The sun was high above the academy's open-air battlefield, its warmth blanketing the trimmed fields and casting sharp shadows. Around the perimeter, instructors and examiners stood in observation posts, clipboards and digital tablets in hand. This was not a friendly class spar. This was a formal combat evaluation—Stage Two of the Intermediate Trainer Exam.
Ray adjusted the strap on his glove and exhaled slowly. Today, he stood alone in the arena with only Pidgeotto by his side. Dratini remained hidden and safe at home. The world wasn't ready for that secret just yet.
"Virel Ray," called an announcer. "You'll be facing Instructor Lin from our tactical division. This is a monitored battle. One Pokémon per participant. No substitutions."
Ray nodded calmly and stepped onto the battlefield as his opponent appeared on the opposite side: a tall, lean woman with sharp eyes and a quiet, commanding presence. Instructor Lin was known for her precision and ruthless efficiency in training battles. She held up a Pokéball with a flick of her wrist and released a Pokémon in a burst of white light.
A sleek, poised Floatzel landed on all fours, eyes locked on Ray with confidence. Its orange fur gleamed under the sun, twin tails swishing behind it.
Ray reached for Pidgeotto's Pokéball. "Let's do this."
With a flash, Pidgeotto appeared, soaring upward with a powerful beat of its wings. The crowd of instructors and trainees fell silent as the judge raised a hand.
"Battle… begin!"
"Floatzel, Aqua Jet!"
The water-type blurred forward in a high-speed dash, cloaked in a spiral of rushing water.
"Spiral left, climb!" Ray ordered.
Pidgeotto banked hard and climbed sharply, the Aqua Jet slicing just behind its tail feathers. The Floatzel skidded to a halt, eyes narrowing as it tracked Pidgeotto's movement.
"Close the distance again, Ice Fang!"
The Floatzel darted forward and leapt high—fangs glowing with icy energy.
"Twist and Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto rolled midair and slammed its wings down in a cross-motion. The impact cracked against Floatzel's jaw, forcing it down before its fangs could land.
The water-type flipped with feline grace and landed on its feet.
"Impressive," murmured Instructor Lin. "But let's see you handle this. Whirlpool!"
Floatzel raised its arms, and a swirling vortex of water exploded upward, trying to catch Pidgeotto mid-flight.
"Backdraft burst—Gust!"
Pidgeotto flapped with violent force, countering the whirlpool with raw wind. Water was flung outward in spirals, raining across the field. Through the mist, Ray's voice cut sharply:
"Now—Quick Attack!"
Pidgeotto vanished in a blur, streaking through the fading mist and striking Floatzel's side. The force pushed it back, but the instructor didn't flinch.
"Use the momentum! Aqua Tail!"
Floatzel spun with its retreat, launching a glowing tail full of water that caught Pidgeotto on the rebound. The bird screeched and was flung off course, but managed to right itself midair.
Ray winced. "Alright… counterstrike. Air Slash!"
From above, a sharp blade of compressed air flew down and struck Floatzel head-on, knocking it back across the battlefield. It staggered, panting now.
Instructor Lin raised her chin. "Floatzel, hold position. Endure."
Ray narrowed his eyes.
Time to finish this.
"Pidgeotto, ascend and dive. Full speed. Wing Attack!"
The bird shot upward in a tight spiral and then dove like a meteor, wings glowing white. Floatzel braced, still trying to recover from the previous hit.
The impact landed clean. A thunderous crash echoed through the arena. Dust flared up.
When it settled, Floatzel was down.
The judge lifted a flag. "Battle over! Ray Virel is the winner!"
Ray jogged to Pidgeotto, who fluttered to the ground, chest heaving. He kneeled and placed a hand on its feathers.
"You were amazing," he whispered.
Instructor Lin returned Floatzel and walked toward Ray. She gave a slight bow.
"Excellent instincts. Sharp control. I underestimated you."
Ray returned the gesture with quiet respect.
Later that day, in the evaluation hall, his name appeared on the list:
Stage Two: PASSED – Tactical Combat Performance: Excellent
Now, only the final stage remained.