The headquarters of the Trainer Association towered above the city skyline as the annual Gym Leaders' summit was about to begin.
Leaders from thirty-four cities had gathered to reflect on the past year, make plans for the next, and, more importantly, connect with one another and witness the year's Gym Leader qualifying tournament.
The journey from Grassmere City to Dragoncrest City wasn't long, just a two-hour flight, so John had decided to depart the morning of the meeting rather than arrive a day early.
His 9 AM flight touched down just after 11. After a quiet lunch at a nearby restaurant, John made his way to the Trainer Association headquarters at 1 PM.
Fans who had somehow caught wind of his arrival were already waiting, their eyes lit with excitement as John passed by. With quiet composure, he made his way to the third floor where the Central Conference Room awaited.
Inside, a massive round table dominated the room, surrounded by thirty-five seats. One seat was reserved for the event organizer, Vice President of the Draconia Trainer Association.
Draconia's Champion didn't attend events like this; such meetings were the realm of Gym Leaders, not the Elite Four.
"John! Over here!"
As John entered, he spotted his senior, Harisson, waving him over.
"Hey, Senior," John greeted with a small smile, striding toward him.
Each seat had a nameplate representing a different gym. John's seat, labeled Grassmere Gym, was right beside the Frostpeak Gym, Harisson's domain. John couldn't help but wonder if the seating had been arranged deliberately.
The room was already abuzz with conversation as most Gym Leaders had arrived. At the mention of John's name, several heads turned to get a look at him.
In recent months, John had become one of the most talked-about Trainers in Draconia.
His breeding house had introduced the groundbreaking concept of "Individual Value," sparking a nationwide trend. But more than that, his combat record had left everyone stunned: twelve consecutive wins against challengers in just over a month. Even more impressive, each of those victories had been achieved using just a single Pokemon, no substitutions necessary.
This ruthless efficiency earned him respect and fear in equal measure. Challenges had dwindled. Instead, ambitious Trainers came seeking mentorship.
John had declined every request.
His blend of tactical brilliance and innovation had secured his reputation. No one questioned his place among the Gym Leaders anymore.
Some even whispered that John was destined for the Elite Four or beyond.
"It's been a while," Harisson said, giving John a once-over. "You've changed."
"Oh?" John asked, raising an eyebrow. "How so?"
"You're taller for one... and something about your presence feels different," Harisson said, stroking his chin. "You carry yourself like a seasoned master. It's hard to describe. I should introduce you to my old mentor at the academy sometime."
John chuckled and took his seat. "I'm nineteen. A growth spurt shouldn't be that surprising."
He had grown—nearly ten centimeters taller over the past few months. As for the change in demeanor... maybe it had something to do with the elemental orbs. Once you'd felt what it was like to wield the forces of nature with a wave of your hand, it changed you.
"If you hadn't said your age, I'd have forgotten you're still a teenager," Harisson said with a shake of his head. "With your looks, skill, and how you talk, you could pass for a much older man."
Before John could respond, a bald man approached, flanked by a small group of other Gym Leaders.
"Harisson, you keeping this guy all to yourself?" the man asked with a grin. "Introduce us, why don't you?"
"Don't you vultures have any shame?" Harisson shot back playfully. "You'd try to rope him into some scheme within five minutes if I let you. But fine…"
He pointed to the bald man first. "This is Craig Fuller from Lakeside Gym. Most of us call him Baldy."
"Who are you calling bald?" Craig barked in mock indignation, though his expression softened immediately as he turned to John. "Pleasure to meet you, John. I've heard a lot about you. If you ever need a top-tier Water-type, hit me up."
"You mean the last time we fought, when I had you running in circles like a headless Doduo?" Harisson snorted. "Next up, this here is Cameron West, from Stormridge Gym. We call him 'Camera Cam'."
Cameron, a sharp-looking man in a pinstriped shirt and round glasses, smiled and nodded. A vintage camera dangled from his neck, contrasting stylishly with his modern silver watch.
"Owner John, it's an honor," he said warmly.
John returned the smile with a polite nod. "Pleasure."
Harrison went on to introduce a few more Gym Leaders, those he considered trustworthy allies—and subtly pointed out a handful that John should keep at arm's length. After all, the League wasn't a brotherhood. It was a competition.
Every year, only the top-ranked Gym Leader earned the right to challenge the Elite Four. But that didn't mean the other ranks were meaningless.
The thirty-four Gym Leaders were split into four tiers. The first tier consisted of the top Gym Leader alone. The remaining thirty-three were divided into three groups of eleven.
Perks varied wildly between tiers.
A low-tier Gym Leader might receive three rare items as compensation. A top-tier Gym Leader might receive seven. The same went for bonuses and financial rewards, tier differences could mean the difference between surviving and thriving.
Suddenly, the room quieted.
"The meeting will now begin."
All eyes turned toward the speaker: a commanding woman dressed in sharp black attire. Despite her round frame, her presence was immediate and undeniable.
She was Vice President Lillian Grant of the Trainer Association.