The Ranger at the Outpost

Now, even if Weedle ate a few more Oddish leaves, the effect would be practically nonexistent.

Shu Tong could almost conclude that once Weedle had fully absorbed the energy of the Superior Poison Barb, Poison-type resources below superior quality would likely have negligible effects on it in the future.

That afternoon, Shu Tong planned to take Weedle for a proper walk through the woods. The next two opportunities were both connected to this small forest, so he had to familiarize himself with every inch of it before he could act with purpose.

The forest he had previously not dared to explore too deeply now gave Shu Tong the courage to investigate, thanks to Weedle's increased strength.

Along the way, there were only a few kinds of Pokémon, and their scripts were almost identical.

Not until he crossed the forest did he spot a mountain path leading into Mang Mountain in the distance. There was an outpost at the entrance, and two people in green uniforms were battling with their Pokémon in front of it.

Shu Tong walked over.

"Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack."

"Poliwhirl, Bubble Beam."

The two Pokémon clashed, evenly matched and locked in a hard-fought battle.

However, once they noticed Shu Tong approaching, both Pokémon stopped and followed the people in green uniforms over to him.

"Hold it. What are you doing here?" one of the uniformed men asked.

"Can I go up the mountain?" Shu Tong deliberately asked.

"Do you have a Professional Trainer certificate?" one of them asked.

Shu Tong searched around for a while before opening it and realizing that it was only an Apprentice Trainer certificate. Anyone who possessed their first Pokémon could apply at the local Trainers Association to register as an Apprentice Trainer.

To become a Professional Trainer, however, there was only one path: the National College Entrance League.

Anyone who met the admission requirements for a Trainer major at a Pokémon university could become a Professional Trainer. Those who were not admitted had only one option—take the college entrance examination again the following year. That was why people in their thirties or forties could often still be seen persisting with the exam in this world, though schools would allow students to repeat for no more than three years.

Those who performed exceptionally in the College Entrance Examination League could receive a rank directly. Since the league was organized by province, the provincial champion could directly become a Third-Rank Professional Trainer, the top four could become Second-Rank Professional Trainers, and the top thirty could become First-Rank Professional Trainers.

Those who failed to obtain a rank could only earn one through provincial rank assessments. Compared to the favored geniuses who stood out directly in the College Entrance Examination League, anyone who could qualify as a Third-Rank Professional Trainer within four years of university was already considered outstanding.

As for advancing beyond the third rank, that was even more difficult.

"Kid, Mang Mountain isn't somewhere you should be going. The two of us are rangers of Mang Mountain, and we count as experienced Professional Trainers, yet even we wouldn't dare enter it recklessly. Let alone an Apprentice Trainer like you."

"So you two uncles are the rangers protecting Mang Mountain. You really are the guardian deities of Creek Town." While checking Pidgeotto and Poliwhirl, Shu Tong shamelessly laid on the flattery.

It was obvious that no one could resist such praise. The two men grinned from ear to ear. "Not at all. We're only doing our jobs."

"Still..." One of the rangers hesitated.

"Hm?" Shu Tong put on an attentive expression.

"Calling us uncles doesn't suit our age. Just call us brothers."

"Haha. Ha." Shu Tong laughed awkwardly. "Hello, brothers. Being a ranger must be difficult work, right?"

"It's not too bad. Our main task is to restrict people from entering Mang Mountain. If anything unexpected happens, we report it promptly. If we can handle it ourselves, we do so directly. After all, we're quite strong too."

[Name]: Poliwhirl

[Type]: Water

[Ability]: Water Absorb

[Moves]: Water Gun, Hypnosis, Bubble Beam, Mud Shot, Rain Dance

[Individual Talent]: Mid-grade

[Recent Turning Point]: Two weeks later, it is ambushed and poisoned by an Ekans coming down the mountain, then returns to the county Pokémon hospital to recuperate.

That made things clear to Shu Tong. The Ekans preparing to lay eggs must have been unable to remain in Mang Mountain; otherwise, why would it come down the mountain in search of a safe place?

After all, these two rangers were Professional Trainers. Though they had no ranks, they still possessed a certain level of strength.

Pidgeotto's Pokémon Script, meanwhile, showed Shu Tong something else.

[Name]: Pidgeotto

[Type]: Normal, Flying

[Ability]: Keen Eye

[Moves]: Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Sand Attack, Twister

[Individual Talent]: Mid-grade

[Recent Turning Point]: Two weeks later, it follows its Trainer to the city for a work report, obtains some resources, and grows stronger.

[Recent Turning Point]: Two months later, during a Mystery Realm invasion, it is seriously injured in a battle with a Fearow, awakens its potential, and evolves into Pidgeot.

It was not hard to see from Pidgeotto's Pokémon Script that it would clearly not be present for the Ekans coming down the mountain two weeks later. No wonder Ekans would have the chance to rush down the mountain.

Only now did Shu Tong learn that the Mystery Realm appearing two months later also contained Fearow. Being able to contend with a Fearow was impossible without the strength of a Professional Trainer. As for how many Fearow were inside that Mystery Realm, there was no way to determine that yet.

"Go back. Quite a few Apprentice Trainers like you think they know no limits just because they have a Pokémon. The dangers of the wilderness are beyond anything you can imagine right now, let alone a Mystery Realm," the ranger said.

"I actually came here with another request," Shu Tong said.

The two rangers said, "We're Professional Trainers and have duties of our own. We won't get involved in other matters."

Shu Tong smiled apologetically. "I came empty-handed today, so naturally I was too embarrassed to bring it up. I'll come again tomorrow. See you tomorrow, Ranger Officers."

The two rangers exchanged a glance. "This isn't somewhere you should be. You'd better come less often."

Shu Tong left with a smile and said nothing more.

Once he left the forest, Shu Tong rode his electric scooter straight to the bank.

As someone who had navigated the workplace, Shu Tong knew perfectly well what needed to be done.

These days, let alone strangers, even among actual relatives, there were few willing to help without expecting anything in return.

Besides, no one had any obligation to help you unconditionally.

After arriving at the bank, he withdrew twenty thousand in cash from the ATM and placed it into two separate envelopes. Weedle's special move training and the development of its Run Away Ability would still require the help of two Professional Trainers.

When he got home, his grandmother had already prepared dinner. It was especially lavish, with beef, pork rib soup, and other nourishing foods.

"Dinner is so lavish today. Is there some good news?" Shu Tong asked.

His grandmother said, "I've seen how exhausted you've been these past few days. You're restless even at night, so you need to eat more nourishing food to have the energy."

"Ah."