Pokemon: Master of tactics-Chapter 438

Three days later.

Alex remained at Skyreach Orphanage for the entire time.

He spent those days mostly with Maria, but he also made an effort to meet every staff member and nearly all of the children. He listened more than he spoke. Watched how they behaved when they thought no one important was paying attention.

During that time, 5 children stood out.

Their reactions were quicker. Their focus sharper. A kind of quiet awareness that most children their age lacked.Although two children also had something else that made them special.

Alex didn't comment on it, but he remembered their faces.

Despite staying at the orphanage, Alex didn't neglect his training. He and his Pokémon continued their routines whenever possible—aside from the designated rest days. Discipline didn't vanish just because the surroundings were peaceful.

On the morning of the fourth day, Maria helped him gather everyone in the assembly hall.

47 children sat in orderly rows, feet dangling or planted firmly on the floor depending on age. The staff members took seats along the sides, some curious, others cautious.

A low murmur filled the room.

Then Alex stepped forward.

The room quieted almost immediately.

He stood at the front with relaxed posture, hands loosely at his sides, a faint smile on his face as he looked over the children.

After a brief pause, he began to speak.

Alex looked over the rows of children for a moment before speaking.

"I won't keep this long," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried easily through the hall.

"This place exists for one reason. To give you time."

A few children shifted in their seats.

"Time to eat properly. Time to sleep without fear. Time to grow without being forced to choose between bad options."

He paused.

"Skyreach isn't here to make you happy every day. It's here to give you a chance to decide who you want to become."

Some of the older kids frowned, listening closely.

"No one here expects gratitude," Alex continued. "You're not in debt. You're not owned. But that also means something else."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"You're responsible for yourselves. For your actions. For how you treat others."

Alex glanced briefly toward Maria, then back to the children.

"This orphanage has rules. They exist so the weak don't get crushed and the strong don't become tyrants. If you follow them, you'll be protected here."

He took a breath.

"You're all the 10% who are unregistered. If you want to make something of yourselves, a trainer is the best option. As long as you keep in mind that the death rate for rookie trainers in their first year is 90-95%."

Alex didn't believe the rookie trainer death rate was that high, even though the Alliance made the statistics public.

He suspected that the statistics used selective data, which led to such an inflated death rate.

Although Alex was certain that poor trainers had a very high death rate in their first year, he believed that wealthier trainers shouldn't have a death rate higher than 20%.

But he would never say that publicly.

"Many of you don't want to risk it, which is completely understandable."

"But for the few brave—or foolish—enough to try, it's the best option."

"In return, you'll be given opportunities. Education. Training. And guidance—if you earn it."

The hall was silent.

"Some of you will leave this place and live normal lives. Some of you will become trainers."

A faint smile touched Alex's lips.

"And a few of you will become strong."

He straightened.

"If that happens, remember this: strength is not permission. It's responsibility."

He stepped back, then added calmly,

"Now. Today, I've also prepared a short test to see whether you might have the potential to become a Pokémon Trainer."

A few children stiffened.

"Failing this test does not mean you lack talent," Alex continued. "Every test has blind spots. This one is no exception."

He paused, letting that sink in.

"You'll be presented with several scenarios. There are no fixed answers. Only choices."

"Some answers are acceptable. Others are good. A few are excellent."

His gaze moved across the room.

"Think carefully about what you would do in each situation."

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then the silence filled with quiet nervousness.

Maria, already prepared, began distributing fifty question sheets along with pens, assisted by the staff. The rustle of paper echoed softly through the hall.

After a short while, everyone was ready.

"You have fifteen minutes," Alex said.

The time limit was short—deliberately so.

Alex didn't believe in giving excessive time. For a trainer, decision-making under pressure wasn't optional.

He created these questions himself, and these questions were designed not only to find out if someone has potential as a trainee, but also what kind of personality they possess.

***

Today's chapter is short because I can't divide it any other way. But tomorrow there will be a particularly long chapter.

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