The next day

Cam put on a dress shirt, hung the ball rack on his belt, and checked his appearance in the mirror.

"It's finally here."

Sirona, dressed in her usual coat, said to Kem.

Kem turned his head and nodded.

\"Ahh Oh, yes. \"

"I'm nervous, I guess."

"Well, because of that, I don't want it to look uncool to Pokémon."

I put on my watch, put my ID card and admission ticket in the inner pocket of my jacket, and grabbed my tie.

Sirona snatches the tie from Kem. Kem turned his attention to Sirona, wondering what was going on, but Sirona smiled kindly.

"I put it on. Stand up the collar. ”

"Ahh

Keim lifted the collar of his shirt in surprise. Sirona puts her tie around Kem's neck and ties it in a knot.

"Give you a little help in the future"

“… That's right. ”

There is not much difference in height between Sirona and Kem. Therefore, the faces of Sirona and Kem, who wore ties, inevitably became closer. While our current relationship isn't close enough to meet, the situation is a bit like a future relationship, and there is something awkward.

"Yes, it's done."

Kem looked in the mirror and nodded.

"Thank you."

"Yes.

Sirona struck Kaym the back.

Kaim, who had been hit, exhaled softly and patted his cheek before regaining his senses.

"I'll be back"

Sirona smiled softly, feeling her determined voice and ambition.

The written test will be held in a conference room. There was only one table in there, and it looked monotonous, but I guess that's how the exam is. Considering that the candidate is only Kem, it is inevitable that it will be so monotonous.

"Please sit down."

At the prompting of a man on the league's management committee, Kem sat down.

There is only a set of writing utensils such as test questions and pencils on the table.

"The time limit is two hours, and time is managed by this clock."

"Yes"

Kem placed the watch on the table and picked up a pencil.

"Then please get started."

Keim asked questions as the proctor spoke.

When Kem comes out after completing the written test and interview, Sirona greets him.

"Thank you for your hard work, how's that?"

"Ah, to be honest, it's really easy."

Kem grumbled as he took the can of coffee that Sirona handed him.

"Oh, really?"

"The interview is okay, but the written test is no more than half the time."

"Are you having any problems?"

Keim loosened his tie slightly, opened the tab of the canned coffee, and drank. After taking a breath, he gently shook the jar and replied.

"If you understand what the school is going to do, you'll be able to pass 70 percent. To be honest, the other questions are not a big deal, they are all at the level of senior first-year students. ”

"Given your academic background, school-level questions aren't enough."

Kem U is a graduate of the high-level Jade Worm University, although often forgotten. School-level questions can be boring.

"I've been rethinking the rest of the time, but there was no problem and I almost got a perfect score."

"Hehe, I'm relieved, how was the interview?"

Unlike before, Kem didn't answer immediately.

Sirona tilted her head, wondering what was going on.

"Can't you do it?"

"No, I can answer normally. I just have some concerns."

"I wonder if you've ever asked me some interesting questions?"

Kem nodded at Sirona's inquiry.

"Finally, I was asked, 'What does gym leader mean to you?' ””

"What kind of existence is the gym director? This is indeed a difficult question to answer, how do you answer it? ”

Keim replied as he sipped the can of coffee and tossed the empty can into the trash.

"He's an obstacle for trainers. At the same time, he is also a person who conveys the joy of fighting and how good he is through fighting"

Gym leaders award new coaches with official Pokémon League badges. Of course, if you don't defeat the Gym Leader, you won't get the Gym Badge. This is my first "wall" as a Pokémon trainer. I want to be part of that "wall".

"I've lost to the gym leaders many times, I've challenged them many times, and I've lost many times. So whenever they challenge me, I will deal with them, no matter how desperate I am. I wish I could convey his strength and the joy of fighting. ”

Kem spends a lot of time collecting gym badges, sometimes challenging the same gym leader multiple times along the way. So this time I want to treat him well.

He also conveyed the joy of fighting and his own advantages. That's what I learned from Sirona. If you don't know how to have fun, you won't be able to continue. If you don't understand your strengths, you can't improve your game. Kem knows this well, so he wants to be a gym leader like that.

"Hehe, it looks like you."

"I don't know what other people think, but it feels best for me."

"I'm sure there's no right answer to the image of a gym leader. The question asks what kind of person you want to be. ”

"I hope my answer doesn't go off the mark."

"So? It's still there, isn't it? ”

Kem nodded at Sirona's point.

"Didn't I say the written test questions are easy? Why do you ask me if my level is so high? ”

"How did you answer?"

"The Gym Curator Recognition Exam is an exam for anyone who has graduated from the school or is enrolled in the school can become the Gym Curator. As long as it is said that anyone can become the director of the gym, it cannot be so. "More than a certain level of difficulty. If you can't become the head of the gym when you are a student, like Lan, you won't be able to raise the difficulty of the problem. And, what a big deal. What the gym owner needs is a range of strength. Knowledge is of course necessary, but without strength, it is meaningless. So I'll just say that's all. ”

The Gym Curator Approval Exam is a test that allows anyone to become a gym curator. There is naturally a difference in age among those who take the exam, as well as differences in academic ability.

To avoid this discrepancy from affecting test results, Keim argues, they administer tests that allow students to get a passing score using only school-level knowledge.

"I see. This may be true. ”

"There was no response to that, so I don't know if that was the right answer."

And, along the lines of this line, Kem may also ask about the level of the written test during the interview.

Do you think about why you are at this level when you take the exam, instead of blindly taking the exam? Maybe you think about it so much when you take the written test.

"I see, that's a blind spot. \"

"I don't know if that's true or not. So it's still there? ”

"Oh no, it did happen, but"

Keim's words were somehow not resolved. As Sirona tilted her head, wondering what was going on, Kem whispered.

"As proctors, Natarn and Maximisan were also present for the interview, but they were both dressed in their usual clothes and I was embarrassed that I was the only one wearing a suit. \"

Hearing this, Sirona suddenly laughed. I don't know if it's about the costumes and not the interview itself, I think it's lovely that Kem cares so much about that.

"Huhuhu, I see."

\"No, I'm sorry Miss Maxi is naked as usual, right? And I was in a suit in front of her. I'm so sorry. \"

"Hehe, thank you for your hard work."

Kem clutched his head, blushing slightly. Shirona took Cam's hand.

"Okay, let's go to dinner, I'm going to prepare for the practice exam."

"Ahh

Kem was led by Sirona to the restaurant.

*

Actual test site

Pokemon League Stadium

Kem stood in a suit with two monster balls in his hands.

There are elite coaches in the stadium in front of you. and the league management committee at the referee's office.

"So, let's start the practical exam for the gym director certification exam. \"

Hearing this, both Kem and the elite trainer set up monster balls. The first two battles of the actual test will be fought with two rental Pokémon each, and the final battle will be fought with three of your own Pokémon.

"We will use two rental Pokémon! Do not use tools other than those you have! Now, let's get started! ”

"Let's go! Pottesi! ”

"Please, Luxio."

Potaihi is an elite trainer and Luxio is Kem's trainer.

The Pokémon they use now are leased Pokémon. Both are at level 20.

"Side by side! Bubble Corson! ”

"Luxios Parker" Luxio wears "Spark", breaks through Pottaishi's "Bubble Cosen" and charges.

Just then, Potheus jumped to the side, avoiding a direct hit, but ended up suffering the after-effects of the electricity surrounding him.

I could move around better than I expected. Should I adjust the timing of the order?

This test is designed to test whether you are able to demonstrate your range of strength as a gym leader. Therefore, our goal is not just to fight with all our might, but to match our opponents and reach our true potential in a good fight.

The opponent's elite trainer is also as strong as the gym trainer, but he deliberately uses Pokémon that are still in the training stage to let his Pokémon gain experience, while effectively limiting his own strength.

The purpose of this fight is not to win, but to play a good game. Play a beautiful match and play at the best level of your opponent's Pokémon. I have no intention of using that potato's potential.

It's not just about beating your opponents, it's about evaluating your opponent's moves and thinking about how to move them. This was the hardest point for Kem.

\"Potai Stone! Water jets! \"

Kem was quite reactive to the Botaishi that had hedged over, but he didn't dare to give any orders. After receiving a direct blow, observe the battle and learn about the damage and the actions of the Potaishi.

I will do my best

With this determination, Kem gave instructions to Lucio.

"Five snakes! Flash Drive! \"

"Tuo Dakun, Gyro Ball"

The Five Snakes are surrounded by flames and charge, but Doda-kun spins and collides with the Five Snakes. Dotakun is knocked flying by the collision, but he regains his balance in the air.

"Boy's Moon!"

Dotaquin used gravity to smash his skull, which was wrapped in the power of the ability, into Gang Kazaru. The five snakes are hit by a powerful attack and fall to the ground.

"Gokaza can't fight. Dota Quint wins! ”

"Whew."

He exhaled as Kaimu put the rented Tsuchida back on the ball.

Now the second battle is over. It turned out to be a win, a minute, and I think it was a good fight for Kem.

After two fights, I got a little hot and took off my coat. Keim asked the staff to take care of his jacket, and he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.

"Do you want to continue like this? Or do you want to take a break? ”

Keim calmly answered the referee's question.

"I'll just keep going."

It's true that I'm a little tired, but now I'm feeling much better. Keim felt it would be a waste to slow down his upward momentum, so he chose to continue.

"I understand, now, it's the last battle of the actual combat exam."

As the referee said this, the door across from Kem slowly opened. The final battle is an all-out battle where you will fight your own Pokémon. And Kem knows something about the strong that Nathane speaks of.

Coming through the door was a man dressed in overalls and cloaks and the like.

"Probably."

Kem smiled wryly when he saw the man's face Tugan.

On the other hand, Sirona, Nathane, and Maxi, who watched from the audience, commented on the battle of Kem.

"Heh~. You've only been a few months now, but you're able to make good moves. ”

"I didn't expect it to be so much."

Even in the eyes of the two seasoned gym leaders, Kem's moves were pretty good. His moves were enough for a gym leader, and it was a battle that was enough to admit.

\"How? From the perspective of the two of you, how was the battle in Kem just now? \"

"Can I confess to you?"

"Of course. Otherwise, it doesn't matter. ”

Kem is Sirona's apprentice. Although Natahn felt that she was not too harsh, she was relieved and opened her mouth when she heard Sirona's words, as if telling her to hit him.

"As I said earlier, your actions are not bad, to be honest, even if you continue to be the head of the Dao Pavilion, you may be able to run the Dao Pavilion normally. Even if it's only for a few months, being able to work in the gym is a big deal. "Experience as a gym leader."

Maxi nodded in agreement with Natane's words.

"Oh, I didn't expect that young man to make it this far."

However, Maxi interrupted at this point, and he crossed his hands to his chest with a serious expression.

"However, he is a bit lacking in offensive ability, more passive, and if he lacks his own offensive attitude, he will be crushed."

\"In the meeting between Tada-kun and the pentagonal ape just now, there was also a scene where I didn't have to bear the attack. If I meet face-to-face this time, I'm sure I'll be better at that. Yes. Although it is fast, if you can move that far, you can avoid it in some cases. Indeed it is. \"

"Also, his movements are a little stiff, it doesn't seem to be the reason for the nervousness, maybe it's a mental factor."

"Sure enough, you've found the right place."

In fact, in the current battle, Kem often stands on the receiving end and continues to fight. Of course, there are some Pokémon that are good at attacking, but there are also offensive Pokémon like Luxio. It is inappropriate to use receiving tactics for such Pokémon.

"It's about Kem's character and the way he's good at it. But there's a reason for that. ”

"Why?"

"Yes, Keim is really good at receiving the ball, but now, he 'dare' use this kind of receiving tactic."

"What is the reason?"

"All in all, for the future."

Natane and Maxi tilted their heads for some reason.

"As for the mental stuff, okay, I think I'll be able to fix it today."

The stiffness of his movements is due to nervousness, but there is also an underlying mental problem. Lack of their own combat record. This made Kem's movements stiffen a little.

Still, all this will be resolved in the next battle. Shirona thought so.

"Also, I think if Kem is my next opponent, his hardness will disappear."

\"In that case, let's take a look and have an extreme fight! \"

Sirona and the others looked back at the field.

At that moment, I saw a man walk in through the doorway, facing Kem.

"Do your best"

Sirona whispered as she stroked the red ring on her right ring finger.

Kemkeim's eyes narrowed when he faced his opponent on the court, Tugan.

"It's Mr. Higashiwa. \"

Hearing Cam's words, the corners of the puppet's mouth twisted.

“？ Sounds like you knew I was coming. ”

"Somehow, though. That's what I thought. ”

"Hehe, your instincts are pretty sharp."

There is no sign of an even stem coming here. However, when Kem heard that a third full-scale fight was coming, he inexplicably predicted that his opponent would be Tugan. There is no reason to do so. It's just a gut feeling.

"Finally able to fight you for real, we've fought in the gym several times, but haven't really gone all out yet, right?"

“… Why do you think so? ”

"What, it's simple. First of all, I'm weak. Even before studying abroad, the trainer's ambition to overcome a strong sumo wrestler was unlikely to reach that level. And, I'm not at all for it yet. "Power in the truest sense of the word. I lost. Although there is, it is hard to imagine that a trainer who makes Takata suffer will lose to a gentle person like me. ”

"Did you find out?"

Of course, everything Kem did was not done out of malice. Since this is a battle after taking into account the physical condition and condition of the Pokémon and the training situation, I deliberately adjusted it. Because they are each other, there is nothing to blame.

"It's a fight after training.

"Yes"

"But now I don't care."

With a fearless smile, Toegan pointed the monster ball at me. The forging domineering is ejaculated from Togan.

"Let me see. Your seriousness. ”

"Yes.

Keim also picked up the ball and pointed it at Tugan.

"The battle begins!"

Then, with a shout from the referee, the Pokémon were sent out.

"Let's go! Haganeru! ”

"Please, Lucario. \"