As the second part of the exam concluded, Terrance also went through exams in medical care, food, training, and other areas.
The Intermediate Breeder exam was much more complex than the Junior Breeder exam, and it tested a wider range of skills.
In terms of medical care, Terrance personally treated the conditions of several Pokémon, performing more complicated procedures than those required to treat the burned Oddish in the Junior Breeder exam.
For food preparation, Terrance personally made meals for several picky Pokémon, earning their affection and approval.
In training, Terrance easily guided several Pokémon who had just learned certain powerful moves but couldn't control them yet, helping them adapt and use these moves properly.
Terrance handled all of this with ease. The foundation he had built as a Coordinator and Trainer instantly reflected in his breeder skills.
"Not bad."
Master Victor glanced at Terrance's exam results and smiled slightly. "As expected of someone I've taken a liking to."
Victor had witnessed Terrance's progress from the very beginning. While June had taken a different path, Terrance clearly walked his own as well.
However, Victor felt that he no longer had time to wait for the next promising youth. Terrance… was now his choice.
While Terrance was undergoing the Intermediate Breeder exam, his scores were being evaluated almost in real time. At that moment, he was the only one taking the Intermediate Breeder exam, and the efficiency was quite quick.
However, everyone present knew that the real highlight of the day wasn't the Intermediate Breeder exam…
An International Police researcher, International Police Officer Looker, Master Victor, experts from the Breeder Association, and representatives from the Pokémon League; all were waiting for Terrance to undergo the totem aura exam.
The Senior Breeder exam… if ranked by level, what Terrance planned to attempt was at the very top.
Compared to exams in food and caregiving, his work with the totem aura was far more technical.
The technical value even surpassed that of the Breeder who developed the "Electirizer" and "Magmarizer," the devices that allow Electabuzz and Magmar to evolve.
Therefore, it was nearly impossible for Terrance not to attract attention.
"Mr. Terrance."
"Gym Leader Terrance."
Before the authentication began, several accompanying researchers greeted him with beaming smiles and polite tones.
Naturally, Terrance also returned the courtesies. Though everyone treated him respectfully, any one of these individuals, if seen alone, would still be someone whose status was no less than that of a Senior Breeder.
Receiving their respect wasn't something just anyone could achieve.
But coincidentally, Terrance was someone who had.
After mutual introductions, the group began the totem aura authentication process with Terrance.
Thanks to prior preparations, all the necessary instruments and tools were already set up.
Terrance didn't even need to bring out the Sparkling Stone himself.
Granting totem aura required for the exam would be conducted on Mr. Looker's Croagunk.
This process clearly couldn't be completed in a short time. If lucky, it might take around three days.
Compared to other Breeders' Senior exam, Terrance's process was significantly more complicated, and the lineup of personnel responsible for authentication could only be described as extravagant.
During the several days Terrance spent taking the Senior Breeder exam, the outside world remained calm, with no major events occurring.
However, one matter related to Terrance was gradually showing results at the fossil laboratory of Devon Corporation in Rustboro City.
A group of researchers clad in lab coats watched the life beginning to stir within an incubator, filled with awe.
"It's the first time we've attempted to revive a Larvitar fossil, though strictly speaking, it's not quite a fossil..." a researcher coughed lightly and said.
"Team Leader, look, it's opened its eyes!"
Inside the incubator, a sticky, pale olive-green Pokémon slowly opened its eyes, staring blankly around. Larvitar, the first form of the Pokémon known as the desert monarch Tyranitar, had revived in this laboratory, transcending tens of thousands of years.
"Very good. First, observe its condition, then bring this Larvitar in for a full examination."
"Chase, take over my position for now. I'm going to inform its owner..."
Lilycove City.
The process of granting totem aura to Croagunk was nearing its final step.
Terrance took a deep breath. Over the past few days, communicating with these Breeders and researchers had truly been an eye-opening experience.
Not only had the procedures related to totem aura been significantly optimized, but Terrance had also gained a great deal in other fields.
"It's nearly done, isn't it?"
Master Victor said happily to Terrance.
"Yeah." Terrance nodded, a bit excited. After this, he would finally be a Senior Breeder, right?
Before setting out from Fallarbor Town, becoming an Intermediate Breeder had almost been his ultimate goal. At first, he had only wanted to earn a living through the Breeder path, maybe slightly improve life back at the Old Greenhouse...
But now, everything was developing in the best direction possible.
Breeder… Coordinator… Trainer… At this moment, Terrance could be said to have truly matured through a series of fortuitous encounters.
"Terrance, would you be willing to become my disciple and carry on my knowledge?"
Walking ahead of Terrance, dressed in gray, Master Victor suddenly spoke.
His question made Terrance freeze. So it had finally come.
He had long since sensed that Master Victor had the intention to take him as a disciple, but since the latter never brought it up, Terrance hadn't felt it appropriate to ask.
Now that the words had been spoken, Terrance suddenly felt a sense of relief.
"Master."
Terrance looked at Master Victor walking ahead and quickly caught up, calling out.
"Hahaha." Master Victor chuckled and said, "A master is different from a teacher. You will inherit my knowledge of genetics. Do you have the confidence to carry it on?"
"You must understand, this path has yet to be fully traversed by anyone. What lies ahead is full of unknowns and thorns. The time it will take could cost you many years of your life. Even so, are you still willing?"
"Of course." Terrance nodded.
At the level of a Top Breeder, the knowledge they held was not something to be passed on lightly. Behind every achievement were years or even decades of sweat and toil, fruits of meticulous research and dedication. Master Victor had considered this decision for a long time before finally choosing Terrance. Even though Terrance had shown talent early on, Victor had spent a full five years evaluating him.
If Terrance were a cold, ungrateful person, then no matter his potential, he would be unworthy of inheriting Master Victor's secret techniques. If Terrance were such a man, Victor would have no reason to believe he had the perseverance to continue exploring this unknown path.
"Young and capable, decisive in action, excellent in character, and his journey of growth has always been one of continual exploration." Looking back at Terrance, Master Victor sighed with emotion.
And as he looked at Master Victor, Terrance was equally filled with emotion. Along his path, Master Victor had helped him countless times. Without Master Victor, he would have had a hard time achieving what he had today. In Terrance's heart, Master Victor had long since held an important place.
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