Registering for the Ever Grande Conference

Both Pokémon were sent flying, but Normal-type moves were not very effective against Sandshrew, so it quickly scrambled back to its feet.

After getting up and hearing the command, Sandshrew immediately scooped up the dirt on the ground, infused it with Ground-type energy, and hurled two clumps of mud at Torchic.

Torchic quickly got back on its feet and shook its still-dizzy head.

The moment Xinhai saw Torchic stand up, he gave the command. "Flame Charge, go!"

Torchic rallied its spirits and spread its little wings again. Flames instantly wrapped around its entire body as it charged fiercely toward Sandshrew.

The flaming figure was like a burning meteor, shooting straight at the incoming mud.

Thanks to the reaction training at Trainer School, Torchic's body reacted quickly, nimbly dodging the two mud clumps infused with Ground-type power.

The mud struck the ground beside it with two "Puff! Puff!" sounds, splashing dirt everywhere.

Xinhai watched Torchic charge forward fearlessly while wrapped in flames, his heart filled with satisfaction.

The man in the explorer outfit looked at Torchic, which was about to slam into Sandshrew, and shouted, "Sandshrew, use Rapid Spin to dodge!"

However, Torchic was too close to Sandshrew. The instant Sandshrew began spinning, Torchic accelerated and sent it flying.

"Kuga!"

Seeing this, Xinhai immediately ordered, "Quick Attack! Get in there and don't give him a chance!"

After using Flame Charge, Torchic let out a breath and dashed forward. White light soon appeared around its body as it charged at its opponent.

Although Sandshrew had been sent flying after falling to the ground, Rapid Spin had dissipated much of the force, allowing it to get back up quickly.

But the moment Sandshrew rose to its feet, Torchic was already rushing before it like a bolt of lightning.

"Sandshrew, dodge!" The man in the explorer outfit refused to give up, his eyes wide as he shouted.

Sandshrew heard its trainer's voice, but it was already too late to dodge. All it felt was a burst of searing pain before losing consciousness completely.

Xinhai and Torchic both let out a sigh of relief as they looked at the defeated Sandshrew.

The man in the mountaineering outfit recalled Sandshrew into its Poké Ball and said, "Thanks for the effort, Sandshrew."

The Poké Ball shook slightly. The man in the mountaineering outfit smiled and clipped it to his belt.

We still need to build up our coordination. Too bad we can't use Dig. Forget it—if someone fell into a hole, that would be bad.

That was right. Using Dig near the main path of Rusturf Tunnel was prohibited. Most Pokémon in Rusturf Tunnel knew Dig, and there were many holes dug by such Pokémon throughout the tunnel. People often tripped or fell into them, so numerous signs near the main road prohibited Pokémon from casually using Dig.

Torchic returned to Xinhai's side, while Ralts on Xinhai's shoulder congratulated Torchic.

"Ralts, Ralts!" (Big brother, you're amazing!)

Torchic raised its head and cried, "Chamo!" (Piece of cake.)

The man in the mountaineering outfit took out a two-hundred League Coin note from his pocket and handed it to Xinhai with a smile. "Very impressive. This is your prize for winning."

Xinhai accepted the League Coin and smiled. "Thanks for the compliment. It was all Torchic's doing."

The two said goodbye and headed in different directions.

Xinhai took out two Intermediate Energy Cubes from his pocket and handed one each to Torchic and Ralts. "Have an Energy Cube first. We'll eat properly once we get to the Pokémon Center."

After that, Xinhai encountered several more trainers who challenged him, but he turned down every one of them.

After refusing several trainers' challenges, Xinhai quickened his pace and continued along the main tunnel with Torchic and Ralts.

As they gradually approached the exit, the tunnel grew brighter, and they encountered more and more people.

Soon, Xinhai left the tunnel. The moment he emerged, he saw numerous tents pitched to the left of the exit, while a broad avenue leading directly to Rustboro City stretched out to the right.

Sunlight poured down without restraint, warming his body and sweeping away the tunnel's chill.

There were plenty of trainers coming and going along the avenue. Most were heading toward Rusturf Tunnel, while only a few dusty and bedraggled trainers were making their way toward Rustboro City.

Xinhai paid them little attention and headed straight for Rustboro City with Torchic and Ralts.

Rustboro City was the most prosperous mega-city in the Hoenn Region. Meteor Falls lay to its north, while Petalburg Woods bordered it to the south. Located between these two major resource-producing areas, Rustboro City had developed at rocket-like speed.

A few years earlier, Rusturf Tunnel had connected Rustboro City and Verdanturf Town, strengthening Rustboro City's ties with eastern cities such as Mauville City and giving its economic boom an extra pair of wings.

It was said that the League had originally planned to build a railway through Rusturf Tunnel, completely linking Rustboro City and Mauville City, but the project had been shelved for certain reasons.

After entering Rustboro City, Xinhai hailed a car. Sitting in the taxi and looking at the skyscrapers around him, he marveled at the city's prosperity and vitality.

Massive holographic advertisements on the high-rises shimmered with changing promotional images for Pokémon items and new Pokéblocks. Below, taxis of all shapes and sizes, along with ride Pokémon, moved through the streets, carrying trainers to every corner of the city.

"First time in Rustboro City, kid?" the driver asked with a smile. Catching Xinhai's curious expression in the rearview mirror, he proudly introduced the city. "Rustboro changes every day. There are plenty of great places for trainers here. That high-rise under construction over there is supposedly going to become a super department store like the one in Lilycove City."

Looking at the enormous building under construction, Xinhai could not help but marvel. Pokémon really were convenient. Because of Pokémon, this world's infrastructure capabilities far surpassed those of Blue Planet. A skyscraper could be completed in just half a year, which was absurd.

"Yeah, what a magnificent building! Sir, that massive tower ahead on the left is Devon Corporation's headquarters, right?" Xinhai asked admiringly.

"Hahaha, that's right. That's Devon Corporation's headquarters building. It's one of the tallest structures in all of Hoenn. The only thing comparable to it is Mossdeep City's Space Center. Too bad visitors aren't allowed in right now, or you could have taken a look around."

The driver enthusiastically introduced Xinhai to Rustboro City's famous landmarks and also told him some information about Rustboro Gym.

The two chatted on and off as the taxi drove steadily down the road toward the Pokémon Center.

"Alright, we're at the Pokémon Center." The car stopped by the roadside near the Pokémon Center.

"Alright, thanks, sir!"

"No problem, no problem!"

"Finally here. I need to catch a ride Pokémon someday. I can't keep taking taxis forever." Xinhai leaned against a streetlamp with his backpack, looking at the Pokémon Center before him as he waited for his nauseous stomach to settle.

That was right—Xinhai got carsick. He had suffered terribly from motion sickness in his previous life. Even though his physical condition in this life far surpassed that of an ordinary person, he still could not escape the curse of carsickness.

After resting for a while, Xinhai slowly walked toward the Pokémon Center.

Upon entering the lobby, he found the counter directly ahead. Nurse Joy and four Pokémon doctors were busy behind it, and beside Nurse Joy stood a round pink Pokémon with an egg in the pouch on its belly!

It's you, pink devil!

Xinhai called out its name in his heart and stepped forward to join the line. When it was his turn, he took out his Poké Balls and Pokédex. "Hello, Nurse Joy. Please help check on my Pokémon."

"Alright, please wait a moment." Nurse Joy gave Xinhai a curious look, then accepted the Poké Balls and Pokédex and began operating them.

The people behind Xinhai also looked at him in confusion. "Oh, right, Nurse Joy. Please help me register for the Ever Grande Conference as well."

In the Pokémon world, direct League trainers did not need to queue when receiving treatment at Pokémon Centers. This was also one of the hidden benefits enjoyed by direct League trainers.

As for whether anyone would be dissatisfied, there certainly were such people, but no one dared say so. After all, this was a world where strength reigned supreme, and strength was what mattered.

To be honest, the League's direct trainer system was very similar to Rome's citizenship system. Its various rights and obligations were extremely alike, though the League's system was more humane than Rome's.

After all, non-citizens in Rome did not possess legal personhood at all and were regarded as "speaking tools."

Likewise, Rome's non-citizens did everything they could to become Roman citizens. The similarities between the two systems were striking.

Upon hearing this, Nurse Joy gave Xinhai another curious look, as though she wanted to remember this interesting young man.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

Nurse Joy extended her slender hand and quickly worked through the process. "Name: Xinhai Bai Mu. Gender: male. Age: twelve. Born in Verdanturf Town. Is that correct, Trainer Xinhai Bai Mu?"

Xinhai nodded. "That's correct, Nurse Joy."

Nurse Joy looked at Xinhai again, confirmed it once more, and asked, "Are you sure you wish to register for the Ever Grande Conference?"

Xinhai answered seriously, "I'm sure."

"Alright, registration successful. Please do your best in the conference, Trainer Xinhai Bai Mu!" Nurse Joy said gently.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy!"

Next, Xinhai arranged lodging for twenty days. With a Pokédex, staying at the Pokémon Center was free, another hidden benefit for direct League trainers.

"Trainer Xinhai Bai Mu, your room has been prepared. Your room number is ×××, and you can also view it in your Pokédex. In addition, once your Pokémon have finished treatment, your Pokédex will receive a notification. Please remember to check it." Nurse Joy handed the Pokédex back to Xinhai with a smile.

"Alright, thank you, Nurse Joy!"

Xinhai accepted the Pokédex and, after thanking her, headed upstairs in the Pokémon Center without paying any attention to the looks around him.