Pokémon: Trainers Start as Bounty Hunters.

In Tetsuya's view, they were more like Pokémon enthusiasts than trainers.

Let's use data to illustrate this in the simplest way.

According to the latest trainer roster released by the league for the new year, including officially recognized trainers who have passed away, the number of people who can be identified as trainers has now exceeded 150 million.

What kind of concept is this?

The total permanent population of the Kanto region is roughly around 80 million.

The other known areas are more or less the same.

In other words, although there are no specific statistics, if we include various scattered regions (such as the Orange Islands, Alola, Galar, and the Fire, Almia, Oblibia, etc.), the population of the entire Pokémon world is roughly around 600 to 700 million.

Let's make a bold assumption that there are still 100 million registered trainers alive (in reality, the number is definitely less than that).

Basically, one in every six or seven people is a trainer.

At this ratio, the actual value of a so-called trainer is not as high as one might imagine.

According to information Tetsuya read at Cape White last year, 95% of the trainers were below the elite level.

These are the "trainers" in front of him.

Most of them were excluded from the regional conference.

Even if they don't participate in regional tournaments, they would be very proud to obtain badges from some weak but official gyms.

Of course, compared to the remaining five or six out of every six or seven people, even if that trainer seemed amateurish to Tetsuya, his abilities were still quite good.

Under this premise, the event of exchanging spirits is proceeding in full swing.

It's just a bunch of noobs pecking at each other.

However, Tetsuya seemed somewhat out of place among them.

Ralts with an Energy Cube perched on its shoulder, and a Blaziken with extraordinary growth standing beside it.

Wherever he went, not even the most foolish trainer asked to trade.

An exchange is based on the premise that both parties have equal conditions.

Trading a Caterpie for a Ralts isn't called an exchange, nor is it called robbery; it's called a dream.

Putting aside the exchange process, Tetsuya hadn't found any shops selling Pokémon-related items that met his expectations along the way.

Fortunately, he had another option.

"pull"

Ralts looked up at the familiar building and exclaimed in surprise.

So, is there another game to watch tonight?

Tetsuya is now at the venue of the afternoon's Tauros vs. True Male Battle.

In addition to serving as a battleground, this place also serves as a venue for a grand exchange event for a select few elite trainers.

The guard at the door wisely opened the door and let Tetsuya in.

Needless to say, it was Ralts and Blaziken that had the effect.

Stepping inside, the atmosphere wasn't as lively as it was outside.

After all, they are all prominent figures.

"Take a look at the Metal Coat, an essential item for Bug-type Trainers! Don't miss it!"

Anyone interested in Eevee's three forms of Flareon? It's a real powerhouse in type mirror matches!

"The Magikarp that has evolved into Gyarados has become stronger. Of course, you must first have the ability to capture it."

......

Although it's better now, all sorts of shouts still exist.

Even the finest wine needs advertising; if you don't promote it, you won't reap any rewards.

There are exceptions.

For example, the small stalls that are arranged in a circle over there.

Tetsuya curiously leaned closer to take a look.

It is an elf egg.

If Zhe isn't mistaken, it should be Gastly.

Ralts frowned and tugged at Tetsuya's collar slightly.

Although it's still just an egg, the incompatibility between Psychic and Ghost types is already beginning to show.

From another perspective, this also shows that this Gastly egg is the offspring of a wild Pokémon rather than a Pokémon bred by a human trainer.

Because the Gastly egg bred by the trainer could never cause such great discomfort to a Psychic-type Pokémon inside the egg.

The main reason lies in the different sources of food and energy intake.

Tetsuya glanced at Zero's panel, then turned and left.

It's only elite level, not very useful.

Seeing his decisive action, the stall owner, who had just seen Ralts and wanted to say something to him, had no choice but to give up his idea.

That's true. With Psychic type already, why would we need Ghost type, let alone swap them?

"What kind of Pokémon do you want to trade with, you Gastly egg?"

Gradually, some people in the crowd began to ask questions.

As for why Pokémon eggs can also be included in the trading tournament, it's entirely due to the special nature of Pokémon eggs.

It's because the Pokémon is conscious and can react even when it's still in its egg.

Therefore, people generally still believe that elf eggs are also elves, and naturally they are among the objects of exchange.

"I don't like this."

After walking a short distance, Ralts's voice echoed in Tetsuya's heart.

Tetsuya paused for a moment.

"Perhaps, for some elves, this is not necessarily a bad thing."

He said so.

Ralts nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

It can sense the trainer's sincerity.

"When you grow up, you may be able to try to find the answer yourself and understand why this is so."

Tetsuya patted its little head.

There are no perfect solutions in this world, especially for a species like humans.

The League's rule against buying and selling Pokémon largely protects their rights.

It's very difficult to prohibit this kind of exchange.

Blaziken remained silent.

It doesn't want to think about all that.

All it knew was that Tetsuya and the others would always be together.

that's enough.

"Let's go."

Seeing Blaziken standing there blankly, Tetsuya, assuming it was pondering a problem like Ralts, patted its arm.

"Down"

Blaziken nodded.

Seeing Tetsuya engrossed in haggling with some vendors, it discreetly shooed away any ungrateful creatures that tried to approach Tetsuya to ask if he would trade Pokémon.

There's no way around it, Ralts is just too conspicuous in a place like this.

This is why Zhe didn't initially plan to bring the elves out.

But since Ralts wanted to come himself, we can't let the little guy down, right?

It's not a big deal anyway.

Before Tetsuya could even finish exploring half the area, almost everyone knew that a trainer with Ralts had arrived and wasn't willing to trade.

"Hey, you..."

A disdainful voice came from behind.

People around couldn't help but turn their heads to look over, wondering who was so annoying as to be here.

"I'm talking to you, you kid with Ralts."

Well, Tetsuya sighed silently.

You don't even need to look; you can tell just by listening to the voice. This is a nouveau riche second-generation idiot elf.

Reality is more magical than fiction.

There's no shortage of self-righteous people everywhere.

But they were practically pointing their fingers at him and yelling at him.

As a trainer who considers himself well-mannered, Tetsuya could only respond.

"Go home and play Magikarp."

"cough"

The sound of coughing was incessant all around.

The trainers nearby were all surprised that this handsome young man was so direct.

Among the crowd, some people recognized Tetsuya's identity.

"This is going to be interesting!"

They seemed to be the kind of people who love a good show.

And that is indeed the case.

The man dressed as a rich young master blushed instantly.

However, he still remembered his purpose for coming.

"You..."

"No change, take it or leave it."

Tetsuya immediately shut him up.

"Do you...do you know who I am?"

The rich young master stammered for a long time, but could only manage to utter a question that was both laughable and absurd.

Tetsuya indicated he didn't want to reply and gave Blaziken a look.

Such immature individuals only have a chance to survive in the world of elves.

If the people in this fantastical world have even slightly flawed personalities, they shouldn't even think about living to adulthood.

Blaziken walked up to the other side without saying a word.

Intense flames erupted on its wrists.

The rich young master felt the scorching heat, then looked up at the Blaziken, which was nearly two heads taller than him, and swallowed hard.

"We are trainers, and we should solve problems in a trainer's way."

He seemed somewhat unsure of himself.

The trainers around them made way for them.

The so-called trainer's method is very simple: battle, and only the winner has the right to speak.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the loser has to fulfill all the demands of the winner.