained the materials and delivered them to the club members immediately.
Minato reached out and accepted the documents Akari handed him, then began reading.
"I wonder how many extra points the knowledge from the Pokémon series in my head will earn me..."
From Minato's name alone, one could tell he had deep connections to Pokémon. When it came to unique insights, he possessed considerable confidence.
Question 1: What does Beldum primarily use to control its movements?
Minato: "???"
Psychic powers?
After glancing at the answer key, Minato's face darkened. How could it be magnetism...
Skip, skip, skip.
Then came question two about the optimal incubation temperature for Swablu eggs. Question marks floated above Minato's head. How would he know that?
Why not ask about evolution forms, types, or move combinations...
By the time he reached the essay questions, he simply gave up.
Argument [See attached image]: A Marill's white cheek patches appear pale green, and it displays extreme pain. How should this be handled?
Take it to a Pokémon Center? If it's sick, see a doctor properly.
Though he thought this, Minato understood such an answer would earn no points. The complex analytical steps that followed made his eyes blur.
There were other questions, too.
How should a Meowth learn the following moves? Select one to answer—
Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Double Team, Water Pulse...
Use a TM? Slap it on the head and instantly comprehend.
Nonsense. No such thing existed in reality.
"These are the Breeder examination questions for this year?" Minato looked up. Were they joking? The knowledge from anime and games was completely useless.
"Yes, quite simple, right?" Seeing Minato's expression, Akari smiled. "Apparently, this year's written exam was the easiest in five years. The difficult parts were the two practical examinations that followed. I heard they're impossible for normal people to pass."
"Stop, stop, stop..." Minato quickly interrupted her. "I don't want to know the contents anymore. Breeding... forget it. I think I'll stick with becoming a Professional Trainer after all."
"I knew you'd say that. You're probably the only person in our Psychology Club who doesn't want to become a Breeder and instead wants to be a Professional Trainer." Akari looked at him strangely. "The four of us will be graduating soon, and you'll become the club president. Honestly, I'm not confident handing the club over to you."
"Teacher Sato has been busy this year, so the club hasn't recruited many new members. Don't let it get disbanded when school starts next term."
"Don't worry. When the semester starts, I'll recruit a group of capable classmates to help," Minato said, making an OK gesture.
"That's good enough. By the way, you need to work hard from now on. This year's battle exams will be quite stressful. If you don't understand something, you can ask me."
Each year, only a small fraction of Heiwa First Academy graduates gain admission to elite universities. Students like Yukari were among the academic elites. Among these students, only a small portion would become Professional Trainers. Thus, Minato's dream wouldn't come easily.
"I will."
Minato smiled slightly. After accepting his memories, he had come to terms with reality...
Those who joined the Psychology Club tended to be cheerful and strong-willed individuals. Minato was no exception. Once he decided on something, he would dedicate himself seriously to it.
Moreover, his family had spent so much money to send him to an elite high school and help him register as a Trainer. If he didn't work hard now, he couldn't justify it. After all, his family's financial situation wasn't particularly good. Minato didn't want to disappoint his parents.
Even if the world hadn't changed, he would have had to work hard during his third year.
Besides, as he learned more about this new world, he was actually beginning to like it. Now he couldn't wait to obtain his first Pokémon.