"Will you be back tonight?"
Liu Shuyun stood at the door, carefully tidying Renjiro's collar. Her gentle fingers brushed away an imaginary speck of dust as she looked at him with concern.
Renjiro smiled, his usual mischievous glint flashing in his eyes. "Of course. If I don't come back, where would I sleep?"
His teasing tone made Liu Shuyun blush slightly. "Always thinking bad things," she scolded, rolling her eyes playfully.
Renjiro laughed softly. "Alright, alright. I'm off."
"Be careful on the road," she reminded, her voice tender with worry.
After saying his goodbyes, Renjiro stepped out, the fresh breeze of the Magic City greeting him as he began his journey. Compared to Shuangyang City, where he had lived before, Shanghai—or as many trainers called it, the Magic City—was on an entirely different level. Gone were the days of wandering small parks and hoping to find a worthy opponent. Here, the scale and scope of Pokémon training were immense.
In the heart of the city stood the towering Oriental Pearl, a symbol of ambition and challenge for trainers across the East Daxia Region. The structure was home to the famed Battle Tower, where trainers of all levels came to test their strength and grow.
The Oriental Pearl Tower soared 468 meters into the sky, its 263 floors housing various facilities, including the prestigious Liuyun Gym perched at its peak. This gym was renowned throughout the region and led by none other than Gan Fengyu, an elite-level Flying-type trainer. Gan Fengyu wasn't just any gym leader; he was one of the four elite trainers overseeing the East Daxia Region.
In the vast Yanhuang Alliance, which governed Pokémon activities across the land, the regions were divided into North, South, Central, East, and West Daxia. Each region was protected and represented by four elites and one champion, making a total of twenty-five of the strongest trainers in the nation. From these, the top five would rise to represent the entire Yanhuang Region in international arenas.
This rigorous competition system was the backbone of Yanhuang's dominance on the world stage, and the Battle Tower played a critical role in nurturing that strength.
As Renjiro approached the imposing tower, he felt his heart race. Trainers, both young and seasoned, bustled about the entrance. Some were preparing for battles, others deep in discussion about strategies, and many simply stood in awe, watching the live battle broadcasts playing on massive screens above.
"Battle Tower... I'm finally here," Renjiro whispered, clenching his fists in excitement.
He strode towards the entrance, passing through sleek glass doors that opened automatically. Inside, the reception hall was vast, filled with plush sofas, coffee tables stacked with Pokémon magazines, and fruit plates for visitors. Trainers huddled in groups, sharing tips and recounting their victories and losses.
Dozens of high-definition projectors lined the walls, each streaming thrilling battles happening across the tower's floors. The room vibrated with the energy of countless matches, the rumble of distant combat creating a steady undercurrent of anticipation.
"Look at that match on the thirteenth floor! That's definitely a professional-level duel!"
"Battle Room 3 on the twenty-ninth floor—that Lucario's on a ten-win streak! Unreal!"
Renjiro took it all in, his eyes shining with determination. This was where he belonged.
He queued up at the registration counter, waiting patiently as trainers ahead of him completed their sign-ups. The line moved steadily, and after about thirty minutes, he finally reached the front.
"Hello," Renjiro said politely. "I'd like to register for a Battle Tower challenge."
The Nurse Joy at the counter smiled warmly. "Of course, sir. May I see your trainer card or ID?"
Renjiro hesitated for the briefest moment before pulling out his ID. He hadn't yet taken the professional trainer exam, so he didn't have a trainer card. Unlike the trainer card—which was both proof of status and a powerful credential within the trainer community—the ID was just a basic form of identification.
Nurse Joy accepted it without issue, quickly inputting his details into the system. "That'll be one thousand Alliance coins, sir. Will you be paying by card or cash?"
Renjiro had anticipated the fee. Battle Tower access didn't come cheap for unrated trainers. It was designed that way to prevent novices from flooding the facilities, ensuring only serious challengers made use of its resources.
"Card, please." Renjiro tapped his phone on the scanner, the payment processing with a soft chime.
"Thank you. Here's your ID and your room key card. You're assigned to Room 12 on the twenty-second floor. Good luck!"
Renjiro took the key card and ID, offering a nod of thanks. As he headed towards the elevator, his mind raced with strategy. The Battle Tower wasn't just about winning—it was about learning, adapting, and pushing oneself beyond the limits.
Inside the elevator, trainers stood in silence, each lost in their thoughts. The soft music playing over the speakers did little to calm the tension that hung in the air.
When the doors opened on the twenty-second floor, Renjiro stepped out and found himself in a corridor lined with doors on either side. Each door led to a private battle room, soundproofed to ensure the focus remained solely on the match.
He swiped his card at Room 12's scanner. The door clicked open, revealing a spacious arena with metallic floors and reinforced walls. Cameras in each corner recorded the battle, broadcasting it live to the projectors in the reception hall below.
Renjiro walked to his designated spot, taking a deep breath. This was it. His first official challenge in the Battle Tower.
The opposing trainer entered moments later—a young woman with sharp eyes and a confident stride. She introduced herself as Lin Yuwei, a mid-level trainer aiming to break through to professional status.
"Let's give them a good show," Renjiro said, offering a friendly smile.
Lin Yuwei smirked. "Don't hold back. I'm here to win."
The battle began.
Renjiro released his Beedrill, the fierce Bug-type buzzing with energy, its stingers gleaming under the arena lights. Lin Yuwei responded with a Roselia, the elegant Grass/Poison-type Pokémon readying its petals for attack.
"Beedrill, Agility!"
"Roselia, Stun Spore!"
Beedrill's speed increased dramatically, weaving effortlessly between Roselia's cloud of spores. It struck back with a powerful Twinneedle attack, landing a direct hit that forced Roselia onto the defensive.
The match was intense, with both trainers pushing their Pokémon to the limit. Beedrill's swift movements and precise strikes gradually wore down Roselia's defenses. After a fierce exchange, Lin Yuwei finally called back her fainted Pokémon, conceding the match with a smile of respect.
"That was a great battle," she said. "Your Beedrill is incredible."
"Thanks. You gave us a real challenge," Renjiro replied, shaking her hand.
As he left the battle room, Renjiro felt a surge of pride. This was only the beginning, but each victory brought him one step closer to his dream.
He returned to the front desk to report his win and was offered the chance to continue. Trainers could keep battling for as long as they liked or until their team could no longer fight.
Renjiro chose to rest for now. His journey in the Battle Tower had just begun, and he wanted to be at his best for the next round.
As he stepped outside into the cool night air, the lights of the Magic City twinkled around him. The path ahead was long, but Renjiro was ready for whatever came next.
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