Chapter 144: Reencounter

Early in the morning, Kalia arrived at the Pokémon Center. Teacher Jane had already left, leaving the nurse to announce the number of successful candidates for the assessment. Naturally, Kalia obtained her beginner Trainer status and received the corresponding badge. Only with this badge could one challenge Silver Rank Gyms.

Around 8 AM, Kalia reached Ruby City's pier, waiting to board the ship. Although few people were heading to the Ruby Pokémon Academy, there was a significant turnout for those traveling to the Overseas Archipelago and the Ellie Region.

The proximity between Ellie and Sebas regions fostered frequent travel, while the unexplored areas within the Overseas Archipelago attracted many Trainers seeking adventure.

Ruby Pokémon Academy is the premier institution in the Sebas region, boasting a rich history that spans numerous generations. It occupies a resource-rich, massive island off the coast.

This island, being the largest in the southern sea, lies centrally between the Sebas and Ellie regions, hence its name, Sai Island.

Each year, only a select few gain admission to the Ruby Pokémon Academy due to their stringent criteria favoring prodigious talent or exceptional wealth and status.

The ferry to the Pokemon Academy sounded its departure whistle, emitting a deep rumble as passengers boarded, including Kalia amidst the crowd.

"Kalia, what are you doing here?" Julian's voice echoed with confusion.

Already on board, Kalia turned towards Julian, surprised. "It's not about me being here; this is the ferry heading to the Ellie Region. Weren't you supposed to return to Pearl City?"

Kalia was certain she had double-checked, so either Julian bought the wrong ticket or got on the incorrect ship.

"Huh?" Taken aback, Julian quickly examined his ticket and panicked, realizing he indeed made a mistake.

"What should I do? I bought the wrong ticket! Can I still get off now?" Julian exclaimed anxiously, wanting desperately to disembark.

However, the ship had already departed from Ruby City's pier, drifting further away. Unless Julian jumped overboard—which would be extremely dangerous, especially since he couldn't swim—there was no turning back.

"It's too late, you can't get off now. How did you end up buying the wrong ticket?" Kalia shook her head, knowing the ship wouldn't halt just for one person once it had set sail.

"I saw both tickets were eight thousand Alliance Coins and assumed they were for the same destination, so I bought one," Julian lamented, feeling close to tears. What should he do now? He had planned to return to Falcon City, challenge the gym there, participate in the beginner Trainer assessment, and earn some extra income through part-time work.

"Is your ticket actually for Sai Island?" Kalia asked. Eight thousand Alliance Coins was precisely the cost of a ticket to Sai Island; if it were for the more distant Ellie Region, the price would have been different.

"Yes, indeed. So, what's that place like?" Julian stood on the ship's deck, gripping the railing, overwhelmed with a strong urge to cry.

"That's where I'm heading too - the Ruby Pokémon Academy," Kalia explained.

"Kalia, you must help me! I don't have any money left now. If only my Charmeleon could evolve into a Charizard, then I'd be able to travel anywhere just by riding it," Julian sighed.

"For now, we can only disembark at Sai Island. Don't worry, when I go back, someone will take us along, and adding you shouldn't be a problem," Kalia reassured him after considering the situation briefly.

Pokemon Academy's instructor Axel had agreed that after Kalia completes her participation in the academy's competition, if she chooses not to stay, he would ensure her safe return.

As Julian's friend, bringing him along shouldn't be an issue; otherwise, he might have to wait for his Charmeleon to evolve.

"Ah, I guess we'll just have to rely on this plan. It's fortunate you're here with me; otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do," Julian sighed.

The two friends sat on the ship's deck, feeling the sea breeze as it sailed forward. Occasionally, Water-type Pokémon emerged from the distant ocean surface.

"Oh right." Julian suddenly took out a Poké Ball, released his Charmeleon, and produced the Pokemon egg he had purchased earlier.

"Charmeleon, hold onto this egg. I heard doing so can speed up its hatching process," Julian explained.

"That method isn't very effective. Ideally, you need a Pokemon with Flame Body ability. If possible, you could also purchase some nutrient solutions for the egg to absorb, ensuring a healthier hatchling," Kalia advised.

"I'm out of money now; raising Pokemon is quite expensive," Julian sighed again. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have purchased this egg. Once it hatches, he'll have three Pokemon, further increasing his future expenses for their nutrition.

"Don't worry about that. When we reach Falcon City, find a part-time job to earn some income," Kalia suggested.

As a Trainer, there's typically no direct income unless one becomes a mid-level or higher Trainer, allowing them to accept missions from the Pokemon League. Similar to how the previous exam supervisor was assigned by the League to conduct the beginner assessment in Ruby City and received compensation for it.

Even as a beginner Trainer, one can only enjoy certain perks, but to make money, besides relying on family background, taking up part-time jobs is essential. Otherwise, even affording basic Pokemon nutrition would be challenging.

"I must become a powerful Trainer," Julian clenched his fists firmly.

"Ha ha."

Suddenly, a scornful laughter echoed.

Julian turned to see the short-haired boy they had encountered at Steel Fire Mountain, unexpectedly aboard the same ship. He leaned casually against the nearby railing.

"What's so funny? Do you find it amusing?" Julian, unimpressed by the short-haired boy's dismissive attitude, questioned him.

"Nothing much, I just wanted to say that becoming a powerful Trainer isn't just about determination; resources matter too. Without money, you think achieving greatness with your Pokemon is easy?" the short-haired boy chuckled lightly.

As he glanced at Julian's Charmeleon, memories of their encounter from the previous day resurfaced. However, when he returned with his Pokemon later, there was no trace of Charmeleon, despite searching extensively.

Julian felt indignant but couldn't refute the truth behind the words. Although he yearned to challenge the boy and prove strength could be attained without wealth, facing a Braviary made it impractical. Regardless of his resolve, he understood well the prowess of a Braviary—it was clearly out of reach for his current Pokemon.

"You're heading to Sai Island, right? That's where the Ruby Pokémon Academy is located. You need both money and talent to get admitted. Chances are, even if you go, you won't make the cut—just a wasted trip," the short-haired boy remarked.

Kalia remained silent, suspecting that the short-haired boy might have some connection to the Pokemon Academy, given his mention of attending it.

Considering his age and strength, he likely belonged to the academy's most exceptional group of students.

Sia, already considered an outstanding student, had been temporarily appointed as Pearl City's Gym Leader but still lost against Kalia.

The short-haired boy could potentially be among the top-tier or at least within the top ten students at the Pokemon Academy.

"The power levels at the Pokemon Academy surpass imagination," Kalia thought. She initially believed Sia was exceptionally strong, being an elite student, but now it seemed clear that there were distinct tiers even within the academy, with a vast gap between the weakest and strongest.

"Are you a student from the Ruby Pokémon Academy?" Kalia asked, aiming to understand the academy's tier system better.

"Yes, I am indeed a student from the Ruby Pokémon Academy, and I'm part of the advanced class," the short-haired boy proudly replied, indicating that being selected for the advanced class was a significant achievement worth boasting about.

"I heard that the Pokemon Academy is organizing a Pokemon competition soon. Are you aware of it?" Kalia further inquired.

"You know about that too?" The short-haired boy sounded surprised.

"Actually, I received an invitation from Axel, one of the instructors, to participate as an external member. So, I wanted to understand more about it," Kalia explained.

"Axel? He's an instructor for the Intermediate Class. For him to specifically invite you as an external member suggests your skills must be quite impressive," the short-haired boy expressed his surprise once again.

"Intermediate Class, so it seems I'll likely be joining as an external member for them," Kalia murmured to herself. The Intermediate Class typically consists of Trainers with at least beginner-level proficiency; given her current strength, she should be well-suited for this role.