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

The second stage of the Intermediate Trainer Tournament had officially begun. The format had changed to full 3-on-3 battles, and the tension in the air was palpable. The randomized battlefield assigned for Ray's first match: Misty Forest—a dense arena filled with towering trees, thick underbrush, and a persistent low-hanging fog that made visibility difficult and movement tricky.

Ray stood at the edge of the battlefield, calmly scanning the terrain. This wasn't going to be easy—sightlines were broken, footing could be uncertain, and it was a dream field for Pokémon that relied on stealth or sensory-based combat.

Across the misty field stood his opponent—Marcus, a quiet but confident trainer clad in dark blue gear. He looked like someone used to forest combat. With a confident motion, Marcus sent out his first Pokémon.

"Floatzel, to the front."

From a flash of white light came a sleek, muscular Floatzel, fur bristling slightly in the cold mist. The Pokémon sniffed the air, body tensed like a predator. Ray's system blinked silently:

[Pokémon: Floatzel][Level: 39][Aptitude: Core Green]

Ray narrowed his eyes. So that's his ace right off the bat. He needed to be cautious.

"Dratini, let's start strong," Ray called, tossing his Pokéball.

Dratini appeared with a quiet flash, its long body curling across a fallen tree limb as it faced Floatzel through the mist. The contrast was stark: Floatzel, seasoned and fierce; Dratini, calm and composed.

Marcus didn't wait. "Aqua Jet!"

Floatzel vanished into the mist like a bullet. But Ray was ready. "Slide right, then Coil and wait!"

The mist rippled as Floatzel burst from the left instead—fast, but Dratini coiled and launched Thunder Wave at the last second. A bright jolt shot through the trees—Floatzel flinched mid-attack, body stiffened by paralysis.

"Dragon Rush!"

Dratini surged forward like a phantom, cloaked in blue energy, and struck directly. Floatzel was pushed back hard, landing with a splash in a hidden forest puddle.

Marcus recalled him quickly. "Enough. You got him."

Ray said nothing. He simply recalled Dratini with a small nod.

Marcus sent out his second Pokémon: Roselia. Beautiful, graceful, and… not nearly as prepared.

Ray countered instantly. "Charmander, you're up!"

Charmander stepped out onto a mossy rock, tail lighting up the fog around them.

[Pokémon: Charmander][Level: 31][Aptitude: Purple]

"Use Flame Burst!"

The fire lit up the shadows, disorienting Roselia instantly. "Now, follow up with Metal Claw!"

A swift combination of type advantage and terrain manipulation made the battle short. Roselia went down without much of a fight.

One more to go.

Marcus hesitated, then threw out his final Pokéball. "Noctowl, go!"

Ray smirked slightly. "Time for some fresh air. Pidgeotto, it's yours."

Pidgeotto emerged with a proud screech, wings slicing through the fog.

[Pokémon: Pidgeotto][Level: 42][Aptitude: Deep Blue]

The wind stirred as both birds hovered above the forest floor. Noctowl tried Hypnosis, but Ray had trained Pidgeotto well to resist mental manipulation. A sudden dive, a Wing Attack, and then a Quick Attack combo ended the battle decisively.

The judge raised a flag. "Victory: Ray Virel!"

Ray exhaled deeply and looked at the trees.

From the viewing platform, Kira grinned as she watched. He didn't even need to call out all his tactics. Just pure coordination.

But Ray wasn't smiling. He was already thinking about the next fight—already preparing mentally.

Only twelve trainers would reach the third stage. He was going to be one of them.