First Floor of the Castle, Hall Between the Thrones
Alex, Melanie, and the others had already been waiting there for quite some time.
Their faces were flushed, and their eyes were filled with barely concealed excitement, as though merely standing in this place was an honor beyond measure.
After all, it was His Majesty Lucien who had summoned them.
For most of them, this was their first time setting foot inside the royal castle.
It was far grander than anything they had ever imagined.
The soaring ceilings, the polished stone floors, the solemn atmosphere that seemed to carry the weight of history itself. Just being here made their hearts pound uncontrollably.
Several of the children swallowed nervously.
They all came from ordinary families. Before the war, they had lived simple lives in their villages, cutting grass, herding livestock, and helping their parents survive from day to day.
And now, they were standing in the royal castle, about to meet the king himself.
If someone had told them a year ago that this would happen, they would have laughed it off as a ridiculous fantasy.
Yet here they were.
Elif watched the group with a gentle smile. Seeing their nervous expressions, he spoke reassuringly.
"Do not be nervous. His Majesty Lucien is a very benevolent king."
The students looked toward him. Johnny hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to ask.
"Lord Elif, do you know what His Majesty intends for us?"
Elif merely smiled.
"You will find out soon enough, once His Majesty arrives."
Just then, footsteps echoed from the far end of the hall.
All conversation stopped.
A moment later, His Majesty Lucien appeared, dressed in regal robes, a crown resting upon his head. He ascended the throne and took his seat, his gaze calm, gentle, yet carrying unquestionable authority as it slowly swept over the eight youths before him.
Almost instinctively, they dropped to one knee.
"Your Majesty Lucien!"
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Rise, all of you."
The group stood, their excitement impossible to hide.
They had truly met the king.
No, the king had spoken to them personally.
"You have all worked extremely hard to stand here today," Lucien said, his voice steady and warm. "Out of hundreds of trainees, you emerged victorious. That alone proves your talent and determination."
Hearing those words, the eight straightened their backs, pride surging in their chests.
"Now, the timing is perfect," Lucien continued. "I have an important task to entrust to you. One that may shape the future development of this kingdom."
Here it comes.
All eight of them grew visibly more alert, their anticipation rising.
Lucien smiled slightly at their reactions.
"However, before that, I wish to ask you a few questions."
Alex hesitated, then stepped forward slightly.
"Please ask, Your Majesty."
Lucien nodded.
"What do you believe the profession of a trainer truly represents?"
"Trainer…" Melanie paused, thinking carefully before answering. "Is it someone like us? Someone who lives with Pokémon and trains alongside them?"
"That is correct," Lucien replied. "And what else?"
Melanie frowned slightly. Training Pokémon was all she had ever known. Beyond that, she was unsure.
At that moment, Alex's eyes lit up.
"I know!" he said eagerly. "Battles. Pokémon battles. A trainer trains Pokémon for a purpose, to fight other trainers, to grow stronger together."
Since the construction of the Grand Arena, Alex frequently brought his Emboar there to battle.
It allowed them to sharpen their skills through real combat, and it also earned them prize money from ticket revenue, helping support his family.
Lucien gave Alex an approving look.
"Exactly. Training is merely the process. A trainer's true purpose is to grow stronger together with their Pokémon."
The others nodded in sudden understanding.
Lucien continued, his gaze steady.
"Next year, I will formally promote the profession of trainer throughout the kingdom. At the end of the year, a national tournament will be held in the royal capital."
"Trainers from every region will gather here," he said. "They will battle until a single champion stands at the top."
The moment those words left his mouth, the eyes of all eight trainees shone brightly with excitement.
Alex clenched his fists.
He would win this championship, no matter what.
"However," Lucien continued calmly, "given that the number of participants may be extremely large, including many newcomers, I have decided to introduce certain requirements in order to streamline the competition."
"To participate in this grand tournament, a trainer must first collect all eight Gym Badges."
"Gym… Badges?"
The unfamiliar term caused everyone to freeze.
They exchanged glances, confusion flickering across their faces.
Then, almost simultaneously, realization dawned.
There were exactly eight of them.
"I intend to select eight cities within the kingdom and establish eight different Gyms," Lucien said slowly. "The reason I summoned you here today is because I want each of you to go to one of those cities, become a Gym Leader, and reside there permanently."
"As Gym Leaders, you will accept challenges from trainers."
"If they defeat you, you will award them your Gym Badge."
Understanding lit up the faces of Melanie and the others.
Alex, however, frowned slightly.
"Your Majesty," he asked, "if we become Gym Leaders, will we still be able to participate in the tournament?"
"Of course," Lucien replied without hesitation. "At the end of the year, Gym Leaders will be granted eight additional qualification slots."
"The ultimate winner of the tournament will become the strongest individual in the Kingdom of Eindoak."
"They will be crowned Champion."
"The next four ranked trainers will become the Elite Four, standing directly beneath the Champion."
"Whether Champion or Elite Four," Lucien continued, "your names will be known throughout the kingdom. You will represent Eindoak as you walk this land."
Of course, Lucien did not elaborate on the full responsibilities tied to those titles.
The Champion and the Elite Four were not merely symbols of strength.
They were the final line of defense against disasters caused by powerful wild Pokémon, incidents beyond the ability of ordinary soldiers to handle.
Wild Pokémon often wandered close to human settlements, damaging crops or threatening lives.
Simple cases, such as a Diglett disturbing farmland or a Psyduck stealing tools, could be handled by traveling trainers.
But when true danger arose, it was the Champion and the Elite Four who would step forward.
This was why trainers were called the bridge between humans and Pokémon.
However, the eight youths standing before Lucien had not yet thought that far.
Their minds were still echoing with his words.
Champion.
Elite Four.
Strongest in the kingdom.
Names resounding across the land.
Could they truly reach such heights?
In that moment, a fierce, burning determination ignited in all eight pairs of eyes.
Lucien watched their expressions and smiled.
"After you become Gym Leaders, the Trainers Association will provide funding and a very generous monthly salary," he added.
"If you wish, you may also bring your families to live with you in the city where your Gym is located."
"The Association will construct your Gyms, provide residences, and handle all living arrangements."
"Your Majesty, I am willing!" someone shouted immediately, unable to restrain themselves.
"I am willing too, Your Majesty Lucien!"
"And me!"
...
Read upto 20 chapters ahead @Keepsmiling 818 p@reon