Thinking of this, Ryan Ford quickly searched for information on the move Energy Ball, but unfortunately, there was pitifully little information. The online materials only mentioned that Energy Ball is a move containing immense power and listed which Pokémon can learn it.

It didn’t matter that there was nothing online—he still had some other impressions of this move.

“Energy Ball, the principle is to fire life force collected from nature. That’s the description in the game, if I remember correctly. But what does that have to do with Forest Turtle’s power increasing dramatically after swallowing the Energy Ball? Also, besides Forest Turtle, is this explosive method applicable to other Grass-type Pokémon…? Whatever, I’ll just make a note—Energy Ball is a must-learn.”

Ryan Ford grinned proudly, feeling that he had found a direction.

“Hmm, maybe I can create my own training plan centered around ‘power increasing dramatically after swallowing the Energy Ball’?”

“But I still feel it’s a bit unreliable. Wouldn’t the Energy Ball leave hidden injuries inside the body…”

“Let’s assume there will be hidden injuries. Then, can those injuries be healed?”

“Let me think—must know Synthesis, Giga Drain, Growth is also very useful, and Ingrain, Grassy Terrain…”

Ryan Ford took out a pen and notebook, making serious notes, quickly becoming absorbed in it.

As the pen tip moved across the paper, looking at the content described by the words, Ryan Ford suddenly had an epiphany. Regardless of whether this idea was feasible or whether he would actually buy a Grass-type Pokémon egg, he felt he couldn’t give up halfway, because this was his first independent thought as a trainer.

Chapter 4: Heading to the Breeding House

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was June 24th.

Ryan Ford was officially on summer vacation.

What was exciting was that in a little while, he would go to the public breeding house to buy a starter Pokémon egg.

In Huaguo, there are four requirements to become a trainer.

First, you must be at least sixteen years old. Second, you must pass the trainer’s physical examination. Third, you must pay taxes annually. Fourth, you must own a Pokémon.

Ryan Ford was just the right age, and the physical exam was organized by the school, which he passed as well. Once he got the Pokémon egg, he could take the certificate from the breeding house directly to the Pokémon Center for payment and registration.

Once the Pokémon hatched and he activated his trainer ID, he could call himself a trainer.

Professional trainers have the right to use 95% of public facilities in various countries for free. You need to pass multiple rigorous assessments by the Trainer Association to get a license, and the requirements are very high, so the benefits are excellent.

The requirements to become an ordinary trainer are lower, but the benefits are still good.

Most importantly, at present, only trainers are legally allowed to own Pokémon and Poké Balls in private.

In fact, just being eligible to enjoy the preferential services of facilities like the Pokémon Center and Poké Mart makes it impossible for anyone with a Pokémon to refuse.

You could say that ordinary trainer status is an essential pass. Otherwise, if your Pokémon gets sick or injured, there’s nowhere to get treatment. You should know that private Pokémon hospitals are almost nonexistent in Huaguo; all medical services are monopolized by the Pokémon Centers under the Trainer Association.

During this half month, Ryan Ford had been trying to learn more and also improved his own Grass-type Pokémon training plan.

No one noticed any change in Ryan Ford, not even his parents, since even with two sets of memories, Ryan Ford was still himself.

“Son, are you ready? Don’t miss your appointment time.” Mr. Ford called from the living room.

“Just a moment.” In the bedroom, Ryan Ford put on his clothes and looked in the mirror, trying to make himself look as natural as possible.

“Coming!”

He answered quickly, and Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford, waiting in the living room, smiled at each other—they could both hear the excitement in Ryan Ford’s voice.

Mr. Ford and Mrs. Ford didn’t usually get holidays, but today they both took time off for a simple reason: to accompany Ryan Ford to the breeding house to buy or reserve a Pokémon egg.

At Ryan Ford’s age, a guardian must accompany him.

And without an adult to pay, Ryan Ford couldn’t afford it himself. All his savings were in that bank card where he kept his New Year’s money, and there was only about six thousand yuan left.

That amount is enough for an ordinary pet, but forget about a Pokémon egg.

Ryan Ford was indeed very excited—after all, he had been waiting half a month.

Once Ryan Ford came out of the bedroom, the family didn’t dawdle any longer and set off right away.

……

There are five high schools in Pingcheng, but only Pingcheng No. 1 High School, jointly recognized by the Trainer Association and the Ministry of Education, is qualified to train trainers. This year’s incoming seniors at Pingcheng No. 1 High School number about 400, and all of them would be making appointments at the breeding house over the next few days, picking a day to buy their Pokémon eggs.

On the street leading to the breeding house, parents were constantly taking students there, and some parents were hurrying home with students holding Pokémon eggs.

Pingcheng isn’t small, but in this situation, running into acquaintances is inevitable. Not long after leaving home, Ryan Ford suddenly went “Eh?”—he’d run into someone he knew, a classmate from his own Class 12, Grade 11.

“Mr. Clark, James Clark.” Ryan Ford grinned and walked up to greet them.

The man was dressed casually, about the same age as Ryan Ford’s parents. The girl next to him was quite striking, with a heroic air and a very unique temperament.

“Oh, you’re Xiaojing’s classmate. Hello, everyone.” Mr. Clark replied with a smile.