"Next, number twenty-eight."
The staff member continued calling out numbers one after another.
Pima glanced at the number plate in his hand and walked toward the battlefield with full confidence.
He had almost failed the written exam earlier, but when it came to actual combat, he had absolutely no worries.
Walking beside him was a Skuntank. Its large physique carried an intimidating pressure, clearly showing it had been well-trained and thoroughly nurtured.
After stepping onto the stage, Pima respectfully bowed to the chief examiner, Matthew, then walked up to the table and picked up six Poké Balls. He quickly tossed all six forward in one smooth motion.
In an instant, a Geodude, an Onix, a Bibarel, a Nidorino, a Skorupi, and a Sudowoodo all appeared on the field.
"Poké Balls can actually store a Pokémon as huge as Onix? That's simply unbelievable."
The spectators were astonished at the massive size of the Onix that now dominated the battlefield.
Their gazes then swept over the other Pokémon before finally landing on the Sudowoodo. It was a Pokémon they had never seen before. Judging by appearances, it looked like… a Grass-type?
Meanwhile, Pima was also evaluating the Pokémon before him. He recalled Skuntank's typing and began analyzing each opponent.
Very soon, he frowned. His gaze moved across Geodude, Onix, Nidorino, and Skorupi. Skuntank had no advantage over any of those.
Bibarel was at least not resistant to Poison-type attacks, but that tree-shaped Pokémon… should be a Grass-type, right? Skuntank was a Poison-type—fighting Grass-types was exactly where it shined!
Pima had only barely passed the written test, and that was mainly because he had correctly guessed which topics would appear. He specifically memorized the type-matchup chart and the Pokémon he was already familiar with, which let him slip through by sheer luck.
But he didn't actually understand the Pokémon in front of him. He simply relied on appearance and instinctively labeled Sudowoodo as a Grass-type.
When Matthew saw that Pima had chosen Sudowoodo, he secretly sighed. This Pokémon, Sudowoodo—was actually a Rock-type, and Rock completely resisted Poison. Against Skuntank, it was a perfect counter.
No matter how well-trained the Skuntank was, with such a typing disadvantage, it was almost impossible for it to defeat Sudowoodo. Matthew silently marked down a very low score for this examinee.
The battle began quickly. Skuntank's combat ability was undeniably outstanding, especially its Poison-type strength—its body radiated a heavy, concentrated toxic aura.
But Rock-type Pokémon possessed double resistance to Poison. So, under Pima's shocked stare, Sudowoodo tanked Skuntank's Poison-type strike head-on without even flinching.
"What… what's happening? Isn't this Pokémon a Grass-type? Why can it block the attack so easily?"
Pima's expression drastically changed.
He could clearly feel it—Skuntank's attack not only failed to deal super-effective damage, it wasn't even showing its usual power. It was as if Sudowoodo completely suppressed it.
Sudowoodo seized the moment and counterattacked. It suddenly unleashed Sand Tomb, rapidly turning the ground beneath them into shifting sand that surged straight toward Skuntank.
Sand Tomb was a Ground-type move. Perhaps because this Sudowoodo spent a long time among Ground-type Pokémon, it had picked up this move by accident.
And Ground-type moves happened to be super effective against Skuntank.
With one move, Skuntank was trapped, instantly falling into a severe disadvantage.
"The battle is already over." Matthew shook his head slightly.
This match was half-decided the moment it began.
Among the six Pokémon, Bibarel was actually the best choice. But this candidate truly had bad luck—five of the six Pokémon resisted Poison-type attacks.
"Why…?"
Pima's face was pale, unable to understand how he had lost so miserably.
Matthew sighed and explained, "The Pokémon you're facing is called Sudowoodo. It is not a Grass-type—it is a Rock-type."
The moment he heard the examiner's explanation, Pima turned ghostly pale. Around the field, the spectators also showed expressions of sudden realization, as if they had just learned something eye-opening.
"So that's how it is… The influence of type matchups in battle really is enormous!"
On the VIP balcony, the various lords nodded. Through this official Trainer examination, they gained a deeper understanding of Pokémon battles.
A Trainer's first responsibility is to recognize more kinds of Pokémon and select appropriate opponents using type matchups. Only through correct judgment and command could victory be achieved.
Thus, the official Trainer exams continued. Because there were many candidates, the assessments lasted all the way until night.
From the 200-plus people who passed the written exam, only 80 managed to clear the practical combat test, showcasing just how difficult the official Trainer qualification truly was.
Both a Trainer's knowledge and a Pokémon's strength were indispensable. Anyone who passed the exam clearly possessed the professional qualities necessary to become a real Trainer.
After the exam, the next event was the Pokémon League Conference.
During their time in the Pokémon Domain, the lords deeply felt the thriving vitality of this land.
Whether it was the well-structured Trainer system or the numerous industries built around Pokémon and Trainers, everything revealed immense value.
Thus, when the Pokémon League Conference began, all the lords arrived early at the top-floor meeting room of the Trainer Association, eagerly awaiting the conference's start.
This was the first official conference since the founding of the Pokémon League. In this meeting, they would formally confirm the League's systems and the upcoming cooperation projects.
Their greatest interest, of course, was cooperation with the Pokémon Domain. They had seen food processing factories, fertilizer factories, and potion factories—all capable of generating tremendous value.
The existence of Pokémon Breeding Houses, Pokémon Centers, and battle arenas further completed the ecosystem of Trainer-related industries—something far superior to the crude beast-trading markets used before.
"Welcome, everyone, to the first meeting of the Pokémon League."
Aven sat at the head of the table, looking at the seats filled with lords below.
These nobles came from all four regions of Aspiration City. Even those from distant Western Territory had traveled all the way here, eager to claim a share of this rising force.
"First, I will read aloud some of the League's regulations."
"To begin, the purpose of the Pokémon League is to create harmony between Pokémon and humans."
"In accordance with the will of Azelf, the Pokémon League aims to build a world where humans and Pokémon coexist in mutual harmony."
Aven directly defined the nature of the Pokémon League. This had been discussed previously during the Aspiration City meetings, but this time he was officially writing it into the League's laws.
With Azelf's acknowledgment, the League now possessed legitimate authority, granting it an independent status beyond any territorial rule.
In the future, the lords would find it difficult to interfere with the League using their own territorial laws. Even if they possessed autonomy within their lands, they still could not defy the laws of Aspiration City.
Hearing this, the nobles' expressions grew serious. They clearly sensed the League's special standing. Though several opened their mouths, none could voice a protest.
Seeing the silence, Aven continued explaining the rules. Beyond maintaining harmony between Pokémon and humans, the League also aimed to develop Pokémon and Trainer-related industries.
Since the League was essentially a commercial coalition, it would not infringe heavily on territorial authority. The nobles relaxed slightly at this—peaceful coexistence was always preferable.
After explaining the regulations, the next topic was cooperation details. At this point, all the nobles instinctively straightened their backs.
Pokémon breeding zones, breeding houses, the Trainer system, food, potions, training methods—the lords had countless questions, and Aven answered them one after another.
Regarding breeding zones, breeding houses, and the Trainer system, the lords had no objections. After all, examples like Keystone Town and Brambleford Town proved these did not endanger territorial control.
But when they heard the requirements for establishing Pokémon food factories, fertilizer factories, and Pokémon Centers, they were stunned.
To build these facilities, the land required must be purchased and owned by the Pokémon Domain, which would also have full autonomy over the operations.
Even the territorial lords themselves would not be allowed to interfere with factory or center management. Taxes, however, would still be paid to the host territory.
This arrangement meant the tax revenue would indeed be substantial—but ceding land and granting autonomy was a heavy decision.
However, Aven explained that because the food-processing and fertilizer-production techniques had to remain highly confidential, such regulations were non-negotiable.
"Lord Aven, I hope you can build the food factory, fertilizer factory, and Pokémon Center in Casston Town!"
"Casston lies at the intersection of the Eastern and Northern domains, with an outstanding geographical position. If these facilities are built there, they can supply multiple territories."
"I hope Casston can grow into the next Pokémon Domain under your guidance. Please, Lord Aven, I ask for your approval!"
At that moment, Baron Cass suddenly stood up. He looked at Aven, then at his son, feeling both helpless and relieved.
Once he made this decision, Casston's fate would be fully tied to the Pokémon Domain. In the future, it would hold great influence in the Northern Domains—assuming he handed all authority to Fessen.
His declaration stunned the nobles. Many began to reevaluate Aven's conditions—perhaps they were not unacceptable after all.
Granting land was no different from how nobles usually entrusted fiefs to their vassals. If they were willing to divide land to strengthen their internal hierarchy, why not divide land for industries that would generate immense income?
Especially the Pokémon Center, many lords had been observing its operations these past days and knew exactly how valuable such a facility would be.
Some of the poorer lords showed even stronger interest. Their territories were already difficult to manage; the factories could provide desperately needed economic support.
With Baron Cass taking the lead, several nobles fell into deep contemplation, calculating the benefits while gauging Aven's reaction.
"Of course there is no problem. I will fully assist Casston's development."
Aven nodded to the baron.
The detailed matters, however, would be discussed privately after the meeting. Casston Town would become the first major construction site for the Pokémon League, and Aven would develop it thoroughly.
"Lord Aven, I hope the Ironblood Fortress can establish a Pokémon Center."
"I have already relayed your conditions to Princess Mira. Her Highness has agreed. We can allocate the Gilded Fang Merchant Guild's land for the Pokémon Center."
Captain Kevin suddenly spoke. As the frontline fortress, Ironblood desperately needed a Pokémon Center—its presence could drastically reduce casualties in battle.
Moreover, with Marina City already annexed into the Pokémon Domain, the eastern border of Aspiration City was secure. The south was forest and sea, the west a massive swamp. Only the north remained under pressure.
Inviting the Pokémon Domain to build a center was essentially inviting its power to support the fortress—an enormous boost to its defenses.
"Very well. I will prioritize constructing a Pokémon Center at Ironblood Fortress."
Aven nodded seriously.
With Princess Mira's support, establishing the League would go much more smoothly—but healing-type Pokémon would become his immediate focus.
With Baron Cass and Kevin leading the initiative, many other lords were unable to sit still—especially those whose territories were already struggling.
After this, Aven stopped discussing the matter further during the meeting and moved on to explaining the specifics of the Trainer system and how to build Breeding House.
His primary objective was still to spread the Trainer system across all territories of Aspiration City. Trainers were the foundation of the Pokémon League, and naturally, they would drive its future growth.
(End of Chapter)