"So, are there any children who are brave enough to step forward and answer my questions?"
"Me, me! Let me go first! I know everything!" Wake raised his hand enthusiastically, but the female reporter from the TV station just smiled and walked past him, heading straight for Cynthia, who was sitting upright with her hand raised obediently.
"Auntie, why don't you ask me? I know everything!" Wake protested, still tugging at the reporter. But she clearly ignored him, bending down to hand the microphone to little Cynthia, who was holding Gible in her arms.
"What a cute little girl! Can you introduce yourself to the audience watching on TV?"
"Mm-hmm!" Cynthia cleared her throat, straightened her clothes, then smiled and addressed the camera:
"Hello, everyone! My name is Cynthia. I'm a student in the second class of Celestic Town Kindergarten. I'm six years old this year, but I'll be graduating this month! My hobbies are adventuring, and I will become the strongest trainer in the future! Isn't that right, Gible?!"
"Gib~Gib~" Gible responded with a cheerful little squeak.
"Oh, is this your Gible? Where did you get it, if you don't mind me asking?"
"It's my birthday present from my grandma!" Cynthia replied innocently. Though she seemed a bit shy and awkward, for a child facing the camera for the first time, it was impressive that she didn't get stage fright or stutter.
The reporter and cameramen exchanged surprised glances.
"Oh, is that so? That's wonderful, little Cynthia," the female reporter smiled and then asked, "With summer coming soon, the children in second class will soon graduate from kindergarten and become primary school students. Do you know what primary school students are like?"
"I know!" Cynthia said, beaming with pride. "I've visited the primary school before with my Grandma. They sit in bigger classrooms, learn lots of new subjects, and do sports activities. After school, they either go home by themselves or in a line. It's really amazing!"
The basic education system mirrors general systems where students take courses in various subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, language arts and of course, basic Pokémon studies.
However at this pint they can chose; regular schools, Trainer Schools or academies.
Regular schools are similar to any other school that focuses on general academics like math, science, language arts, social studies, digital literacy, and other standard subjects. The Pokémon topics covered here are probably not very in-depth, depending on your choices, and are likely geared toward those who want to excel in business industries or related fields.
Trainer Schools, on the other hand, are more comprehensive. The key difference is that their curriculum covers various aspects of Pokémon, whether one aims to focus on research, become a breeder, a watcher, a performer, a connoisseur, or gain specialized knowledge in areas like Pokémon diet, appearance, or even Pokémon dreams and astronomy.
Some Trainer Schools have even started changing public perceptions of schools to academies, where academics focus specifically on battling and offer a specialized competitive curriculum.
They delve deeper into complexities such as Pokémon moves, abilities, and how to utilize terrain, weather, and other factors. This concept is similar to how an aspiring footballer would attend a specialized football academy to refine their skills and gain practical experience.
However, the concept is still not very popular, as people are more familiar with regular schools and trainer schools.
So, if someone aspires to be a Pokémon trainer—specifically a pro trainer focused on Pokémon battles—they would attend trainer schools.
For those who want to live a more normal life or pursue careers closely related to Pokémon, regular schools are the preferred choice.
And in fact many people choose regular schools.
The reason is simple: regular schools offer a broader range of choices and career options for the future. Moreover, even if you don't choose a trainer school as your primary school, it doesn't mean you can't enroll in one later.
In fact, the trainer schools that use the term "academies" follow a system similar to that of colleges, though they aren't officially classified as tertiary education like traditional colleges.
This means these "academies" aren't age-restricted, allowing anyone, regardless of age, to enroll as long as they have an interest in Pokémon battles. However, only the "academies" do, so not all Trainer schools adopt this college-like system.
Another reason is that Pokémon battles are non-compulsory, meaning one can also become a pro through self-study or start as a hobbyist amateur. Not to mention, there are certifications and courses available, allowing driven students to take advanced-level classes to make themselves more attractive to corporations or certain jobs.
Also, the key factor is their tuition fees. One could say these academies invest heavily in each of their students, creating a financial threshold for most people. Some may face financial difficulties, while others might encounter personal obstacles or lack the necessary support.
This is another part why many people prefer to attend regular schools.
Of course, the earlier you engage, the greater the advantage you have. In Trainer Schools, especially the academies, you can expect special guest lecturers, such as Gym Leaders or members of the Elite Four, giving seminars and workshops.
Without proper guidance and clear direction, you may feel lost and overwhelmed. There is also the possibility that you will struggle to grasp concepts and remain stuck in the same place, which could ultimately lead you to give up.
Kanto Indigo Academy, Rustboro Pokémon Trainers' School, Johto Earl's Pokémon Academy, Jubilife Trainers' School, Blueberry Academy, Naranja and Uva Academy, and the Trainers' Schools of Galar, Kalos, and Alola are renowned for producing top talent and are highly regarded across all segments of society.
Everyone aims to be a trainer, but not everyone wants to become a pro trainer.
Generally, a Pokémon trainer is a person who catches, trains, and cares for Pokémon. This is a broad term for anyone who owns Pokémon, including professional battlers, coordinators, breeders, and any other professions that use Pokémon as their partners in life.
Who would be foolish enough to move bricks when there are Pokémon that can move hundreds or even thousands of bricks in a single go? It's time-consuming and labor-intensive.
The same applies to serving plates, making deliveries, or performing other tasks that could be easily handled by Pokémon. Even restaurants prefer to hire cute and caring Pokémon for serving because it attracts more customers.
Another example is how the Joy clan, using Chansey's ability to treat patients, has even gone so far as to patent the Chansey line as their iconic nurse Pokémon. Who wouldn't want to be treated by a pink marshmallow on legs?
Similarly, the Jenny family has patented Growlithe as their police dog Pokémon, illustrating how everyone universally understands the importance of Pokémon in improving everyday life.
Partnering with them can improve the quality of life by making work more effective and efficient. The Pokémon world isn't just about battling or catching Pokémon; it's a vibrant ecosystem where they play crucial roles in daily life.
Businesses, from production and service to construction and hospitality, thrive on the existence of Pokémon, using them to transform industries, streamline operations, boost productivity, enrich lives, and shape communities in remarkable ways. This widespread impact has led to Pokémon becoming a core part of the educational curriculum.
Even those who prefer a peaceful life over battling agree that everyone should learn about Pokémon, at least at a basic level.
This way, they aren't completely blind, and at the very least, they learn how to use Pokémon for their safety, career prospects, and personal growth
Being a pro trainer is, in fact, only an athletic profession—a mere option among the thousands of jobs available in the market.
To be precise, it is simply a professional sport.
Of course, it is the most popular sports profession in the athletic sector, because Pokémon battles are the most popular sport.
Just as football is merely a sport, but still, every kid dreams of becoming a footballer before facing their own reality checks. This is why they use terms like "professional," or, as most kids often say, "I want to be a pro trainer," much like saying, "I want to be a professional footballer."
The truth is, only a small number of trainers succeed in making "Pokémon battles" a stable, well-paying job.
Realistically, most people tend to give up after catching just one or two Pokémon and earning three or four Gym Badges. After that, they often move on, ultimately becoming productive members of society.
Many find themselves stagnating after reaching the rookie level, or at best, the ace level.
The qualifications of trainers are as follows:
Aspiring → Rookie → Ace → Veteran → Professional → Elite → Champion → Top Champion → Master → Monarch
Remember when some people used to challenge you to Pokémon battles with money on the line? Why is it that most of those challengers are kids or young people?
It's rare to see adults or grandparents doing it. This is because most of them are aspiring, rookie, or ace-level trainers.
For someone more realistic, they might feel this path isn't suitable for them, or as they grow older, they realize it's not the right fit. Only the truly passionate ones stick with it, enduring until the end so they can earn money to become stronger and continue challenging the Pokémon League over and over again.
Either way, they either pass, or at the very least, secure sponsorships or apprenticeships— their golden ticket to becoming stronger.
It can be said that the period of one's journey is a time when all graduates strive to discover their identity and pursue their goals.
This phase includes finding ways to shorten the long journey ahead through sponsorships, internships, and apprenticeships.
For those who manage to secure sponsorships or apprenticeships during this period, they have the option to continue their career as a trainer and work towards becoming a professional. However, if they choose not to pursue that path, they typically return to a more conventional life, such as pursuing everyday careers, higher education, or other professions, contributing to society in various ways.
Still, not everyone has the same luck, mentality, and skill. Therefore, rather than pursuing an uncertain path, many prefer to aim for a more stable future.
Either they engage in occasional Pokémon battles as a hobby, or they choose a slower, steadier approach instead of rushing into it.