Chapter 2 Pokémon Logistics
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As the bell rang, Lu Cheng, who almost arrived late, was sitting in the classroom secretly browsing news on his phone. He needed to quickly understand what had become of this world.
In this world where Pokémon have descended, Pokémon have integrated into various aspects of society. New industries emerged, such as Pokémon beauty salons, Pokémon training, and Pokémon breeding. Traditional industries also combined with Pokémon, like civil engineering students all having a Machamp. Coders generally chose a Porygon; artists preferred to nurture a Smeargle.
Overall, the appearance of Pokémon significantly boosted societal productivity. On the other hand, raising Pokémon consumed a lot of financial and material resources. For ordinary families, raising one or two Pokémon was already the limit, and the market price of red and white Poké Balls made it even harder for ordinary people to obtain Pokémon.
In C country, a red and white Poké Ball's market price was 10,000. Although Pokémon Trainers were the most popular profession, their numbers were quite scarce. To encourage and nurture new Trainers, the state provided subsidies across various regions. Universities also established courses in Pokémon breeding and Pokémon care, with the highest threshold being the Pokémon Training program.
"So, you need to study hard to get into a good university!"
"Now I'll distribute the mock volunteer application forms. Fill in the major you wish to choose."
The almost bald class teacher said earnestly,
"Remember not to aim too high! Honestly choose the majors you can actually get into!"
"Hey, Lu Cheng, what major do you want to choose?"
Lu Cheng's desk mate, a chubby guy with glasses named Ah Le, nudged Lu Cheng.
"My mind is a bit messy right now."
Lu Cheng still hadn't fully come to terms with the changes in the world.
Ah Le showed an understanding expression and said:
"Yeah, this kind of major thing sure needs some time to think over."
"That's not what I'm troubled about."
Lu Cheng scratched his head and showed Ah Le a screenshot from a video on his phone under the desk.
"Look at this, what do you think of this Pikachu?"
"Pikachu?"
Ah Le gave Lu Cheng a puzzled look. He felt his desk mate was acting strange today, not paying attention in class and always staring at his phone with changing expressions.
He squinted at the screenshot.
"This is Pikachu, what's wrong?"
"Don't you think it looks a bit off?" Lu Cheng's face was almost twisted.
Ah Le shuddered and carefully examined the phone, afraid to miss any detail.
"This Pikachu… it's very cute!"
Looking at this mouse covered in yellow spots with chubby limbs, Lu Cheng couldn't connect it with the idea of being cute.
"Is there... anything wrong with it?"
Ah Le stammered.
"Never mind."
Lu Cheng weakly collapsed in his chair.
It seems only he saw Pokémon as bizarre creatures.
Was he destined to live with such strange creatures from now on?
At the thought of this, Lu Cheng shuddered.
Although Ah Le felt something was off with Lu Cheng today, he still opened up:
"By the way, Lu Cheng, I heard that once you turn eighteen and register at the Pokémon office in the neighborhood, you can get a free Poké Ball!"
"Such a good thing?" Lu Cheng was surprised.
After all, he just checked, and a Poké Ball costs 10,000 RMB!
"I heard it's a government subsidy, each person can only get one Poké Ball, but they have to find their own Pokémon."
"Didn't you see those rich kids in our class? They've already started preparing. Although buying a Poké Ball is nothing to them, the state regulations say you must be eighteen to register and legally own a Pokémon!"
For students from wealthy families, their families had already prepared suitable Pokémon for them. However, state regulations say you must be eighteen to legally own a Pokémon, and each Pokémon needs to be registered.
However, simply owning a Pokémon doesn't make you a Trainer. At eighteen, you only have the right to use Pokémon legally. To become a Trainer, you must pass an assessment by the Pokémon Association and register every battle Pokémon. Only Trainers and their registered Pokémon can participate in Pokémon battles and Gym challenges; otherwise, they are considered unauthorized and not recognized by the Pokémon Association.
"So, once we turn eighteen, we can have Pokémon?" Lu Cheng asked.
"That's the theory, but my family can't afford a Poké Ball, so I'll have to wait for the free one," Ah Le said with a wry smile.
Lu Cheng's family wasn't well-off either, and too many Pokémon would be hard to take care of. Most Trainers could manage two to three Pokémon, six was the limit. To ensure Pokémon weren't abused, the Pokémon Association regulated that Trainers could only own six Pokémon. However, Pokémon caught and uploaded to the database didn't count towards this limit.
Lu Cheng still had a month before he turned eighteen, giving him enough time to decide on his initial Pokémon. In this hostile world, finding a less bizarre Pokémon was extremely difficult.
"So, what Pokémon do you plan to raise?" Lu Cheng asked casually.
"I don't want to be a Trainer. My dad wants me to take over his delivery business. I'll probably buy a Wingull egg from the breeding house."
Ah Le's family ran a small delivery shop, and he chose the Pokémon logistics major on his form.
"After all, once Wingull evolves, it can carry a lot of cargo, and small items can be delivered directly to high-rise residents."
Lu Cheng nodded. He was gradually getting used to the fact that Pokémon were integrated into everyday life.
People like Ah Le, who didn't aim to be a Trainer but still owned Pokémon, were not uncommon. For example, Lu Cheng's dad was just a chef but still had a Magmar.
He also realized that being a Trainer in this world was a very rare and expensive profession. Poké Balls, food, potions, TMs, all of this had to be provided by the Trainers themselves.
However—
"I've decided!"
"Decided what?" Ah Le asked, puzzled.
Lu Cheng resolutely filled in the Pokémon Trainer major at Jiangnan University on his form.
In the Pokémon world, what's the difference between not becoming a Trainer and being a salted fish?
As for the Pokémon's appearance, well, can aesthetic preferences really be considered a problem?
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TL Note:
The chapter upload will be Irregular, someday there will be some chapters and someday there will be none so ya..... BYE!
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If you find any mistakes in translation feel free to comment. ( I might Correct it ... Maybe?)
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I need POWER Stones.
STONES!!!!!!!