Just like in the games and anime, the Pokémon Center was a subsidiary facility of the Pokémon League. It offered services including medical treatment, accommodation, meals, grooming, massage, training, and battle facilities to assist trainers and their Pokémon.
Nearly every city had at least one Pokémon Center.
The more economically developed the city, the more Pokémon Centers it contained.
In Capital, a major metropolitan area, there were nearly thirty Pokémon Centers.
Pokémon had long been deeply integrated into human society.
Even those who weren't trainers and couldn't use Poké Balls typically had domestic Pokémon in their households.
Most fire departments employed Water-type Pokémon. Flower shops and produce markets usually had Grass-type Pokémon to help with the plants.
Not to mention the Machamp delivery services, or the rancher who specialized in breeding Miltank and had successfully established a business that became a popular dairy manufacturer in the region, creating a nationally recognized brand.
Whether through Contest performances or battle moves, Pokémon were invaluable assistants in human work.
Although Roy's parents weren't trainers and couldn't use Poké Balls, they kept several Pokémon at home—work partners assigned by their company. Because of this, Roy had visited Pokémon Centers several times before.
"Hello, welcome."
The pretty nurse in her white uniform greeted Roy with a warm smile.
The uniform was so pristinely white...
Though unfortunately, she wasn't Nurse Joy.
"Excuse me, are you a trainer?" she asked.
"That's right." Roy took out his phone, scanned the QR code at the counter, and entered his information.
"I see you're a Rookie trainer." The nurse smiled kindly. "Trainers can enjoy the basic facilities of this Pokémon Center free of charge... However, more advanced amenities still require payment, please understand."
Roy nodded, indicating he understood.
The annual 100,000 PokéDollar contribution to the Pokémon League wasn't just for an ID change. Free access to Pokémon Centers worldwide was one of the privileges of being a licensed trainer.
Previously, Roy would have been charged even for a glass of water here...
"I'd like to book a training room, please."
"Certainly, a basic training room." The nurse clicked a few times on her computer and handed Roy a key card. "Second floor, turn right, room 208. If you need food, just press the call button, though we only provide standard Pokémon food."
Roy followed her directions to room 208. The space was approximately 100 square meters. The floor and walls were made of special alloy materials with excellent resistance to both heat and cold—perfect for novice trainers' Pokémon to practice their moves safely.
Additionally, the room contained dumbbells, barbells, treadmills, lat pulldown machines, seated shoulder press equipment, and other fitness apparatus.
Roy tossed his Poké Ball, and together with Riolu, curiously examined the various equipment around the room.
"I've heard that in the advanced training rooms, not only is the equipment more sophisticated, but they also provide premium Pokémon supplements and special training partners..."
Roy murmured, feeling acutely aware that without money or resources, a trainer could hardly accomplish anything meaningful.
Fortunately, he still had his system and a full 65,900 popularity points.
"Ri." Riolu looked at Roy impatiently—it hadn't eaten breakfast yet and was getting hungry.
"Just a moment."
Roy opened the mall interface and redeemed the products he'd already selected.
—[Riolu Special Custom Energy Cube × 10]
—Points -5000, remaining points: 60,900.
The points had increased significantly since morning.
"One Energy Cube costs 500 points—that's quite expensive..." Roy winced slightly. Unlike Power-Up Seeds, Energy Cubes were consumables!
If he wanted to give Riolu premium treatment, it would cost him daily.
In this world, there were no "Energy Cubes" commercially available.
While Pokémon had integrated into this world, over the past century the number of Pokémon officially documented by the Pokémon League was just over 600—far less developed than in the Pokémon games and anime.
Roy wasn't sure how advanced the Energy Cube was by this world's standards, but he could recognize some of the ingredients in the small, nutrient-dense cube.
"Steel Shell Berries... don't these cost about 20,000 PokéDollars each?"
Roy searched on his phone and discovered his memory was off—a single Steel Shell Berry actually cost 30,000 PokéDollars...
He clicked his tongue in amazement. From that perspective, his 500 points held incredible value.
"The 5,000 PokéDollars I spent on those commenters, from an investment standpoint, makes even Warren Buffett look amateur..."
Roy held the Energy Cube with a smile and extended his palm toward Riolu.
"Here, try this."
"Ri?"
Riolu curiously sniffed the Energy Cube—a food it had never seen before—and trustingly ate it.
Instantly, a rich and tangy flavor filled its mouth, with aromas rushing straight to its head. The unprecedented sensation made Riolu let out a long, delighted cry.
The small cube left Riolu feeling half full, and beyond that, every cell in its body seemed to become more active.
Seeing Riolu's surprised expression, Roy explained with a smile: "This is called an Energy Cube. It's made by blending and processing Berries according to a special formula. The energy contained in one cube equals a bowl of Pokémon food, plus it improves all your attributes—Beauty, Strength..."
"This is something unique to us, so keep it secret."
Hearing Roy's advice, Riolu nodded solemnly, wagged its tail cheerfully, and eagerly ate another Energy Cube.
Seeing how cost-effective the system items were, Roy quickly exchanged several more items he'd been anticipating.
[Weighted Bracelet (applies Gravity suppression to the entire body, temporarily reducing all stats but greatly improving growth rate and training effectiveness), points deducted: 20,000]
[Corrective Scarf (forcibly adjusts incorrect exercise postures to improve training efficiency), points deducted: 10,000]
[Spirit Bell (a magical item that activates the fighting spirit when rung; frequent use within a certain period reduces effectiveness), points deducted: 10,000]
After spending 40,000 points in one go, Roy immediately closed the system panel to resist the temptation to continue shopping.
The remaining points would cover Riolu's food expenses for the upcoming period and should be kept in reserve for emergencies rather than spent carelessly.
"Riolu, let's start with three hours of performance training."
Helping Riolu put on the Weighted Bracelet and Corrective Scarf, Roy smiled and said, "I'll train alongside you."
Except for a very small number of Psychics, it was difficult for humans to become as strong as Pokémon... Especially in this world where Pokémon were exceptionally powerful—even the Kanto Elite Four's Fighting-type specialist Bruno from the anime would struggle here.
Even so, trainers needed to become stronger, at least enough not to hold back their own Pokémon.
In regulated battles, trainers' safety was assured, but in the "danger zones" outside cities, some aggressive wild Pokémon would attack trainers directly—one of the main causes of trainer fatalities.
Roy was naturally somewhat lazy. After about fifty sit-ups, he felt like giving up.
But looking at Riolu, still training diligently, he sighed with a smile and rang the Spirit Bell.
"This is what youth is all about!"
As if hearing Saitama whispering in his ear, Roy suddenly felt his blood pumping and his fighting spirit restored.
"Just do it!"