First day at work Chapter -7

As I set off on my path toward the gym, the day held a surprise in store for me. Along the way, I had a chance encounter with none other than Brawly, the renowned gym leader. To my surprise, he was accompanied by his Pokémon partner, Machop. They were engaged in a brisk jog, heading in the direction of the gym itself. Their focused determination was evident, showing their dedication to their training.

With a cheerful grin, I greeted Brawly, "Good morning, Brawly!"

Even as he caught his breath from the jog, Brawly managed to return the smile and respond, "Ha...ha, good morning, Rex." His reaction carried a hint of astonishment, which made sense considering that, in the past, I hadn't been very outgoing due to my father's neglect.

Seeking to keep the conversation flowing, I asked, "Are you excited about today being our first day of work?"

This question prompted a brief pause as we exchanged a meaningful glance. Brawly's eyes met mine, and a smile graced his lips. "I am excited," he shared, his voice reflecting a blend of determination and enthusiasm. "This is the first step toward conquering the biggest wave ever known," he continued, his words resonating with a sense of purpose. His eyes seemed to light up as he spoke, revealing the depths of his aspiration.

Curious to understand my own feelings better, Brawly turned the question back to me. "So, how are you feeling?"

I found myself momentarily at a loss for words. It was as if the feelings within me were a mixture of excitement, uncertainty, and disbelief. After a moment of collecting my thoughts, I attempted to put my emotions into words. "Honestly, I don't have a clear answer. I'm definitely excited, but it's hard to explain exactly how I feel. Everything seems so surreal; it's almost hard to believe that this is really happening."

As I spoke, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comradeship with Brawly. Our shared journey as gym trainers was just beginning, and it was heartening to find that even someone as inexperienced as Brawly had his own dreams and uncertainties. While I don't know what I am going do after the gym internship.

As we arrived at the gym, we made our way to the reception area where we were greeted by Eve, who had been waiting for us. She gave us a friendly smile and said, "Hello, boys! Come with me to the gym trainer's lounge. I'll explain your work and responsibilities there."

With a nod of understanding, both Brawly and I followed her as she led the way to the lounge. Once inside, the cozy atmosphere of the lounge welcomed us, creating a sense of anticipation for the information we were about to receive.

Eve began by addressing us, her tone both welcoming and professional. "I'm glad to have you both here as part of our gym team. Our gym has been getting an increasing number of challengers in these past years, and it's becoming quite a challenge to manage them all. That's where your role comes in."

She went on to explain that our primary task was to assist the gym in managing the influx of challengers. With a touch of pride in her voice, Eve continued, "You'll be engaging in battles with these trainers, helping to evaluate their skills and potential. As you know, our gym has a reputation for being one of the toughest, and that means we need a way to shortlist the most eligible trainers who have what it takes to challenge Argen, our gym leader. Only trainer's sponsored by professors are exempted from this format" I think she means to say there are too many challengers while only one Argen.

Listening attentively, I felt a sense of responsibility settling in. The opportunity to be a part of this selection process felt like a true responsibility. Eve's words resonated with the significance of our role, and the weight of the gym's reputation was not lost on me.

Eve concluded, her tone both encouraging and motivational. "Your battles will not only test the challengers but also help you grow as trainers. The battles you conduct will aid us in identifying those who have the potential to face Argen. It's a vital role that you'll play in shaping the future of our gym."

As Brawly and I exchanged a determined glance, I realized that our journey was not just about personal growth; it was about contributing to the legacy of the gym and the aspirations of fellow trainers. With this new understanding, we were ready to embrace the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead.

"There are actually six other trainers alongside both of you. While you are considered beginner trainers, it's important to know that if a challenger comes from the elite or intermediate category, and there's a need for a battle, you can utilize the gym's Pokémon. These are the Pokémon that our gym sponsors have taken on their journeys. However, this will only be possible with the consent of the trainers who have already exceeded the carry limit of six Pokémon."

Eve's explanation took a more serious tone as she delved into the specifics of battle rules. "When it comes to the battles, you have the flexibility to choose the format that suits you best. It could be a 1-on-1 or a 2-on-2 battle, and so on – it's entirely your decision. However, I want to emphasize that you won't be allowed to substitute your Pokémon during the battle. This rule only applies to the you not the challenger as he/she can there pokemon in battle in 2-on-2 format and above."

After listening to Eve's words, I started to understand that being a gym trainer was a big responsibility. I began to think about how to do battles. I decided that 1-on-1 battles would be the best for me. It would let me fight with many challengers in a row and learn about my Pokémon's strengths. I knew that I could make strategies later when my Pokémon are stronger.

I got assigned to battlefield 8, and I went there to wait for my first challenger. I was feeling both excited and a little nervous. The place felt full of energy from the battles before. As I stood there, I knew I was ready to face any challenges that came my way. I was waiting for my first challenger, feeling a strong sense of being part of a team with a common goal. And didn't feel as lost as in the morning.