Many people aspire to become a trainer. Who wouldn't? In this world, we are exposed to all forms of Pokemon trainers through different ways. Your parents may be retired trainers, or you have a gym leader as your neighbour. Perhaps you watch tournament battles despite it being past your curfew. The bonds between trainers and Pokemon is not one easily replicated.
But how does one become a trainer? With such a popular choice of career, the process for becoming a trainer was made simple. Register for a Trainer ID, and you are entitled to a Pokemon from your region's professor which can be collected at your nearest Pokemon Center. Alternatively, if you are already in possession of a Pokemon then you only require the ID to begin your adventure.
As a trainer, you are free to explore your native region, challenge gyms, and participate in many events such as contests and tournaments. Some trainers choose to specialize in contests, battling, or even retire to study and take up a more steady job.
With the craze of being a Pokemon trainer undying, a new school was built to help develop the growth of new hopefuls that long for their own Pokemon journey. This school acts as a substitute to high school, focusing more on Pokemon related fields.
Thus, the Pokemon Education College was introduced. This institution was located on a private island that was relatively closer to the Kanto and Johto regions with a fair distance to the others. One could travel there via boat or plane, and transportation was covered by the school. The Pokemon Leagues of each region contributed grants to assist with school operations. Appropriate, seeing as how students were accepted from all regions.
But of course, you do not have to necessarily become a trainer. The school provides the resources to allow students to explore other career options such as becoming a Pokemon hairstylist. At Pokemon Education College, you are exposed to a flexible education system like no other.
We now join the principal of this institution. The principal's name was Pine - Andrea Pine. She was a fit young woman in her mid twenties, sporting a typical Pokemon Professor coat to show her roots as a Pokemon Professor, with a classy black shirt and skirt that reached her knees, and red high heels to add an accent. Her blonde hair was curled, due to having a televised press conference taking place at the school hall. She had to look her best. After all, would you trust a principal that wore a literal garbage bag?
"Principal Pine, are you ready for the press conference?" A knock on her office door led to it being opened swiftly by a younger woman who was slightly shorter than Andrea. She had a slim figure, wearing a white outfit that compared to Andrea's, was similar in style but contrasted in colour. Her pink hair was tied into a messy bun, and in her hands was a clipboard. Laura White, the school secretary.
"Laura, do I have to remind you again?" Andrea casted a nonchalant look with amusement laced in her eyes to the secretary. The latter sighed. "Address you by your first name when it's just the two of us." Andrea broke into a smile as White broke into a small tantrum.
"It's just that you're my boss! Isn't it weird to call your boss by their first name?"
"Isn't it weird to call your best friend by their last name?"
"Touche…" Laura grumbled. "I'm just a little nervous for you, and it's not even my press conference!"
"You have nothing to worry about." Andrea took one last look into a hand mirror on her desk. "Our school has never been involved in any scandals. It's just a simple conference where we announce our applicant expectations. The closest thing to a response we'll get are just questions."
"If you say so." Laura relaxed, allowing her shoulders to sink. "But are you sure you want to wear your professor coat? It might not look as professional."
"Says the one wearing sneakers as a high end school secretary."
"Ouch!"
"Principal Pine, when are applications due?" A young reporter asked from their aisle seat. She noted how they gripped their notepad with a tight grip. She smiled at them, hoping to help them relax.
"Well, there is roughly one week left I believe. Our school website will be updated with the final date. With that said, we also urge our applicants to not rush their application forms, and make sure enough time was poured in to avoid any crucial errors or forget to include any documents."
Said reporter nodded their head and took notes. Another one in same row raised their hand almost immediately after the question was answered. This one was an older journalist, guessing by the wrinkles and calm demeanor. Andrea nodded at them, prompting them to stand up and ask their question.
"Professor Pine, last year's students all had a background in this expertise, whether it be parents who were former trainers or summer courses. How will the school handle applicants that lack a more experienced background?"
"Thank you for the question, I feel that issue needed to be addressed. Yes, it is true that last year's successful applicants all had backgrounds, but note that we accept students who hold a passion for becoming a trainer. Yes, it does seem suspicious to some, but we at Pokemon Education College give all applicants a fair chance of acceptance. No bias or favouritism affects the process."
Satisfied by her answer, the journalist took a seat. With the question answered, Laura had taken a microphone to announce the end of the press conference.
"We appreciate you all for coming. Thank you for your questions. If you were to still have any questions, please feel free to email the school or book an appointment. Please help yourself to some refreshments prepared by the home economics club students. Note that the first ferry leaves in an hour, and the first plane in two. Thank you again for coming."
And with that, the conference had ended.
"That went well, Andrea!" Laura grinned as the two were sharing a slice of cake at the school canteen. Coffee for the two of them as they celebrated a smooth conference. Laura still held the clipboard prior to the conference.
"What is that?" Andrea gestured to the clipboard. Laura glanced at it, confirming what she was referring to and shrugged. "It's the application form. I added some notes that we could add to the website later-"
Laura was cut off by cheers that were coming from the courtyard. Guessing by the smoke, a Pokemon battle had taken place with an entire class. That was something Andrea took pride in. Students tended to get along both during and outside school hours. To be fair, they had to. Those were people you would spend the next six years with.
"Mind if I look at it?" She took the clipboard from Laura without waiting for an answer. Laura couldn't care less, digging into the cake that took a majority of her focus and attention on.
The OC submission deadline has been met. The next chapter will reveal and introduce the cast. Thank you to those who submitted characters.