Pokémon: Chronicles of Freedom

The further they progressed, the more surprised the three examiners became.

Every time they posed a question, Cain only needed one or two seconds to reflect before answering with precision.

Moreover, regarding knowledge about certain Pokémon, there were various directions in which that knowledge could develop, and Cain was able to mention them all one by one.

After all, the main purpose of this Pokémon breeder evaluation was to impress the examiners. If it also meant impressing the League's higher-ups, Cain had no qualms about showcasing his knowledge.

As for whether they would investigate his identity, Cain had a master named Matsuda Takashi, who was deeply rooted in the League.

The emergence of a genius-level Pokémon breeder is often more highly valued than that of a prodigious trainer.

Cain was answering these questions under the watchful eyes of the examiners, so there was no chance of cheating, which only made them lament the rise of yet another genius.

"Alright, you've answered all these questions correctly. Now, following the instructions on this list, create a beginner-level Pokéblock. If you have your own tools, you can use them; if not, you can use the tools on the table," said Daichi after consulting with Shiro Nakamura and Nurse Joy.

Cain took the sheet of paper from the table and reviewed it. A beginner-level Pokéblock required no more than eight ingredients, making it very simple for Cain.

On the Trial Island, even with rudimentary wooden tools, he had been able to create intermediate-level Pokéblocks with good results, so making a beginner-level one posed no issue.

Once he understood the requirements, Cain got to work immediately.

The materials on the table were at his disposal.

First, he selected the necessary ingredients one by one and arranged them neatly.

Next, he prepared the ingredients that needed peeling or special treatment.

His movements were fluid and precise, without the slightest delay, causing the three examiners to nod in approval as they watched him work.

Grinding, mixing, separating, blending, resting, and finally solidifying—all of Cain's steps were carried out without a single error.

When the beginner-level Pokéblock was ready, only ten minutes had passed.

Shiro Nakamura and the other two couldn't remain seated; they approached Cain and took the Pokéblock, now in its container, to examine it.

Daichi pulled a small tool from his pocket, took a sample of the Pokéblock, and tasted it.

Nurse Joy examined the Pokéblock under the light, noting its minimal impurities.

Beginner-level Pokéblocks typically had many impurities, but Cain had managed to make his so pure and crystalline.

Daichi and Nurse Joy wondered if they themselves could have created a Pokéblock of such quality.

The likely answer was: no.

Shiro Nakamura's eyes sparkled with excitement, like a hunter who had found prized prey.

He was an advanced-level Pokémon breeder, far more skilled than most at his level. Otherwise, he wouldn't have disqualified the grandson of the previous advanced-level breeder.

Many would have passed that young man despite his shortcomings to avoid offending the advanced breeder. But Shiro Nakamura wasn't intimidated, as technically, that advanced breeder was also his subordinate.

However, when it came to Cain's Pokéblock, he couldn't find a single flaw. Even if he had made it himself, the result wouldn't have been better than Cain's.

"A genius..." murmured Shiro Nakamura, holding the Pokéblock.

Becoming a beginner-level Pokémon breeder at sixteen was rare but not unheard of. However, most of those cases barely passed the evaluation, and in others, the approval came due to someone's influence.

But from the basic questions onward, Cain had demonstrated impeccable performance.

After a moment of thought, Shiro Nakamura declared, "Congratulations, young man! You are now a beginner-level Pokémon breeder and one of the best in your category."

From somewhere, he pulled out a medal engraved with the League's emblem and the words "Beginner-Level Pokémon Breeder" beneath it.

This was the accreditation medal for a beginner-level Pokémon breeder in the Pokémon world.

Whoever held this medal could enter exclusive League-only locations without needing to show other identification, such as Pokémon Centers or the Breeders' Guild.

However, Cain didn't take the medal but instead shook his head.

The three examiners frowned at Cain's gesture.

This was a sacred moment for a League member. Moreover, the person awarding the medal was the vice president with real authority in Saffron City's Breeders' Guild.

If Cain didn't offer a valid reason, he might be blacklisted immediately. Even if they didn't go that far, they could bar him from retaking the test for five years—a rather severe penalty.

Noticing their expressions, Cain realized he had been a bit abrupt.

He scratched his head and, with an embarrassed look, said, "I'm sorry, I got a little carried away. I don't mean any disrespect, but... I need to continue the evaluation, so I'd rather receive the medal after completing all the tests."

"Young man, the evaluation is over. You've already qualified as a beginner-level Pokémon breeder. You don't need to continue," Shiro Nakamura said, his expression relaxing after hearing Cain's explanation.

"That's not what I mean..."

Before Cain could finish, Daichi looked at him as if he were a monster, eyes wide, and exclaimed, "Don't tell me you want to take the intermediate-level breeder test?"

Immediately, the other two froze.

The intermediate-level breeder evaluation?

Even if Cain didn't pass, the fact that a sixteen-year-old beginner-level Pokémon breeder attempted the intermediate-level test would already be big news.

It could cause a stir in Saffron City's Breeders' Guild.

"Cain, you're only sixteen years old, already one of the most outstanding of your generation. You don't need to rush into attempting the intermediate-level test. You could wait a bit..." Nurse Joy suggested with concern.

But as she spoke, she recalled Cain's skill in preparing the beginner-level Pokéblock, the calmness with which he worked, and the results, which seemed even better than her own.

Could it be that reaching intermediate level wasn't impossible...?

Joy and Daichi seemed somewhat dazed. Both were in their thirties, and while being intermediate-level breeders at their age already made them considered geniuses by many of their seniors, they had yet to reach the pinnacle of their profession, with expectations to lead the next generation.

But now, someone younger was already catching up to their achievements.

How could they not be surprised?

This is alarming! The future of the Breeders' Guild was supposed to be theirs, but now it seems a younger generation is already surpassing them.

What to do now?!

We urgently await answers!

(End of chapter)