Imperial Capital No. 1 High School.
It is the oldest Pokémon high school in the entire Imperial Capital, named at the beginning of the Alliance's establishment, though its actual founding date predates the Donghuang Alliance's formation. It has a long history, deep roots, and strong faculty. This high school has produced countless well-known graduates, including many high-ranking Alliance officials. However, in recent years, it has become somewhat overshadowed, gradually being surpassed by several other prestigious schools in the Imperial Capital.
About ten minutes later, David, with Zorua, arrived at the school gate of Imperial Capital No. 1 High School.
At this time, the area outside the main gate was already crowded with students coming to register.
That's right—after all, it was an important moment for registering as a Trainer. Once the registration was complete, one gained the qualification to capture Pokémon. Who wouldn't want to quickly own a Pokémon of their own?
After all, the Cloudspire Alliance officially manages Pokémon quite strictly. Everyone must be registered before they are qualified to capture Pokémon. At the same time, for fairness, the birth time of a starter Pokémon cannot exceed one month from the registration time, and all Pokémon used must be captured by the Trainer themselves firsthand. The national unified examination, also known as the Pokémon College Entrance Examination, has specific requirements for the Pokémon used.
The Alliance is keen to narrow the gap between Trainers due to family background. This measure is to prevent students from Trainer families from exploiting loopholes. Otherwise, taking David as an example, if the Alliance didn't set limits, with his status, he could completely raise a Dratini from a young age and directly capture a Dragonite as a starter Pokémon when he obtains his Trainer qualification.
Then, when he goes to participate in a competition, the Trainer facing him would exclaim the classic, "I'm fighting a Dragonite? Is this for real?"
If everyone did that, what would ordinary Trainers compete with?
After carefully observing his surroundings, David tightened the backpack on his back, bypassed the crowded people in front of him, and walked toward the few figures standing by a large tree next to the school gate.
However, before he could even get close, a familiar voice of complaint had already reached him from afar.
"David, you're too slow! We've been waiting for you to show up forever. On such an important day, you're not still oversleeping, are you?"
Before David got close, a chubby boy stepped forward and complained to him.
Familiar figures came into view. By the big tree, there were two boys and one girl standing.
On the far left, wearing a floral shirt and casual pants, with a pair of gold-rimmed half-frame glasses, lazily leaning against the big tree while holding a Pokémon magazine, dressed rather flamboyantly with an air of a refined scoundrel, was the tall and thin Luke.
Next to him, wearing a school uniform, with smooth black hair tied into a ponytail falling behind her, looking fresh, natural, and full of vitality, was Emma.
Adding the chubby boy Miles, who had just complained to David, these people were David's good friends, having grown up together since childhood. Their parents were also very familiar with each other.
This relationship did not change after the world fusion. In fact, it became even closer with the changes in the world.
"I'm not trying to lecture you, David, but didn't we agree to try to come early today? You, on the other hand, dragged it out until the last minute. For today, I got up early to prepare. Can't you change that habit of yours of loving to sleep in?"
It wasn't just the chubby boy. Emma, seeing David arrive, couldn't help but start complaining as well.
After all, it was an important moment to become a Trainer. Although he wasn't late, seeing David still arriving at the last minute, "leisurely and lazily" as always (he was actually absorbing new memories in his mind), his two childhood friends who had arrived early both complained in unison.
"My bad, my bad. I got used to sleeping in during the holidays. My treat—tomorrow at the usual spot, I'll apologize properly, alright?"
Facing the complaints, David, who was already late because he delayed getting up and then was held back by Zorua's matter, with it almost nine o'clock, knew he was in the wrong and quickly clasped his hands together, begging for mercy.
"Forget it, forget it. It's not past time anyway. You two know David's personality. Let's hurry inside first," said Luke, who was leaning against the tree. He got up and smoothly changed the subject.
And so, the group quickly walked into the school.
"By the way, after registering today, we can capture Pokémon. Have you all chosen your starter Pokémon targets?" David asked his friends curiously on the school path.
"As for me, I've already decided long ago. Of course, I'm choosing Growlithe. How cool will it be when it evolves into Arcanine! I'll ride Arcanine to and from school then. Just thinking about it makes me feel awesome!"
The speaker was the chubby boy Miles. Don't let his age—the youngest among them—and his chubby appearance fool you. He's actually very fond of seeking excitement and is incredibly wild when he plays.
In his memories, when David and his friends played at his family's ranch as children, they often found fun at this kid's instigation. Things like Rhyhorn racing and jumping off cliffs on Dodrio were all old tricks from back then.
"I haven't decided yet, but my dad said he has a surprise for me when I get back," Emma said.
At this moment, Luke suddenly said mischievously, "Hehehe, my Pokémon—you definitely won't guess. I'll keep you in suspense for now and tell you tomorrow."
"What about you, David? Don't just ask us. Among the offspring of Uncle and Auntie's main Pokémon, there should be some for you to choose from, right? Or are you planning to specialize in Dragon-types, like Sister Aria and Uncle?"
"You're keeping me in suspense, so don't ask me. Let's talk about it tomorrow when we meet."
David replied perfunctorily, silently apologizing in his heart.
Hisuian Zorua hasn't even been discovered in this world yet. My Zorua most likely accidentally escaped from that secret realm that hasn't fully descended. I'm afraid I'll have to keep it a secret from you for a while, at least until I discuss it with my parents.
As they talked, the group had already arrived at the school plaza.
At this time, in front of the entire plaza, more than a dozen temporary information entry points had been set up. School teachers and Alliance staff responsible for information entry were busy inside. Students arriving continuously from the school gate were led by their homeroom teachers to their class's assembly point, preparing to queue up.
Imperial Capital No. 1 High School's classes are divided by academic performance. The four of them all had good grades. Even Miles, the lowest performer, was still above average. Naturally, they were all in Class 1 of the second year, so they didn't need to separate. They found their class's assembly line and naturally joined in.
After a while, when everyone had arrived, the homeroom teacher of Class 1—a middle-aged woman in her forties with black-rimmed glasses—finished taking attendance one by one and then stood at the front of the line.
"If everyone is here, I'll say a few words. Everyone listen carefully. One by one, you'll queue up in order to register and enter your personal information. After registration is complete, you can receive three custom Poké Balls."
"Listen carefully—you can only use these three Poké Balls to capture your first three Pokémon. This is related to your eligibility for competitions in your third year and ultimately for the college entrance examination. The three Poké Balls can only capture one Pokémon each and cannot be exchanged or transferred. The Alliance strictly prohibits new Trainers from cheating by using Pokémon captured by others."
"Finally, students who decide to pursue a Pokémon major in the future, especially Trainers, must capture their starter Pokémon before the new semester begins. Are there any other questions? If not, go and queue up for registration now." The homeroom teacher finished speaking and stepped aside.
"No questions!"
After listening to the homeroom teacher, the students of Class 1 loudly responded and immediately took action, one by one entering the temporary shed in order to enter their information and collect their Poké Balls.
When it was David's turn to enter, the homeroom teacher standing nearby called him aside and handed him a black card.
"David, your final exam score last semester was the highest in your grade. According to Alliance regulations, after registering as a Trainer, you can use this card at the school's breeding facility to select a rare-grade Pokémon Egg. Once the Alliance verifies your qualifications, they will notify you to come and collect it. Don't forget."
David reached out, took the card, and put it away.
"Thank you, Teacher. I'll remember." He then walked into the registration point.
Soon after, David, having completed his registration, quickly walked out of the shed with his three Poké Balls.
After greeting his childhood friends who had also completed their registration and agreeing to meet at their usual spot tomorrow afternoon, David left the school directly, preparing to go home.