The morning air on the Apex Class training grounds was sharp and cold, filled with a tension you could almost taste. The fifty top-ranked first-year students stood assembled on the pristine battlefield, their starter Pokémon at their sides, eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Professor Kaelen.
"Welcome to your first practical evaluation," the professor's voice cut through the silence. "Today is simple. You will battle. You will win, or you will lose. Your rank will be adjusted accordingly."
He gestured to a massive holographic screen that flickered to life beside him. "Battles are one-on-one. The academy's matchmaking system will pair you based on rank. The higher you are, the more points you risk, and the more you stand to gain. Let's begin."
Names began to flash across the screen, pairing off students who scurried to their designated fields. Ryuga's eyes were glued to the top of the list. Then, his matchup appeared, and a ripple of excitement went through the crowd.
Field A: Ryuga Pendragon (Rank 2) vs. Isabella Thorne (Rank 3)
A high-stakes match right off the bat, Ryuga thought, a grin touching his lips. He saw his opponent across the field—a cool, collected girl with long, dark hair, whose calm expression didn't waver. A small, dark blue, dragon-like Pokémon with a shaggy fringe covering its eyes stood faithfully at her side.
[Deino. Type: Dark/Dragon. Potential: 🔵 Blue.]
"Let's go, Dratini," Ryuga whispered. His partner zipped from his shoulder to the field, its body coiling, ready for action.
"The battle between Ryuga Pendragon and Isabella Thorne will now begin!" Professor Kaelen's voice announced from the sidelines.
Isabella wasted no time. "Deino, let's begin. Use Focus Energy!"
Deino let out a sharp cry, its body glowing with a faint, menacing aura as it sharpened its focus, increasing its critical hit chance.
She's not rushing in. She's setting up for a sweep, Ryuga analyzed instantly. I can't let her build momentum.
"Don't give her the chance, Dratini!" Ryuga commanded, his voice sharp. "Full speed, use Wrap!"
*FWOOSH!* Dratini shot forward like a blue arrow, aiming to immobilize its opponent early. But Isabella was ready.
"Too predictable. Deino, counter with Bite!"
Deino met the charge head-on, its jaws snapping shut with a vicious crunch as raw dark energy crackled around its fangs. Dratini, with incredible agility, twisted away at the last second, its tail lashing out like a whip. The two Pokémon were now locked in a fierce, close-quarters dance.
"Now, Deino! Dragon Rage!" Isabella ordered, seeing an opening.
"Dratini, meet it with your own Dragon Rage!" Ryuga yelled.
Two spheres of violent, purple energy erupted from the small dragons' mouths. They collided mid-air with a thunderous *BOOM!*, sending a shockwave of dust and energy across the field. The students watching gasped at the raw power on display.
When the dust settled, both Pokémon were breathing heavily, glaring at each other. They were evenly matched.
A direct power contest is a coin flip, Ryuga thought, his mind racing. Her Deino is tough. I need to break this stalemate... I need to take a risk.
"Deino, press the attack! Finish it with another Bite!" Isabella commanded, confident in her position.
The Deino charged forward again, fangs bared. Then Ryuga gave a command that made the entire field fall silent.
"Dratini, don't dodge! Take the hit and use Leer!"
From the sidelines, Valerius scoffed. "An amateur move. Trading damage for a useless debuff."
Elara, who was watching from a designated viewing area, gasped. "Ryu, what are you doing?!"
Dratini didn't hesitate. It braced itself as the Deino slammed into it, sinking its fangs into its shoulder. A pained cry escaped Dratini's lips—"Kyuu-AAAAH!"—but even as it took the hit, its eyes glowed with fierce, defiant light. It unleashed a powerful, intimidating glare directly into the Deino's face.
A visible shimmer washed over Deino, its tough hide seeming to soften. Its defense had dropped.
Now! Ryuga's inner voice roared. He had baited his opponent in, creating a point-blank opening where it couldn't evade.
"THE OPENING IS OURS!" Ryuga yelled, pointing dramatically. "DRATINI, FULL POWER! DRAGON RAGE!"
With Deino still latched onto its shoulder, Dratini unleashed another sphere of draconic energy. At point-blank range, with the target's defense lowered, the effect was devastating. The explosion of power sent the Deino flying backward, tumbling through the air before landing in a heap, completely knocked out.
Silence. Then, the Professor's voice cut through the stunned air.
"Deino is unable to battle! The winner is Ryuga Pendragon!"
Ryuga let out a shaky breath, a wide grin spreading across his face as Dratini, bruised but triumphant, zipped back to his side. Isabella recalled her Deino, her cool expression finally broken by a look of disbelief. She walked to the center of the field and met Ryuga's eyes.
"That was a reckless, insane strategy," she said, a hint of respect in her voice. "But it worked. Well played, Pendragon."
Ryuga simply nodded. "You too, Thorne."
He glanced over at the sidelines. Professor Kaelen was making a note on his datapad, that same sharp, impressed grin on his face. Not far from him, Valerius was staring, his fists clenched at his sides. His expression wasn't one of respect, but of pure fury. That shouldn't have worked, his eyes seemed to say. That was a sloppy, lucky gamble!
The main leaderboard flickered, updating the points. Ryuga had solidified his Rank 2 position.
Just then, the screen announced the next battle for Field A.
Valerius Argent (Rank 1) vs. Ren Ishikawa (Rank 4)
Ryuga's eyes met Valerius's one last time as the silver-haired boy strode onto the field.
Okay, number one, Ryuga thought, his gaze hardening as he watched his rival take his position. Show me what you've got.