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

The tension of the tournament's first phase had finally lifted.

Back at the Pokémon Center's outdoor facilities, Ray and Kira took the opportunity to unwind after five grueling rounds. The sun was gentle, casting a golden hue over the training courtyard, and a cool breeze carried the scents of blooming flowers from the surrounding hedges.

Ray sat on a mat, tending to Dratini, who curled around his arm, its scales shimmering with a faint lavender glow. Pidgeotto was perched atop a polished stone post, feathers rustling softly as it preened itself. Charmander, sitting nearby, practiced gentle flame control, creating controlled flickers from its tail.

On the other side of the yard, Kira was assisting Tyrogue with mobility drills while Machoke stretched slowly under the shade. Their training was light—less about exertion and more about connection and recovery.

Ray looked up at the sky. "Feels… strange. Like everything's been moving fast until now, and suddenly, we get a breather."

Kira smiled. "We've earned it. But it's just the eye of the storm."

Meanwhile – Pokémon League Administrative Complex, Celadon City

In a soundproof conference room surrounded by reinforced glass walls, members of the tournament organization committee gathered for one final decision: the seeding and bracket construction for the Second Stage.

At the center sat Miranda Kestrel, Tournament Coordinator and chief official for the Intermediate Trainer Championship.

To her right was Director Iwan Dree, in charge of security oversight, and beside him Maiko Fujita, lead analyst and data curator.

Miranda tapped her digital pen on the table as she spoke.

"The first stage performance has been processed. Based on combat efficiency, strategic consistency, and trainer performance, the system has established a provisional Top 10."

She pressed a button, and a screen lit up with profiles and data columns. The names of the ten highest-ranking trainers appeared:

Evangeline Chevalier – Descendant of the Chevalier Clan, known for their legacy of elite dragon tamers. Her commanding presence in battle and mastery of coordination earned her the highest technical score.

Ritchie K. – A mysterious rising star. In his first match, he famously defeated four Pokémon using only his Pikachu, showcasing unmatched reaction speed and power.

Ray Virel – Surprised analysts with his deep tactical insight and team synergy. His Pokémon displayed rare aptitude shifts mid-battle, including a Pidgeotto pushing beyond expected combat tiers.

Kira Damos – Demonstrated a strong bond with her Machoke and tactical growth throughout the rounds. Consistency and adaptation made her one of the most stable combatants.

Tyson Greaves – A flashy trainer from Golden Dusk Holdings, the largest casino conglomerate in Kanto. Backed by technology and personal trainers, his team is high-performance, if unpredictable.

Vince Rellion – Last year's third-place finalist, known for brute force strategies. He returned with a stronger team, intent on claiming the crown this year.

Lance Everett – A technical prodigy with a preference for Steel-type Pokémon. His methodical, unbreakable defense turned heads in the early rounds.

Selene Frostmoor – A distant relative of the Sinnoh Battle Frontier family. Known for calm precision and clever use of status effects.

Calem Drysten – A rural trainer who shocked everyone by defeating an opponent with a single move. Specializes in unpredictability.

Bea Hollowind – A graceful but fierce battler, she relies on evasive tactics and dual-types with high mobility.

Maiko scrolled through the data. "No doubt, this group outperformed expectations. But if we let them fight each other too early, we risk a premature final."

Director Dree folded his arms. "I agree. The second stage will be our first showcase to the public. We need it to be balanced. Spread them out."

Miranda nodded. "Top 10 will each go into separate brackets. The rest of the matchups will be randomized."

With a final confirmation, the bracket distribution was locked.

Back at the Center

Evening had settled. Ray and Kira sat atop the roof of the Pokémon Center, legs dangling over the edge as they stared at the glowing skyline of Celadon.

"The second stage starts in just two days," Kira said softly. "You ready?"

Ray exhaled. "As ready as I'll ever be. But I heard the format changes—full battles this time. No room for lucky breaks."

Kira grinned. "Good. I don't want to win with luck. I want to earn it."

They sat in silence for a moment. Then, Kira extended her pinky. "No matter what… let's meet in the finals."

Ray wrapped his pinky around hers. "It's a promise."

In a few hours, the second stage bracket would be announced.