Fairview High School.
As the only "Key High School" in Fairview, it boasted powerful teaching resources and excellent students.
While the number of graduates who successfully became Professional Trainers wasn't massive, it was high compared to other institutions.
This year was no exception; Fairview High had once again served as a testing center for the National Exams. The "Battle Exam" was the final event for Key High Schools, which meant the high-stakes season had just officially ended.
Owen, dressed in his blue-and-white school uniform, walked out of his house. He took a few laps around the neighborhood to soak in the new reality before heading toward his school.
Along the way, he spotted several Pokémon. Most were common species like Caterpie and Pidgey. Any rarer Pokémon were seen walking closely beside people, clearly already captured and tamed.
Upon entering the school grounds, Owen headed straight for Room 302 of the Integrated Building.
This was the clubroom for a small, five-member organization: the Fairview High Psychology Club.
Before the world changed, their job was to help students deal with academic stress under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
Of course, high schoolers tend to be prideful; few would actually walk into a clubroom to admit they were stressed, so the club members usually had a very relaxed schedule.
However, according to his new memories, things were different now.
This club was now also responsible for mediating emotional conflicts between students and their Pokémon.
Their weekly workload was surprisingly heavy. If the faculty advisor didn't handle the bulk of the heavy lifting, they probably wouldn't have time for their own classes.
The Senior and the Exam
"Oh... Senior, you haven't gone home yet?"
Owen pushed the door open to find it unlocked. Inside, he recognized a girl wearing denim shorts and a white short-sleeved shirt.
This was Tiffany, the senior he had been messaging earlier. She was the one who had mentored him and shared her experience after he joined the club.
Beside her, a Persian let out a long yawn, looking quite exhausted. Since the exams were over, Tiffany wasn't in uniform, making her look much more radiant than usual.
"Owen?"
"No, I haven't left yet," Tiffany said. "Mr. Lee dropped off the materials for this year's Breeder's License Exam at noon. I wanted to take them home to study."
"Breeder Exam materials? The latest ones?!"
"Yeah. Want to take a look?"
Pokémon Breeder was the alternative career path for ordinary Trainers. Those who disliked combat but loved raising Pokémon often chose to obtain a Breeder's license.
The status of a Professional Breeder was no lower than that of a Professional Trainer. As the internet saying goes: "Behind every successful Trainer is a Breeder quietly supporting them."
Many large Pokémon-related corporations preferred hiring Breeders to care for their stock. Most importantly, Breeders weren't obligated to risk their lives in dangerous "Secret Realms" like Pro Trainers were. They lived very comfortable lives.
Mediating relationships between Pokémon and Trainers was a core subject for Breeders. In a way, Owen and the members of the Psychology Club were like "simplified" versions of Breeders. This was why they followed the profession so closely.
The National Breeder Association's exam usually took place just before the College Entrance Exams.
Once the finals ended, the first-hand exam materials would leak out. Their advisor, Mr. Lee, had secured them immediately.
Owen took the test paper Tiffany handed him and started reading.
A Reality Check
I wonder how many points my knowledge of the Pokémon franchise can get me... Owen thought confidently. He felt he had unique insights.
Question 1: What is the primary method a Beldum uses to control its movements?
Owen: "???"
Psychic power, right?
He checked the answer key in the back. His face darkened. It's freaking magnetism...
Move on, move on, Owen consoled himself. If I had thought about its Steel-typing first, I would have gotten it. Not that hard.
Question 2: What is the optimal incubation temperature for a Swablu egg?
A question mark practically manifested over Owen's head. How the hell am I supposed to know that? Why aren't you testing me on evolutions, types, or move sets?
By the time he reached the essay questions, he gave up entirely.
Case Study [Attached Image]: A Marill's white cheek pouches have turned light green, and it appears to be in extreme pain. How should you proceed?
Send it to a Pokémon Center? If it's sick, go see a doctor!
Owen knew that wouldn't earn him any points. The actual answer involved a dizzying series of complex analytical steps.
Another Question: How would you teach a Meowth one of the following moves? (Select one): Thunderbolt, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Double Team, Water Pulse.
Use a Technical Machine (TM)? Slap it on its head, and it learns it instantly?
Ridiculous. There were no such things in reality.
"These are the actual Breeder exam questions?" Owen looked up. This is demonic. Anime and game knowledge are completely useless here.
"Yeah, pretty easy, right?" Tiffany saw Owen's expression and laughed. "Word is that this year's written exam was the easiest in five years.
The hard parts are the two practical exams following it. I heard they're almost impossible for a normal person to pass."
"Stop, stop, stop..." Owen waved his hands. "I don't want to hear anymore. Forget about being a Breeder. I definitely want to be a Professional Trainer."
"I knew you'd say that. You're probably the only person in our club who doesn't want to be a Breeder," Tiffany said with a strange look.
"Once the four of us seniors graduate, you'll be the Club President. To be honest, I'm a bit worried about leaving this club in your hands."
"Mr. Lee has been so busy this year that we didn't recruit many new members. Don't let the club get disbanded when the new semester starts."
"Don't worry. I'll recruit a bunch of capable people next term," Owen said, giving her an 'OK' sign.
"I'll hold you to that. You'd better work hard. The pressure of the Battle Exam this year is quite high. If you don't understand something, feel free to ask me," Tiffany offered.
At Fairview High, only a small fraction of graduates made it into top-tier universities. Of those, an even smaller fraction became Professional Trainers. Owen's dream was far from easy.
"I will."
Owen smiled. After integrating his memories, he had fully accepted this reality.
Those who joined the Psychology Club were generally cheerful and strong-willed, and Owen was no exception. Once he decided on something, he would pour his soul into it.
Besides, his family was spending a fortune to send him to a Key High School and register him as a Trainer.
If he didn't work hard, he'd be letting them down. His family wasn't wealthy, and he didn't want to disappoint his parents.
Even if the world hadn't changed, his junior year would have required 100% effort. But now, as he learned more about this world, he found himself genuinely excited. He couldn't wait to get his first Pokémon.