Pallet Academy.

The world’s greatest Pokémon training institute where students are trained to be excellent Pokémon Trainers.

People from all over the Kanto region come here in the hopes of being a student, making it too competitive to even join.

The reason for this was Pallet Academy itself.

It had one of the highest standards when it came to training.

The Academy was so popular that the students were featured on TV as an example of how good Trainers were supposed to act.

In this world, this was what inspired most Kanto kids to want to become Trainers; they aspired to be like the elite students of the Academy.

Although every region boasted one big academy, Kanto took the crown when it came to the greatest.

'Interesting.'

That was all the information I managed to gather from the whispers of the applicants all around me.

So far, I could say that this version of the world had been quite different from your average Pokémon world.

While the basics were there, a lot of differences could be spotted pretty easily. This was just the surface of what I had found out for now.

For one, Pallet Town was not only well-known in the world but it was one of, if not, the biggest cities in the world. And with the number of tourists visiting every year, the town was booming.

The reasons for this were simple: the famous Professor Oak was living here and the Pallet Academy was also here.

The only reason it was still called Pallet Town and not Pallet City was because the name held historical value.

And the second difference was the starting age of Trainers.

Traditionally, children would start their journey at ten years old. In fact, many parents choose to raise their children in order to prepare them for their future career, which was becoming a Pokémon Trainer.

Like always, age in Pokémon was a bit tricky.

Red and Ash were both 10, but while the former aged the latter hadn't. Brock and Misty accompanied Ash, but were they 10?

Was Misty a Gym Leader and not even a teenager? How old was Brock anyways? How old does one have to be in order to become a Gym Leader?

There is no real clear-cut answer, and that was one of the plot holes I gave Puppet Master.

Now, the reason for my rambling was simple.

The age at which one would start their journey as a Pokémon Trainer was not 10, but 18 now.

I had heard that some kids began their training earlier and even had Pokémon of their own, but those were the exceptions to the rule—they were kids of rich families. Simple as that.

From everything I had observed so far, one thing was clear.

The world I was in was a more realistic Pokémon world. It made sense as Pokémon had tons of universes. From games to anime to manga—a lot of it wasn't realistic for one simple reason.

Kids.

It was a franchise that catered to kids, even though most fans were adults now.

Anyways, It was nice seeing a positive change to be honest.

After all, it wasn't logical for 10-year-olds to be running around the world on their supposed "Journeys".

At least, not if one threw logic out of the window.

But for me, the realistic version of the world meant that I needed to be more careful.

I sighed. Complications. They weren’t leaving me.

I shook my head and focused my attention on Reto.

He was the one who would provide me with information. One I needed desperately in this situation.

Reto sighed, "When are they gonna start the practical?"

"Dunno."

I shrugged and Reto visibly deflated.

In contrast to his odd gloominess, the applicants in front of us could no longer contain themselves.

"Oh, man! I wanna get my first Pokémon!"

"You'll see soon enough."

Their eagerness was palpable. There were many who discussed what Pokémon they would get as their starter.

I was a bit confused.

"Hey, Reto."

"Hmm?"

"Care to elaborate?"

I cocked my head at the applicants and Reto stared at them for a bit before shrugging.

"Well, the Academy would give a basic starter Pokémon to those who don't have one already. Those who pass of course."

Oh, that was rather simple.

I nodded and closed my eyes to wait.

Apparently, the staff was busy checking the papers of the applicants. We waited patiently until we heard and felt our watches buzzing.

Ghzzzzzzzzzzht—!

Suddenly, chatter filled the air as everyone got their result.

Some cheered but most had their heads lowered.

There was no need for the Academy staff to come and announce the result of the written test.

The watches were enough to inform everyone of the results.

[You have passed the written test, please make your way to Academy Grounds.]

That was written on my watch’s screen.

Instead of focusing on that though.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"Whew."

I sighed and then looked over at Reto.

He was grinning like an idiot.

Seeing him like that, a hint of a smile tugged at my lips. I allowed myself a smile.

Then I made my way toward Academy Grounds without paying any attention to others.

My watch buzzed once I was near enough to the gate.

[Applicant Identity Pass Confirmed. Welcome, Student Applicant 74, Ian Wright.]

With an electronic noise, the door opened and I stepped into the building.

This watch was a new addition as well, now that I thought of it.

As I walked through, my attention was swept away from the gate which was confirming more students as they came.

Instead of them, I looked in front of me.

What greeted me was a grand opening.

The nearest sight to me was a grassland filled with different kinds of arenas catered for different types of Pokémon.

There were Pokémon running about here and there as well.

Each arena was for battles to be conducted in a controlled environment.

In the distance, there was a forest.

My eyes could not see further, but I was certain that the forest was not the end of it.

The academy grounds seemed to go on forever, and it was quite beautiful.

And I was curious.

'How come they made a forest inside the Academy? Or was the Academy built at the entrance of a forest? Hmmm. Possible.'

Could it be Route 1?

'No, that's unlikely...'

Or maybe it was? I wasn’t sure.

Anyways, while I admired the scene, the others had arrived as well.

Now that I looked at everyone, I could tell that the number of applicants had been chipped away and only a handful remained.

Around 20-25 applicants were in my group. I could guess that much.

While everyone waited there for Professor Oak—or someone—to arrive and brief us on the practical test, I heard an exasperated suffering groan from the side.

“Not this again…”

Reto grumbled.

Curious, I looked around for the cause of his distress as I raised an eyebrow slightly.

‘Oh…’

My eyes fell on a tall, thin young man with light skin, brown eyes, and tall, brown spiky hair who approached us with a grin.

Reto’s body language immediately shifted when he realized that the boy was in fact coming towards us.

He withdrew in himself in such a way that would make one ignore his existence altogether.

"Do you know him?"

I asked.

I had a suspicion as to who it was, but I couldn't be too sure.

"Yeah... Gary, he's..."

Reto said but he did not complete his sentence.

Gary. I remembered that name.

This confirmed my suspicion.

He was a 'rival' of Ash Ketchum.

"You don't like him?" I asked, feigning unfamiliarity with Gary.

"Nah," Reto said, frowning, and then continued, "He's a jerk."

"He sure looks like one."

I simply added fuel to the fire.

There was a simple reason for that.

It was all so I could get Reto to talk more about stuff, which meant that I would learn more about this world.

By this time, I was sure that the version of the Pokémon world I found myself in was quite different from the others.

So, I was certain that there had to be changes in characters and their personality as well.

Add to that the scenarios, backstories, and everything else related to said characters, I knew that my knowledge needed a refresh of sorts.

"Yeah, I know right?" Reto sighed, falling for the ‘trap’ I laid out for him. "He's Professor Oak's grandson. Arrogant. Egotistical. The kinda guy who thinks the world revolves around him. To an extent, it actually does. He's Professor Oak's grandson after all."

Reto rolled his eyes.

"Worst of all, though, he likes to flaunt and jeer on others."

Well, not much different from the Gary I was familiar with, huh?

Though there could be changes for all I knew.

Gary approached with slow and deliberate steps.

I knew that he was trying to intimidate Reto by doing so, or even me.

But unlike Reto, I did not try to hide from him.

"Hello there."

His voice was loud, and it carried the kinda tone that made one want to smash his face in. More so when he had that smile affixed on his lips.

He jeered at Reto before turning his eyes to me.

"Hey, you're the kid staying with this twerp, eh? I'm Gary Oak. What’s your name?” he asked.

I told him my name.

There was no need to complicate things. All I needed to do was have a conversation and that was it. A major cliche scene would be avoided. A scene that usually takes place at the start of an arc, to set the conflict. Set the antagonist.

“My name is Ian. Ian Wright.” I replied with my tone neutral.

A raised eyebrow. That’s all I got from him. A mocking gesture.

“Doesn’t ring a bell.”

He retorted dismissively and I shrugged indifferently.

He wanted a reaction out of me.

His kind of people, I knew them well. Working as a voice artist I had come across people like him.

They usually tried to get a reaction out of you, to rile you up, for whatever they wanted. Some kind of twisted amusement maybe?

When I didn't react as he expected, Gary clicked his tongue.

“Regardless, now that I know you’re with this twerp, make sure you don’t get in my way,” he warned and purposely bumped into me. A smile tugged at his lips as he did that.

I did not appreciate this gesture of his.

Talking was fine, he could talk smack to me all he wanted. But bumping or getting physical was a bit too much for my liking.

I was not a pushover.

And I would not be treated as such, either.

“What was that for?” I frowned.

I was not a kid, so, of course, I did not show much of a reaction.

In fact, now showing a reaction seemed to push his buttons wrong.

“Is that attitude I see, huh, Mr. No-name?”

I blinked at his provocation.

What is he, a kid?

I did not falter. My composure remained as it was. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing his provocation getting through.

"I have no intention of getting in anyone's way, Gary," I replied evenly.

My voice was calm and tone neutral.

I did not want any aggression or useless conflict. Not this early on, when I wasn’t even fully aware of my own circumstances yet.

"But I won't be pushed around either. So, let's keep things civil, shall we?" I finished my sentence.

Gary’s smirk faltered for a moment. His eyes narrowed. It took only one moment, but that was enough for me to catch on.

It was clear to me now. He had never encountered someone who wouldn’t back down from his attempts at intimidation. Childish as they might be.

He regained his composure the next instant and smirked again.

"Civil, huh?"

He scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

"We'll see about that, Ian."

At least he acknowledged my name.

It was clear that my point had gone through; that I was not someone to mess with just like that. Although I doubted he was mature enough to not try to get a reaction out of me again.

The tension between the both of us was palpable.

If this was an anime or the like, Reto, who had been silent until now, would definitely be seeing sparks between me and Gary.

"H-hey, Gary, what's the problem?"

Oh, the kid finally found his voice.

Reto stepped forward, his gaze shifting between Gary and me.

“Ian hasn't done anything to you. Why are you acting like this?"

I could see that his legs were trembling.

Gary scowled.

“Twer—”

Just as Gary was about to continue with all this, it happened.

Ghzzzzzzzzzzht—!

All around us, everyone’s watches made a sound.

[Attention, applicants.]

A familiar voice. I looked down at my watch, and sure enough, there was Professor Oak’s hologram on there.

“Tch,” Gary clicked his tongue and moved back. “This isn't over. I'll be watching you.” he glanced over his shoulder.

And left with those words.

Reto looked at me and I just shrugged carelessly.

[Applicants, please get in a line and pay attention.]

Professor’s voice rang out and I looked around. The students were all focused on the professor as well.

After everyone was in position, Professor Oak continued.

[This year, we have decided to change the usual practical test, so we could try a new—potentially better—way of evaluating applicants.]

Oh, now that was interesting.

I wondered what it would be.

[Anyways, pucker up your ears for what I’m about to say, for the 6th iteration’s Entrance Practical Exam will soon begin!]