I started walking towards the Pokemon Centre, hoping I didn’t trade one hell for another.

‘It doesn’t matter. Right now, I have come up with a way to explain my situation without drawing any attention,’ I thought I as walked down the bustling street.

The road is separated into three lanes, each designated for cars, bicycles, and Pokemon mounts.

I even saw an Arcanine on the road. If the Growlithe near the entrance was huge then the Arcanine was a behemoth, but a fluffy one. After staring at the Arcanine for a while, I resumed my walk towards the Pokemon Centre.

After getting near the Pokemon Centre, I couldn’t help but notice there were no stray Pokemon in the city. This is different from anime where stray Pokemon such as Rattata and Pidgey were ever present. But I saw some common Kanto Pokemon and even non-Kanto Pokemon with their trainers who looked younger than me. But the non-Kanto Pokemon were rarer than their counterparts.

Upon reaching the Pokemon Centre, I was greeted by a red-haired kid who came running towards me.

“You! Are you going to be a rookie trainer?” he asked, looking at me with his eyes shining expectantly.

“Yes, Kid!” I said trying to project confidence into my voice.

“Hey! I am not a kid. I am 8 and 1/2, already halfway through my Main growth phase and next year I will also become a trainer just like you.” He said looking like I kicked his puppy... Growlithe.

‘God damn’ I thought, the kid looked around 14 – At least 3 or 4 inches shorter than me with a chubby and young-looking face. I don’t think a 9-year-old would look like this or he is just tall. And what in the Arceus holy braying is the main growth phase?

“Sorry. But what do you want?” I asked ignoring my growing confusion.

“Hmph!” He snorted and ran off angrily.

As watched him run away. I tried to gather my thoughts.

‘He asked me if I was going to write the Trainers exam. The adults I saw in the city were nearly the same height as me. But…, Do I look like a 10-year-old?’ I touched my now vanished moustache and analyzed.

I left the encounter with the kid(not kid?) with extra questions I needed answers to and walked towards the Pokemon Centre.

The main Burning question was- did I have any advantage over normal trainers, I at least like to have talent in aura if nothing else.

The Pokemon Centre has a two-story building in the center, with the plus sign and everything like anime, with one-story square-shaped buildings attached to the two-story one on either side.

I entered the Pokemon Centre and looked around hoping to see the famous twin-tailed nurse, but I was greeted with silence-the Centre was empty.

The Pokemon Centre boasted ample space, adorned with diverse colours on the floor, guiding individuals towards various paths.

“Hello!” I called out on reaching the reception desk.

Two red eyes shined on the doorway behind the reception desk. I shuffled nervously and called out again hoping it was some trainer's ghost Pokemon. It vanished, whatever Pokemon it was.

A heart-wrenching screech suddenly sounded behind me making me jump out of my skin and I hurriedly turned back towards the noise.

And I saw a Gengar chuckling with its hands on its mouth. I warily stared at it, not impressed.

Even though I feel like seeing a being not made of anything organic should elicit a bigger response.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Maybe my still rapidly beating heart from the Gengar’s early prank is keeping my mind occupied.

So, this was how proper adrenaline feels like, somewhat different from what I felt when I kept pushing myself into nasty(not too nasty) situations to feel something.

Something is telling me I am going to encounter this fight or flight response more and I am going to love it.

As I and Gengar eyed each other a female voice came from behind me startling me again.

“Sorry, The Gengar was feeling a little cooped up checking the protections of the Centre.” She spoke.

I nodded like I perfectly understood what she said and greeted her.

She looked like a generic Western beauty with a square jaw, neat jawline and high cheekbones, the whole shebang. By she, I meant none other than Nurse Joy - at least I think she is, judging by her uniform.

I didn’t even try to guess her age as the conversation with the kid from before was still fresh in my mind. And in Earth terms, she looked around late 20’s.

“How can I help you?” she asked smiling softly and signalled at the Gengar making it dematerialize.

Checking around warily for the Gengar, I took deep breaths and spoke.

“I want to register for the trainer’s exam”.

“You could have done that in your home. Were you prohibited by your parents from taking the exam?” she asked narrowing her eyes at me.

As I was making my way towards the centre, I decided not to follow the amnesia trope. Because it can involve psychic Pokemon and police officers.

“I don’t have parents,” I said and mustered all my nonexistent acting skills to make it appear believable.

“Oh! Sorry, dear. Give me your citizen ID, I will register for you.” she said apologetically.

I winced and told her I didn’t have that either.

“Where are you from dear, your guardian should have given you the ID in the least. Generally, the Matron of your orphanage is supposed to help you.”

“I used to live with my grandfather on a hill with his Pokemon. Recently he passed away and he always used to tell me Pokemon centres always have the solutions for any trainers’ problems”. I gushed and looked at her with my best puppy eyes.

‘Please believe it’ I prayed.

“How did you reach here then?” she questioned.

“My Grandpa’s Alakazam Teleported me. She used to look after me after Grandpa’s Death” I said acting sadly.

Judging by her shifting expressions, it seems she didn’t believe me totally and wanted to know more. But she changed her mind and reassured me.

“No worries, I can register and provide you with an ID. And you can stay here until the season starts to prepare for the exams, the centre is empty anyway and I can cook for one more person. ”

“And yes, you must stay here as you are a minor with no guardians. I should mention that you must get a very high score in your Journey Initiator Exam(J.I.E) to fund your journey, the fund will be granted by the league for children like you. And of course, pass the trainer’s license exam.” She said evaluating me with her gaze.

“And you will be able to obtain a starter unless, of course, your Grandfather’s Alakazam provided you with one,” she asked, searching me with her eyes.

I shook my head and asked her where I could study for the exam. I didn’t want to waste more time as other test takers have God knows how many years of advantage.

She pointed towards a door with a computer monitor sign and started walking towards it.

“You know how to operate a terminal, right?” she questioned.

I floundered at her, she took that as a sign and began to introduce the basics to me.

“ I will be in the reception area. If you get any doubts give me a shout and I will call you when it’s time for dinner.” She said and started leaving.

Before she could leave, I stopped her and spoke.

“ I don’t want to be a freeloader; I can help with any chores.”

“Oh! Don’t worry about that and focus on your studies. The exams are very important for your future. And you can find some essentials in the lost and found room. It is the third room from here.” She spoke, taking back her hand which was going for my head to pet me.

I sat on a chair and started to think back to our conversation to find out more about my situation.

‘ It seems I have to write two exams one for license and one for funds and a starter.’

The first thing I searched for in the Poketerminal or system is the date of the exams. On seeing the dates, I don’t know if I should consider myself lucky or unlucky. I only had two weeks until the exams. They happen on the same day with a 10-minute break between them.

I sighed and opened a new tab in the browser and a flashing headline that said ‘ The wave with Three Tyranitars’ caught my eye and I clicked it immediately.

Tyranitars are one of the rare heavy Pokemon I Like. As I generally dislike tank-type builds.

After reading the whole article, I understood the reason for the huge wall surrounding the city. And only one sentence was repeated in my mind repeatedly.

‘I am screwed’.