Village Chief, How Can I Become a Trainer?

Mark soon learned from the Alliance official's speech and the villagers' conversations what the so-called Ability Awakening Test was.

In the Pokemon world, some humans could master special abilities.

For example, Psychic (Telekinesis), Aura Power, Dragon Force, Super Mark Power...

Humans in this world were the same, except they could awaken even more kinds of special abilities—Earth Water Fire Wind, and all manner of others.

Moreover, in the Hia Kingdom where he lived, Special Ability Users apparently could undergo guided awakenings.

This Ability Awakening Test was meant to select children with the aptitude for special abilities.

According to Alliance official Zhao Nian, children between the ages of ten and fourteen were most suited to awakening special abilities.

On the crude platform, Zhao Nian swept his gaze over the gathered villagers below before turning to the Village Chief of Clear Stream Village beside him. "That should be about everyone. Let's begin the awakening test."

As he spoke, Zhao Nian opened a black metal briefcase and removed a strange Silver Hexadecahedron. At a further touch, blue fluorescent patterns flickered faintly. The hexadecahedron unfolded, and a blue orb of light slowly floated into the air.

After briefly checking the Awakening Orb's activation status, Zhao Nian frowned slightly as he looked over the dozen or so children.

Turning back, Zhao Nian looked at the Village Elder nearby. "Seventeen in total. Are these all the children in Clear Stream Village who meet the requirements?"

Old Man Qian looked nervous. "These are the seventeen, sir. Is that too few? Will there be a problem with the awakening test?"

Zhao Nian shook his head. "Not exactly. It's just that each activation of the Awakening Orb can be used on twenty people. Even if there are fewer than twenty, the consumption is still the same as for twenty. It's fine, though. Since everyone is here, we'll begin. Go tell the children to relax as much as possible."

Village Chief Qian immediately went over to the children and told them not to be nervous.

Seeing that the children were in decent condition, Village Chief Qian turned back, intending to tell Zhao Nian that they could begin. However, he unexpectedly met Mark's gaze in the crowd and froze for a moment.

Mark was a little surprised when he noticed Village Chief Qian looking at him. He had no idea why the man was staring at him.

The villagers' discussions were too noisy for Mark to hear what Village Chief Qian and Zhao Nian were saying. He only saw Village Chief Qian look at him for a while before suddenly walking over to say something to the Alliance official.

Not long after, that Alliance official also looked at him, wearing a somewhat astonished expression.

On the platform, Zhao Nian asked skeptically, "You said that young man is only thirteen?"

"Yes." Village Chief Qian explained, "There may be something wrong with his head, but he's definitely thirteen—possibly even younger. You should know about the Chaotic Pokemon Tide ten years ago. This child survived that disaster. He was only two or three years old at the time."

A trace of pity appeared in Zhao Nian's eyes as he looked at Mark. He nodded slightly. "A survivor of that disaster... Fine, let him take part in the awakening test as well."

Mark became even more confused, unable to understand why Alliance Commissioner Zhao Nian and the Village Elder kept looking at him.

Then Mark saw the Village Chief beckoning to him, holding a green fruit in his hand as though tempting him over.

A vaguely familiar memory surfaced in Mark's mind. Village Chief Qian seemed to have done something similar before, luring him into a house with food, then examining his body and seemingly giving him some kind of vaccine injection...

When Mark still did not move, Old Man Qian walked down from the platform and grabbed Mark's arm.

He had expected Mark to refuse to cooperate as he had in the past, requiring better food to lure him along. Instead, the process was remarkably easy. He effortlessly led Mark over beside the dozen or so children.

Soon, Zhao Nian activated the Awakening Orb further.

A stream of blue light surged out, enveloping the seventeen children present—and Mark as well.

At that moment, Mark realized that he had apparently become part of the Ability Awakening Test too.

But wasn't this only for children?

As Mark pondered this, he suddenly sensed something strange.

The blue stream of light was gentle and warm, seemingly nourishing his mind and making him feel full of energy. Besides that...

Mark opened his Trainer Panel with his thoughts.

Mark

Class: Spirit Master

Experience: 13%

Points: None

Spirit: Caterpie

Under the Awakening Orb's blue glow, his experience had risen from 12% to 13%, and it was still climbing rapidly.

13%, 15%, 19%, 24%, 32%...

The progress increased every second or two.

Then, just as Mark wondered how high his experience would ultimately rise—

Bzz—

A humming sound came from behind and to his side.

Mark turned his head slightly and saw a boy's body floating faintly in the air, with dust and small stones levitating around him.

Zhao Nian raised his brows, a faint delight appearing on his face. He nodded lightly. "Looks like he awakened Psychic. His potential hasn't been tested, but it should be above average."

Unlike Zhao Nian's calmness, Old Man Qian was ecstatic.

"Lin Tong, that boy... Good, good, good..."

Below the platform, Lin Tong's parents embraced each other excitedly upon seeing the changes in their child. Some of the neighboring villagers began cheering in celebration as well.

Then, amid the villagers' cheers, a strange pressure descended.

Centered around that pressure, everyone within a hundred meters felt their minds grow hazy, and every sound abruptly stopped.

The source of the pressure was none other than a little girl standing beside Mark.

Even with the mind of an adult, Mark was startled by the pressure. Not only did his body tremble uncontrollably, but he even felt unsteady on his feet.

"Dragon? She actually awakened Dragon Force?"

Zhao Nian quickly walked over to the little girl, his face filled with delight.

If the brat who had awakened Psychic earlier would only earn him a bonus, then this girl, who had awakened Dragon Force, could not only get him promoted but also bring him immeasurable benefits.

With that in mind, Zhao Nian saw that the Awakening Orb had finished activating and quickly put it away before walking over to the little girl.

Zhao Nian turned to the Village Chief of Clear Stream Village. "This girl has awakened Dragon Force. I've decided to take her directly to Royal Capital Riel. As for the other child who awakened Psychic, a dedicated Alliance official will come to handle him in a few days. He'll be taken to Hack City for a formal awakening then."

As he spoke, Zhao Nian took out a Pokeball. A large bird nearly three meters tall, looking mighty and imposing, appeared.

It was a Pidgeot, the final evolution of Pidgey.

Seeing that Zhao Nian seemed about to leave, Village Chief Qian hurriedly asked, "Sir, two children from our village awakened this time. Does that mean a Pokemon Center can be established in Clear Stream Village?"

Zhao Nian smiled. "Since this girl awakened in this village, the Hia Pokemon Alliance will naturally provide benefits. Even without me saying anything, opening a Pokemon Center won't be a problem.

Oh, and one more thing. The Thunderclap Gang has been causing trouble in Fallen Leaf Province recently. If you encounter any suspicious people, remember to report them to the Alliance, or notify the Three Mountains Town Gym.

Also, don't spread the news about the boy who awakened Psychic for now. Just let him wait peacefully in the village for the Alliance personnel. Otherwise, there's a risk that the Thunderclap Gang may abduct him.

And what is this girl's name?"

Village Chief Qian replied, "Er Niu. Qian Er Niu."

"Er Niu, is it? To avoid any accidents, I'll take this child with me now..."

As he spoke, Zhao Nian picked up the girl, mounted Pidgeot, and flew east. Within a few breaths, they had vanished from sight.

Village Chief Qian stood there with his mouth half-open, watching Zhao Nian leave. Then he suddenly remembered something and quickly picked up a loudspeaker, instructing the villagers not to spread word of Lin Tong and Qian Er Niu awakening their abilities. Afterward, he hurried down from the platform to explain Qian Er Niu's destination to her parents in detail.

Old Man Qian continued reminding each household. After a busy stretch, the villagers gradually dispersed. He returned to the platform and took a sip from his water bottle, only to see that several children had yet to leave.

The children looked dejected, huddled together and whispering amongst themselves, looking utterly miserable.

After all, they had been tested together. Watching others awaken abilities while they themselves gained nothing left the children deeply disappointed.

Old Man Qian sighed and comforted them. "Special abilities are only one aspect. You watched the Gym League on TV this afternoon, didn't you? At the Three Mountains Town Gym, only the Gym Leader is an ability user. Ma Dali, the third one to appear, the one who used Golem, came from an ordinary background just like you.

Ma Dali is already an Elite Trainer now. As long as you keep working hard, your futures will be bright too. Stop moping around here and hurry home..."

Comforted by the Village Elder, the children's expressions eased considerably, and they left not long afterward.

Watching the children gradually walk away, Old Man Qian shook his head slightly. "Bright futures, huh? Instead of properly testing into a Pokemon academy, they insist on making their debut through the Bug-Catching Contest. Is the Bug-Catching Contest really that easy? Those troublesome brats..."

"Village Chief, how can I become a Trainer?"

Village Chief Qian was still sighing when he suddenly heard someone ask.

He turned toward the corner and saw Mark, who had been squatting there, stand up...