Weeks had passed since Combat Class began.
Day after day, Ray and the rest of the academy students trained under the watchful eyes of instructors. Their once-clumsy movements sharpened. Their bonds with their partners grew stronger. And their Pokémon? They were evolving—not always literally, but in strength, awareness, and instinct.
Some students still struggled, but others were beginning to shine.
Ray had been keeping notes. Quietly. Privately. Every battle, every movement, every StatSight scan became part of his growing mental database.
Pidgey – Aptitude: Deep Green | Combat Level: 23"Faster aerial evasion. Gust now has rotational force. Possible readiness for Wing Attack."
Machop – Aptitude: Blue | Combat Level: 27"Balance improved. Kira's directional commands are more fluid. Leans toward brute efficiency but improving in counters."
Houndour (Cael) – Aptitude: Core Green | Combat Level: 24"Steady growth. No wasted energy. Strategy-focused. Weak against burst-type fighters."
These numbers weren't guesses. They were truth—hidden from everyone but Ray.
He hadn't told anyone. Not Kira, not even his parents.
Because the moment he revealed how much he could see—and how far ahead he truly was—it would change everything.
That morning, Instructor Fennel stood at the front of the assembly hall with a clipboard in hand and an expression that promised excitement—and danger.
"Today," she announced, "you're leaving campus."
A wave of whispers swept through the students like wildfire.
Ray leaned forward.
Fennel continued. "We're heading to the edge of the Elmshade Forest for your first real exploration activity. You'll be under strict supervision at all times, but this isn't a field trip. It's a controlled, real-world test."
Eyes widened.
"Wild Pokémon territory?" someone muttered.
"Correct," said Fennel. "The area is low threat, and it's been pre-cleared of known predators. Still, it's outside our walls—and that means risk. You'll be accompanied by instructors… and one special guest."
She gestured toward the side entrance.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
A broad-shouldered man stepped through the doors, towering and calm.
Ray recognized him instantly.
Damos, Kira's father. The Elite-level Fighting-type Specialist.
He wore his usual sleeveless field coat, his scarred arms crossed casually, with a Pokéball clipped to each hip. His Machamp followed close behind, massive and steady.
The Machamp's presence alone quieted the entire hall.
Machamp – Aptitude: Light Purple | Combat Level: 63Stable. High pressure aura. No visible signs of fatigue.
Ray caught Damos's eye for just a second.
The man gave him the tiniest nod—almost like they shared a private understanding.
Students were divided into small teams. Ray, Kira, and Cael were grouped together—unsurprisingly. Their instructors had started putting the strongest students together to test synergy and reveal weaknesses.
"I hope we see something big," Kira whispered, eyes sparkling.
"I hope we don't get mauled by something big," Cael replied dryly.
Ray smiled but said nothing. His mind was already racing through terrain strategies and type matchups. This wasn't just a chance to observe wild Pokémon.
This was the first true step into the unpredictable living world beyond textbooks and training grounds.
As the academy gates opened and the students marched toward the tree-lined horizon, Ray's hand rested lightly on Pidgey's Pokéball at his side.
Today wouldn't just be a test of skill.
It would be a glimpse of what lay ahead.
The real world. The wild. The unknown.