In this society, only champions are valued. Only by ascending to the throne of the League Conference champion can one generate the corresponding “star effect” for those big corporations. People often can’t remember who came in second, but they always remember the champion.

For a trainer to stand out, they must challenge the conference, defeat all opponents, endure the trials of the finals, and claim the champion’s throne. Only then might they receive the best, the most, and the most important attention.

Stephen Clark, unlike others, didn’t have those kinds of resources and grew up in poverty. People like this often end up as bug-catching kids by the roadside. Successfully supporting an orphanage is no simple feat.

Without the qualifications to become a trainer, he couldn’t enjoy the conveniences provided by the Pokémon Center. The things Stephen Clark took with him were nowhere near enough to last him a long time.

Allen sighed deeply in her heart.

“We have to believe in him,” Allen Grandma said to the children.

Even so, Allen still chose to believe in Stephen Clark. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have let Stephen Clark, a child without trainer qualifications, go out on a journey alone. She saw Stephen Clark’s determination and his intelligence, which is why she decided to support his choice.

Otherwise, no matter how insistent Stephen Clark was, Allen could never let a child with no experience of the world face it alone.

“Mm, I believe Stephen Clark big brother will definitely succeed.” Little Linda lay in Allen’s arms, choking back tears as she spoke.

The other children also looked out the window with various emotions, nodding vigorously.

These orphans, who lost their families for different reasons, would likely grow up in poverty unless something unexpected happened. Allen Grandma’s savings were dwindling day by day. If they were lucky, the children might find ordinary jobs in the future, barely making ends meet for the rest of their lives.

If they were unlucky, they would fall into poverty again.

Chasing their own lives and dreams was just a luxury. For children with no background, what could they rely on to pursue them? Just a surge of passion?

Of course, it was also possible that the children might encounter a huge turning point and gain a great opportunity, leading to a smooth life from then on.

But what are the chances of such things happening to a poor orphanage?

After all, you can’t decide your life based on an unknown future. That’s why Stephen Clark boldly stepped out—not just for himself, but also for this Qinggu House.

Relying on the elderly Allen Grandma alone was no longer enough. He had to take on his own responsibilities as well.

Sometimes Stephen Clark would think back on his journey through worlds and feel a bit bitter, but he believed everything would get better. He wasn’t someone who blamed fate; everything depended on his own struggle and effort.

That’s just his character.

A ray of sunlight pierced through the forest, shining on Stephen Clark’s backpack-laden figure, illuminating his determined face.

Stephen Clark didn’t know how long the supplies in his backpack would last him on his journey, but that wasn’t the main concern.

No matter how hard it was, it was all for a better future.

Chapter 5: A Fool’s Dream

For this long and arduous journey, Stephen Clark had already prepared plenty of food and water. On the first day, Stephen Clark only managed to travel a little over ten kilometers before night fell.

First, the road was hard to walk, and second, his body couldn’t handle prolonged exertion.

When tired, he would rest for a while; when hungry, he would eat berries or dry rations. Fortunately, he had a Beautifly for company, so he wasn’t too lonely. When he encountered dangerous situations, it could also help take care of things.

Stephen Clark’s destination was Slateport City, a big city and the closest one to Littleroot Town. Even so, it was still a week’s walk away.

Stephen Clark wanted to go to Dewford City first to take the breeder’s exam. However, although Dewford City was also in the Hoenn region, it was far too distant from where Stephen Clark was. If he traveled on foot, it would take several months, and besides, Stephen Clark couldn’t possibly cross the ocean on foot.

So, the Slateport City port was a place Stephen Clark had to go.

Taking a boat was the fastest way for him to reach Dewford City.

Walking was tedious, especially in the wild, facing unpredictable weather and unknown dangers that could arise at any moment. But Stephen Clark endured it all.

Without a trainer’s license, even when he reached populated areas, he couldn’t stay at the Pokémon Center. As for hotels, his meager savings wouldn’t allow it.

All of this was being saved for the breeder’s exam—Stephen Clark couldn’t afford to waste it.

“Splash.”

Passing by a lakeside, Stephen Clark took out his canteen, filled it with water, and drank hurriedly.

“Heh.” Wiping the water from his mouth, Stephen Clark smiled. After days of traveling, he was finally about to reach Slateport City.

It was his first time traveling alone for so long, and Stephen Clark felt a bit out of place, but fortunately, he had gotten used to it. He was now familiar with this feeling.

Along the way, Stephen Clark would occasionally pick some brightly colored wild berries—not to fill his stomach, but because, once processed, these things could be quite beneficial for certain Pokémon. If he prepared them well, he could sell them for a bit of money, which was very important to Stephen Clark.