Pokemon: Bounty Hunter

Nurse Joy took the identification card that Silas handed over and swiped it on the computer.

"Alright, Trainer Silas, please fill out this form truthfully."

She quickly typed on the keyboard, printed out a document, and handed it to Silas.

Silas picked up a pen and began filling in his basic information.

Name: Silas Alaric

Gender: Male

Birthplace: Viridian City Orphanage

Age: 16 years and 8 months

Current Pokémon & Capture Time:

Pidgeot (One year and six months)

Combusken (Three months)

Travel Regions: Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Islands.

Requested Travel Duration: Three years.

Participation in Official League Tournaments: Yes.

Bounty Hunter Rank (if applicable): C-Rank.

Trainer Rank (if untested, leave blank): Standard.

Silas had no intention of hiding the capture dates of his Pokémon. It would be impossible anyway.

Apart from the record stored in the Silph Co. Luxury Ball, every time he brought his Pokémon to the Pokémon Center for treatment, Nurse Joy likely had logs of when they were first registered.

Nurse Joy took a quick glance at the completed form before filing it away.

This process was mostly for formal documentation, as most of the information was already in the system.

"You are applying for a three-year travel permit in the Kanto region. Your application meets the requirements, and regarding the benefits you qualify for..."

She glanced at the mark next to Silas's profile on the computer screen.

"You are eligible for a high-tier benefit package. The total fee will be 350,000 Pokédollars."

A flash of surprise crossed Silas's eyes, but he didn't show any reaction to the unexpected benefit tier.

Silas obediently took out the money, paid the travel permit fee, thanked Nurse Joy, and left the service counter.

Back in his room, Silas sat on his bed, frowning in thought.

The travel permit application process was based on three main factors: location range, duration, and benefit tier.

The first two were requested by the applicant. As long as the person didn't apply for something outrageous like a 10-year worldwide travel permit in one go, the application would almost always be approved for qualified trainers.

The fees were calculated based on those two factors. The longer the duration and the broader the region, the higher the cost—but it rarely exceeded 100,000 Pokédollars.

However, the benefit tier was entirely determined by Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center and was divided into four levels:

Low-tier: 100,000 Pokédollars

Mid-tier: 200,000 Pokédollars

High-tier: 300,000 Pokédollars

Top-tier: 500,000 Pokédollars

Each level provided different benefits.

For example, the high-tier package Silas just received offered significant advantages.

Priority access to free private rooms in Pokémon Centers across the designated travel regions.

Fast-track treatment services for his Pokémon.

All Pokémon Center services at a 70% discount (paying only 30% of standard fees).

This was slightly better than what local trainers got in their home cities.

For comparison:

Low-tier trainers were assigned 8-person dormitories and often had to wait in line or even be denied lodging if space was full.

Mid-tier trainers were assigned 4-person dormitories and got 10-20% discounts on Pokémon Center services, but still had to wait in line during peak times.

The difference between high-tier and the lower tiers was night and day.

Generally speaking, high-tier and top-tier benefits were automatically granted to trainers registered with a Pokédex.

Even though the perks weren't particularly valuable to Pokédex holders, their benefits were bundled with their Pokédex, making them globally valid.

For an ordinary trainer like Silas, getting a high-tier package was rare. He originally expected mid-tier at best.

His original plan was to keep a low profile and find local lodgings in various cities to maintain secrecy while training. Pokémon treatment costs would also have increased outside his home city.

All of this would have been a major expense. But now, with these benefits, he didn't have to worry about it anymore.

Silas understood exactly what was happening.

This was the Joy family investing in him.

Blunt and straightforward.

They were sending a clear message:

"We know all about your strength and progress. We've decided to invest in you."

But Silas didn't find anything wrong with that.

If any organization in the world had the most detailed, first-hand information on trainers and their Pokémon, it had to be the Joy family.

No other individual, company, or even the Pokémon League had such a vast and complete database.

Even the League itself relied on the Joy family for data.

If not for the absolute neutrality of both Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny, the League would never allow such a monopoly to exist.

After all, every trainer had to visit Pokémon Centers for treatment—whether it was injuries from battles or fatigue from training.

With such influence, the Joy family closely monitored and invested in rising talent.

And with their enormous wealth, they followed a broad investment strategy, supporting multiple trainers without much risk.

For wealthy families, such investments were trivial.

But for talented trainers from ordinary backgrounds, these perks could be life-changing.

Through this system, the Joy family established strong relationships with most high-level trainers, all while maintaining a non-restrictive approach.

It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, one that Silas had expected and planned for.

His first step was always to secure the Joy family's investment.

He just didn't expect their interest to come so quickly.

Silas originally thought he'd have to earn four badges before they upgraded his benefits.

This was a pleasant surprise.

After thinking it over, Silas took a quick shower and went to bed.

Tomorrow, he would set out for Pewter City.

The Next Morning

Silas woke up early, washed up, and prepared to leave for Pewter City.

The Devon Corporation vehicle he used was technically an electric bike, but its design resembled a compact motorcycle.

It wasn't that he didn't want a better, cooler ride—he simply couldn't afford it.

To navigate the wilderness, these specialized transport vehicles were equipped with cutting-edge technology developed by Devon Corp. They were far more than just bikes.

If he weren't slightly afraid of heights and Pidgeot was more stable at carrying riders, he would've chosen to fly instead.

Silas decided that eventually, he needed a Pokémon for transportation.

Something like a Salamence or Dragonite would be perfect—fast and steady in flight.

For now, though, this setup was fine.

A real Pokémon journey was about riding from city to city, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the adventure.

Silas released Pidgeot, letting it fly overhead.

Meanwhile, Combusken sat on the back seat, securing its helmet.

Silas twisted the throttle, and the electric bike sped forward silently.

The official route through Viridian Forest was just as deserted as ever.

Silas breathed in the fresh forest air as the wind rushed past.

For the first time, he felt true freedom.

But after riding for a while, the scenery started to feel repetitive.

Feeling bored, Silas switched the bike to auto-pilot mode.

He flipped open the screen on the windshield display and started watching a movie.

Combusken, sitting behind him, stretched its little head forward, eagerly watching the movie with its trainer.