Roy really had helped her out tremendously. The man before her was not only on the Hoenn Police Department's wanted list, but had also crossed regions to poach Pokémon from an ecological park in the Kanto Region.
Scarface's Pokémon were a level 40 Weezing and a level 45 Forretress, and both had already learned Explosion.
Forretress had used Explosion after being abandoned by its trainer during her pursuit, which was why she'd lost track of him.
The remaining Weezing was poisonous and could explode. She didn't dare let Arcanine get too close, afraid the man might use Explosion and hurt her Pokémon. If it got Poisoned on top of that, things would be even harder to handle.
And yet a vicious criminal this troublesome had been caught by a boy.
The more Officer Jenny thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.
"Don't mention it. I believe helping you is the duty of every Pokémon League citizen."
Roy answered with complete sincerity.
Officer Jenny was momentarily stunned by Roy's grand declaration, but she felt deeply comforted.
If only everyone had Roy's sense of responsibility. People had misunderstood her work for years.
People often questioned whether she'd become a police chief through her family's influence, completely ignoring her accomplishments.
After handcuffing Scarface, Officer Jenny caught a foul smell. Following its source, she saw that the crotch of his pants was soaked.
She finally understood why Roy had covered his nose while talking to her.
The smell was simply too awful. She'd leave him to the rookie who'd just started his internship.
"Ro... Roy, right? You did a great job today. This man led a raid on a Pokémon Day Care in Lilycove City a year ago and stole several Pokémon Eggs. Three months ago..."
He'd done all that?
A hardened criminal like him should have been afraid of nothing. How could he be afraid of ghosts?
I guess it's true: if you haven't done anything wrong, you have nothing to fear.
Roy handed Scarface's Poké Balls and Spatial Bracelet to Officer Jenny, but secretly kept the mask for himself.
With his current strength, he couldn't tame a Gym Leader-level Weezing, so keeping it would be useless. He'd even have to stay on guard against it.
After taking Weezing's Poké Ball, Officer Jenny held out her hand to Roy again.
Huh?
Not understanding, Roy reached out and clasped Officer Jenny's slender hand.
Feeling warmth suddenly cover her palm, Officer Jenny realized that Roy was holding her hand tightly and looking at her with a sincere expression.
Officer Jenny could only explain:
"I meant, hand me your Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate."
Roy: What Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate?
Roy had heard that you needed a Junior Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate to travel, but he didn't know much about the specific certificates.
"Don't you have a Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate?"
Roy shook his head.
After learning that Roy had no Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate, Officer Jenny patiently explained:
A Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate was the Pokémon League's assessment of a Pokémon Trainer's strength. It meant the Pokémon Trainer was officially recognized by the League.
Pokémon Trainers with two Pokémon above level 30 could apply to take the Junior Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate exam. Passing the battle assessment earned them the corresponding certificate.
Pokémon Trainers holding a Junior Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate received a monthly allowance of 2,000 Poké Dollars.
Similarly, Pokémon Trainers with two Pokémon above level 40 could earn a Gym-level Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate after passing the League's assessment.
But don't get the wrong idea. Holding a Gym-level Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate didn't mean you could become a Gym Leader.
A Gym Leader needed at least three Beginner King-level Pokémon. That was only the most basic requirement. Holding a Gym-level Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate meant you were qualified to become a Gym apprentice.
The League provided a monthly allowance of 10,000 Poké Dollars.
Pokémon Trainers with three Pokémon above level 50 who passed the League's assessment could earn a Senior Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate.
At that point, they would be a mainstay of the League and qualified to apply to become a League Prosecutor.
The League provided a monthly allowance of 100,000 Poké Dollars.
As for the higher levels—Beginner King, Mid-level King, and High-level Elite Four—they were beyond Roy's reach for now, so Officer Jenny didn't explain them further.
Holding a Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate also earned you discounts when buying items at the League Shop and having your Pokémon treated at a Pokémon Center.
You could also accept missions at a Pokémon Center and earn points. Those points could be exchanged for items from the League Warehouse, but could only be used within the Hoenn League.
Of course, the League didn't hand out all these benefits for nothing. Pokémon Trainers also had to fulfill their obligations. For example, if an official institution such as a League Center came under threat, or if there was a mission to complete, Pokémon Trainers couldn't refuse.
"I see. So desu ne."
After Officer Jenny's detailed explanation, Roy more or less understood the logic behind it. The League had established this ranking system to win over the majority of Pokémon Trainers.
But his Litwick and Duskull were both still two levels short of reaching level 30.
Officer Jenny said that since Roy hadn't yet earned a Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate, she could compensate him with Poké Dollars or record the credit for today's deed and award him the points later.
Once Roy earned his Junior Pokémon Trainer Qualification Certificate, he could return to Lilycove City to collect his points.
"Also... could you let go of my hand?"
Roy hurriedly released Officer Jenny's hand and said he was sorry, though his beaming smile made it hard to tell how sorry he was.
While Roy considered his options, Officer Jenny still recommended that he choose points. Points could be exchanged for Poké Dollars, but Poké Dollars couldn't be exchanged for points. Of course, the choice was up to Roy.
After hearing her out, Roy decided to take her advice.
He'd return to Lilycove City next time.
Scarface's mission was a C-rank mission, worth 500 League Points. And since Roy had been so charming, Officer Jenny used her family's privileges to award him an extra 50 points.
That made 550 points in total. According to Officer Jenny, he could exchange them for a year's supply of Universal Pokéblocks, or save up until he had 2,000 points and exchange them for a low-tier Evolution Stone—Water, Fire, or Grass.
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