Oliver's Determination

The Next Day.

"Are we going now?" William looked at Bruce, who was fully equipped with an outdoor hiking bag, and asked aloud.

"Yes." Bruce nodded. 

He had searched online and discovered a place called Green Forest in the northern part of South Fairbay City, where the danger level was low, suitable for a first-timer like Bruce to venture into the wild.

Meals must be eaten bite by bite, and paths must be walked step by step. Bruce never felt complacent or satisfied with small achievements. In this real Pokemon world, the mortality rate for Trainers was not low, and many Trainers died in the wilderness each year.

Green Forest is some distance from the city center, and it takes at least two hours to get there by car. It's best to start early.

"Alright," William nodded, then took a Poke Ball from his belt, handed it to Bruce, and said, "The wilderness is full of unknowns, and no one can guarantee complete safety. This is my old partner. If you take it with you, your mother and I will feel more at ease."

Bruce's eyes lit up, and he took the Poke Ball, holding it in his hand. 

"Go," said Emma with a smile upon seeing Bruce accept the Poke Ball.

Bruce nodded slightly, put the Poke Ball on his belt, and walked out the door. 

When Bruce's figure disappeared completely, Emma moved her lips and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

William smiled and replied, "Don't worry; he's my old friend." 

...

Yesterday, Bruce had arranged for a driver, who took him directly to the entrance of Green Forest. 

With a loud roar, Bruce sat in the passenger seat, watching the rapidly passing scenery through the window.

"You seem pretty young, no more than twenty," the driver, an uncle with a heavy beard and a talkative personality, said. 

Yes, most drivers tend to be chatty.

But be careful—some drivers talk because they want to take a detour while chatting. 

Bruce smiled and chatted with the driver.

As they talked along the way, the car gradually left the city center and entered the suburbs.

An hour later, they arrived at the entrance of Green River Forest. 

Fairbay City is located in the southwest region, surrounded by green mountains and water, with many high peaks and rugged terrain.

So as soon as they reached the outskirts, Bruce could clearly see the rolling mountains at the horizon through the car window.

Fairbay City is close to a plateau region, which is why there are so many high mountains, home to countless Pokemon adapted to the characteristic terrain. 

As the car moved forward, the sun gradually rose, eventually high above them, and the intense heat waves spread in all directions. 

It's the height of summer, and the temperature is quite high.

An hour later, the car finally stopped at the outpost on the outskirts of Green Forest. 

This is one of the main entrances to Green River Forest, where Trainers are stationed year-round to protect it and prevent wild Pokemon from entering the city.

From here onward, there are mostly forest paths with dense trees, making it difficult for ordinary vehicles to pass, so one must walk. 

Bruce needed to register his information here before entering Green Forest. 

"Brother, I can only drop you off here. Just let me know in advance when you're heading back."

The driver waved goodbye and drove off. 

Meanwhile, Bruce registered his information at the outpost.

"Oliver Dragneel?" The staff member held an ID in his hand and looked at the young man with glasses in front of him. 

"Yes, that's me," Oliver replied quickly.

"Not bad, kid. You just graduated and have already become a regular Trainer," the staff member said indifferently. 

"Well, it's a bit of a coincidence," Oliver scratched his head and laughed upon hearing this.

The staff looked at another ID, then at the tall, burly man next to Oliver, and asked loudly, "Then you must be Thomas Wett, right?" 

"That's me," Thomas replied, standing silently like a tower, with his strong physique and broad back, standing at 1.9 meters.

"Alright, an elite Trainer. So, you're the sponsor who brought Oliver here?" the staff asked.

According to the regulations of the South Fairbay Pokemon Association, Trainers below the upper level cannot enter the wild alone. 

However, as long as there is a Professional or Ace Trainer acting as a sponsor, they can participate together.

It's similar to how a novice driver needs a veteran driver to accompany them on the road. 

"That's right, I'm taking my cousin along," Thomas replied with a smile.

The staff member nodded, and after completing the paperwork, finally said, "Alright, the procedures are complete; you may enter." 

Oliver and Thomas nodded at the same time and immediately left.

"How are you feeling? Excited?" Thomas looked at Oliver and asked with a smile. 

Oliver nodded eagerly, like a chicken pecking rice, "Excited! Very excited!"

After saying this, he looked up at the tall mountains in the distance and sighed, "If it weren't for you, cousin, I wouldn't know when I'd be able to go into the wild on my own."

Thomas patted Oliver on the shoulder with his large, fan-like right hand and said with a smile, "You're our future hope. We all hope you'll become a powerful Trainer."

Hearing this, Oliver smiled with a hint of embarrassment, "Cousin, don't make fun of me." 

Thomas shook his head and said seriously, "No, really, you got accepted into Metropolis University, and you have a bright future. At least you're much better than your cousin."

Oliver muttered, "Cousin, you're not a student of a top-tier university…" 

Thomas cleared his throat and changed the subject, "Anyway, this time we're entering Green Forest. On one hand, it's to sharpen your survival skills in the wild and help you rank well in the military training camp."

"On the other hand, it's to defeat your second Pokemon, train hard, and try to beat that guy you met at the Battle Club next time." 

Oliver seemed to catch Thomas's enthusiasm. He clenched his fists tightly, and the flames of fighting spirit started to burn in his eyes.

After the failure on the first day, Oliver had learned his lesson upon returning home, trained hard, and vowed to redeem his pride next time. 

As a result, Oliver couldn't contact Bruce because he didn't have his contact information initially, and he hadn't seen him at the Battle Club despite returning there for several days. So, he hadn't yet achieved his revenge.

"Next time we meet, I'll definitely defeat you!" 

Oliver shouted silently, already seeing Bruce as his first rival before heading to university.

"If I can't even beat my peers here, how can I stand out at the talent-filled Capital Metropolis University and become a powerful Trainer?" 

"And he's my first step towards Metropolis University!"

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To be Continued

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