The entrance of the Breeder's Guild was bustling with activity. People came and went constantly, and from time to time, individuals with sun-shaped badges pinned proudly to their chests passed through the gates.
The onlookers couldn't help but cast them glances filled with awe and envy.
Those sun-shaped emblems were the mark of an official, Alliance-certified Breeder.
Amidst the crowd, a black-haired boy walked forward at a steady pace, his Eevee padding faithfully by his side.
"Hello, please show your Alliance ID card."
Silas was stopped immediately upon entering. With a swipe of his Pokédex across the scanner, his identity was verified, and the guards let him through.
Inside, the Guild was far livelier than he expected. Breeders were actually the minority here. The vast majority were trainers.
After all, every trainer relied on Pokéblocks to support their Pokémon. While the blocks sold outside were serviceable, those within the Guild were of far higher quality.
Some wealthy trainers even commissioned respected Breeders to craft customized Pokéblocks for their partners. Such a privilege wasn't only about money-connections were required to even invite such master Breeders.
"Hmm… let's check the map."
Silas stopped by the floor directory and studied it carefully.
The Breeder's Guild had five floors in total. The first floor was the public and market area. The second floor was reserved for apprentice assessments.
Anyone could enter the first floor with simple identification. It was mainly a trading hub, providing access to Pokéblocks and materials for the public.
The second floor, however, was different-it was exclusively for testing apprentices who sought to become certified Breeders.
As for the third, fourth, and fifth floors -ordinary people had no chance of stepping foot there. Only certified Breeders had access.
Silas's eyes lingered on the vibrant stalls of the market. "This kind of opportunity can't be missed. Let's see if there are any rare herbs worth buying."
He wandered through the stalls, his expression shifting from curiosity to amazement.
"Huh? That's a Snake-Shedding Fruit-it helps snake-type Pokémon molt more quickly!"
"Wait, isn't this… a Sand Scale Berry? That's worth a million Pokédollars, just lying out in the open!"
"There's even a formula for an Intermediate Pokéblock!"
By the end of his round, Silas felt numb from the sheer abundance of rare resources. What was hard to come by in the outside world seemed commonplace here.
No wonder so many Breeders gathered in Rustboro City.
After another glance, he shook his head and made his way upstairs. After all, his real purpose today was the assessment.
Inside the elevator, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone here seemed nervous.
'They're all here for the exam,' Silas guessed.
Among the crowd, he noticed an old man with gray hair and beard. Out of curiosity, Silas asked, only to be stunned by the reply.
"Hahaha! Old as I am, I've taken this test hundreds of times already. I know it well. I heard they lowered the difficulty this year, so maybe this time I'll have a chance!"
The elder stroked his long beard and chuckled, his good-natured tone easing some of the tension in the elevator.
Silas bowed slightly in respect. When the doors opened, the crowd poured out.
"Hello, everyone. Please fill out the form here for the Breeder assessment. Line up in order and don't push. There are a lot of applicants today, so we ask for your patience."
A smiling staff member guided them politely.
Following the flow of people, Silas filled out his form and took an admission card. He then found an empty seat in the corridor.
Everyone he passed had the same form and card in hand-their identity and exam pass.
Silas shook his head with an amused smile. 'Even in the Pokémon world, there are still admission Hall tickets.'
Soon, the hall grew crowded, filled with hushed conversations.
Beep—Beep—Beep!!!
The first round of the Breeder exam was about to begin!
Following the number on his card, Silas entered the examination room.
The room wasn't very large-just dozens of desks set apart by careful spacing. Four cameras scanned the room from the corners, and two stern-faced proctors sat at the front and back.
Silas, feeling slightly nervous, took his seat in the front row.
The written test began.
The first round was nothing but basics, designed to filter candidates. With thousands taking the monthly exam, they needed a way to screen efficiently.
Almost 90% would be eliminated here.
Silas glanced at the questions and quickly began filling them in.
[After crushing a Pecha Berry and a Chesto Berry, what is the resulting flavor when mixed?]
He muttered under his breath: "Sweet-Dry."
[An Ekans sheds its skin three times each year. What are the intervals between molts?]
"Seven days, thirty days… and half a year."
[Which Pokémon can currently learn Extreme Speed?]
He wrote quickly. "Arcanine, Lucario, Togekiss… and through breeding, Zigzagoon and Dragonair."
Compared to the noble families who had been taught Pokémon knowledge since childhood, Silas had only been learning for about a year. Knowledge was his weakest area.
But even so, he was confident he wouldn't be eliminated.
Two hours later, his test was filled from top to bottom. He flexed his sore wrist, glancing at the others. Most were sweating and anxious, and only a handful had managed to finish.
Three hours passed. When time was called, the vast majority hadn't even completed the paper.
Silas double-checked his answers, then turned it in with the rest.
As the examinees left, the proctors began collecting the papers.
One paused in surprise. "Huh? This candidate is only seventeen years old. Rare to see someone so young taking the exam."
The other nodded. "Likely from a wealthy family-tutored since birth. Not unusual in that case."
Silas, of course, was unaware of their comments.
At that moment, he was wandering the Guild lobby when suddenly, a wave of cheers erupted.
"Hello, Gym Leader Roxanne!"
More voices quickly joined in:
"Ahhh-it's Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro City!"
"Look this way, Roxanne! I'm your biggest fan!"
Silas raised an eyebrow at the crowd's excitement.
'Roxanne? She came to the Breeder's Guild too?'
In his mind's eye, the image of the graceful teacher in her black dress appeared without warning.
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