After the Gym Leaders were chosen, the next issue was selecting the sites for the Gyms.
The Unova region has no shortage of cities: at one extreme lies the bustling, densely populated metropolis of Castelia City; at the other, tiny villages such as the remote Lacunosa Town.
A Gym's location had to be chosen not only based on the city's size, but also its geographic position and overall suitability.
Elif spread a map of the Kingdom of Eindoak across the long wooden table; every settlement in Unova was clearly marked.
"Your Majesty, these are all the towns in the kingdom. Aside from a few hamlets scattered in the wilderness that are too small to note, every major settlement has been labeled for you."
"I see." Lucien gave a slight nod, his gaze slowly sweeping across the towns.
Castelia City, Black City, Opelucid City, Nacrene City…
Lucien began to ponder. If he were a Trainer from Nuvema Town, what route would be the most convenient?
And if he came from Lacunosa Town, which direction should he choose?
"Mm. The Gyms mustn't cluster together," Lucien said thoughtfully. "They should ring the kingdom evenly, north and south. That will make travel easier for Trainers, sparing them needless detours if a sensible route is planned."
With that, Lucien had made up his mind.
A Water-type Gym in Castelia City, a Normal-type Gym in Striaton City, a Rock-type Gym in Nacrene City…
With a quill in hand, he marked each location on the map and carefully wrote down the names of the eight selected Gym Leaders.
Everything was ready.
Lucien handed the map back to Elif.
"Notify the Trainer Associations in these locations to prepare their Gyms at once."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Elif replied, hurrying off.
Next, Lucien summoned Christina of the Royal Press Agency.
By now, the publicity campaign had been underway for some time; people throughout the kingdom already had a basic understanding of Pokémon and Trainers.
They might not yet fully accept living alongside Pokémon, but Lucien was confident that, given time, they would come to recognize their power.
"Christina," Lucien said gravely, "I want you to open a special column in every regional newspaper to announce our upcoming plans."
"Eh?!" Christina startled. "Your Majesty, what should I do?"
"Starting next year, the capital, Lucien City, will host a nationwide Pokémon battle festival at the end of the year," Lucien said calmly. "The strongest victor shall become the kingdom's Champion, and I will personally bestow the honor."
Christina's lips parted slightly as she immediately grasped his intent.
For Trainers, a personal award from His Majesty Lucien meant far more than mere glory, it promised fame, fortune, and status.
Dreamers would flock here in droves.
"But, Your Majesty…" Christina hesitated, unsure how to voice her concern.
Lucien read her thoughts and smiled faintly.
"Don't worry. This is simply the most direct way to spread the word."
Here, rank and birth meant nothing.
As long as one possessed sufficient strength, even a former slave with nothing to his name could rise to the heavens.
Becoming a Trainer would soon become the dream of everyone in the land.
And that, in turn, would accelerate the fusion between humans and Pokémon.
"As you command, Your Majesty Lucien!" Christina replied firmly.
Lucien nodded and continued, "Next spring, when the snow melts, every youth who has reached the age of fifteen may go to the nearest Trainer Association, register as a Trainer, and receive a starter Pokémon partner and a Poké Ball."
"The Gyms will officially open at that time. After defeating a Gym Leader, a Trainer will earn a Badge. Only those who collect all eight Badges will be eligible to enter the final festival."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Christina committed every word to memory.
After leaving the castle, she returned to the agency and recorded Lucien's proclamation word for word for the next edition.
The Royal Workshop's printing presses ran throughout the night. By dawn, newspapers were being flown across the kingdom by Pokémon taxi.
Castelia City, Castelia Tavern.
Long before the war ended, men gathered here daily to drink barley beer and swap tall tales.
Since the kingdom's unification, the tavern had added a new ritual, reading the newspaper.
Each day, the owner purchased the latest issue and had it read aloud to the patrons.
Many of the guests had never learned to read; even if they could afford a newspaper, the printed words would mean little to them.
So they came at the same hour, ordered a beer, and listened.
Today was no different.
Once enough customers had gathered, the owner signaled to a literate waiter to begin reading.
The waiter was a thin, bright-eyed youth. The moment he saw the headline, his eyes widened and began to burn with excitement.
This is…!
"Derick, quit gawking, we're waiting!" a bearded patron barked impatiently.
"Ah, right! Sorry!" Derick replied hastily.
He began the usual recitation.
"Recently, the legendary Pokémon said to bring rich harvests, Landorus, Tornadus, and Thundurus, have departed from the capital. They will travel throughout the kingdom, bestowing strength upon the land, enriching the soil, and ensuring abundant crops."
"Legendary Pokémon? Landorus? That sounds incredible!"
"Hard to believe those beasts really have such power." Some still clung to the old terminology.
"Does that mean next year's harvest will be massive?"
"Great, no more empty bellies!"
"Our new king can even command legendary Pokémon… amazing!"
The tavern buzzed with excitement.
Once the chatter gradually died down, Derick took a breath and continued.
Most of the remaining articles were everyday stories, accounts of Pokémon encountering humans and the help they provided.
For example, one piece described a chef who met a Tepig while traveling in the wild. Tepig, being a Pokémon capable of breathing fire, gladly helped him cook. From then on, the chef no longer needed to gather firewood or strike flint, every meal was prepared with Tepig's cheerful flames.
Though these were simple, slice-of-life tales, the listeners were utterly absorbed.
Many couldn't help imagining what life would be like if they had a Pokémon like Tepig of their own.
"Hey, Derick, keep reading!" a patron urged.
Derick nodded. His eyes shifted to a brand-new column in the newspaper, and the moment he read the heading, a spark of excitement ignited within him.
"Starting next year, Lucien City will host a nationwide Pokémon Battle Festival every November. The ultimate victor, the strongest of all, will be crowned Champion of the realm, and His Majesty Lucien will personally bestow the honor!"
"Champion: the mightiest individual in the Kingdom of Eindoak. Regardless of origin or status, victory grants the highest honor beneath the king himself. However, strength alone is not enough, only those who truly cherish Pokémon and grow alongside them may reach this summit."
Derick's voice trembled as he read the passage aloud.
The tavern fell into complete silence.
"Champion…?"
"That sounds unbelievable!"
"Is this what those envoys were talking about? Trainers and Pokémon?"
"Damn it, if I became Champion, I'd be second only to the king!"
Status. Glory. Fame.
The air itself seemed to burn with longing.
In Eindoak, social classes had long been rigid. Though His Majesty Lucien had abolished slavery, commoners like them still lived worlds apart from the nobility.
But if someone seized this title and received the king's personal recognition…
Wouldn't that place them above even the nobles?
At that thought, restless hearts began to stir.
"Derick! How do we enter?" someone blurted out.
"The paper says you must first become a Trainer," Derick replied.
"Trainer?" The man blinked, recalling the envoys' speeches.
A Trainer, someone who partners with Pokémon, grows stronger alongside them, and shares life at their side.
"So we just catch a Pokémon?" another asked.
"Not quite." Derick shook his head. "That alone isn't enough. You also need to collect eight Gym Badges. Pokémon Gyms will be established across the kingdom's major cities. Defeat each Gym Leader, earn their Badge."
"Only after collecting all eight Badges will you qualify to enter the festival."
A wave of gasps swept the room.
"That's impossible!"
They were laborers and craftsmen, bound to daily wages and family responsibilities. When would they find the time to travel the kingdom? And even wild Pokémon terrified them, how could they possibly defeat Gym Leaders?
Derick smiled faintly. "There's more."
"Next spring, in March, anyone aged fifteen to nineteen may register at their nearest Trainer Association. You'll receive your first Pokémon partner on the spot."
"The Association will also provide six Poké Balls and a regional map, free of charge. And once registered as a Trainer, all Pokémon Center services will be available to you at no cost."
"What?!"
Eyes widened across the tavern.
An age limit?
Then most of them were already too late.
Yet a handful of faces lit up, voices trembling with excitement.
"My boy turns fifteen next year! Come March, I'm dragging him straight to the Association!"
He might have missed his chance, but his child hadn't.
If the boy became Champion…
The entire family would rise.
An opportunity like this could not be ignored.
Derick's heart pounded just as fiercely.
Sixteen years old, a student at Castelia City's Pokémon School, yet poverty forced him to work nights at the tavern to support his family.
If he could receive a starter Pokémon and become a Trainer…
Could he finally earn enough to give his mother a better life?
Still, Derick's gaze drifted lower on the page. "Wait… there's one more thing."
"What now?" someone asked.
Every head turned.
"The paper warns that traveling the wilds is dangerous. Beyond the cities lie vast, untamed regions where countless powerful and violent Pokémon roam."
"Even with a Pokémon partner, safety is never guaranteed. Before setting out, Trainers are urged to prepare thoroughly, steel their resolve, and train relentlessly, because only strength can protect you."
The excitement in the room cooled instantly.
As the article said, while some Pokémon now lived peacefully among humans, the wilderness remained deadly.
Wild Pokémon attacked people. Death was a real possibility.
"Well… I think I'll stay in town where it's safe," someone muttered.
Most of the patrons were already in their thirties, having spent half their lives within city walls. Habit, and fear of change held them firmly in place.
Even those tempted weighed the risks carefully.
And chose the familiar.
But Derick had already made a quiet decision.
He would become a Trainer. He would earn more money.
He would give his mother a better life.
"Hey, Derick," a patron asked with a grin, "you're not seriously thinking of heading out there, are you?"
Derick neither confirmed nor denied it.
"If I plan carefully, stick to the main roads, and avoid shortcuts, the dangers should be manageable," he said calmly.
"And I'll train my Pokémon properly before leaving, only when we're strong enough to protect ourselves."
..
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