Chapter 005

"Close to evolution? Does this mean that if a pokemon has 100% training it can be evolved? But aren't Growlithe supposed to evolve using a Fire Stone? That means it should be able to evolve anytime right?" wondered Alex. He had thanked Officer Jenny and went to the Pokemon Center as planned. "Looks like I have a lot more to study if I want to get a decent rank in the upcoming examinations."

In this Pokemon world he transmigrated to, the yearly examination was of utmost importance. Trainers were the most populous and most popular profession and accounted for a large part of the economy. Save for a few specialized professions with a very high barrier of entry like Researcher, Computer Specialist or Management, and a few professions with very low growth potential like Clerk or Salesperson, all of the jobs had at least something to do with Pokemon. Hence the trainer profession was the mainstream of this world. While the trainer profession had a relatively low barrier of entry, meaning that almost anyone with the desire to do so can become a trainer, to advance as a trainer was difficult. Stronger species of Pokemon were very rare and exist only deep in the wilderness. So unless you were okay with having a Ratatta or Caterpie as your starter, you need the help of more powerful or established trainers to get you started. And also, disregarding the relative weakness of commonly available Pokemon in the early stages, training equipment, training techniques, Potions, Elixers, Pokemon Food, Pokeballs and essential wilderness support like detailed maps and Repels were expensive. A new trainer with a weak Pokemon couldn't afford it without any help unless he was incredibly lucky.

The best way for a person not born with connections and riches to become a trainer was to accept sponsorships. This was a commonly used practice in this world. A person with enough wealth would become the sponsor of an aspiring trainer and provide him means to get a starter Pokemon, essential supplies he needs for training, and render help in any necessary means. There were two common types of sponsorship.

Job sponsorship, where the sponsored individual is expected to work for the sponsor's organisation in exchange for getting him started as a trainer. The organisation provides salaries, benefits and incentives for the individuals who accept this sponsorship. The other type is adventure sponsorship. The trainer is fully sponsored by an individual or organisation to go on an adventure around the region for some time. In exchange, the sponsored trainer represents the sponsor in official tournaments, exhibition matches, and gym circuits, and thus brings profits and fame to the sponsor.

If the sponsored trainer perished or turns out to be a dud, the sponsor bears all the loss, of both the starter pokemon he arranged and all the money and connections he spent to get the trainer started. So sponsors chose the trainers rather carefully, especially in the case of adventure sponsorship.

Around 14 years ago, to oppose the relative chaos of sponsorship that was present due to the large number of aspiring trainers seeking scholarships and limited sponsors, the league established a yearly examination. This examination was known as the Pokemon Inclusive Test, or PIT for short. Any member of the alliance could apply for this test provided that he or she is at least 10 years old and below 18.

The PIT is a comprehensive test all about Pokemon. It takes place every year at the beginning of February and the final round lasts well into March. Over 1 million people ally for this test every year in Kanto alone. Out of these around half million were first-time applicants, while the rest were people unsatisfied with the results in the previous years and applying again. According to some statistics he heard, over 8 million people applied for this exam across all regions.

This exam was conducted in 5 stages. The first stage was an exam that could be given in your locality by registering in the Pokemon Center. It was an hour-long test and lasted a week in total. In smaller towns, the exam would be done in a day, as there were only a few people who would take the test. He had heard that in larger towns there were multiple exam centres, yet it took 5 days for all the applicants to finish the test. This test was mainly about basic knowledge of different Pokemon and theoretical knowledge like type matchups, Pokemon Moves, and Pokemon Items.

The second round took place in the third week of February. Only 10% of all registered applicants would usually qualify for this round. This would be another theoretical test, but it would be more in-depth and cover more advanced knowledge on the same topics. This round would further eliminate another 90% of the applicants.

The third round, beginning in March, is only held in certified examination centres, which are usually in bigger cities. The candidates who took the first two examinations in local centres have to travel to the bigger centres for the third round. This round is a two-hour test, with a one-hour knowledge-based exam on theoretical topics and a one-hour practical exam where you have to identify and answer questions about the Pokemon which are brought in for the test. Out of the hundred certified centres in Kanto, on average, each would have about 100 people taking the test.