The written test went smoother than expected, primarily due to Lian's deliberate assistance. As a result, Kalia progressed significantly faster compared to other Trainers.
With supervisors present, any mischievous Trainers dared not engage in foul play and had no choice but to diligently search for their items.
Kalia received her exam paper and pen, quickly scanning it first. With ample time on her hands, a rapid overview gave her a good grasp of what to expect.
Meanwhile, feeling somewhat bored, Lian engaged in conversation with Togetic, whom he had just met, using Pokemon language to bond. This camaraderie might prove helpful during subsequent stages of the assessment.
As time passed, more Trainers entered the formal written test phase. Although they had wasted considerable time, they were still luckier than those who hadn't found their items yet.
"Luck and intelligence are essential qualities for outstanding Trainers," remarked one of the observers hidden in the shadows, showing no sympathy for the flustered Trainers unable to locate their belongings.
If they couldn't overcome this initial hurdle, their chances in the remaining two rounds were slim. The mid-level assessment allowed little room for chance or luck.
As time progressed, the Trainers still searching grew increasingly anxious. Their panic clouded their judgment, making it harder for them to remain composed.
Their minds began to race with irrational thoughts, even contemplating giving up. Sometimes, the items were right beside them, yet they overlooked them due to their lack of composure.
"Disappointing. This batch of Trainers is truly lacking; they can't even maintain basic calmness. In moments of crisis, staying composed is crucial. Such individuals, even if they become mid-level trainers, won't be able to fully unleash their Pokemon's potential." Several observers shook their heads silently, choosing not to intervene.
Time was running out. Most Trainers had settled into their exam mode, and some had already finished answering and were checking their work, like Kalia.
Kalia felt confident after completing all the questions, as she was well-prepared for most of them. Passing the written test seemed assured, and she might even exceed her expected score.
This success could be attributed to the time she dedicated to diligent study, which allowed her to approach the exam with a positive mindset, resulting in efficient completion of the questions.
After reviewing her answers confidently, Kalia took a moment to glance around at nearby Trainers. Some appeared tense, others relaxed, and a few looked utterly despondent...
"So many will be eliminated just in the first round," Kalia thought, aware of the high difficulty level that would undoubtedly lead to numerous disqualifications.
However, this didn't concern her as she felt secure in her performance. Now only the skills evaluation and practical assessments remained ahead.
She was highly confident in her Pokemon's abilities, having participated in several prestigious competitions that showcased their prowess.
The main uncertainty lay with the skills evaluation, as it depended on its specific format. Given the unconventional nature of the written test, it was likely different from previous years' methods and possibly even more challenging.
With these thoughts, Kalia decided not to waste time and promptly submitted her exam.
Naturally, the proctor had reviewed Kalia's detailed profile, along with those of other promising Trainers, garnering significant attention.
As she accepted Kalia's completed test, the proctor smiled slightly, well-aware of Kalia's achievements. Among the younger generation, Kalia was already beginning to shine brightly, with exceptional qualities aside from her relatively short tenure as a Trainer.
"Go ahead and rest over there."
Kalia nodded slightly and left under everyone's gaze. Her departure added pressure to many Trainers who still had a significant portion of the exam to complete.
Observing Kalia's relaxed demeanor, Lian surmised that she likely aced the written test and followed closely behind her.
His attention was immediately drawn to the refreshments prepared at the resting area, intended for both Trainers and their Pokemon.
During assessments, Trainers were not allowed to bring personal items, so the League provided food.
With two claws, Lian grabbed handfuls of vibrant red fruits and popped them into his mouth. The League-supplied fruits were undeniably delicious, crisp and sweet.
Unconsciously, Lian started eating faster due to their enticing taste.
Before long, he realized he had consumed too much and paused. However, noticing the dwindling supply of fruits, Lian quickly wiped his mouth and sneakily glanced at Kalia.
He observed Kalia deep in thought, but as soon as she reached out for more fruit, finding none, she snapped back to reality with surprise.
"Where's the fruit?" Kalia wondered, puzzled by its disappearance. At this point, only she and her Pokemon had not finished their assessments.
It didn't take much guessing to figure out what happened.
Lian met Kalia's gaze, and she sighed helplessly, "Charizard, you should have left some for the other Pokemon."
Fortunately, it wasn't a significant issue as the fruits were provided for both Pokemon and Trainers to satisfy hunger.
This was just a minor interruption. Even when some Trainers completed their assessments and noticed the diminished food supply, they didn't complain; their focus remained on the assessment results.
"Kalia, I recognize you now. Hi, my name is Tar," said the second Trainer who finished the written test, extending his hand to introduce himself to Kalia.
"Hello," Kalia nodded slightly.
Time flew by, and soon the written exam reached its conclusion. Many Trainers faced cruel elimination, with some even audibly sobbing.
The mid-level assessment occurred infrequently, and the next one would be a long wait away. The main concern was that several Trainers felt disheartened about their chances of advancing.
"It's over." When the supervisors returned, Kalia knew the written exam had ended. Now, all that remained was waiting for the final results.
Kalia spotted Mark after the test; they had been separated during the assessment, and she was unsure how he fared. Judging by Mark's expression, it seemed his written exam went reasonably well.
Mark noticed Kalia and quickly approached her with a slight smile, appearing to be in good spirits.
"How did it go?" Kalia asked.
"Not bad. I feel confident about passing." For Mark, scoring high wasn't necessary; passing was enough for him. He still held confidence in the remaining two assessments.
"That's great," Kalia responded, relieved. If Mark had failed in the first round, she would have genuinely felt sorry for him, as missing out so early would be truly unfortunate.
Failing the final assessment could be overcome with gained experience and improved Pokemon strength in future attempts. However, failing in the first round diminished the chances of success in subsequent rounds significantly.
The Trainers patiently awaited their results, while those who didn't complete the assessment left gradually, feeling embarrassed to stay.
Clap! Clap!
Soon, Mandia reappeared, carrying the outcomes of the first written examination round, addressing everyone present.
Mandia observed the surroundings; many Trainers had instinctively stood up and formed a line. Even without Mandia's instruction, there was an unspoken understanding among them.
Perhaps this is what they call presence.
"Firstly, I must express my disappointment as quite a few of you failed to locate your test papers and pens, leading to disqualification. I had hoped each generation of Trainers would surpass their predecessors, but it seems I was mistaken."
"In every assessment, there are always some foolish Trainers who lack even basic intelligence, making them unworthy of becoming exceptional Trainers."
"Of course, some of you aren't much better, merely luckier than the rest. Now, those whose names I will call can leave."