Pokémon: The Path of Ascension

The Petalburg City Ranger Academy was established over a hundred years ago. During this time, countless ordinary individuals have graduated here, but the number who actually become Rangers after graduation is very small.

As a high-risk occupation, the League cannot afford to take in Trainers with insufficient strength; this would be irresponsible to themselves and to those Trainers.

However, over the years, the Academy's teachers have summarized the strength pattern of Trainers who ultimately become Rangers. That is, at least two of their six Pokémon must be at the Elite level.

Of course, the more Elites they have, the greater the chance of becoming a Ranger; if all six are Elite, they can become Rangers 100% guaranteed.

As long as they graduate from the cultural classes...

The Ranger Academy covers a large area, estimated to exceed five thousand acres.

This is not because there are many students, but because Rangers must deal with the wilderness year-round. Therefore, numerous areas resembling forests, mountains, and lakes have been established for teaching purposes.

Moreover, not many people come to study here.

Take Toshi and his cohort as an example; there are only a little over eight hundred students. Among them, many are not even here with the goal of becoming Rangers! Some have been forced to come by their parents, considering that the tuition is very cheap. In this world where knowledge is valuable, learning more is never a loss; of course, some simply come for fun, having no ambition and just wanting to live a simple life.

Toshi hadn't initially realized there were so many people choosing to take things easy in this world.

Even if climbing up is truly difficult!

But later he understood, because in his previous life, how many people were not like that?

Most people's notions of striving were just what they "thought" they were doing.

Those who truly work hard to strive forward will not be known by anyone until they gain fame. Even after becoming famous, what people see is only the glory in front of the screen, while no one knows how much sweat they shed behind the scenes, dampening how many bed sheets...

…

"Youki!"

Shoji called out to a youth in a white sweat shirt ahead.

The youth turned slowly to the sound.

"Toshi, Shoji, long time no see!"

Toshi and Shoji approached the youth named Youki, whose full name is Iwai Youki. He is Toshi and Shoji's classmate and roommate.

The slightly faded white shirt, paired with a pair of worn gray sneakers, showed that Youki came from a less affluent background, and one could even say it was somewhat shabby. However, the youthful smile beaming from Youki's face made it clear that he still held hope for life!

"Youki, you didn't go home this semester again?" Shoji asked bluntly.

"Shoji!" Toshi frowned and tugged at Shoji's arm.

Youki didn't mind at all and smiled as he replied, "Yeah, there's no one at home anyway. What can I do by going back? It's better to stay at the Academy, help the teachers with small tasks, and learn a few things."

"Sorry, Youki, I think I spoke out of turn." Shoji scratched his head.

"You," Toshi shook his head. "Youki, don't mind him; Shoji just tends to speak without thinking."

"It's fine," Youki shook his head. "Besides, there's nothing worth hiding."

"Well, Youki, you keep busy. Shoji and I will head back to the dorm now." Toshi pulled Shoji and prepared to leave.

"Okay, we'll chat later."

After saying that, Youki waved at them and then turned and walked away.

As they walked, Shoji asked, "Toshi, I barely got to say a few words to Youki. Why are you in such a hurry to pull me away?"

"Is it wrong to be in a rush?" Toshi replied irritably.

"What's the rush?... Oh, I remember now; is it because of the task you just accepted?"

Toshi sighed. "Yeah, I still need to meet the requester later."

"That's true; since it's your first task, you can't afford to be careless," Shoji said, as if suddenly realizing something.

…

The dormitory in the Academy has large rooms shared by four people. However, since everyone has Pokémon, each person has their own individual room, with the hall and bathroom being shared.

Coincidentally, Toshi, Shoji, and Youki are roommates, and they have another roommate named Kitano Seita.

The dormitory area isn't far, and the two walked for about ten minutes before arriving.

Toshi and Shoji ascended to the third floor, room number 301, which is their dormitory.

Shoji skillfully took out the key and opened the dorm door. "Toshi, I'm going downstairs to buy some snacks for Taillow. Do you want me to bring you something?"

Toshi shook his head. "Never mind. I need to tidy up my room before heading out; I might not have enough time."

"Alright then," Shoji didn't insist. "You really can't be late for your first task."

Entering the dormitory, Toshi took out the key to open his own room.

The room was simply decorated, containing a white individual bed, a white wardrobe, and a gray desk with neatly arranged books. There was also a blue desk lamp quietly situated in the upper left corner of the desk. Some basic daily necessities were neatly placed in another area of the room.

"Butterfree, come on out." Toshi released Butterfree.

"Butterfree, this is my room, and it's the place we'll be living together from now on. Do you like it?"

"Butterfree!" Butterfree spiraled around the room a few times, nodding with a smile.

"That's great." Saying this, Toshi took out some milk from his backpack. "Butterfree, have some milk. You'll need to recover as there will be more work for you later."

During the return journey, Toshi also gave Butterfree some nutrition. Although Butterfree hadn't been injured in the previous battle but was just a bit tired, Toshi didn't dare to be careless.

"Butterfree." Butterfree pointed at Toshi and then at the milk.

Toshi understood and smiled, saying, "I've already eaten; you go ahead."

Butterfree stopped insisting and began to sip the milk at the desk. 

…

After tidying up his room, Toshi prepared to set off.

He stepped out only to find that Shoji's room was already locked.

Not just Shoji's room, but Youki's and their last roommate Seita's room were locked as well.

"It looks like no one is home."

Toshi shook his head and then closed the door, preparing to head out to meet the requester.

Without any delay, Toshi walked straight to the platform at the Academy entrance.

"Thankfully, there's still plenty of time." Toshi glanced at his phone to check the time.

The requester, Mr. Satou Kenji's home, was located in the outskirts of Petalburg City, which was about the same distance from the Ranger Academy.

Toshi calculated that he would arrive in about half an hour, which was still half an hour earlier than the scheduled 6 PM. There was more than enough time.