Pokémon Court

Building a Gym isn’t something that can be done with just words. To pass the examination, Terrance must make ample preparations in advance.

For example, take the referee. Professional Gym battles aren’t like casual street battles; each match requires a certified referee to oversee it.

A good referee is even extremely important for a competition. While this job may seem simple, there are many intricacies involved. For instance, the professional referees in the League Conference earn salaries that would make most people envious, yet their professional skills are equally top-notch.

The most basic requirement for a Gym is to have a certified referee. It’s essential, and every Gym must have one.

Since Terrance’s goal in establishing the Gym is to receive subsidies from the League, it wouldn’t make sense to hire someone from outside. Better to keep it within the family and have someone from the Old Green House take on the job.

Among them, both Ayan and Scarlet are boys of similar age. Currently, they are the only two children at Old Green House who have work experience and have faced the challenges of the real world. So, Terrance feels confident having them go for the professional referee certification.

This certificate is not difficult to obtain; with a certain amount of training, anyone can do it. As long as one is not physically disabled, has no issues with IQ, pays the tuition in full, and maintains a serious attitude, it is rare for someone to fail.

The hard part isn’t getting the certification; it’s finding a job. Even though there are countless Trainers and Trainer battles, professional referees are only needed for Gym battles or regular competitions.

For referees, the job isn’t tough, but finding stable employment is difficult. Without the right connections, it’s hard to secure a stable job.

You can’t just walk up to a Trainer battle on the roadside, whip out your referee certification, insist on officiating, and demand payment afterward. That’s a sure way to get chased off! Battle rules aren’t that strict.

Referees represent fairness in main competitions and large-scale competitions.

Ordinary battles are just a formality, and rarely involve any interests. No one would waste their energy looking for an official referee.

“A referee? Me?” Scarlet asked nervously.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” Terrance smiled.

“Building a Gym?!” Grandma Arlan wasn’t focused on the referee part; rather she was shocked by the idea that Terrance wanted to establish a Gym!

If she weren’t so old, she would’ve jumped up and checked if Terrance had come down with some strange illness over the past three years or has a fever to say something so outrageous.

“I’m serious, Grandma Arlan,” Terrance waved his hand quickly. He had expected this reaction.

In most people’s eyes, becoming a Gym Leader is a very prestigious career. Even Trainers who have qualified for Champion League find it challenging to establish a Gym. There are many thresholds to meet, you need a recommendation and then you need to pass a series of troublesome exams…

But Terrance is confident.

His experiences over the past year after leaving the academy have given him a solid understanding of his own abilities.

He also has connections: Steven, Master Victor, Crown Academy, Scott… In short, Terrance already has the basic requirements to become a Gym Leader. As long as nothing unexpected happens in the exams, he’s confident he can get the Gym up and running within a year or two years at most.

More importantly, as the current Top Coordinator of Hoenn, Terrance is riding a wave of fame. He’s practically a semi-public figure. With a few more advertisements, even if he doesn’t reach the level of being a “household name”, he could still leave a lasting impression on some people. This would be crucial for his Gym application.

If he can build good relationships with the companies that have invited him to endorse their products, it would open another path for him. Sometimes, connections don’t have to be deep, but they can significantly impact a person’s growth—as long as those connections are valuable and influential.

“Child..you” Arlan started to say but then stopped, realizing she still didn’t fully understand Terrance.

“Scarlet, the training for a professional referee only takes three months. Both you and Ayan should take the exam. I’ll find a place for you to train.”

“What about me? What about me, Brother Terrance? Is there anything I can do to help?” Taiga asked eagerly.

“Don’t worry, your time will come. But for now, I still need you to take care of the orchard in the Old Green House,” Terrance replied with a smile.

Taiga, though disappointed, had no choice but to accept it.

“And that Rina… she still doesn’t want to come out?” Terrance shook his head, then looked at Myu, who had remained mostly quiet.

“What can I do to help?” Myu asked nervously, hesitating.

With Terrance’s return, it seemed like he was determined to change the current situation of the Old Green House. While Grandma Arlan was happy to see this, she was also worried that Terrance was taking on too much pressure, trying to take care of everyone.

“You, huh…” Terrance smiled. He had already gotten a good sense of Myu’s situation. The little girl was still chasing her dream of becoming a star. “Do you know who the most famous celebrity in Hoenn is?”

Myu nodded eagerly, like a rattle-drum.

“And how much does she get paid for a concert?”

Myu’s eyes lit up even more, nodding again.

“And what about her endorsement fees?”

“I follow that stuff! I keep track of a lot of celebrities,” Myu said confidently.

“Well then, I might need your help soon,” Terrance laughed, not expecting that Myu, of all people, would be the one able to assist him.

Hearing that she could help Terrance, Myu’s mood brightened, and the unfamiliarity she felt from not seeing him for several years diminished considerably.

Grandma Arlan paused, recalling Terrance’ current identity, and felt a wave of emotion. So that’s how it is—Terrance had already received such invitations. How remarkable… It’s only been three years, and he’s achieved so much, gaining so much recognition….

“Oh, Brother Terrance, why do both Ayan and I need to get referee certifications? Isn’t one referee enough?” Scarlet asked, puzzled.

“Oh, that,” Terrance chuckled. “You’re right; one referee is enough, but there will always be special occasions.”

“Like when I’m away. In that case, the Gym would need a ‘Substitute Gym Leader,’ and that person needs to be a certified Trainer. I’m planning to help both of you get certified.”

“Between you and Ayan, one of you will take on that role.”

Taiga and Myu were too young, Rina wasn’t suited to being a Gym Leader, and Chisana aspired to be a Coordinator. That left Ayan and Scarlet, who were more mature. With one of them covering for him when he’s away, Terrance could continue traveling and pursuing his own goals.

As long as they passed the League exam, everything would go smoothly.

“Trainer!” Scarlet’s eyes lit up with hope.

Thinking back on how Terrance had spent three years away and returned as a certified Trainer, a licensed Breeder, and even achieved the title of Top Coordinator, everyone at the Old Green House felt like they were in a dream. In addition, the things Terrance is going to do next will also be of great help to the development of Old Green House. At least for now… the children at Old Green House were filled with hope towards their future.

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