April 26th.
Rookie trainers from the twenty key high schools of Azure Province remained in the athlete's village at the Aurelia Arena. Most of them had received some intel from their lead professional trainers.
Exposure to a Secret Realm!
What kind of place was a Secret Realm?
It was a dangerous zone that only Professional Trainers were qualified to explore. Under normal circumstances, anyone below that rank—even related personnel—could only stay within the safety zones at the entrances and exits. Without special circumstances, a trainer might go their entire life without ever stepping foot inside one.
As for how a Secret Realm differed from Earth, there wasn't actually that much of a physical difference, aside from the fact that human technology was often disrupted by spatial magnetic fields and the local Pokémon were significantly more aggressive.
"We're not going as one big group? We're being split up?"
Owen was taken aback when he received the latest notice. He had assumed a team of Professional Trainers would take all the rookies on a collective sightseeing tour.
Instead, the twenty-two rookies were divided into small groups, each entering different Secret Realms under the protection of different professionals.
Ms. Nina had stayed behind to handle Owen's paperwork while the rest of the Fairview No. 1 team returned home.
"That's right," she explained. "But this is actually better. It allows for a more targeted experience in different environments. This is a rare opportunity, so cherish it. Make sure to follow the professional's instructions—your safety is guaranteed."
"Departure is tomorrow at 5:00 AM. I'll give you the specific location then."
Ms. Nina looked at Owen with a hint of envy. Since she wasn't a Professional Trainer, she had only ever entered an undeveloped Secret Realm once as a volunteer during an emergency.
It was a micro-realm, similar to the one Owen had accidentally wandered into, and it was essentially a treasure trove of resources.
The Aurelia Trainer Association's decision to let these rookies in wasn't for combat training—the risks were too high.
The goal was likely to let them reap some benefits from well-developed, safe areas, broaden their horizons, and let them experience the unique atmosphere of a Realm.
With Professional Trainers acting as bodyguards, these twenty-two rookies were essentially being given the same treatment as high-level Pokémon researchers.
"Got it," Owen nodded. "5:00 AM... Guess I better get some sleep early tonight."
The Next Day, Aurelia Airport.
Owen and Eevee wore identical expressions of confusion as they met their group mate.
"Why is it you?"
Jean had swapped her uniform for a casual black T-shirt. Facing Owen's question, she retorted, "I was about to ask the same thing."
She then fell into a silent stare, looking at Owen and the sleepy Eevee draped over his shoulder like a scarf. When rivals meet, the air tends to crackle.
"Well, what a coincidence. Is there anyone else?" Owen checked the time. It was just the two of them. Had all the other rookies been sent elsewhere? And why pair them together? Eevee and Haunter had nothing in common.
Plus, Owen could tell the girl was in a terrible mood. He was right. Looking at Owen, Jean felt a knot of frustration in her chest.
She was still brooding over the match. If she had lost to some mysterious, unknown move, she could accept it... but she had lost to a "fake sleep" trap. Her pride had taken a hit that was only just beginning to heal.
She had vowed that from now on, she would always finish opponents from a distance. No more giving "dirty" trainers a chance to counter. Owen and Eevee had certainly taught her a lesson.
Owen grinned at her. "So, do you know which Professional Trainer is taking us?"
"That would be me."
A voice called out. Owen turned and his eyes widened in surprise.
The newcomer smiled. "Good morning. I'm planning to take you both on a day trip to the Spirit Realm. What do you think?"
"..." Owen. "..." Eevee.
At the mention of the "Spirit Realm," Eevee's sleepiness vanished instantly.
In the anime, the Spirit Realm (or Ghost World) is a mysterious place inhabited by ghosts and Ghost-type Pokémon. On Earth, the Spirit Realm had manifested as a special type of Secret Realm. Research into "Spirit Waves" had revealed that the space within was massive—truly an Ultra-Large Secret Realm.
An "Ultra-Large" realm didn't sound like a place for a casual "day trip." Yet, the young man standing before them was making it sound like a walk in the park.
"Master Jiang..." Owen greeted him respectfully. This was a man who had bled for the country and brought home national honors. He was as reliable as they came.
"Vee..." Eevee waved a paw. This man was a constant fixture on TV; even Eevee recognized him.
"Mhm." Jiang Li smiled at Owen and the silent Jean. Sensing their hesitation, he added, "The Spirit Realm is an Ultra-Large realm, but it's unique. It doesn't merge with Earth like other Secret Realms do."
"And while the space is vast, many areas aren't interconnected. Every entrance leads to a different location. I'm taking you to the Jiuyuan Town Spirit Realm entrance in this province. There's a small entrance there open to professionals that is perfect for your first experience."
He turned and began to walk.
Coming to Aurelia, Jiang Li had originally only intended to take Jean to experience the Spirit Realm. However, after watching the matches and hearing about Owen from the Association, he had become intrigued.
He didn't mind offering a bit of guidance to a "grassroots" trainer who clearly had a bright future and had shown genuine talent in the Ghost-type field. After all, he might be looking at a future Ghost Master in the making.
While the Spiral Shadow Ball Eevee created using Divide and Conquer, Substitute, and Helping Hand wasn't a "god-tier" technique in Jiang Li's eyes, it was remarkably advanced for a rookie.
Most professionals at the arena hadn't even fully grasped the difficulty of what Eevee had done, but Jiang Li, a true Ghost-type specialist, had seen right through it.
Seeing Owen's potential, Jiang Li had decided to pull him into this group. Since Owen had no background, he wouldn't get this kind of specialized attention elsewhere.
Jiang Li figured he might as well "polish" him a bit and guide him toward the path of a Ghost-type specialist.
"Let's move," Jiang Li said.
Owen and Jean exchanged a glance, hearts thumping as they followed behind.
A day trip to the Spirit Realm... why does that sound like we're being taken to hell?
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