After leaving the exchange center, Silas headed toward the service hall of Team Rocket's base.
He hadn't come here just to sell Pokémon.
He had another goal–
Promotion.
Within Team Rocket, the rank above Squad Leader was Platoon leader.
The difference between the two wasn't just status.
It was authority And benefits.
A Platoon Leader received a fixed monthly allowance of 20 Rocket Points.
Not much at first glance but over time, it accumulated into a considerable amount.
More importantly they could lead their own team.
Operate independently.
Even establish branches in remote towns and villages.
In simple terms ,it was the first step toward building your own power base.
Your own subordinates.
Your own influence.
This was also a test.
A way for Team Rocket to evaluate whether someone had the capability ,not just in battle but in strategy and control.
Every rank within Team Rocket carried meaning.
A system no less sophisticated than the Pokémon League.
Silas stepped up to the service window.
Tap. Tap.
He placed his badge and ID card on the counter.
The staff member, who had been lazily spacing out, immediately snapped to attention.
"S-Sir! What service do you require?"
Silas's voice was calm.
"Promotion."
Soon he was led to a sealed training arena.
The room was enclosed by reinforced glass.
Above, on the second floor, were private
viewing rooms likely reserved for higher-ranking members.
At the center stood the battlefield.
Not too large.
Not too small But clearly built from special materials.
It could withstand battles at the quasi-Elite / high-tier level.
Even Pokémon around Level 60 wouldn't damage it.
At that moment a promotion battle was already underway But unlike normal tests this one was a double battle.
"Nidoking! Nidoqueen! Use Earth Power together!"
Two identical voices rang out.
Twins.
Two massive figures ,each over two meters tall slammed their feet into the ground.
The battlefield trembled.
Earth energy surged forward in waves,striking the opposing Pokémon directly.
BOOM!
The opponent collapsed.
Unable to continue.
The twins erupted in excitement.
The referee spoke without emotion:
"Squad Leaders Shinichi and Shinji successfully promoted to Platoon Leader."
Silas watched silently.
"So… Nidoking and Nidoqueen."
"A fitting combination."
Both Pokémon were clearly Elite-level.
No wonder they passed But Silas was alone.
His test would be one-on-one.
....
He adjusted his mask and stepped forward.
As he passed the twins ,he gave them only a brief glance.
Nothing more.
They didn't notice him.
Too busy celebrating.
"Big brother, we did it! Our double Earth Power combo really worked!"
"Heh… of course. Now we finally have a foothold in Hoenn."
"What about those two we made an alliance with?"
"Hmph. Just words. If they follow us, fine. If not…"
Silas walked on.
A faint, cold smile appeared.
As he entered the battlefield a middle-aged man with freckles looked down from above.
"Oh? Another one here for promotion?"
"Busy these days…"
His gaze shifted.
Landing on Silas then on Crawdaunt behind him.
"Not bad," he said. "Well-trained Pokémon."
"You're Black Sky, right?"
"Prepare for the test."
Without further delay he activated the system.
A metal cage rose on the opposite side.
Inside a Pokémon appeared.
Flygon.
Its wings beat slowly kicking up grains of sand.
Even restrained it radiated pressure.
Elite-level.
Silas's eyes narrowed slightly.
Even simple movement stirred sand.
If it used Sandstorm the battlefield would become a desert.
"…Alright."
His mind began working rapidly.
"Ice-type moves four times effective."
"Crawdaunt has the advantage."
"If it uses Sandstorm…"
"I counter with Rain Dance."
A basic plan formed instantly.
Then he noticed something.
The Flygon's eyes.
Unstable.
Aggressive.
Almost feral.
Silas spoke calmly:
"What are the rules?"
The middle-aged man stroked his beard.
Originally this test required defeating an Elite Pokémon in a one-on-one battle. But…
"Kid, your luck isn't great," he said with a smirk.
"You drew a Dragon-type."
"The hardest difficulty."
He paused.
Then added:
"I'll loosen the rules."
"No restrictions."
"Use as many Pokémon as you want."
"Win within ten minutes."
Silas didn't respond.
Numbers could help but not always.
In battles at this level low-level Pokémon were nearly useless.
The shockwaves alone could knock them out.
"This fight…"
"Depends on Crawdaunt."
Sharpedo.
Honchkrow.
Umbreon.
Support at best.
The difference in base strength was too large.
One was a dragon-type Elite Pokémon with strong lineage.
The other a Crawdaunt But Silas wasn't worried.
Because strength wasn't everything.
Training.
Strategy.
Control.
That was where he excelled.
He looked up.
Calm.
Composed.
"I'm ready."
"Open the cage."
<><><><><><>
(End of chapter)