Time passed. Soon it was June 24th.
Summer vacation officially began for Minato.
What excited him was that in just a while, he would go to the Public Breeding Center to purchase his starter Pokémon egg.
In this country, four conditions had to be met to become a Trainer.
First, be at least sixteen years old. Second, pass the Trainer physical examination. Third, pay annual taxes. Fourth, possess a Pokémon.
Minato's age was sufficient. The school had organized the physicals collectively, and he had passed. Once he obtained the egg, he could take the Breeding Center certificate to the Pokémon Center to pay the registration fee.
After the Pokémon hatched, activating his Trainer ID would allow him to call himself a Trainer.
Professional Trainers enjoyed free access to 95% of public facilities in all nations, but obtaining the license required passing numerous examinations from the Trainer Association. The requirements were high, so the benefits were excellent.
The requirements for becoming an ordinary Trainer were lower, but the benefits were still quite good.
Most importantly, currently, Trainer was the only identity that allowed private citizens to legally possess Pokémon and Poké Balls.
Actually, just having the qualification to enjoy discounted services at Pokémon Centers, Poké Marts, and other facilities was irresistible to anyone who owned Pokémon.
One could say that ordinary Trainer status was an essential permit. Otherwise, if a Pokémon got sick or injured, there would be nowhere to heal them. Private Pokémon hospitals essentially didn't exist in this country. Medical services were completely monopolized by the Pokémon Centers under the Trainer Association.
Over these two weeks, Minato had been trying to learn more while also refining his Grass-type Pokémon breeding plan.
No one noticed Minato's changes. Not even his parents sensed anything strange. After all, even with two sets of memories, Minato was still himself.
"Son, ready? Don't miss the appointment time," Father called from the living room.
"Just a moment." In his bedroom, Minato dressed and checked the mirror, trying to appear as natural as possible.
"Coming!"
Hearing the quick response, Father and Mother smiled in the living room. They could both hear the excitement in Minato's voice.
Minato's parents didn't have many holidays, but today they had both requested leave. The reason was simple. They needed to accompany Minato to the Breeding Center to purchase and reserve his Pokémon egg.
At Minato's age, guardian accompaniment was mandatory.
Moreover, without adults to pay, Minato couldn't afford it himself. His entire savings consisted of the bank card containing his New Year's money, which apparently only had a little over 6.000 ₽ left.
This amount could buy an ordinary pet at best. Forget about a Pokémon egg.
Minato was indeed excited. After all, he had waited half a month for this.
After emerging from his bedroom, the family stopped dawdling and set off immediately.
...
Heiwa City had five high schools, but only Heiwa First Academy was recognized by both the Trainer Association and the Ministry of Education as qualified to train Trainers. This year, approximately 400 prospective third-year students from Heiwa First Academy will visit the Breeding Center to make appointments and select dates to purchase their eggs.
On the street leading to the Breeding Center, parents continuously accompanied students toward the facility, while other parents accompanied students carrying eggs back home.
Heiwa City wasn't small, but running into acquaintances was inevitable in this situation. Shortly after leaving home, Minato immediately exclaimed and spotted someone he knew. A classmate from Class 12.
"Uncle Hayashi, Hayashi Sei," Minato said with a grin, stepping forward to greet them.
The man wore casual clothes and was about the same age as Minato's parents. Beside him stood a girl with handsome features, a heroic spirit, and a distinctive bearing.
"It's Little Sei's classmate. Hello," Uncle Hayashi replied with a smile.
Minato's parents had met him several times at parent-teacher conferences. Upon meeting, both sides immediately began exchanging pleasantries.
Minato wanted to chat more with Uncle Hayashi, but seeing his parents talking enthusiastically, he could only look helplessly at his classmate.
This Uncle Hayashi was a legendary figure in Heiwa City. Captain of the Heiwa City Criminal Police Division, he had cracked numerous theft and murder cases involving Pokémon. He was extremely famous in Heiwa City.
This was the first living Professional Trainer Minato had ever seen...
"Minato, guess what I'm..." Hayashi Sei began.
"Growlithe," Minato said directly.
"You're no fun at all," Hayashi Sei said in a disappointed tone.
Having her sentence finished before she could complete it felt awful.
"Didn't need to guess..." Minato couldn't be bothered to explain. Everyone in the class knew that Sei had been raised by her father to be a police officer. As for Growlithe and Arcanine, they were virtually standard equipment for police officers in this country.
Growlithe. Clever, brave, and loyal. With a keen sense of smell, it never forgot any scent it had encountered. It could detect people's emotions through scent. It was hailed as the most suitable Pokémon for police work.
Although this Pokémon was quite rare, with the Hayashi family's resources, reserving one was effortless. They could certainly afford to raise it.
Running into a classmate was just a coincidence. Since they were going the same way, the two families walked together for a stretch. However, as they approached the Breeding Center, they had to separate to find their respective guides.
After the Hayashi father and daughter left, Father suddenly stroked his chin and said, "Son, planning to date after graduation?"
"Waste of time," Minato replied calmly.
"I think this Hayashi Sei is quite good," Father said seriously.
"Afraid she won't take a liking to your son," Mother said.
"..." Minato looked at the sky.
His parents were great in every way except that they were somewhat unreliable. Exhausting.
...
"You're family number 51, the Minato family, correct?"
"We are."
Upon arrival, Father made a phone call. Soon, a young man with glasses emerged from the Breeding Center and approached with a smile.
Seeing this person, Minato's spirits lifted. It was finally beginning.
"Thank you for your hard work. Please follow me. By the way, my name is Shiraishi." After finding his clients, the young man with glasses smiled again.
Public Breeding Centers and Pokémon Centers were both subordinate institutions of the Trainer Association. Currently, the only places in this country legally permitted to sell Pokémon or eggs are Public Breeding Centers.
Purchasing or selling Pokémon through other channels was illegal, though exceptions existed. Very few, however.
Notably, the owners and most staff of Breeding Centers were certified Breeders who had passed the Breeder Association examinations. They possessed extensive knowledge of Pokémon breeding, naturally including incubation and care.
Therefore, every egg or Pokémon available at Public Breeding Centers possessed decent aptitude and carried no diseases. The prices, however, were naturally higher.
Though called a "Center," the place was actually massive, resembling a plaza with comprehensive categorization.
As they followed him inside, the trio listened to the young man with glasses, nodding repeatedly.
"You must have researched our egg varieties before coming, Mr. Minato. Is there anything that caught your interest?"
"We don't understand these things. The child has to choose. The school taught him, but he said he wanted to see them in person first," Mother said.
"That's good too. Let the child decide for himself," Shiraishi said.