Petalburg City, a place where people and nature communicate.
Sieg stood on the street in a daze, staring at this bustling city.
Cars flowed like water, skyscrapers covered the skyline.
Sieg recalled what Metako said at their parting, "Sieg, my student, you mustn't forget the pain and the suffering of the past. You have been reborn. Perhaps one day, your name will be recorded in the brightest chapter of the League's history."
He thought back on everything that had happened this past year. He was no longer that naive child.
Whether it was his ruthless, cautious personality or his resilience and adaptability,
Metako's influence on his transformation had been tremendous.
If one day his name truly was to be recorded in the League's glorious history, then Sieg would never forget his mentor!
...
Sieg wore an ordinary outfit, walking through the streets and alleys like a regular person.
"Didn't expect that the Petalburg City Gym still hasn't been built. Looks like the timeline is a bit early."
He flipped through the data in the Pokédex, thinking silently.
After some consideration, he decided to head to the Pokémon Center first and settle down.
During the evening, inside the Pokémon Center's restaurant.
Sieg sat in a corner, having dinner, with Corphish and Carvanha by his side, enjoying Pokémon food.
Other Trainers sat nearby with their Pokémon as well, though most were small in size.
After all, if someone really brought in an Onix, Nurse Joy would let you know that her Chansey is not to be messed with!
"Now this looks like the life of a traveling Trainer, huh?"
Sieg enjoyed the free meal in front of him. His identity had been completely cleansed, and he was now a direct League Trainer.
He could enjoy all sorts of privileges, including free food and lodging at Pokémon Centers, and priority treatment over regular Trainers when it came to healing.
This was the privilege of being a direct member!
The forged identity was nearly flawless.
His parents were island guardians, and he had grown up alone on the island.
After finishing dinner, Sieg went to the Pokémon Center's lobby. The place was crowded, as many Trainers rested there in the evening.
After all, just outside the city lay the famous Petalburg Forest.
Many adventurers would venture in to find rare Pokémon eggs or precious treasures.
Sieg walked to a self-service machine and inserted his ID card. His information instantly appeared on the screen.
He had long memorized this information, so no one could detect anything suspicious.
"No wonder so many people go through all sorts of trouble just to become a direct League Trainer. Even ignoring the privileges, the hidden exchange list alone is enough to shock the general public."
Sieg browsed the various treasures listed on the machine, from starter Pokémon and items to rare evolution stones, all dazzling and countless.
All of it was available only for direct League Trainers to exchange, provided they had League points.
And League points could only be earned by completing tasks as a direct Trainer.
"This is the training manual!"
Sieg found the exclusive training manual for Corphish on the list, costing 200 points.
"A regular starter Pokémon on the black market costs about 2 million Pokédollars. The price varies based on inherited moves and individual values, but it's generally within that range."
"In the direct League Trainers' exchange list, it requires 2000 points. That means 10 points are worth about 100,000 Pokédollars?"
Now Sieg understood why the League's rule was so unshakeable.
It attracted civilian geniuses to pursue direct status.
And civilians had no choice, because the League's monopoly on knowledge was simply too severe!
Even if you were lucky enough to catch a pseudo-legendary in the wild, without the corresponding training methods, you'd only end up wasting the Pokémon's potential.
What truly controlled the civilian Trainers was this unassuming training manual!
The Pokémon training techniques compiled from centuries of the League's experience, how could an average civilian possibly challenge that?
Even if the civilian were a genius, it would be useless.
"Whew, well, I've boarded the League's big ship now. Next step is to find a way to earn points and get Carvanha's training manual."
Sieg pulled out his ID card and stored it back in his Pokédex. As he left the self-service machine, he received many envious stares.
"Is it because of my direct League identity?"
Sieg quickly figured out what they were thinking.
With a calm expression, he went to the counter and said, "Hello, Nurse Joy, I'd like to apply for League challenge credentials."
Nurse Joy, dressed in a pink and white nurse uniform, smiled as she took Sieg's ID card and placed it on the computer.
She directly ignored another Trainer who was already being helped. This was the benefit of being a direct League Trainer.
Those waiting in line behind didn't even bat an eye. No one complained. It was as if this was all perfectly normal, as they just looked at Sieg with envy.
"Alright, esteemed Trainer Sieg, please fill out the information."
Nurse Joy gracefully extended her slender finger, gesturing for Sieg to operate the screen.
"Name: Sieg; Gender: Male; Age: 17;
Born on Mirage Island.
Current Pokémon: Corphish, Carvanha.
Visited Regions: Kanto, Hoenn."
Fearow wasn't listed, leaving him with a backup. Just a habit, perhaps.
Sieg quickly filled out the required information. As for the more private details like Pokémon levels and Trainer rank, he chose to skip them.
Nurse Joy didn't seem bothered by this and continued speaking gently. Although she had a mission to scout talents for her family, Sieg's actions clearly didn't align with that goal.
But so what?
As long as you still need treatment from the Pokémon Center, you can't escape the information network built by her family.
No matter what Pokémon you have or how fast you improve, you can't avoid being logged into their database.
This was the confidence of a family that would never fall!
Just think, since the establishment of the Pokémon League hundreds of years ago, how many families have risen and fallen? Though some were once extremely powerful, time eventually wore them down, and they faded away.
Only the Joy and Jenny families have remained eternally strong!
"Esteemed Trainer Sieg, the Pokémon Conference held by the Hoenn League in a year's time will require you to collect eight Gym Badges for eligibility."
Nurse Joy's gentle voice attracted even more envious stares from the crowd.
Although she also smiled politely at them, it was impossible to receive that kind of warm tone, after all, they were just ordinary civilian Trainers.
Sieg then arranged lodging for the night. Although he had plenty of Pokédollars, why spend unnecessarily?
The Pokémon Center's rooms surpassed most hotels.
At night, lying in bed, Sieg couldn't help but think of the money-loving little chubby guy on the Megalodon. He thought to himself, "Without Hiroki running errands, I have to do a lot more myself."
Sieg, filled with hope for the future, spent his first night on land.