Hoshino's expression at that moment was completely dumbfounded; he had always thought that these people were joking about going to school, but it seemed that wasn't the case at all.
So, the question was, why should a Trainer go to school? Shouldn't he set off on a journey around ten years old? Why on earth?
After much thought, he couldn't figure it out, so he raised the question. Hala, hearing this, became even more serious: "Go on a journey at ten? What can a ten-year-old child do? He can't do anything!"
"Knowledge of wilderness survival, Pokémon training and battling knowledge, ways to deal with various situations… All of these must be thoroughly learned at school before he can go on a journey!"
"…"
Hoshino was bewildered. Weren't these supposed to be innate skills that everyone in the Pokémon world was born with? Did he actually need to learn them?
Perhaps seeing that he wasn't very clear about this, Hala continued: "Our Alola Region started relatively late. Due to its smaller area and population, it was quite backward in many aspects and was always treated as a holiday destination."
"It was only about ten years ago, thanks to the tireless efforts of some Trainers who went from Alola to other regions to study and then returned, that the outside world recognized us as a proper region, not some small, rural backwater."
"After that, to keep up with the development of other regions, we also began to prioritize education and built the only Pokémon School in the Alola Region in Hau'oli City."
"At that time, all four of us Kahunas took this very seriously. If there weren't enough school teachers or educational resources, we would go to other regions and pay for them. It took several years to finally stabilize and begin to develop."
"Now, in the Alola Region, any child who reaches 12 years old is mandatorily required to attend school. Unlike other regions, we don't require tuition fees here now. Six years of compulsory education are provided, so you can rest assured!"
This was the famous Hala's persuasion to study. Hoshino knew he couldn't escape. If he agreed, then he would be considered an Alolan. If he refused, putting aside everything else, he would directly revert to being wild.
He didn't agree immediately, only letting out a long sigh: "I just want to have legal identification and become a Trainer. Is it that difficult?"
Hearing his mumble, Hala suddenly laughed: "Want to become a Trainer? Just go to school."
"Hmm?"
Seeing Hoshino's puzzled expression again, Hala smiled and patiently continued: "It seems you lack a lot of common sense, so you must go to school and study hard! In the past, the profession of Trainer had no requirements; anyone could be one, which led to a lot of overconfident individuals. Children barely ten years old would run into the wilderness without knowing anything…"
"To prevent a drastic decrease in population, educational institutions later collaborated with the Pokemon League Association to issue regulations: if you don't attend school, you cannot become a Trainer, nor can you legally possess Pokémon. Moreover, without a graduation certificate, many places are inaccessible."
"…"
Hoshino was resigned. Did he really have to go to school? It felt like a complete waste of time.
But if it was six years of compulsory education starting from age 12, then he could graduate at 18. For him, that would be a three-year period!
Perhaps seeing his thoughts, Hala suddenly said again: "Indeed, you can get a graduation certificate from the Pokémon School at just 18 years old, and then you can go anywhere. But…"
"Hmm?"
"But if you don't continue on to university, you won't be able to take exams to raise your Trainer level. Professional knowledge in this area is very important. If your level is too low, it will be especially difficult to take civil service exams or participate in large competitions at the Pokemon League Association later on."
"Trainers have to take exams too!?"
"Haha, but don't worry, our Alola's Pokémon School offers a 'one-stop service' as a two-in-one. University is also included. After six years of compulsory education, you can directly advance to university on the spot. No other place offers this kind of treatment!"
"…What kind of Pokémon world is this!"
Hoshino was truly stumped. The bizarre Pokémon in Kabukicho were already absurd enough, but he never expected the even more absurd things to be on the human side.
Hadn't he transmigrated to this world to travel around and meet Pokémon? Why did he still have to go to school and take exams? He had already been tormented enough in his previous life; he suddenly didn't want to go to school anymore!
His mindset fluctuated a tiny bit, but he managed to remain stable. However, he always felt like he wasn't facing an Kahuna, but rather a school admissions office. Had he been sold out by Slowking?
Carrying these doubts, he curiously asked: "Speaking of which, how are classes usually conducted at this Pokémon School? Are there morning and evening self-study sessions?"
"Normally, it's from 9 AM to 12 PM in the morning and 1 PM to 4 PM in the afternoon, six hours of classes every day. No classes on weekends, but there will be regular wilderness survival courses, and also activities like ecological surveys in other regions or interactions with other schools."
"Oh…"
At this, Hoshino finally felt a bit relieved. He had thought it would be one of those schools where classes ran from 6 AM to 10 PM, but it seemed quite free.
But then again, it was a Pokémon School, primarily for training Trainers, so it naturally wouldn't completely confine him like an ivory tower.
This way, he would have plenty of time. He would muddle through three years, then muddle through university. School was always something that just passed by as you muddled through it.
"Since that's the case, then I'll go to school. So, when can I go?"
"It's the weekend now. I'll help you sort out your identification later. Leave the rest to me. You can go straight to school the day after tomorrow. I'll have Slowking relay the remaining information to you."
"Then thank you very much!"
Although he still felt something was a bit off, Hoshino couldn't quite pinpoint it. However, his luck was pretty good. Aside from owing money, everything else was a complete one-stop service. It truly lived up to the Alola Region's reputation for warmth and hospitality.
"Oh, by the way, I'm 15 now. I've missed three years of education. Is that really okay?"
Hearing this, Hala laughed heartily and replied: "Of course it's fine! Just start learning from the beginning. That's right, from first grade!"
"???"
This script wasn't right! Hoshino was bewildered. Shouldn't it be fourth grade? Did that mean he would have to wait six more years to get his graduation certificate? To be able to travel freely?
"No way, absolutely no way!"
He didn't have that much time, so he said to Hala with a serious expression: "Actually, I know a lot about Pokémon. There's no need to start from scratch at all. Plus, I've been wandering in the wilderness, so I can already handle all sorts of situations!"
"Is that so?"
Hala glanced at Slowking, but Slowking didn't know much either, though he still nodded.
After understanding, he looked back at Hoshino and said: "Indeed, it seems that besides not being a Trainer, you're already ahead in other aspects. Starting from scratch would waste a lot of time…"
"Mhm, mhm!"
"Then…"
As he spoke, Hala suddenly noticed Cyclizar over there, playing and chasing a wild Pikipek, and asked: "Is that your Pokémon?"
"That's right!"
"But it doesn't seem to have been caught, and even if it was, you're not a legal Trainer."
"…"
Seeing Hoshino fall silent, Hala suddenly smiled and asked: "Then, how about this?"
"Hmm?"
"Since you say your professional knowledge is extensive, then prove it through a Pokémon battle. As long as you win, you won't need to start from scratch, and I'll even give you a Poké Ball!"
"Really?"
"After all, giving initial Pokémon to newcomers is our duty as Kahunas. You already have Cyclizar, so I can only give you a Poké Ball to catch it. How about it?"
"A battle, huh…"
Hoshino looked at Cyclizar, who was still playing over there. He could only use it to battle, but since Hala had already brought it up…
"Then let's do it, Pokémon battle!"
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