Joseph pulled out a folder bound in dark lacquered paper, its cover embossed with a golden bell.
"Ecruteak Academy," he said, voice softened with respect. "Unlike the others, Silver Republic's pride is not in modernity or technology but in balance. Their curriculum blends traditional martial disciplines with Pokémon battling, emphasizing respect, patience, and spiritual harmony. Trainers are taught that every battle is not just a contest of strength, but a reflection of their character."
Albert's eyes glimmered faintly, recognition sparking. "That makes sense. Silver Republic has always revered the bond between humans and Pokémon as something sacred. Ecruteak must draw on the philosophies of the Bell Tower and the Burned Tower."
Steven leaned forward slightly, intrigued. "So it's not just about winning battles?"
Joseph shook his head. "No. It is about how you win. Students undergo meditation, calligraphy, and even traditional dance alongside their training. A trainer who graduates from Ecruteak is as much a philosopher as a battler. They are taught to remain composed, to seek harmony even in the chaos of combat. Many of Silver Republic's Gym Leaders hail from this academy."
Albert smiled faintly. "It would be the perfect place for someone who believes a trainer's heart guides a Pokémon's strength."
Joseph inclined his head in agreement. "Indeed. Ecruteak does not produce the most aggressive battlers, but it produces the most centered ones. They excel in battles where patience and composure outweigh brute force."
Joseph tapped the crest of a white-and-gold folder.
"Hearthome University. Though Pearl Federation's culture is deeply tied to history and myth, this institution has become the frontier of competitive battling research. Their specialty is double battles, rotation battles, and team dynamics—strategies where synergy matters as much as raw strength. Students are drilled relentlessly on prediction, coordination, and managing unpredictability."
Albert's gaze sharpened. "That explains why so many Pearl Federation trainers adapt so well to team battle tournaments. It's not just tradition—it's their strength."
Steven tilted his head. "It sounds… cerebral. Less about strength, more about out-thinking the opponent."
"Precisely, but not limited to that," Joseph slightly affirmed. "Graduates are often sought after as tactical advisors, if not frontline trainers themselves."
The next folder bore Desert Nation's sigil.
"Hammerlocke Institute," Joseph said with quiet weight. "Unlike Eden Empire or Grayscale Kingdom, Desert Nation focuses not on elegance or modernity, but sheer grit. Its program emphasizes endurance, stamina, and field adaptability. Students are dropped into simulated wild zones for weeks, forced to survive alongside their Pokémon. Only those who return stronger, both mentally and physically, advance."
Steven's eyes widened. "That sounds… intense."
Joseph nodded once. "The philosophy is that a trainer who cannot endure hardship is unfit to lead a partner into battle. Hammerlocke is famous for producing trainers with unshakable composure, hardened by trial before they ever reach the League. They are incredibly good at endurance battles and at surviving in the wild."
Albert's lips quirked. "It might suit you, Steven. You've always been stubborn enough to survive."
Steven laughed softly. "I don't know if I'd call that a compliment."
Joseph unfolded a parchment-colored dossier stamped with Freesia Isle's floral crest.
"Malie Institute. While young by global standards, it has already carved a reputation for ecological battling—training that emphasizes terrain, natural synergy, and harmony between Pokémon and the environment. Their trials are less about direct combat and more about adaptability: how well you can use weather, terrain, and resources to your advantage."
Albert's eyes brightened slightly. "That aligns with their island traditions—the Trial Captains, the Kahunas. They train not just for battles in stadiums but for battles in the world itself."
Steven nodded, thoughtful. "It feels… holistic. Less about defeating opponents, more about understanding the field."
Joseph inclined his head. "Exactly. It produces trainers who are versatile, able to battle anywhere, anytime, under any condition. Many coordinators of environmental Pokémon care programs trace their roots to Malie."
Finally, Joseph laid down a file stamped with a jewel-like insignia. "And then, Tribal Alliance's pride—the Naranja-Uva Academy. Their trainer program emphasizes type theory and advanced battle manipulation. Students are drilled not only in type matchups but in type unpredictability, forced to train for scenarios where every assumption might be overturned."
Steven's eyes widened. "So every battle is… unstable. You'd never know if a Dragon could suddenly use other moves like Fairy, Rock, or Grass."
Joseph nodded gravely. "Correct. Their philosophy is simple: uncertainty is the only certainty. If you can learn to adapt in Tribal Alliance, you can adapt anywhere. Their alumni often become innovators in strategy, though few outside Tribal Alliance fully grasp the difficulty of their training."
Albert's amethyst eyes glowed faintly with thought. "That would be the most dangerous path to walk—training in a system that constantly seeks to upend your expectations."
Joseph then leaned back, steepling his fingers. "These are not your only options, but the nine I've named are the ones with the greatest prestige and immediate opportunity for you both."
Joseph let the silence hang for a moment after his long discourse. His fingers tapped once on the arm of his chair, eyes glinting in the soft lamplight. "You see," he said finally, voice steady, "each university reflects not only its region's philosophy but also its expectations for the kind of trainers it wishes to cultivate. That's why your choice must be made carefully."
Steven leaned back slightly, processing the flood of information. "So… it's not just about the name or prestige. It's about which one aligns with us, our goals, our way of seeing Pokémon."
"Exactly." Joseph gave a small approving nod. "And there is another layer you must both consider. Each university has its own cutoff score for the Pokémon Trainer Licensure Exam. Some are more lenient, valuing potential shown in either portion of the test. Others…"
He allowed himself a dry chuckle, "Well, others will only look at you if you stand in the very top percentile. Indigo Plateau University, for example, demands near-perfect results—both in the theoretical and practical sections. Lumiose will not accept a candidate below ninety-five percent in each portion. But Ecruteak? They are more flexible, requiring higher practical results than perfection."
Albert's expression didn't change much, but his violet eyes sharpened as if filing away every number, every subtle distinction. Steven, on the other hand, swallowed, a faint weight settling in his chest.
Joseph continued, his gaze resting squarely on the two young men. "It is not enough to pass. You must pass well if you wish to open every door. Your theoretical knowledge will be tested to its fullest, and your practical performance will need to demonstrate absolute control and confidence. The score you achieve on that exam will, in some cases, define the universities willing to extend their hands to you. So, while you've studied hard, and while I trust your talent beyond any doubt—do not underestimate the importance of that single day."
A quiet fell again. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner seemed suddenly louder, counting down the week until the exam.
Then Joseph leaned forward, his expression softening. "But know this—whether you choose Indigo, Ecruteak, Lilycove, or any other great universities, the real weight lies in how you will walk the path once you've stepped onto it. The exam is only the door. What you build afterward will determine the kind of trainers—and men—you become."
Steven exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll have to think hard about this. Honestly, I don't even know what kind of trainer I want to be yet. I just know… I want to be strong enough to stand beside my Pokémon and…." he looked at Albert, his silence spoke more than any words could.
Steven tried not to be obvious, but Joseph caught him.
His expression shifted, a brief flicker of contemplation in his eyes, though he said nothing.