When the crisis in Yuan ty erupted, the ty's gover quickly reached out to the Trainer Association for assistance.

  In respohe Trainer Associatioed all the 20 uies across the imperial capital, summoning third- and fourth-year students for immediate support.

  However, the gravity of the situation also drew many eager first- and sed-year students who, though less experienced, came along out of curiosity and a desire to help.

  Among the schools responding, the Third Military Academy, due to its rigorous military discipline, was one of the quickest to mobilize, right behind Imperial Capital Uy and just ahead of Shu Uy.

  With this swift student resporainers regained trol over the Pokémon that had broken out from the secret realm in Yuan ty.

  By sheer luck—or perhaps fate—Will, discovered three Voltorbs that had been pnted by members of the Z anization, each prepped to self-destruct within the granary.

  The granary, a secure structure chosen as an emergency shelter, held hundreds of thousands of evacuated citizens.

  If the Voltorbs had self-destructed, the devastation would have been unimaginable, with no ce of survival for those inside. Will's quick a saved tless lives, for which he would be rewarded.

  This attack seemed to be the Z anization's st attempt to turn the i in their favor.

  By detonating Voltorbs and other explosives, they hoped to obliterate the shelter and cause mass casualties, damaging Drakoria's reputation and elevating their own as an anization capable of striking fear even into the heart of a highly secure nation.

  Thankfully, the worst had beeed, though the aftermath still held signifit loss.

  Reports the day revealed the toll: 5,000 civilians had lost their lives, and over 40,000 had been injured.

  Tragically, over 300 trainers had been killed, with another 2,000 sustaining injuries.

  The eic impact was staggering, as infrastructure in Yuan ty y in ruins.

  The tragedy ignited public e across Drakoria. Citizens he Z anization, and online, expressions of grief and fury flooded social ptforms.

  The Drakorian gover acted swiftly, with Fn Ministry spokesperson delivering a firm response.

  That same afternoon, Drakoria deployed six Elite trainers, led by Steel Elite John, to locate and eliminate one of the Z anization's overseas strongholds.

  The mission was a success: the stronghold was destroyed, and a high-ranking member of the anization was captured.

  This fierce retaliation from Drakoria sent shockwaves through the iional unity, causing other terrroups to resider any as within Drakorian borders.

  The message was clear—Drakoria would not tolerate threats to its people.

  --

  Meanwhile, at Imperial Uy, Julian roached by Slowking, whht along several gover officials.

  "Student Walker," one of the officials began, "I'm with the Imperial Capital Trainer Association. We're here to gather an at of what happened in the secret realm."

  Julian knew much of the events outside had already been broadcasted live and witnessed by tless trainers, so there was o review every detail.

  "Um"

  Nodding, he proceeded to ret what had happened within the secret realm, expining his as in a clear, cise manner.

  "Oh, and this," Julian said, produg the Feraligatr's Poké Ball.

  "I was going to give this to Teacher Frank, but I nearly fot."

  The staff members were slightly taken aback, knowing the immense value of ae-level Pokémon.

  They knew from Persian that Julian had taken the Poké Ball of the Elite-level Feraligatr and had not retur.

  One of the main reasons the officials were there was io collect the Feraligatr's Poké Ball, but they had decided not to force Julian if he wao keep it.

  Given Julian's signifit tributions to handling the i, the Feraligatr could have served as a reward in pce of other pensation.

  However, Julian had merely fotten to give it, not out of reluce to part with ae Pokémon.

  "Thank you," oaff member said, taking the Feraligatr's Poké Ball.

  They khat, in the right hands, this Elite-level Pokémon would serve as a valuable asset to the Trainer Association.

  Although it was teically seized from a terrorist anization, this practice of repurposing captured Pokémon was standard protocol worldwide.

  Releasing ae Pokémon bato the wild, especially one previously aligned with a dangerous group, that would be too dumb.

  "We'll ehat the appropriate rewards are issued soon. On behalf of Drakoria and the Trainer Association, Juliahank you for your support"

  Several staff members gave Julian a slight salute.

  Julian waved a hand, unfortable with the formality.

  "No need for thanks, I just did what was necessary."

  Though modest, Julian was also slightly curious about the reward he might receive.

  "Actually, may I suggest something for the reward?"

  "Of course, as long as it's reasonable. I'll submit it for approval," the staff member replied.

  "I'd prefer to skip any Pokémon rewards. Instead, if possible, I'd like permission to ehe ruins"

  At his level, Julian didn't need -grade Pokémon, and he khe Trainer Association would not grant him any high-tier, Blue-grade Pokémon.

  A Ruiry Ticket, however, would be much more valuable to him.

  Ruins a realms share some simirities but are distin key ways.

  (T/N: Treat both as same except that secret realms are like natural areas, whereas ruins are pces where humans once resided, so you find remains of human civilization there)

  While secret realms are graded by the strength levels of their Pokémon, ruins are not.

  Secret realms have a pyramid-like distribution of Pokémon, with stronger ones being rare.

  In ruins, however, most Pokémon begin at the Advanced level, with occasional pseudo-Elites aes, and even, pseudo-champions if you were unlucky.

  Fortunately, there were very few Pokémo in the ruins.

  The most signifit aspect of the ruins is the ce of entering traces of legendary Pokémon.

  Some first-level legends, such as Rayquaza, were initially found within ruins, like the legendary Dragon Ruins, before they emerged into the outside world.

  Numerous ruins were even named after the legendary Pokémon associated with them.

  Ruins also held a wealth of a knowledge, including advaeologies like Poké Ball manufacturing, Energy Cube crafting, and Poké Ball transmission.

  It recisely because of these teologies that Pokémon were quickly ied into human life.

  In some respects, ruins were even more valuable tha realms, although they were far fewer in number.

  Julian had the clearao enter advanced secret realms and even he didn't he could have easily asked, John, to make that happen.

  But gaining access to ruins was another matter; entry was tightly trolled by the Drakorian Trainer Association and required an exceptional tribution to be granted.

  "Uood. I'll rey your request"

  The staff member said, impressed by Julian's fht.

  As a young aristocrat, Julian had already demonstrated strength, ce, and wisdom beyond his years. As long as he didn't fall young, his future achievements would be limitless.