-019- Trainer Classification (Third Update)

After finishing the Rookie Trainer Handbook, Tong Si had a general understanding of the trainer ranking system in this world.

Having just become a rookie trainer, Tong Si was now classified as an ordinary-level trainer.

Most trainers spend their entire lives as ordinary-level trainers.

To advance from ordinary-level to elite-level trainer, one must first possess six Pokémon, with at least one of them breaking through the level 50 barrier, and pass the League's examination to become a formal elite-level trainer.

A Gym Leader-level trainer, building upon the elite-level foundation, needs at least three Pokémon that have surpassed level 50, and must also pass the League’s exam.

The classification of professional trainers is more complex, divided into One-Star, Two-Star, Three-Star, and Specially Invited categories.

Most professional trainers are One-Star professionals; advancing to Two-Star is extremely difficult.

Two-Star professionals are comparable to Gym Leaders, including some local heads of the Pokémon Association, who are also Two-Star professionals.

Three-Star professionals are also known as King-level trainers. To become one of the Four Provincial Kings or a Champion, one must first achieve the King-level title, which allows them to challenge the Champion-level League Tournament and compete for the titles of Four Kings and Champion in various regions.

Specially Invited professionals do not fall under the One-Star, Two-Star, or Three-Star categories. They are trainers who have made special contributions to a province and are invited by that province to serve as Specially Invited professional trainers. Compared to One-Star and Two-Star professionals, their status and privileges are much higher, and the benefits are superior. However, each province only has a handful of Specially Invited professional trainers.

Champion-level trainers are strictly limited in number—there are only twenty-six Champion-level trainers nationwide.

Each province has its own Champion, and together with the national Four Kings and the national Champion, they total twenty-six, collectively known as Champion-level trainers.

When a province's Champion is replaced, the new Champion is granted the Champion-level title, while the former Champion loses the title and reverts to King-level trainer status.

...

After learning about the trainer ranking system, Tong Si once again looked toward the orange-haired girl.

"Master Lin Mo..."

Tong Si muttered the name, finding himself increasingly curious about this Specially Invited professional trainer.

If possible, Tong Si truly wished to meet her in person.

"Anyone else?"

The orange-haired girl atop the battle platform called out again, but no one from the opposing platform dared step forward.

Tong Si surveyed the surrounding rookie trainers; most were just watching the spectacle, none brave enough to step up.

"How about I give it a try?"

Tong Si raised his hand slightly amid the crowd.

His voice was not loud, but at that moment, everyone turned to look at him.

"Bro, you really have guts!"

"Hey man, beauties like her aren’t for guys like us to chase. Don’t embarrass yourself just to impress her."

"What are you guys saying? He’s young and reckless and wants to face some setbacks—why stop him? That’s not fair!"

...

The rookie trainers began to murmur among themselves about Tong Si.

Some thought he was courageous, others believed he was trying to impress a girl, and a few thought he was simply overestimating himself.

In the end, no one believed Tong Si could win.

"Then hurry up and get on!"

The orange-haired girl shouted, pointing at the platform opposite her.

"Alright..."

Tong Si walked steadily toward the battle platform, as the crowd of rookies made way for him.

This was Tong Si's first time standing on an official battle platform, and he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

He inserted the newly acquired golden ID card into the platform, which immediately rose to a height of about two meters above the ground before coming to a stop.

"I'm Tong Si, just registered as an ordinary-level trainer," he introduced himself briefly to the orange-haired girl.

"Tong Si? That’s an unusual name. I’m Lin Jintong—I became an ordinary-level trainer just a day before you."

Despite her muttering, Lin Jintong still told Tong Si her name.

Tong Si was already holding a Poké Ball in his hand.

In these rookie village battles, there were no official referees.

Once one side’s Pokémon was unable to continue, the battle was over.

"Go, Elekid!"

Without hesitation, Tong Si sent out the newly registered Elekid.

"Bee-bee!"

As soon as Elekid appeared, its vigor was palpable.

The battlefield was a rock-type arena, which was somewhat unfavorable for the electric-type Elekid.

"Elekid, huh? My Pokémon is this one!"

Lin Jintong tossed her Poké Ball, and a red-and-yellow-furred Fire Fox landed on the field.

Although it had already fought several battles, it seemed unaffected, remaining calm and composed.

"Fuu-fuu!"

Fire Fox groomed its fur, not taking Elekid seriously at all.

Simultaneously, the scoreboard above displayed the profiles of both trainers.

Lin Jintong

Pokémon: Fire Fox

Battle Record: 23 wins, 0 losses

...

Tong Si

Pokémon: Elekid

Battle Record: 0 wins, 0 losses

...

The moment the audience saw Tong Si’s record, the hall erupted with laughter.

So he was a total rookie?

"How long do you think this guy will last?"

"Three minutes, maybe."

"Are you kidding? He’ll be done in a minute."

"I wouldn’t be so sure—he looks pretty confident. Tell you what, I’ll bet a bag of spicy chips he lasts one minute and five seconds."

...

On the platform, Tong Si heard the rookie trainers below betting on how long he could last, and he almost wanted to laugh.

"I’ll let you attack first, so it doesn’t look like I’m picking on you," Lin Jintong said, clearly not taking him seriously.

Through his scanning device, Tong Si checked the Fire Fox’s profile on his data panel.

Fire Fox

Level: 10

Gender: Female

Ability: Blaze

Potential: Gym Leader-level

...

Seeing that the Fire Fox had Gym Leader-level potential, Tong Si couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe.

So this was the daughter of Master Lin Mo—her starter Pokémon was actually Gym Leader-level.

Still, that didn’t dampen Tong Si’s determination to win. If he could defeat Lin Jintong, he would earn ten thousand points; for the sake of those points, he had to win this battle.

"Elekid, use Charge!"

As the battle began, Tong Si chose not to attack recklessly.

Elekid’s Charge move would boost the power of its next electric-type move and also raise its special defense.

"Bee-bee!"

The two antennae atop Elekid’s head began to glow, channeling a surge of electric energy throughout its body.

Brilliant golden sparks danced across Elekid’s form.

...(To be continued)