Reincarnated Into a Pokémon World and Can See Their Hidden Potential?!

With the first round of the tournament behind them, a sense of calm—and anticipation—settled over Celadon City's stadium. Ray and Kira had both passed their opening matches, and the following day gave participants a brief reprieve. Trainers were advised to rest, train, or study their potential rivals. Naturally, Ray chose to do all three.

Back at the hotel, Ray and Kira gathered in the lounge with their families. A large screen glowed in front of them, casting soft blue light over their faces. Ray had plugged in his laptop and pulled up a video that had been circulating rapidly online.

"This guy's got over five million followers," Ray said, adjusting the volume. "He's known for scouting talent and posting breakdowns during tournaments. Let's see who we're up against."

The video thumbnail read: "Top Contenders – Intermediate Tournament 3rd Phase Predictions!"

The video began with dramatic music and rapid cuts of battle footage before fading into the face of a charismatic streamer with spiked black hair and sleek red shades.

"Yo, trainers! It's BlueFlash, and welcome back to another breakdown—this time from Celadon's Intermediate League Tournament! After one insane first round, I've got the top competitors you need to keep an eye on. Let's go!"

Axel Reign – Ranked Challenger

First up on the screen: Axel Reign. His profile flashed up beside crisp highlights of his battle—a sharp-eyed teen with forest-green hair and a battle-hardened demeanor. His Growlithe and Nidorino had dismantled their opponents with expert timing.

"Last year's third-place finisher is back, and he's stronger than ever. Word is, the first and second place from last year already ranked out, so Axel's technically the top returning veteran!"

"Hmm," Kira said, folding her arms. "He looks intense."

Ray nodded. "Experienced and focused. He's going to be trouble."

Aurore Chevalier – Dragon Princess

Next, an image of an elegant girl with silvery-blonde hair and a chilling stare took the screen. A slow-motion clip showed her Dragonair gliding through a battlefield with precision and grace.

"Don't let the looks fool you," BlueFlash warned. "Aurore Chevalier is a direct descendant of the Chevalier Clan—yes, that Chevalier Clan from Jhoto. These folks breathe dragons and exhale superiority."

"She looks… cold," Kira whispered.

"More like frozen," Ray added. "But deadly."

Donovan Lux – Heir to Golden Dusk Holdings

Then came a clip of a sharply dressed teen surrounded by flashing lights. Donovan Lux, heir to the Golden Dusk Holdings—Kanto's largest casino conglomerate—smiled at the camera before commanding his Alakazam in battle.

"We're talking resorts, gambling halls, even entertainment stadiums across Kanto and Johto. And their golden boy? He's a psychic-type tactician with serious resources."

Ray raised an eyebrow. "I bet his Poké Balls are made of gold."

Ritchie – The Wild Card

But the final clip brought silence to the room. A messy-haired boy in a red cap stood calmly on the field with a Pikachu on his shoulder. His match had ended quickly, but the real drama was what followed.

"Ritchie. No known record. No affiliations. But after winning his first match, the losing trainer lost it and sent out three more Pokémon to jump him. And guess what?"

The clip played. Pikachu's cheeks sparked. One Thunderbolt. Three Pokémon down.

"Four enemies. One win. No sweat. The crowd lost its mind."

Kira's eyes widened. "He… handled it alone?"

Ray didn't answer at first. He simply replayed the clip, eyes focused on the Pikachu's smooth movements. "He's fast… and calm. He's dangerous."

The video ended with a graphic titled: "Potential Finalists: Who Will Reign Supreme?"

Ray closed the laptop. The room sat in silence.

"So," Kira said, breaking it. "What do you think?"

Ray leaned back, folding his arms. "We're in a whole new league now."

But despite the tension in the air, neither of them looked nervous. Just focused.

Because now, they knew exactly what kind of storm they were stepping into.