The Path Forward and the System of Strength

Two days had passed since the harrowing events in the forest.

Ray sat in silence on the floor of his bedroom. Dratini lay curled on a padded blanket beside him, resting peacefully, still recovering. The gentle rise and fall of its breath was the only sound in the room.

His parents sat across from him. Calm, but serious.

"We've talked," his father said, "and we've agreed not to report Dratini to the League or to the Guild."

Ray looked up, his heart skipping.

His mother nodded. "It's too risky. You weren't caught, and no one saw you. But that won't be the case forever."

Dratini stirred lightly but didn't wake.

"From now on," his father continued, "you can keep Dratini—but it must remain hidden. No training in public, no showing it to others, and no records."

Ray nodded slowly, processing the weight of it. "Understood."

"You're not allowed to train with him outside the house," his mother added firmly. "Not even in the garden. You're still registered as a beginner trainer—you're only allowed one Pokémon."

"And that's Pidgeotto," his father finished.

The implication was clear. Until he could legally carry a second Pokéball, Dratini would remain in the shadows.

Ray looked at the sleeping dragon and clenched his fists. "I'll make it work."

Back at the Academy

Time marched on. With each passing week, training intensified.

Now past the halfway point of the academic year, students were more confident, more seasoned. Morning exercises, combat rotations, and group tactics had become daily routines. Yet today's lecture promised something new—something critical.

Instructor Vernis stood before the class, a serious glint in his eye.

"Today," he said, "we'll be discussing the League's official trainer ranking system—and what it means for your future."

The crystalline projector behind him flared to life, displaying a tiered pyramid glowing with colored markers.

Trainer Ranks (From Lowest to Highest):

Beginner Trainer

Intermediate Trainer

Advanced Trainer

National-Level Trainer

Elite Trainer

Champion Trainer

Master Trainer

Vernis pointed to the bottom tier.

"All of you are currently registered as Beginner Trainers," he said. "Even if you're from a trainer family, even if you've been training unofficially, until you fulfill League requirements, that's your rank."

The class listened quietly, several students already scribbling notes.

Rank Advancement Requirements:

Beginner → Intermediate▸ Must pass examinations in: • Pokémon Laws • Trainer Responsibilities • Basic Pokémon Biology and Habitat Knowledge▸ Minimum age: 6 years▸ May carry up to 3 Pokéballs▸ 4 Pokéballs allowed with proof of financial solvency

Intermediate → Advanced▸ Must pass higher-level versions of the same categories▸ Must defeat at least one Advanced-class Pokémon in a supervised duel▸ May carry up to 6 Pokéballs

Advanced and Above:▸ Promotions to National, Elite, Champion, or Master Trainer are performance-based, earned through regional tournaments, Guild assignments, and ranking points

"Each level unlocks more privileges and responsibilities," Vernis said. "These include access to high-level quests, permits for exotic Pokémon regions, and battle rights in League tournaments."

Ray took mental note of every word. This structure—it explained how one advanced beyond school or age. How real recognition worked.

Pokémon Classification System

Vernis gestured again, and the projection changed. This time, a new device was wheeled in by an assistant—a tall, boxy scanner humming faintly.

"This is a standard Pokémon Combat Analyzer," Vernis said. "It assesses a Pokémon's aptitude and strength profile and classifies it into official combat categories."

The screen now showed seven icons.

Combat Classifications:

Non-Combatant

Beginner-Class Pokémon

Intermediate-Class Pokémon

Advanced-Class Pokémon

Elite-Class Pokémon

Champion-Class Pokémon

Legendary-Class Pokémon

"These categories are based on combat capacity, aptitude readings, and energy output," Vernis explained. "They're used during League matches, Guild assignments, and for issuing rank-appropriate challenges."

A few hands shot up with questions about how the classifications worked with evolution or natural growth.

"Combat class can change as a Pokémon grows stronger," Vernis answered. "Especially when their aptitude allows for significant development."

Ray sat quietly, absorbing every detail. No mention of subcategories within aptitudes. No talk of color subtleties. To the world, there was just the main color tier and these classes.

But Ray knew better.

He knew Pidgeotto's journey from yellow to green to light blue. He knew Dratini's stats were unlike anything he'd seen.

And he knew he would one day need to step into those top tiers—not for fame, but to protect what mattered.