Chapter 3: ch3
Chapter 3
Mark Davis was a young man with a square jaw and a well-built physique. His toned muscles reflected his years of training with Pokémon, exuding strength and agility.
The temperature in April wasn't too high, so most students wore their standard school uniforms, but Mark stood confidently on stage in just a short-sleeved T-shirt.
With a wide, overly enthusiastic smile from the principal, Mark stepped up to the microphone:
"Hello, everyone! I'm Mark Davis. I graduated from Greenfield High in 2012, and I'm currently a sophomore at Drake Pokémon Academy."
After a brief introduction, Mark gestured to the side.
Under the watchful and excited gazes of the students, teachers, and principal, the giant Pokémon beside him moved forward step by step. It was a Sandslash, but not the kind Ethan remembered from his past life.
Even standing below the stage, Sandslash loomed over everyone. Its sharp claws and spiky carapace made it look more like a natural disaster waiting to happen than a cuddly companion.
The students closest to Sandslash flushed with excitement, desperate to reach out and touch it.
"You all know what this is," Mark said, pointing to the massive Pokémon beside him. "This is a Sandslash, the evolved form of Sandshrew. It's a Pokémon with a Ground-type affinity. Among the many Pokémon species, Sandslash isn't particularly rare. Some of you may have even encountered one in the wild."
"I've seen one!" a pimply-faced boy in the front row shouted, waving his hand. "I saw one while camping near Thunder Ridge! I tried to take a picture, but my dad smacked the phone out of my hand and told me to back away!"
The boy's story elicited laughter from the crowd, and even Mark chuckled.
"Your dad was absolutely right. If you ever encounter a wild Pokémon, especially one like Sandslash, you should avoid sudden movements or anything that might be perceived as aggressive. Pokémon are incredibly powerful, and harming humans is as easy as breathing for them."
Mark's tone grew more serious as he continued:
"Pokémon and trainers are classified into eight ranks: Newbie, Novice, Ordinary, Elite, Ace, Champion, Master, and Apex. Even at the lower levels, Pokémon possess immense destructive capabilities.
"For instance, this Sandslash beside me is at the peak of the Ordinary Rank. If it wanted to, it could level this entire field in seconds. Give it a minute, and it could bring down the entire school with an Earthquake attack."
The students gasped, their eyes wide with both fear and admiration.
"The power of Pokémon is immense, and it can be difficult to control. That's why the government strictly regulates trainers and their Pokémon. But even with these regulations, countless lives are lost to Pokémon encounters each year. Statistics show that over a million people worldwide die annually due to Pokémon-related incidents—about the same number as deaths from car accidents."
Mark let that sink in for a moment before continuing.
"I'm not saying this to scare you but to emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting Pokémon. If you ever encounter a wild Pokémon, especially an aggressive one, your best bet is to stay still or run away if you can. Many people underestimate the danger and end up as victims."
The students listened intently. Although this was information most of them already knew, hearing it from someone as experienced as Mark gave it added weight.
"As trainers, you'll awaken elemental attributes during the talent test," Mark explained. "Some of you will even awaken a partner Pokémon, also known as your Ace Pokémon. While many people have elemental affinities, only those who awaken an Ace Pokémon can truly become trainers."
He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in.
"Your Ace Pokémon is your most important companion. While you can capture and train other Pokémon using Poké Balls, your Ace Pokémon is unique. It's tied to your life force and protects you from harm. Without an Ace Pokémon, a trainer wouldn't stand a chance against wild Pokémon."
Mark smiled as he saw the excitement and determination in the students' eyes.
"You might wonder why Pokémon don't simply attack their trainers during battles. The answer lies in the bond with your Ace Pokémon. This bond acts as a safeguard, protecting you from both your own Pokémon and enemy Pokémon. Without it, commanding powerful creatures would be impossible."
Ethan furrowed his brow. This was a significant departure from the Pokémon world he remembered from his previous life.
Back then, Pokémon battles were simple and child-friendly. No one ever got hurt. But in this world, Mark's words painted a far more dangerous picture. A real Pokémon battle wasn't just a test of skill; it was a fight for survival.
"The strength of your Ace Pokémon determines your potential as a trainer," Mark concluded.
For the next half hour, Mark shared more insights about life as a trainer. He spoke about safety tips, the importance of respecting Pokémon, and the basics of managing battles.
Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
"Now, let's begin the talent examination!" the principal announced.
Starting with Class 3-Q, the National High School Pokémon Attribute Examination officially began.
Ethan felt his heart race as the line inched closer. This was it—the moment that would determine whether he had what it took to survive and thrive in this new world.