The sky above the Academy grounds was a pitiless, cloudless blue.

  Ren stood shoulder to shoulder with nearly two hundred other cadets at the southern field, packed tightly into long rows under the unforgiving sun.

  No announcements.

  No welcome banners.

  Just a steel-faced instructor stepping onto a raised platform, clipboard in hand.

  "First-years," the man barked, his voice amplified by a subtle psychic trick. "This is your evaluation. You will be split into randomized groups. You will enter the wild zone."

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd — swiftly silenced when the instructor’s gaze swept over them.

  "Your task is simple. Survive twenty-four hours. Reach the checkpoint alive. Battle any opponent — human or Pokémon — who bars your way."

  A cold smile touched his lips.

  "Failure is elimination. No second chances."

  Ren's pulse quickened, but his face remained calm.

  He had expected this.

  Worse, even.

  They moved quickly — digital wristbands slapped onto each cadet’s arm, glowing with faint personal energy signatures.

  Ren glanced at his — a soft blue light.

  Nothing fancy.

  Across the field, he spotted flashes of red, yellow, green — random colors, random groups.

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  Luck played a part here.

  But survival would be earned.

  Within minutes, the groups were pushed toward the wild zone — a dense, artificial forest on the Academy’s southern edge, built to simulate true wilderness.

  The instructor’s voice crackled one last time over loudspeakers.

  "Your band will monitor your vitals. If you are knocked unconscious, or deemed unable to continue, emergency retrieval will occur."

  "But know this — those who fail today will not rejoin your class."

  The gates opened with a low, mechanical rumble.

  And the Academy’s first true test began.

  Ren moved with quiet focus.

  Charmander padded beside him, flame burning low but steady — sensing the tension in the air.

  Around them, other groups fanned out cautiously — some loud and overconfident, others tight and wary.

  Ren had no team.

  The blue-band groups were assigned individually for this phase — survival of the fittest.

  Exactly as it should be.

  Within the first hour, chaos erupted.

  A shriek pierced the woods — a boy ambushed by a wild Pidgeotto.

  Somewhere else, explosions of water and fire rocked the air.

  Ren slipped through the underbrush, moving low and silent.

  He wasn’t looking for random fights.

  Not yet.

  Survival came first.

  Patience.

  Observation.

  Opportunity.

  Near a rocky outcropping, Ren paused, scanning the terrain.

  Movement caught his eye.

  Two cadets — blue bands like him — battling furiously.

  One had a Squirtle; the other, a Machop.

  No wild Pokémon — yet.

  Ren chose to bypass them — no need to waste strength early.

  The checkpoint lay somewhere beyond the western cliffs.

  He set his course — weaving through thorn bushes, ducking fallen logs.

  It was almost sunset when the real threat emerged.

  A low growl rumbled through the trees — not a cadet, not a trainer.

  A wild Mightyena.

  Ren froze instinctively.

  The wolf-like beast prowled into view, black fur bristling, yellow eyes gleaming.

  This wasn’t a friendly encounter.

  This was a predator that had learned cadets meant easy meat.

  The Mightyena’s lips curled into a snarl.

  Ren's hand dropped to his belt.

  "Charmander," he said softly. "Ready."

  The Pokéball split open in a burst of light.

  Charmander crouched low, tail flame flaring higher.

  The Mightyena lunged without warning.