The atmosphere in the administrative wing was unlike anything Ray had experienced so far. The usual energy of training fields and classrooms felt distant here—replaced by an austere silence that clung to the white walls and polished wood.
Ray sat outside the heavy double doors that led to the final phase of his Intermediate Trainer evaluation. This wasn't a battle. This wasn't theory. This was something deeper.
The door opened, and a staff aide gave him a nod. "Ray Virel. Proceed."
Ray stood, straightened his jacket, and stepped inside.
The room was well-lit and spare. A semicircular table awaited him, behind which sat five senior figures—representatives from the Trainer League, the Academy Council, the Ranger Corps, the Research Guild, and a League Ethics Commissioner.
At the center sat Director Andros.
"Good morning, Ray," Andros said calmly. "Please, take a seat. This is Stage Three of your evaluation—the interview phase. Unlike the other two stages, this one is not passable by knowledge or technique. This is about who you are."
Ray sat and gave a respectful nod.
The Ethics Commissioner, a stern man in a grey uniform, leaned forward. "Let us be direct. With the privileges of the Intermediate License come greater responsibilities. You'll have access to more Pokémon. That means more power. And power must come with control."
The woman from the Ranger Corps took over. "We've seen candidates pass every exam with flying colors, only to fall later due to ambition, trauma, or moral compromise. Today is about understanding you. Not just what you know, but how you think, and where you stand."
Ray's shoulders tightened slightly, but he nodded.
The questions began—not factual, but probing.
"What do you want, Ray?" asked the League representative. "Not in five days. In ten years. What's your vision?"
Ray blinked. The answer rose easily.
"I want to help change the world for Pokémon. To protect them, understand them... and also stand among the strongest Trainers. I don't believe those goals are in conflict."
"Why be a Trainer and a Researcher? Why not choose?"
Ray smiled lightly. "Because I see things others don't. Patterns. Questions no one's asking. I can't just walk away from that. But battling is part of understanding Pokémon too—it reveals who they are under pressure. Who we are. I don't want to limit myself to one path."
The Commissioner scribbled something.
The Research Guild representative tapped her fingers. "Tell me, Ray... you discover a powerful method that could push Pokémon past their natural limits. The world might benefit, but there's a real risk of harm—physical or psychological. What do you do?"
Ray didn't answer right away.
"I document it, test it safely, and share it with those I trust to give honest feedback. But I won't distribute something that puts Pokémon at risk just for progress. The cost would be too high."
Then came the curveball.
"Suppose society collapses tomorrow," said the Ranger, eyes sharp. "Laws disappear. You have a team of strong Pokémon, and people beg you for protection—but others want you to take control. Would you lead them? Would you enforce your rule?"
Ray looked her in the eye.
"I'd protect the people. But I'd never force my authority. That's how tyrants rise. And that's how Pokémon get used—not partnered."
The room was silent.
Finally, Director Andros leaned forward. "Have you ever felt anger—real, consuming anger—toward this system? Toward the rules? Have you ever wanted to break them?"
Ray inhaled. For a moment, a flicker of memory: Dragonite's final breath. The poacher's smirk. The tombstone in the earth.
"Yes," he said, voice steady. "I've felt it. But I chose to act differently. I don't believe in vengeance. I believe in building something better."
There was a long pause.
Then Andros stood.
"Ray Virel. We've heard enough."
He picked up a document and stepped around the desk.
"You are hereby recognized as an Intermediate-Class Pokémon Trainer."
Ray stood as well, eyes widening.
"You've demonstrated strength, clarity of vision, and restraint. Your path will be difficult—but we believe you are ready to walk it."