chapter 11

As I said my goodbyes to the staff and teachers at the academy, I couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy wash over me. These people had become my family over the past four years, and it was difficult to imagine not seeing them every day.

As I packed my bags, I couldn't believe that my time at the academy had come to an end. It felt surreal to be leaving the island and returning to my home after such a long time. The teleportation process was quick, just some guy with a psychic Pokemon using teleport. I was hit with a wave of nostalgia. I was back in my childhood home, the place where I had grown up before I went to the academy.

Four years had passed since I first set foot in the academy, and I was now a 15-year-old with a regional starter, which happened to be a Mudkip.

In this world, the age of 15 marks a significant milestone for any young person. It signified the threshold of adulthood, a time when one could legally make their own decisions. I couldn't help but notice the irony, having come from a world where 15 meant being a teenager, still under the guidance and protection of adults.

But here, the reality was much harsher. Many children did not live to see their tenth birthday due to the dangerous nature of the world filled with powerful Pokemon. As a result, the government, in collaboration with the Pokemon League, decided to declare 15 as the age of legal adulthood. It was a way to encourage young people to take responsibility for their lives and explore the world on their terms.

However, not all 15-year-olds became Pokemon trainers. Some people were too scared of the dangers posed by these creatures and opted to buy already-trained Pokemon from the market. On the other hand, the wealthy elites saw the value in protecting their young ones with the most powerful Pokemon available, leading to the emergence of the so-called young master trainers. These trainers were often arrogant and believed themselves to be superior to others who had not been born into such privilege.

Although I came from a super wealthy family, we lived in a modest manor rather than an opulent mansion. Our home was cozy and inviting, with no butlers, maids, or chefs to attend to our every need. It was just my mother and me, and we lived a simple life. Despite my family's wealth, I never grew up feeling spoiled or entitled.

I didn't unpack because I would be leaving for my journey the next day, and there was no point in unpacking for just one night.

I sat at the dining table with my mother. As we finished our meal, I knew it was time to talk to my mom about my journey. I took a deep breath and said, "Mom, I want to talk to you about something important. You know I'm leaving tomorrow."

"Of course, Kian. What's on your mind?" she replied, looking at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"I don't want to use our family fund for my journey," I said firmly. "I want to make my way, earn my own money."

"But Kian," my mother protested. "Pokemon training requires a lot of money. The diets, the equipment, it's all expensive."

"I know, Mom," I said, trying to reassure her. "But I can make money by selling Pokemon or other things. And if I'm ever in trouble, I promise I'll call you."

My mother looked hesitant, but eventually, she nodded her agreement. "Okay, Kian. I trust you. But don't just call me for money," she said, her tone stern.

"I won't, Mom," I promised, grateful for her understanding. "I understand that because of my journey, I won't be able to call you frequently."

"It's okay, Kian," she said with a small smile. "You're an adult now. You have to walk your path."

"Thank you for understanding, Mom," I said

After washing the dishes, as my mother had requested, I went to my room to pack some books I had been meaning to bring along. I carefully placed "Legendary Pokemon: Gods of Our World," "Encyclopedia of Wild Berries and Herbs," and "Edible Plants of the Wild: A Trainer's Handbook" into my duffle bag, along with a few others.

I remembered that I had a complete map of Kanto in my back bag so I retrieved it to take a look. The map was detailed, showing forests, routes, and a few mountains. However, there were also off-limits routes that were marked in black. My teachers at the academy had warned me that these routes were incredibly dangerous, even for experienced trainers. Powerful and vicious Pokemon that could easily take down even the most skilled teams that inhabited them.

The map also depicted the Seafoam Islands and other small islands that were off-limits. Kanto was known for its harsh and unforgiving environment, which meant that young trainers rarely lasted long. Reports showed that every year, more than 3,000 newbies lost their lives in this region alone, making it the most dangerous of all the regions. Yet, it was also one of the strongest regions, thanks to the likes of Professor Oak and Agatha.

Despite the dangers, the league and other organizations worked hard to make Kanto a safer place for trainers.

As I finished examining the map, I began to rummage through it and found a plethora of items - cooking utensils such as pots, pans, and gas cans, medical supplies for emergencies, an ample supply of rations, a tent, a sleeping bag, a knife, hatchet, rope, and other tools were just some of the things I found. The sight of all these essentials brought a sense of relief, but I knew that even with these supplies, danger still lurked in the wild, whether from wild Pokemon or other people.

As I pondered this, I recalled Mr. Gill mentioning a surprise he had left for me in my duffle bag. I hadn't checked it yet and curiosity got the best of me.

I decided to pack away all my items back into my backpack except for the morphine, bandages, and knife, which I transferred to my belt pouches for easy access. As I opened my duffle bag, the sheer size of it took aback me. The space expansion technology used on it was unparalleled, making it much larger than my room.

Inside the duffle bag, I found a pile of Pokeballs, potions, and other medical supplies, various gadgets such as a plant and mineral scanner, a lighter, and a range of clothes.

There was even an entire section dedicated to training equipment for both myself and my Pokemon. There were small weights of various sizes, perfect for building strength and endurance. I pulled out a set of ankle weights, feeling the heft of them in my hands. I could already envision the rigorous training I could do with them strapped to my legs.

There were also resistance bands of different tensions, perfect for building muscle and improving flexibility.

I also found a jump rope, which would be perfect for cardio training. It was lightweight and compact, making it easy to take on the road with me. I could already feel my heart rate increasing just at the thought of the intense workouts I could do with it.

As I continued to dig through the training equipment, I found other items such as agility cones, hurdle sets, and even a small agility ladder. These tools would be perfect for improving my speed and agility, as well as helping my Pokemon master basic maneuvers on the battlefield.

And then, I noticed the surprises Mr. Gill had mentioned. To my surprise, it was a gun - an assault rifle and next to them were 2 cases full of ammunition. I recognized the gun as an M1911. My training in firearm combat and shooting, as well as other military tactics at the academy, allowed me to recognize the make and model quickly.

I picked up the gun and began checking it out skillfully, examining every inch of the weapon for any damage or issues. Once satisfied, I holstered the M1911 on my belt.

After setting aside the M1911, my attention shifted to the next surprise Mr. Gill had mentioned - an AR-15 assault rifle. I carefully picked up the weapon, taking note of its weight and balance in my hands. As someone with extensive training in firearm combat and shooting, I knew the importance of thoroughly examining a weapon before using it.

I began my examination, checking every inch of the rifle for any signs of damage or issues. I inspected the receiver, the barrel, the trigger, and the sights, making sure everything was in proper working order. As I examined the rifle, I noticed the high-quality components and precision engineering that went into its construction.

Once satisfied with my inspection, I loaded the magazine with the ammunition from the cases next to the rifle. I then chambered a round and shouldered the weapon, feeling the weight and balance once again. It felt nice after time away from my training.

While I knew that a powerful weapon like the AR-15 wouldn't be enough to kill stronger Pokemon, it could still be useful in creating a distraction or buying time for my own Pokemon to strike. The deafening sound of the gun and the sheer force of its bullets would be enough to deter all but the most determined of attackers, allowing me to create an opening for me and my team and to escape or prepare for a counterattack.

I woke up early and took a quick shower before getting dressed in my comfortable pants and shirt. My backpack was already packed, and I had my belt with Mudkip's Pokeball clipped on it but Mudkip was still in my dimension. My gun and rifle were safely tucked away in my backpack, out of sight. I headed downstairs to have breakfast with my mom.

"Good morning, Mom," I said, sitting down at the table.

"Good morning, honey," my mom replied with a small smile. "Are you excited to head out on your journey?"

I nodded, but I could tell she wasn't exactly thrilled about it. "Yeah, I can't wait to see what mysteries are out there. And who knows? Maybe I'll catch some new Pokemon along the way."

My mom's expression softened. "I know, I just worry about you. You just got back from the academy, too. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I'm ready," I said confidently. "I've been studying and training for this my whole life. And besides, I'm not going to be gone forever. I'll come back and visit whenever I can."

My mom sighed. "I know, I know. It's just hard to let go sometimes. So, what's your plan for today?"

"I'm going to head out to the surrounding forest," I said, taking a sip of my juice. "There aren't many strong Pokemon there, so it should be a good warm-up for me and Mudkip. Then I'll head to Pewter City."

My mom nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, that sounds like a good plan. Just be careful out there, okay? And don't forget to call me and let me know how you're doing."

"I will," I promised. "And don't worry, I'll be fine. I've got Kione with me, and we make a great team."

My mom smiled again, looking a bit more reassured. "I'm sure you do. Well, eat up and then you can head out. "

We both chatted, and I enjoyed our breakfast together.

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Pokemon:

Mudkip(Kione)