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New Bark Town, the town where winds of new beginnings blow—it is the starting point for all trainers in the Johto Region. Every trainer hoping to participate in the Johto League must come here to register.
It's also the place where rookie trainers receive their starter Pokémon.
At this moment, Liam and Delia had just arrived in town.
The two had passed through the Tohjo Falls without incident. Although they encountered some danger along the way, everything turned out fine in the end. On top of that, they had even witnessed one of Johto's guardian deities—the legendary Pokémon Suicune.
Liam had even completed an emergency mission. All in all, the trip had been more than worthwhile.
Since he wasn't sure whether his identity had spread far and wide yet, Liam cautiously wore a red-and-white cap that he had spent quite a while picking out from a shop.
Delia, on the other hand, was wearing a pink sunhat adorned with golden flower petals around the brim, radiating youthful energy.
"Hey, Liam? Is that the Pokémon Center? Honestly, this is my first time seeing one… that too in another region. I don't even know what it's like inside! I've just never paid attention before!"
A breeze blew by as Delia held onto her hat, her face glowing with excitement as she turned to Liam.
"You already know that a Pokémon Center is a place provided by the League where trainers can rest, heal, and battle. For most trainers, it's practically their second home. You mean to tell me you've never been inside one?"
Liam was visibly surprised. He hadn't expected that Delia had never even stepped into a Pokémon Center before.
"Well, I never felt the need. These buildings always looked so fancy, I figured they'd be expensive to use. Hehe, so I never dared go in~"
Delia stuck out her tongue, blushing as she spoke.
"…Actually, most of the facilities inside are free. It's one of the benefits the League provides to trainers."
Liam squinted slightly, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"What?! Free?! Totally free?! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go check it out right now!"
Upon hearing that Pokémon Centers were free, Delia's eyes lit up like stars. Clutching her Pokémon egg in one hand, she grabbed Liam's hand with the other and dashed into the Pokémon Center.
...
"Waaah~ So this is what a Pokémon Center looks like… It's my first time seeing one! Huh? Liam, look! Isn't that Nurse Joy from the Trainer Village at the Indigo Plateau? What's she doing here? Was she transferred? Should we go say hi?"
The moment they entered, Delia looked around the place in amazement. When she spotted Nurse Joy at the round counter in the center of the facility, her expression froze, and she turned to whisper to Liam, who had been keeping his head low.
"Hmm? Nurse Joy? Oh… there are many Nurse Joys. They all belong to the same family. They supposedly all look nearly identical—only a true expert can tell them apart. This one is probably Johto's Nurse Joy, not the one we know."
Liam glanced briefly at the counter, then smiled as he explained.
"Oh! Like Officer Jenny, right? Got it. Let's go register with Nurse Joy! Come on!"
Now understanding, Delia grabbed Liam's hand again and ran to the counter.
"Hello! How can I help you today?"
Nurse Joy greeted them with her signature warm smile as the young pair approached.
"We're here to register for the Johto League! Liam, quick! Get your Trainer ID out!"
Excited to be doing something new, Delia turned and urged Liam to hand over his ID card.
"Uh… hehe, I can't really register anymore. I'm not allowed to participate in these kinds of tournaments. It wouldn't be fair to the other contestants… Why don't we just move on and explore somewhere else? We came to travel, not necessarily to join the League, right?"
Liam wiped the sweat from his forehead, smiling awkwardly at Delia.
"Ugh!! Seriously?! But I've always wanted to beat you in a battle! Hmph… oh well. Hello, Nurse Joy. Here's my ID card—please register me."
Pouting in disappointment, Delia handed her card to Nurse Joy and asked to be registered.
Nurse Joy took the card and glanced curiously at Liam. For a moment, his face seemed oddly familiar—but no matter how she searched her memory, she couldn't place it.
Eventually, she gave up trying to recall it, shook her head, and turned to input Delia's details into the terminal beside her.
Ding…
Name: Delia Ketchum
Hometown: Pallet Town
Battle Record: None
Trainer Status: Beginer Trainer
As Delia's card was inserted, a screen behind Nurse Joy displayed her basic information.
"Hello, your information has been successfully registered. Here is your ID card and your complimentary badge case. If you want to participate in the Johto League, you'll need to collect the eight Johto Gym Badges to qualify for the main tournament. If you need anything else, I'm here to help!"
Nurse Joy handed over a rectangular box along with the ID card.
The moment Delia heard it was a free gift, she joyfully accepted it and marveled at the exquisite badge case, her face beaming with happiness.
Liam watched quietly from the side. Once Delia had received everything and tucked them away, he finally furrowed his brows and asked:
"Delia, didn't you want to become a Pokémon Breeder? Why are you registering for the Johto League?"
He had assumed that once she knew he wasn't participating, she'd give up too and travel with him. Her decision to sign up alone caught him off guard.
"Hehe, well, it's free~ No harm in registering, right?"
Delia slipped the card and badge case into her little travel bag and turned to Liam with a grin that said isn't it obvious?
"...Well I'll be—yep, that's classic Delia."
Liam looked utterly speechless, and glanced back at Nurse Joy, who also wore a slightly awkward expression. He quickly offered her a silent apology with his eyes.
"Hehe, just kidding~ I'm not that petty. Honestly, I want to get stronger. This morning, when we faced danger, I was completely useless. So I've decided to improve myself—and challenging the Johto League is probably the fastest way to do it. I'll give it my all!"
Delia stuck her tongue out playfully at Liam, but her eyes were full of determination.
"Heh, I see. Then I'm with you all the way, Delia. You can do it."
Seeing the firm resolve in her eyes, Liam reached out and held her hand, giving her a look of complete support and trust.