Chapter 57:

As he strode into the hall, Cain was met with a grand and spacious room, featuring a towering platform at its center, upon which a regal chair was perched. Undeterred, Cain made a beeline for the chair and took his seat with ease, while his companion, Murkrow, alighted upon the backrest.

Gazing down at the two rows of onlookers, Cain was momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliarity of his surroundings. He couldn't help but reflect on the ambition that drove so many to seek power, to rule from on high, looking down upon their subjects.

Stepping forward, Skye broke the silence. "Cain, our group now numbers twenty-five, with an average rank of around forty," he said. "Our strongest members hold ranks in the tens and twenties, making us a formidable presence in this base."

Cain nodded silently, gesturing for him to continue.

"So far, our standing has kept any potential enemies at bay," Skye continued. "In just two brief days, we've amassed a total of 237 points, all of which are recorded on my identity card."

On this trial island, there was an implicit understanding that joining a group offered a degree of protection, but also required a contribution of twenty percent of any completed missions.

"For now, those points will remain in your care," Cain said, his tone dismissive. "Anyone who has contributed can be rewarded directly." He saw little value in such a small number of points, recognizing that even the strongest of trialist groups would pale in comparison to the vast power of Team Rocket. However, he had formed this force for the sole purpose of recruiting his own loyal members once he had established himself within Team Rocket.

After Cain listened to Skye's report, he dismissed the group of men. He was not one to linger in the company of others, not in his former life nor in his current. He found solace only in the presence of his Pokémon.

Skye's managerial skills, however, caught Cain off guard, and he delegated all management responsibilities to him, opting for a hands-off approach. Should Skye remain loyal, he would be Cain's first true underling in Team Rocket. "I trust you will not disappoint me, Skye," Cain whispered as he and Murkrow departed from the hall.

The afternoon had been designated for the test, thanks to Viper's alterations to the rules. Cain had some time to spare before the test began and decided to head to the exchange center to submit Umbra's mission.

The exchange center was bustling with activity as the trialists had adapted and figured out how to earn points by completing tasks and exchange them for various items. However, unlike Cain, many struggled to earn a few dozen points, with more difficult or coveted missions snatched up by larger groups. Despite the bustling environment, a familiar staff member at one of the counters noticed Cain's arrival and beckoned him over with a smile. "I never expected you to return without issue, sir had instructed that you could proceed straight to him once you arrived," the staff member greeted Cain. Cain was befuddled by Umbra's arrangement but merely nodded.

In an inconspicuous corner, the staff member once more unlocked the hidden door for Cain. This time, as he traversed the gloomy passageway, his spirit was much lighter. His previous dealings with Umbra had led him to believe that as long as he had value, Umbra would not turn against him. Moreover, the award of the Shadow Unit's Reserve Member Medal further solidified this belief.

The room was unchanged, with its familiar bookshelves and desk, but Umbra was no longer concealed beneath his enigmatic hooded cloak. This was the first occasion Cain had beheld Umbra's true visage. He was a man with light brown hair, pallid skin from years of absence from sunlight, and a countenance that blended European and Asian features. One hand clasped a book, three fingers missing, while the other, delicate and almost feminine, held it steady. His attire, a simple black suit, exuded elegance and competence.

As Umbra became aware of Cain's arrival, he abandoned his reticence from their previous encounter, and greeted him with a smile. "You're here," he said. The surprise that Cain had managed to return was absent from his voice.

Cain acknowledged the greeting and approached the desk, where he courteously placed Gengar's Pokeball, which he had brought along, onto the surface.

Umbra's gaze became complex as he laid his eyes upon the Pokeball. He retrieved it from the desk and, through the semi-transparent top, he could make out the form of Gengar within.

Gengar, who had been idly reclining inside the ball, also caught sight of Umbra and sprang to his feet, his expression one of eagerness.

"I have wronged you, Gengar," Umbra addressed the ghostly Pokémon within the ball, before securing it in its designated compartment on his belt. He then turned to Cain, who stood respectfully, and said, "You have performed admirably. You may return to the staff member and receive your well-deserved reward of 10,000 points."

The sum, though substantial, was a mere trifle to one in Umbra's position.

"Yes," Cain replied curtly, his self-discipline unchanged. Umbra had always been impressed with Cain's ability to hold his tongue and know the appropriate times to speak and remain silent.

Umbra then inquired, with a smile, "Are you not curious as to why I had placed Gengar there?"

Cain was taken aback by Umbra's sudden question. In his mind, Umbra was a no-nonsense individual who did not waste time on idle conversation. Yet, here he was, making small talk.

With a composed expression, Cain replied, "I am indeed curious, but if Mr. Umbra does not wish to share, I shall not pry."

Cain held immense respect for Umbra, not only for his esteemed position as the deputy leader of the Shadow Unit, but also for his strength as a Senior Elite-level trainer.

Umbra paused momentarily before bursting into laughter, "Ha! You're really good."

The smile slowly faded from Umbra's face as he spoke, "Gengar was badly injured in a battle to protect me. I knew of a place on this Trial Island where he could recover quickly, the gathering place of Gastlys that you visited. I discovered it when I first arrived on the island as one of the first batch of Team Rocket trialists."

Cain was astonished. Umbra was one of the first trialists on Purgatory Island?

As if reading Cain's thoughts, Umbra continued, "Yes, it's precisely what you're thinking. At the time, this island was newly discovered, and only two trialists survived; I was one of them. You may meet the other one later."

Though Umbra did not name the other survivor, Cain surmised it was Tenebris, the other deputy leader of the Shadow Unit.

Bringing the conversation back to its original topic, Umbra asked, "Anyway, I assume you have seen the stone altar releasing the constant stream of ghost energy, correct?"

"That place is beyond your current capabilities," Umbra warned Cain, "Luckily, you refrained from delving too deeply. It's imperative that you keep this location a secret. You will naturally know the truth when the time is right."

Cain's eyes narrowed briefly before returning to their impassive state. He replied simply, "Understood."

Umbra nodded. Though Cain's response was terse, he detected a glimmer of intrigue in his eyes. "As you have completed the first phase of my evaluation, you are now eligible to know my true identity within Team Rocket," Umbra announced without further elaboration.

The mention of Umbra's identity sent Cain's heart racing. He had known Umbra's identity for some time, but had been unable to show it. After all, in Team Rocket, only the strongest were aware of Umbra's existence.

"Retrieve the medal I gave you earlier," Umbra instructed.

Cain retrieved a black, cloud-shaped medallion from his belt and handed it to Umbra.

As Umbra took the medallion, he ran his finger over its grooves. "This medallion signifies your status as a reserve member of Team Rocket's most enigmatic division," he explained. "Its acceptance marks the continuation of my evaluation. The mission you completed earlier was just the beginning."

Umbra paused for a moment before continuing, "I am Umbra, the deputy leader of the Shadow Unit. If you successfully complete the series of tasks I set for you, you will be welcomed into our ranks. I cannot divulge the benefits of joining or the responsibilities you will undertake, but I can assure you that many in Team Rocket are vying to become a part of us, even those who are not strong enough to be aware of our existence."

"You have a choice before you," Umbra presented to Cain. "You may either persist with the mission until you become eligible to join us, or relinquish it and embark on the trial on this island, commencing as a Team Rocket grunt or junior officer and gradually advancing through the ranks." The options offered by Umbra were not of equal weight.

Cain had arrived at his decision well in advance of hearing Umbra's words. The prospect of joining the Shadow Unit and climbing the ladder of Team Rocket was not in conflict, and Umbra's aid made it all the easier. To prevent Umbra from catching on, however, Cain kept his head down and pretended to ponder.

Umbra didn't suspect anything, as there were numerous facets of the Shadow Unit that could not yet be disclosed. In Umbra's eyes, Cain's decision was solely a matter of intuition.

"I have chosen to continue the mission," Cain declared after a moment of silence. He saw no reason to question a decision he had made long ago.

Umbra smiled upon hearing Cain's response. "You will find that your choice was wise in due time," he said.

Cain merely nodded, giving no indication that he had taken note of Umbra's remark. Some things are better left unsaid, but he knew he had made the right choice.

In that moment, a buzzing sound filled the room, growing louder and more distinct. Cain was taken aback by the familiar noise, and soon noticed a Beedrill flying towards Umbra, its two needles rubbing against Umbra's arm in a show of affection.

"This is...," Cain said, his expression shifting from surprise to realization upon seeing the Beedrill.

"Correct," Umbra confirmed with a smile. "This little one was born from the Pokémon egg you gave me last time."

This only added to Cain's confusion. While bug-type Pokémon do have a relatively fast growth cycle, a week to hatch and evolve into a Beedrill seemed far too short.

Noting Cain's bewilderment, Umbra explained, "This child has good talent and has been training rigorously each day. It just evolved into a Beedrill today."