The late summer sun dipped low across the Stone manor grounds, painting the horizon in orange-gold streaks. Steven sat cross-legged on the veranda, a stack of exam prep materials spread across his lap, while Albert leaned back against one of the wooden beams, fingers laced around a notebook he had been updating.
They had been reviewing for hours already, but the conversation had shifted, as it often did, into something less rigid and more curious.
"Albert," Steven began, breaking the silence, "we've been studying moves, typings, battle systems, even the intricacies of energy flow. But there's one thing I feel like no one has properly explained—how exactly do trainer ranks work? I know there's more than just Rookie and Elite, but… the system feels deliberately layered."
Albert's amethyst eyes gleamed faintly in the sunset. "You're right. It's not something most young trainers think about at the start. But the ranking system defines everything—from how many Pokémon you can officially register, to which battles you can participate in, even how much trust the Pokémon Alliance or the local government places in you."
He opened his notebook, flipping to a neatly written page. "Let's go through it properly. Think of it as a ladder. Every step higher reflects not only your Pokémon's strength but your ability to guide them."
Steven leaned forward eagerly, ready to listen.
Albert began, "The very first step is Starter Trainer. It means you have at least one Pokémon who's at the Rookie Level—essentially, a Pokémon just beginning its training. At this stage, you're still learning the basics of care, bonding, and control."
Steven smirked. "So basically, anyone who finally gets their first Pokémon."
Albert nodded. "From there, you progress to Rookie Trainer. That requires at least three Pokémon, all at Rookie Level. By this point, you've proven you can juggle responsibility, not just for one partner, but for a small team. Most trainers linger here for a while, balancing growth."
"Three rookies, huh?" Steven mused. "I suppose it's a test of patience—teaching you that strength isn't just about numbers, but how well you can guide all of them."
Albert gave him a knowing smile.
"The next step is Adept Trainer. Here, your three Pokémon must all reach Adept Level—stronger, more skilled, battle-ready. This is where many trainers find themselves tested for the first time. It's not enough to just raise Pokémon—you need to start honing strategy."
Steven's eyes glimmered. "That's the point where things become serious."
Albert continued, "Then comes Veteran Trainer. Again, the requirement is three Pokémon, this time all at Veteran Level. It's less about raw strength and more about consistency. At Veteran rank, you're trusted to enter larger tournaments and more dangerous wild zones."
"I see," Steven muttered, tapping his chin. "It's like proving you can handle more than just small-town battles. You're entering the wider world."
"Correct. After that is the Gym Trainer. This is where the curve steepens. All your Pokémon need to be Gym Level—the kind of strength that can rival Gym Leaders' secondary teams." Albert's tone softened slightly. "At this rank, you're recognized as someone capable of shaping Pokémon into real contenders."
Steven's chest tightened with excitement. "That's the kind of level I want to reach quickly. To stand among trainers who command that kind of respect."
Albert chuckled lightly. "You'll get there."
Albert flipped the page. "Now comes Pseudo Elite Trainer. Think of it as a prelude to the League-level trainers. You need at least three Pokémon at Pseudo Elite Level. It's the bridge between advanced competitors and those who are considered true threats on a battlefield."
"Pseudo…" Steven frowned thoughtfully. "So not quite Elite, but close enough to get noticed."
"Exactly," Albert agreed.
"And at this level, you can already try to apply and become a Gym Leader of a certain province. Given that you can defeat the Gym Leader's first Pokemon team and at least have three certain Pokemon with a similar type to the Gym you are currently challenging."
"Then, of course, comes Elite Trainer. At this stage, three of your Pokémon must reach the Elite Level. That's when the League starts to really watch you. These trainers are the ones invited to test against Gym Leaders, or sent to national-level important missions and places."
Steven's eyes shone. "Elite Trainer… That's the goal most people dream about, isn't it?"
Albert nodded. "For many, yes. But for a few, it's only the beginning."
Albert's voice carried weight now. "Next is Pseudo Champion Trainer. It requires three Pokémon at Pseudo Champion Level, with the rest not lower than Elite Level. This is the proving ground before one can challenge true Champions. Trainers at this stage are often treated with awe, since their teams can shake entire tournaments."
Steven let out a low whistle. "So the kind of people you don't want to meet in a back-alley battle."
Albert smirked. "Precisely."
"And then—Champion Trainer. Three Pokémon at Champion Level, with the rest not lower than Pseudo Champion Level. This is the rank that only the best of the best have ever touched. The Champion rank is not just about strength—it's about command, foresight, and adaptability. At this point, your name is etched into history."
Steven swallowed, feeling a flicker of both thrill and intimidation.
"There are currently only nine Champion Trainers in the world, with one taking charge of the general security of each continent. They're the backbone of each local government and the entire IPA."
Albert's tone dropped into reverence. "Beyond Champion lies Pseudo Master Trainer. It's rarely spoken of because so few reach it. This requires three Pokémon at Pseudo Master Level—creatures whose power begins to rival even the myths and legends."
Steven's lips parted slightly. "Pseudo Master… I didn't even know that was an official rank."
"Most don't," Albert admitted. "It's kept quiet, almost like a hidden step. Currently, there are no publicly known Pseudo Master Trainers."
"But…?" Steven continued, knowing Albert knows more than most.
Albert smiled knowingly at him. "But the current chairman of the International Pokémon Alliance is actually a Pseudo Master Trainer, probably the only current one in the entire world."
Finally, Albert closed his notebook. "And at the peak stands Master Trainer. To achieve this, you must command a Pokémon at Master Level—a plateau of strength so rare that only a speck across history has ever reached it. These are the trainers who shape eras, who redefine what is possible."
The weight of his words lingered heavily between them.
Steven let out a slow breath. "So that's the ranking ladder." He leaned back, gazing at the fading horizon. "It's… daunting. But at the same time, it feels like a challenge meant to be climbed."
Albert gave a faint smile, his amethyst eyes reflecting the last rays of the sun. "Exactly. Each rank isn't just about the Pokémon—it's about the trainer who grows alongside them. That's why it's not just a system. It's a philosophy."
For a while, silence lingered. Then Steven tilted his head, his silver hair catching the light. "You know… something bothers me."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Steven's gaze was steady, curious rather than doubtful. "How do you even know all of this in such detail? The ranks, the thresholds, even how the League perceives each step… Most of us don't know about this."
Albert's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile, more like an admission. "Because of my status and rank. As a master researcher, breeder, and doctor, I've had access to materials, conferences, and briefings that aren't exactly public. Certain matters are shared only with professionals in related fields."
His voice softened. "It's not that I'm trying to keep secrets—I simply… see more than most people could."
Steven studied him for a long moment, then leaned closer. "So basically, I'm getting insider knowledge?"
Albert let out a quiet laugh. "Something like that. Though, in truth, this knowledge won't remain hidden forever. Pokémon universities have woven trainer ranking systems into their curriculum, especially for battle majors. Eventually, every aspiring trainer who studies formally will learn the framework of these ranks. Of course, they will only receive knowledge until Champion Rank because that's all they need to know. For me, I've just… had the privilege of knowing more and learning about it earlier."
Steven's expression softened, a mixture of admiration and exasperation. "That's so like you, Albert. Knowing more, always in advance. Sometimes I wonder if there's anything you don't know."
Albert's chuckle was warm, teasing. "Plenty. You'd be surprised."
And yet, Steven thought, watching those faintly glowing amethyst eyes in the dusk, he wasn't entirely convinced.