Becoming a Professional Trainer before thirty...
This was an incredibly strict requirement. It was no wonder Leo felt the crushing weight of the pressure as soon as the words left Zoe's mouth.
I bet the Professional Trainers staying in Fairview aren't exactly young, Owen mused to himself.
Ethan was in his forties. Lynnea's father was likely around the same age as Owen's own dad. As for Zoe... he decided it was safer not to guess.
However, one thing was certain: the field of training was flourishing. It was a natural law that the new generation would eventually surpass the old.
Zoe looked at the three silent students and revealed the specific details of the weekend's combat training.
"For a Professional Trainer, the ability to survive in the wild, in dangerous terrains, and within Rifts is indispensable."
"This survival capability includes the mental fortitude a trainer should possess, as well as various practical skills."
"Therefore, your combat training will take the form of 'Wilderness Survival.'"
"You will be dropped off in a wild area teeming with Pokémon. You must live there alone for one day and one night.
Survival is only considered successful if you complete a specific objective. The person with the best performance during this exercise will receive an additional reward."
"During this time, you may face dangers from wild Pokémon or encounter other hardships. But do not worry excessively; the purpose of this first practical exercise is simply to give you a taste of the wilderness.
Professional Rangers or Pokémon will follow you secretly for protection.
You can withdraw at any time if you find you cannot persevere, but doing so will negatively impact your training grade. Unless it is an extreme emergency, I expect you to hold out."
"Once this week's training concludes, we will conduct a comprehensive analysis of your performance next week to create more detailed individual training plans."
The trio was stunned. They had assumed "combat training" meant exactly that—battling. They figured they would go to the wild just to fight wild Pokémon.
But who would have thought the training would be structured like this? Living alone in a mountain full of Pokémon for a day?
It sounded thrilling! This was much closer to "adventure" in the truest sense of the word.
Owen was fairly certain the danger level of South Nanwu Back Mountain would be lower than the actual Rift he had stumbled into. However, he wasn't sure what specific species of Pokémon inhabited the area.
"'Wilderness Survival'... speaking of which, I wonder if there's a trainer named Bear Grylls in this world?" Owen pondered.
Wait! He almost forgot. Eevee had probably watched plenty of survival-themed shows on her phone.
Hold on... don't tell me that besides figure skating and acting, she's also picked up wilderness survival skills? Owen sank into deeper thought, half-hoping he was just overthinking things.
The students asked a few more key questions, which Zoe answered patiently. Every answer eventually pointed back to one thing: the equipment she had mentioned earlier. Each was given a "Survival Backpack" filled with various tools.
It contained a compass, a sleeping bag, some water and food, a knife, a fire starter, medicine, a flashlight, and more. It was a very comprehensive kit. Owen weighed it in his hands—it wasn't light. Carrying this around would definitely be a test of physical endurance.
"Before we set off, hand over your phones. Aside from the tools in the backpack, you are only allowed to carry Pokémon items."
Pokémon items referred to external boosters like the Silk Scarf. Currently, Eevee only had her Silk Scarf and the Soothe Bell.
"Hand over the phone, huh..." After Zoe spoke, Owen instinctively patted his pocket. Good, good. Now Eevee can truly enjoy the 'natural' lifestyle without distractions, haha.
Once the instructions were finalized, Zoe prepared the vehicles, telling the three to be ready to depart for their destination at a moment's notice.
Two hours later, the group arrived at the base of South Nanwu Back Mountain, reaching the Ranger Defense Line.
The entire mountain was cordoned off by this line, guarded by professional Ranger teams and trainer volunteers to prevent wild Pokémon from rioting and entering the town.
During the ride, the three students tried their best to recall the tips Zoe had given them. Owen remained relatively calm. Having actually been inside a Rift, he didn't look as anxious as Lynnea or Leo.
Upon getting out of the car, they were met by an elderly man in his fifties. He wore a black compression suit under an orange jacket, with a long coil of rope at his waist. Despite his age, he looked incredibly spirited. Zoe introduced him as Arthur, the head of the local Ranger team.
"Ms. Zoe, you're finally here. Are these the three rookies you're sending in for tempering?"
Arthur sized them up. He looked at Lynnea, the only girl, and shook his head. She looked like a child who had never known hardship. Then he looked at Leo—could he even run with all that extra weight? Finally, his gaze landed on Owen. He looked... passable.
Zoe nodded. "That's them. Listen up, you three. Captain Arthur will have his Rangers drop you off at different points on the mountain. Your task is simple: reach the summit by 3:00 PM tomorrow."
"During this period, no one will help you unless you are in extreme danger. You must rely on yourselves and your Pokémon for the next twenty-four hours."
Owen, Lynnea, and Leo acknowledged the orders.
Soon after, Captain Arthur called over three Rangers—two men and one woman. Owen, Lynnea, and Leo were assigned to one each. The wilderness training was officially beginning!
"See you at the top." "See you there..." "See you at the top."
The three exchanged final greetings before heading off, though none knew if everyone would actually make it to the summit.
After the students departed, Captain Arthur spoke up: "Ms. Zoe, I didn't expect you to actually send rookies in here.
Letting them touch the wild this early... you're a bit impatient, aren't you? But don't worry, with those three Rangers trailing them in the shadows, they won't be in danger.
We know this mountain and its Pokémon like the back of our hands."
Zoe glanced at him. "These three represent three different types of trainers: one with a professional lineage, one from a wealthy background, and one from an ordinary family but with exceptional natural talent.
They are rookies worth investing in. With the resources brought by the South Nanwu Rift, Fairview needs to start training young, capable Professional Trainers.
Otherwise, the Fairview Association will never have the standing to compete with the branches in the big cities."
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 60 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.