Inside the exam room, the only sound was the scribbling of pens.
Examiner Harold glanced at the six candidates seated before him, his gaze ultimately resting on the youngest among them.
He had just received word.
This boy, Kawaki, was a last-minute addition to the exam—a kid who had only just turned ten.
That in itself wasn't the problem.
The problem was: this was the Junior Breeder Certification Exam.
Rumor had it that the boy had pulled strings to get in...
Harold was even less optimistic now.
Probably just a kid with too much confidence, here to "experience" the exam for fun.
But Kawaki didn't pay any attention to what others might think.
He quietly lowered his head and focused on answering the test.
The questions were simple. Most of them tested basic Pokémon knowledge—abilities, preferences, habitats, that sort of thing.
It took him just half an hour to finish.
He handed in his paper.
Outside, Layla Jenny was waiting. When she saw Kawaki exit the hall, she immediately asked, "How did it go?"
"I'm done with the test," he said calmly.
The results would take some time. While waiting, the two of them toured the Pokémon League's ecological garden.
Kawaki saw a large number of Fire-type Pokémon: Torchic, Numel, Slugma, Torkoal, Vulpix...
Layla explained, "This area mimics the inside of Mt. Chimney's volcanic zone—perfect for Fire-type Pokémon."
Before them was a land of scorched red rock. White steam hissed from crevices, and a bubbling lava pool simmered in the distance.
Sluggish Slugma crawled lazily through the heat.
A nearby sign explained the setup to visiting breeders: several precious Flame Gems had been installed inside special devices, which radiated the gems' fire energy to raise the temperature and simulate a volcanic ecosystem.
Kawaki made a mental note. Maybe he could use this concept to create a Fire Pokémon habitat in his own backyard.
Layla glanced at Kawaki, hesitating.
Eventually, she spoke up. "Don't worry. Even if you don't pass, it's okay. There are times when wild Pokémon eggs are found near Fallarbor Town. I'll try to collect a few and deliver them to you."
Though there was no official proof yet, she had a pretty good sense of his capabilities.
Under Kawaki's care, the Growlithe egg was thriving, and the daycare was running beautifully.
Kawaki was genuinely touched.
She really was looking out for him.
From what he knew, the Jenny family carried a strong sense of duty.
She probably saw herself as an older sister figure to him.
Kawaki, not used to calling strangers "sister," simply shook his head and smiled. "Let's wait for the results first."
Inside the Pokémon League Office...
A group of staff were reviewing the exam papers of the six examinees.
The old man Layla had spoken to earlier—Mr. Egil—was passing by and asked Harold, "So, how did that kid Kawaki do? I assume he didn't pass?"
As he spoke, Egil noticed something odd.
Harold, usually calm and stern, looked utterly stunned.
Eyes wide, Harold flipped through the answer sheet again and again. "Mr. Egil, are you sure this boy Kawaki is only ten? No formal schooling? No breeding background?"
Egil raised a brow. "...What?"
Harold silently handed him the sheet.
Egil took it and froze when he saw the word stamped across the top: Perfect Score.
"!!!"
"He's the only candidate this round who got a full score," Harold said in disbelief. "It's unbelievable! Some of the questions were advanced—stuff only intermediate breeders would know!"
And not only had Kawaki answered them all—he'd answered them flawlessly.
"Egil? You okay?" Kawaki's voice rang out from the hall.
Egil stood silently for a moment. Then he said, "…Call me Gile from now on."
But he didn't say it out loud. Instead, he stared at the paper in his hand and declared:
"I'll conduct the second test myself."
"What?" Harold was stunned.
Mr. Egil—Gile—was the only certified Senior Breeder in Fallarbor Town. A man capable of rejuvenating even the weakest Pokémon.
Egil said nothing further.
He remembered how confident that boy had sounded earlier.
So that's why he was so sure of himself.
It seemed he had underestimated him.
Very well, then. He would see with his own eyes what this boy was capable of.
The second part of the Junior Breeder Certification was a practical exam.
Candidates would observe Pokémon, identify their conditions, and prepare appropriate treatments using berries and herbs provided.
Six candidates stepped into the room.
Inside were six Pokémon, each with varying levels of visible discomfort. Behind them was a long table packed with ingredients and tools.
Egil stood at the front, his gaze briefly pausing on Kawaki before addressing the group with a warm smile.
"Everyone, this round tests a core skill of all breeders—perception, or what we call observational ability!"
"In real life, we encounter all kinds of Pokémon. It's crucial to be able to identify their condition with a quick glance so we can treat them properly and customize care as needed."
"So your task today is simple: assess your Pokémon."
"You each have one Pokémon before you. You'll have ten minutes to observe its symptoms and report your analysis. Then, you'll find the correct berries and herbs and prepare a treatment."
Kawaki scanned the room.
The six Pokémon were: Lotad, Shroomish, Glameow, Gulpin, Snorunt, and Beautifly.
His assigned partner?
A deceptively cute and quiet little Mawile.