Pokémon Court

“Before leaving, that person mentioned something about preparing to return to the Nightmare Island. I’m not sure if he succeeded…”

Although Kotoko didn’t want to recall her experiences on Nightmare Island, the bloody trials she endured there over the years left a deep impression. She couldn’t help but think about them from time to time.

“One last announcement: if you don’t respond, it’ll be considered forfeiture!”

Scarlet had made such an announcement countless times by now.

After that, Arcanine easily swept through the Pokémon of several challengers. The process could only be described as effortless. There were only a few challengers whose skills were even close to the level of the top eight of The Ever Grande Conference. This left Terrance and Arcanine utterly uninterested.

But considering the challengers’ ages, Terrance let it slide.

“You’re Tamer Kyōsuke, right? I’ve seen you in Champion League battles—a Trainer with Champion League qualifications, Tamer Kyōsuke!”

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd. A dark-skinned Trainer, looking surprised, stared at the person standing up and addressing him, feeling a bit bewildered.

“Yes, my name is Kyōsuke. What’s the matter?”

As soon as he finished speaking, countless hostile glares turned toward him. But the man didn’t care at all and boldly continued, “I can’t stand people who don’t know their limits. Has anyone here ever placed in the top four of the League Conference?”

“If not, I don’t see any point in you guys trying to challenge. Instead, why not let the strong Trainers go up and save everyone’s time?”

The crowd’s hostility intensified toward the Trainer, but he merely snorted and said, “Champion League’s Trainer Kyōsuke is already here. If anyone thinks they’re stronger than him, feel free to challenge first.”

Kyōsuke gave a wry smile and said, “Hey, friend, you’re putting me on a pedestal here. Look, my number is 79—it’s still a long time before my turn. Besides, there are plenty of Trainers here who are just as strong as me.”

Unlike the impatient man, Kyōsuke didn’t provoke the crowd. “Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a disturbance. Let’s just stick to the rules, okay?”

Champion League contestant?

Terrance’s curiosity was piqued by the commotion. He glanced over and saw a boy who looked about fifteen years old, maybe seventeen or eighteen at most. Did someone like that really come here?

“Champion League? What’s that?”

Among the many Trainers, who were initially provoked by the impatient man, a few now spoke up in confusion.

“I’ve never heard of the Champion League. But you know about the Elite Four Challenge Competition and the Champion Challenger Competition, right?”

“Those two competitions are part of the Champion League. Elite Four matches are essentially the latter half of the Champion League, while the Champion Challenger Competition is the final stage. In the entire Hoenn region, only a very small number of Trainers qualify for the Champion League. Oh, by the way, even winning The Ever Grande Conference only grants you the qualification to enter the Champion League!”

The impatient man who had spoken earlier acted as if he himself were a Champion League Trainer, boasting arrogantly.

“My family’s Deep Sea Club has Trainers with Champion League qualifications. So, battles at this level are really boring. We might as well let Tamer Kyōsuke step up sooner. If he can’t handle it, then there’s no way the rest of you can.”

Ah, so he’s the child of a nouveau riche…

Kyōsuke glanced at the man, surprised. He had heard of the Deep Sea Club—a club founded by a small-time merchant who, after suddenly striking it rich for some reason, decided to dabble in the Trainer industry. The club had indeed signed a few Trainers with Champion League qualifications, thanks to the substantial funds invested. Kyōsuke hadn’t expected to encounter the child of the club’s owner here.

“So cocky… aren’t you afraid of disgracing the Deep Sea Club? Won’t you get beaten up when you get home?”

Including Terrance, many people’s lips twitched as they looked at the man.

However, his words did provide a good opportunity to educate many about the Champion League. While most people were familiar with The Ever Grande Conference, the Elite Four matches, and the Champion match, they didn’t know much about the foundational competitions leading up to the Elite Four matches and the Champion match.

As a result, the Trainer known as Tamer Kyōsuke suddenly found himself the focus of many stares, which made him quite uncomfortable.

“So, you’re saying you’re stronger than the Champion of The Ever Grande Conference?”

“If that’s the case, why don’t you step up first?”

“Yeah, yeah! I’m number 19. If it’s a problem, I’m willing to swap numbers with you.”

Though the situation played out differently than expected, many people unexpectedly supported the idea of Kyōsuke stepping up sooner.

The truth is, the opponents Terrance had faced before were so utterly powerless against him that many had already lost their will to fight. Upon hearing that a Trainer from the Champion League was present, some immediately wanted Kyōsuke to step in and restore some of their morale.

“Uh…” Tamer Kyōsuke looked completely innocent.

“Is this… okay?”

“If no one objects, I don’t mind…” he said slowly.

“I object!”

Just as Kyōsuke finished speaking, a woman among the spectators stood up. “If Tamer Kyōsuke gets to battle early, then I, Mito, should be allowed to battle early as well. After all, I also have Champion League qualifications.”

She raised her card and continued, “I’m number 164. I’d like to battle early too…”

“Battle Girl, Mito?”

Kyōsuke spoke in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you here…”

Their exchange once again stirred up the surrounding Trainers. Two Trainers with Champion League qualifications?

Seeing the situation in front of him, Terrance felt a headache coming on. Of course, something unexpected happened again.

However, deep down, Terrance felt a slight sense of satisfaction. If all the Trainers were at the level he’d faced earlier, what would have been the point of his four months of hard work?

“Both of you, please take a seat. Let’s stick to the original rules for the battles,” Terrance interjected.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Ugh, so troublesome. Battle Girl Mito, also a Trainer with Champion League qualifications, she also has the strength to battle early. Besides her, is there anyone else?”

“I can already anticipate that many people will forfeit. Rather than wasting time, I suggest Trainers who believe they have the strength to challenge Terrance step forward now.”

The kid from Deep Sea Club spoke with a bored expression.

By now, the hidden media couldn’t suppress their smiles. This kid certainly knew how to stir up drama and create newsworthy moments.

Many people stayed silent, but only a few had the courage to stand up. After all, if someone stepped forward and ended up losing miserably to Terrance, it would be their reputation—not the kid’s—that would suffer.

That said, a few Trainers did stand up. Those who had drawn later numbers but still wanted to battle Terrance weren’t going to let the opportunity slip away!

“I’m Brawly, the Gym Leader of Dewford Gym. If I can battle early, that’d be great.”

“I’m Flannery, the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Gym. Please, let me have a fiery and passionate battle with you!”

“Terrance, long time no see. Do you still remember me?” Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro City, stood up from an inconspicuous corner.

In addition to them, more than a dozen Trainers also rose, causing Terrance to scratch his head in exasperation. Things were getting messy again.

Shrugging helplessly, Terrance addressed the crowd. “For those of you who stood up, does everyone else agree to let them battle first?”

The audience didn’t respond. Seeing familiar and well-known Trainers standing up, no one objected. Terrance looked at the group of Trainers who had stepped forward. It seemed these were going to be his real challengers this time!

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