"I graduated from Kyoto Academy this year, and I'm currently training for the Elite Four Challenge Tournament."
"I'm Yang Qianqian, a Peak Trainer, and I formally challenge you!"
Trainer ranks were mainly divided as follows: Rookie Trainer was Xu Mu's current rank.
After that, Trainers could earn certification at an academy or a local Pokémon League center and advance through Beginner Trainer, Intermediate Trainer, Advanced Trainer, and Ace Trainer.
Beyond Ace Trainer, the ranks were divided more systematically and precisely.
First came Distinguished Trainers, whose Pokémon were mostly at the Pseudo-Elite Four level.
Then came Peak Trainers, whose Pokémon stood somewhere between Elite Four and Master Class.
More specifically, Peak Trainers had to place in the top three of the Elite Four Challenge Tournament to become Elite Four Trainers!
Only then would they have proven their strength and gained considerable social standing.
Once they became Elite Four Trainers, they could enter the World Elite Four Tournament. Reaching the top sixteen would earn them a title.
They would officially become Venerables!
So Peak Trainer was an awkward rank, neither here nor there.
Most Peak Trainers set their sights on the Elite Four Challenge Tournament, hoping to place in the top three and become Elite Four Trainers.
Yang Qianqian was no exception.
"Xu Mu, Rookie Trainer."
Seeing Yang Qianqian formally introduce herself, Xu Mu grew serious too.
But what he said was anything but serious.
A Rookie Trainer was about to battle a Peak Trainer, and she was the one who had issued the challenge?
How did that make any sense?
What Rookie Trainer had a Pokémon with strength comparable to Master Class?
"All right, Gardevoir, let's go!"
Yang Qianqian ignored that little inconsistency, took a battle stance, and looked at Xu Mu.
Xu Mu gave her a closer look and realized