Pokemon:Team Rocket

"Milotic, give him the final blow — Dragon Breath!"

A loud boom echoed across the battle room as Milotic unleashed a fierce stream of fiery Dragon Breath from its elegant mouth. The blazing attack shot across the field, striking the opposing Machoke squarely in the chest. The force of the impact sent a blast of hot air rippling through the room.

A soft chime sounded in Renjiro's mind.

> Ding! Your Milotic defeated the Level 21 Machoke and gained 203 experience points.

Ding! You gained 36 combat points. Your current combat value is 623 points.

Renjiro breathed out slowly, the tension leaving his body as the battle concluded.

"I lost." The Machoke's trainer lowered his head, recalling his fallen Pokémon into its Poké Ball. Despite his defeat, his voice was steady and respectful. He stepped forward and gave Renjiro a small nod of acknowledgment.

"Thank you," Renjiro responded, clasping his hands together with a slight bow. His tone was humble, his expression calm. He respected those who treated him with courtesy — it was his nature. But if someone disrespected him, Renjiro had no problem making them regret their arrogance through the power of his Pokémon.

"Good work, Milotic. You too, Beedrill." Renjiro offered a soft smile as he returned Milotic to its Poké Ball. The shimmering, serpentine Pokémon gave him one last graceful look before vanishing in a red beam.

Since Renjiro had never undergone professional trainer ranking before, Nurse Joy had assigned him opponents without official ratings. Most of his opponents were students, like him — seniors in high school preparing for their final exams. These battles weren't meant to be life-or-death struggles. They were chances to practice, to grow, to see how much strength one had gathered on the journey so far.

And so far, Renjiro had done nothing but win.

Match after match, ten battles in a row, and each time, his rivals had fallen. His Beedrill's deadly precision and Milotic's graceful but powerful techniques overwhelmed every opponent who dared stand before him.

When the most recent challenger left, Renjiro leaned back for a moment, letting his heartbeat steady. He closed his eyes and summoned the soothing energy of his Evergreen ability. Warmth spread through his body and into the Poké Balls at his side, gently restoring the stamina of Milotic and Beedrill. Ten matches in a single day — no matter how well-trained his team was, that level of exertion took its toll.

Still, the rewards were enormous.

His Beedrill had reached Level 23 — a level considered exceptional for a trainer of his age. Milotic, too, had grown stronger, climbing from Level 15 to Level 16. For Renjiro, it was proof that his hard work, his bond with his Pokémon, and his strategies were paying off.

Meanwhile, out in the hall, his battle footage was playing on the large high-definition monitors. Trainers and spectators gathered around, watching his matches on the live feed, their voices filling the space with a chorus of admiration, jealousy, and curiosity.

> [What a beautiful Milotic! I wish I had one.]

[Milotic truly is the most elegant Pokémon. Stunning!]

[Another ten-game winning streak. What's going on today? So many strong trainers showing up.]

[He looks like a high school senior… Wonder which academy he's from.]

[That Beedrill is a monster. The previous challengers couldn't even touch him!]

[Don't exaggerate. Bug-types evolve faster — sure, they're strong early on, but later? When other Pokémon hit their final forms, Beedrill won't stand a chance.]

[You sure about that? Didn't you see that viral video last week? A Beedrill held off a Level 51 Salamence for five minutes straight!]

Renjiro's victories had made waves. Even the Lucario trainer from earlier — the one who'd stood so proudly — found himself watching the screen with renewed interest.

Two trainers had achieved ten consecutive wins today: himself and that Lucario trainer.

In one corner of the hall, another face turned red with embarrassment. The boy who'd fought Renjiro earlier clenched his fists. He remembered how he'd mocked Renjiro's Beedrill, calling him a country bumpkin. The memory stung even more now that he realized Renjiro also had a rare, beautiful Milotic — a Pokémon far more coveted than his own Luxio.

The real clown was me all along, the boy thought bitterly.

Just then, a soft chime echoed through the room.

> Ding! Trainer Renjiro, you have achieved ten consecutive wins in this challenge.

Junior Trainer Ba Xiaoqin wishes to challenge you. Do you accept?

Renjiro lifted his gaze toward the small speaker in the corner of the training room.

"A Junior Trainer?" he murmured.

He knew what that meant. In this world, trainers were officially classified into five levels: Primary Trainer, Intermediate Trainer, Senior Trainer, Elite Trainer, and at the very top, Champion-level Elite Trainer. There were also so-called "Quasi-Elites" — elite trainers who hadn't officially earned the title of Elite but possessed skills that came close.

But no matter what people called themselves, only official rankings mattered in the eyes of the Pokémon League.

To even qualify as a Junior Trainer, one needed three things:

At least three Pokémon in their roster.

A passing score on the Pokémon League practical exam.

Four Gym badges, proof of victories acknowledged by Gym Leaders.

Only then could someone register as a professional Junior Trainer and receive their Trainer Card — a symbol of status, recognized across the world. That card unlocked discounts at Pokémon Centers, special access at battle facilities like the Oriental Pearl Tower, and respect from the broader community.

Renjiro had not yet faced a professional trainer. His heart pounded at the thought. The trainers he'd battled so far — they were students like him, unranked, inexperienced.

This… this was the next step.

"I accept the challenge!" Renjiro called out toward the speaker. His voice rang with determination. Let's see how far I've come. Let's see how far I still have to go.

In that moment, his eyes burned with a fierce resolve. The crowd outside erupted into excited chatter.

> [He actually accepted. This kid's got guts.]

[Is it guts or arrogance? Does he even realize what he's up against?]

[I don't know… that Beedrill of his isn't normal.]

[If he wins, I swear I'll stand upside down and eat dirt.]

[It's been a while since I was this hyped for a battle!]

Even intermediate and senior trainers in the crowd began to pay attention, drawn in by the promise of a clash between an unranked rising star and an official Junior Trainer.

From the loudspeakers came Nurse Joy's gentle reminder:

> [The match will begin in one hour. Please visit the Pokémon Center for free healing services. Rest well, and good luck.]

Renjiro exhaled, feeling the weight of anticipation settle in the room. He returned to the Center, grateful for the chance to recover his team's strength before the big fight.

In his heart, Renjiro wasn't afraid. The unknown excited him.

Finally… a real test.

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