Evercove City was originally a city built on the sea.
Beneath its enormous bay, a luxurious cruise ship was docked, and the trainers participating in the Advanced Trainer evaluation were boarding the vessel one after another.
Around the cruise ship, several Pidgeot could be seen flying overhead, and in the sea, there were also Gyarados swimming slowly.
These Pokémon surrounding the cruise ship were, naturally, there to ensure its safety. It was said that the "Testing Ground" was located on an island further out at sea. In the dangerous ocean, anything could happen, so they at least had to guarantee that the journey would be completely safe.
Very soon...
The cruise ship, escorted by that group of Pokémon, left the bay and ventured into the open sea, gradually approaching an island.
"Is that island the exam site?"
The trainers observed the silhouette emerging on the horizon, doubtful expressions on their faces.
At first glance, the island didn't look very big. If that was the test location, wouldn't it be too small?
"The exam site?"
"How could it be something that simple?"
The examiner in charge let out a laugh and said, "There is a Secret Kingdom on this island, and that is the true location of your evaluation."
"The mission is to enter that Secret Kingdom and hunt the Pokémon inside. We won't restrict the methods you use to hunt them, but you're only allowed to bring a maximum of six Pokémon."
"For every Pokémon you defeat and kill, you can take a score plaque from its body. In the end, your grade will depend on the total number of plaques you collect."
Upon saying this...
The examiner suddenly smiled with a cruel expression.
"Hunt Pokémon!"
Hearing the content of the exam, everyone present immediately paled, feeling a chill crawl down their backs.
Normally, exams only required defeating a Pokémon, but this time... they were being asked to kill it!
"If we don't want to kill them, can we simply defeat them and steal the plaque?" A female trainer spoke. Her expression made it clear she was completely opposed to killing Pokémon.
"I don't care. If you think the Pokémon you spare will 'thank' you for the favor..."
The examiner shrugged. However, the faint smile on his face made everyone feel a tremor in their hearts.
"It seems that the Secret Kingdom will be filled mostly with extremely aggressive Pokémon," Ethan thought with a serious expression.
Killing Pokémon wasn't something he had never done. In the Arbok Secret Kingdom, he had to eliminate several. Those Pokémon were so fierce that if you didn't kill them, they would kill you. Because of that, he had felt no guilt at the time.
But if they asked him to kill a Sandshrew or a Pikachu... Ethan knew he definitely wouldn't be able to do it.
...
"Entering a Secret Kingdom means being prepared to kill Pokémon... or be killed by them."
The examiner scanned the group with his gaze.
"If anyone wants to withdraw, there's still time."
After hearing that, many people's expressions changed, but in the end, none backed out.
After so much effort to reach the second phase, how could they quit now?
Seeing that no one withdrew, the examiner nodded with satisfaction.
"Inside the Secret Kingdom, we've placed numerous Ghost-type Pokémon to watch over and protect you."
"Those Ghost-type Pokémon will remain hidden, observing you. If they detect that you're in an irreversible situation, they'll intervene. But if they do... it will be considered that you have failed the evaluation."
"Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to attack any Ghost-type Pokémon you encounter there. If those guarding your safety are harmed, we cannot guarantee your survival!"
"Additionally..." the examiner paused, "although we've taken many precautions, we cannot completely guarantee your safety. So don't do anything stupid. If you seek death, no one will be able to save you."
"Lastly, the time limit is one week. Within those seven days, you must protect your life and find the exit of the Secret Kingdom. Only then will you pass."
As he listened to the rules, even Ethan's expression changed.
It was no wonder there were so few Advanced-level Trainers: the difficulty of the exam was simply too high! Before beginning, who could guarantee they'd survive?
What was interesting was that this exam felt familiar: it was very similar to the annual exam at Ironvale City's Pokémon University. Secret Kingdom, Ghost-type Pokémon watching, finding the exit... the format was exactly the same.
Only... the difficulty this time was dozens of times greater.
...
"Why did the difficulty increase so much this year?"
Some veterans who had attempted the exam several times paled upon hearing the rules.
This was no longer a normal evaluation. Before, they were just dropped into a testing ground where it was enough to defeat Pokémon and leave. Now it was inside a Secret Kingdom, they had to kill Pokémon, survive for a week, and find the exit.
The difficulty hadn't simply increased... it had multiplied by dozens.
"I don't know how many will pass this time..."
"There's no choice. The fusion of the Secret Kingdoms is imminent. If someone can't even overcome a test like this... how will they survive the battles to come?"
"Pokémon against humans... that war will come sooner or later..."
The examiner saw everyone's tense faces and sighed inwardly.
In a sense, Advanced-level Trainers were already part of the country's military reserve. If war between Pokémon and humans were to break out, they would be recruited without question.
That was why this evaluation was a necessary preparation: without facing blood and fire, no one could become a true warrior.
(End of chapter)