Pokémon Breeder's Story

Chapter 29: Genius

Scribble, scribble, scribble.

The examination hall was filled with the sound of furious writing.

The proctor, Matsumoto, looked at the six candidates before him, his gaze ultimately resting on the youngest one. He had just received the news. This student who had suddenly joined the exam at the last minute was named Kenji, a child who had just recently turned ten.

Normally, this wouldn't be a big deal, but the problem was, this was the examination site for Junior Breeder certification! He heard the boy had even gotten in through connections... Matsumoto's opinion of him soured even more.

He's probably just overconfident and came to experience the breeder exam for fun, right?

Kenji, however, paid no mind to others' opinions. He quietly lowered his head and answered the questions. The questions on the test paper were all very simple, mostly testing the candidate's grasp of basic Pokémon knowledge, such as their abilities, preferences, habitats, and so on.

He finished answering all of them in just half an hour and submitted his test paper to the proctor.

Jenny Jun was waiting outside. Seeing Kenji emerge, she immediately asked, "How did it go?"

"I've finished answering," Kenji replied.

It would take some time to get the results of the written test. While they waited, the two of them casually toured the Pokémon Association's ecology park. Here, Kenji saw many Fire-type Pokémon: Torchic, Numel, Slugma, Torkoal, Vulpix...

Looking at this scene, Jenny Jun explained, "The environment here simulates the volcanic region inside Mt. Chimney, so it's very suitable for Fire-type Pokémon to live in."

Before them was a vast, crimson landscape. White steam constantly vented from cracks in the ground, and not far away, there was even a bubbling pool of lava. Numerous Slugma were active all around. A display board nearby explained the principle of this lava zone ecology park to the visiting breeders. Several expensive Fire Stones were placed in a special machine, which would stimulate the Fire-type energy within the stones, thereby raising the temperature of the surrounding area to perfectly simulate a volcanic zone's ecosystem.

Kenji was thoughtful. He could use this place as a reference later and create a dedicated area suitable for Fire-type Pokémon in his own backyard.

Jenny Jun looked at Kenji, seeming to want to say something but hesitating. After thinking for a moment, she finally decided to speak. "Don't worry, even if you don't pass this exam, it's okay. Abandoned wild Pokémon eggs are occasionally found near Fallarbor Town. When the time comes, I will find a way to collect them and give them to you to take care of."

Although he didn't have certification, she had some understanding of Kenji's breeding abilities. The little Growlithe was growing up strong and healthy under his care, and the breeding center was also well-managed by him.

Hearing this, Kenji couldn't help but feel a little touched. This Officer Jenny was truly very good to him! As far as he knew, every member of the Jenny family was a person with a very strong sense of responsibility. Has she really taken on the role of a big sister?

Kenji couldn't bring himself to call a stranger "sister" just yet. He shook his head and said with a smile, "The results aren't out yet."

Breeder's Association, in the office.

A group of staff members was grading the test papers of the six candidates who had participated in the Junior Breeder exam. The old man who had spoken with Jenny Jun happened to be passing by. He looked at Matsumoto, and although he already knew the answer in his heart, he couldn't help but ask, "How did that boy named Kenji do? Did he fail?"

After asking, the old man noticed something. Matsumoto's face, which was usually always stern and rigid, was now filled with utter astonishment, as if he had seen something shocking.

Matsumoto flipped through the test paper in his hand in disbelief and replied, "Mr. Eiji, the Kenji you mentioned before... are you sure he just turned ten, has never been to school, and has no breeding experience whatsoever?"

Eiji: "?"

Seeing Eiji's confused expression, Matsumoto directly handed him the paper. Eiji took it and was horrified to see the words "Perfect Score" written on it.

Eiji: "!!!"

"That Kenji is also the only candidate in this entire exam to get a perfect score!" Matsumoto said, extremely surprised. "It's incredible! You should know, several questions on this paper contained knowledge that only an Intermediate Breeder would have mastered!"

And now, not only had Kenji answered them, but he had answered them flawlessly!

"Huh? Mr. Eiji, what's wrong?" Matsumoto suddenly noticed that Mr. Eiji was no longer speaking.

Eiji: "..." From now on, call me Ji'ei!

But he didn't say this out loud. Looking at the test paper, Eiji was silent for a moment before speaking. "The second round, I will test him myself!"

"What?"

Matsumoto was surprised. Mr. Eiji was the only Senior Breeder in Fallarbor Town, a truly capable person who could bring new life to Pokémon.

Eiji didn't say anything. He thought of the confident look in the boy named Kenji's eyes when he spoke. No wonder... no wonder he was so certain. It turns out he really is skilled.

This time, he had truly misjudged someone. Since that was the case, let him see this boy's abilities for himself! Ten years old, a perfect score on the Junior Breeder's written exam. If he could also get a perfect score on the following practical exam, then it would prove that this boy was a rare, once-in-a-generation genius in the field of breeding!

Having made up his mind, Eiji immediately rushed to the site of the practical exam.

The second part of the Junior Breeder's exam was a practical test. It required the candidate to observe a Pokémon's appearance and characteristics, then analyze its situation and symptoms for the proctor, and finally find the corresponding berries and herbs from a large pile to prepare a potion or juice to treat the Pokémon.

The six candidates entered a room where six different Pokémon stood. Behind them was a large pile of berries and herbs, as well as tools for preparation.

Old man Eiji stood at the front, his gaze resting on Kenji for a moment, before he spoke with a smile. "Candidates, the next test is for an essential ability for a breeder: keen eyes, which can also be called observation skills!"

"In our daily lives, we will encounter all kinds of Pokémon. We need to have good observation skills to be able to judge their condition, and then prescribe the right medicine or carry out targeted breeding based on the situation."

"So, the goal of today's test is your observation skills!"

"Now, do you all see? There is a Pokémon standing in front of each of you. They have suffered different degrees of injury. Next, you will have ten minutes to observe their symptoms, then report to me, and finally find the medicinal herbs to provide them with treatment."

Kenji's gaze swept over the six Pokémon before him. They were: a Lotad, a Shroomish, a Skitty, a Mawile, a Snorunt, and a Beautifly.

The one assigned to him was a Mawile that looked very quiet and cute.