Elite Trainers were divided into three ranks: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
To qualify as an Elite Trainer, one needed at least two Senior-level Pokémon and to pass the League's regional assessment.
Some, like Sherry, were especially outstanding among Elites—such Trainers were often referred to as Veteran Elites.
Silver Trainers were on a different level altogether. They needed to command at least two Commander-tier Pokémon to pass their regional assessment.
Above even them stood the Gold Trainers, who needed at least two Lord-tier Pokémon to claim that title.
Generally speaking, reaching Elite rank already meant one had surpassed the vast majority of Trainers.
After all, this world was filled mostly with ordinary people—ordinary Trainers at best.
With effort, and a bit of luck, an Elite Trainer could collect eight badges and qualify for the League Conference.
Veteran Elites like Sherry had an even easier path; with just a little more work, they could safely qualify for their regional League Conference.
But Silver Trainers were already considered true powerhouses.
Countless people spent their entire lives without ever reaching that realm.
As for Rookie Trainers, that was nothing more than a starting title and didn't truly reflect one's strength.
Take Yozora, for example. Though he had only just set out on his journey and technically counted as a Rookie Trainer, his actual strength already met the standard of an Elite.
And if one counted his Beedrill… well, not to mention ordinary Elites—even some Gym Leaders wouldn't stand a chance against him.
Night fell.
Yozora walked alone onto the deck, leaning against the railing as the ocean breeze washed over him.
The S.S. Anne glided steadily over the waves. According to schedule, it would reach Vermilion City's port by tomorrow evening.
Yozora had already advanced into the Top 8. The main tournament would begin at nine o'clock the following morning, and all matches would be concluded within a single day.
He released Psyduck, then used the system to bestow upon it a new ability—Drizzle.
[Pokémon]: Psyduck
[Type]: Water
[Abilities]: Swift Swim + Drizzle + Volt Absorb
[Rank]: Mid-tier Elite
[Potential]: Tier 3 Legendary
[Moves]: Water Gun, Hydro Pump, Psychic power, Disable, Screech, Fury Swipes
[Description]: A born king among Psyduck. In addition to its outstanding Water-type talents, it also possesses powerful psychic abilities.
As expected of a natural-born champion, once Psyduck obtained the Drizzle ability, its potential leapt straight into the domain of legendaries.
But Yozora knew well—potential was just potential. To fully draw it out and truly reach the realm of gods was an unimaginably difficult path.
"Silver Trainers…" Yozora muttered under his breath.
That blonde gentleman had to possess at least two Commander-tier Pokémon. At the very least. If he was more experienced, he might even command three—or four.
He, too, had advanced to the Top 8. Yet, as both Sherry's words and Yozora's own observations suggested, the man hadn't even revealed his true strength.
The blonde gentleman hailed from Unova, so his main team should be Pokémon native to that region.
And yet, up to this point, he had used almost exclusively Kanto Pokémon. Not once had he called upon a Unova partner.
"Against a Commander-tier, Charmeleon should be fine." Yozora's eyes sharpened.
Excluding Beedrill, Charmeleon had unquestionably surpassed Kangaskhan, becoming his strongest Pokémon.
With a solid foundation at Elite peak level and the terrifying blessing of Triple Blaze, once Blaze was triggered, Charmeleon's power could temporarily reach—or even exceed—that of an ordinary Commander-tier.
"But aside from Charmeleon, none of my other partners can truly stand against a Commander-tier." A wry smile tugged at Yozora's lips.
He was, after all, still a Rookie Trainer. His Pokémon lacked the years of experience most rivals had.
Still, with Drizzle, Psyduck could now unleash terrifying speed in heavy rain. Thanks to that, it should be able to battle opponents above its rank, perhaps even against Elite-peak foes.
But could it stand against a Commander-tier?Yozora had no confidence.
The same was true for Kangaskhan. With its strong Elite-high foundation and Huge Power ability, its sheer strength rivaled the Elite peak tier.
But could it defeat a Commander-tier?Even less certainty.
As for Pidgeotto and Nidorino, they were simply weaker. Pidgeotto's level was far too low.
And though Nidorino's venom was formidable, it required physical contact to work. Yozora had already shown much of Nidorino's capabilities—how could a Silver Trainer not be prepared?
Besides, could its poison even affect a Commander-tier at all?That, Yozora admitted, was a very big question mark.
"It seems the best plan is to send out Charmeleon as the main force, with Psyduck and Kangaskhan as support. Charmeleon will fight head-on, while Psyduck and Kangaskhan wear the opponent down."
Though Yozora usually appeared calm and modest, whenever it came to battle, the warrior's spirit—his fierce competitiveness—burned bright within him.
At that moment, he was already imagining the blonde gentleman as his opponent for tomorrow's match, simulating countless scenarios in his mind.
The only problem was—he didn't even know what the man's main Pokémon were. Any simulation, then, was nothing but empty air.
"Forget it. Just rest. Tomorrow, I'll fight my best." Yozora stretched lazily and returned to his cabin.
His pride was strong—so strong that unless absolutely necessary, he refused to unleash Beedrill.
And what counted as "absolutely necessary"?
First—if his life were truly at risk.Second—if his opponent reached Gym Leader level, or higher.
The night passed quietly.
At nine o'clock the next morning, the main tournament of the Cruise Competition, also serving as the Quarterfinals, officially began.
Amid the host's grand introduction, the eight finalists entered the stage one after another.
Yozora, Captain Edson, the blonde gentleman, and the bald traveler were naturally among them. The other four were also powerful, each at least on par with Veteran Elites.
"All right, everyone quiet down. It's time to determine the match-ups and competition order," the host declared with a snap of his fingers. "Let the big screen roll!"
The eight remaining Trainers all raised their heads, gazing at the screen—
To see who their first opponent in the main tournament would be.
For Yozora, Captain Edson, the blonde gentleman, and the bald traveler, it didn't matter. Each was full of confidence, ready to give it their all against whoever they faced.
(End of Chapter)