The next day, the sky was clear and blue.
In the Galar Region, Palace Gate City.
Fang Yuan and Xiaozhi's group had arrived at this World Championship Finals location.
"Mr. Fang Yuan, goodbye~~"
Upon arriving in Palace Gate City, Fang Yuan didn't delay in sending Xiaozhi and the others away.
"The rest doesn't concern you guys."
Fang Yuan watched the backs of Xiaozhi and his friends as they left, muttering to himself.
Next, I'll draw for matches and stay in a villa for master Trainers; I can't be dragging these three deadweights along. It's more comfortable by myself.
Teaching Xiaozhi these few days had given Fang Yuan a headache, and it only confirmed his belief that free-range was indeed the best teaching policy.
Teaching humans is truly more troublesome than training Pokemon.
Of course, it might also be that Xiaozhi is just too dumb.
"But, I feel like I'm forgetting something."
Right after sending Xiaozhi away, however, Fang Yuan started to worry.
That guy Xiaozhi is practically a disaster trigger.
Without me to keep an eye on him, he'd better not bring disaster upon Galar, right? Imagine if, in the middle of a match, a Legendary Pokemon goes berserk, and it's a Gigantamax behemoth going wild—that would be a crime...
And there's a very high chance of that happening... Fang Yuan's face darkened.
"I hope I'm just overthinking it."
Fang Yuan glanced at the time.
It was 9:13 a.m.
The drawing for matches was set for 10:00 a.m. at Palace Arena, and the results would be announced to the public simultaneously.
Hmm... It's not time yet, but at this hour, the master Trainer participants should all be present, right?
"Eevee, let's hurry over there, and use Teleport."
"(❁´◡`❁)*✲ﾟ* Bwoo~ (Should we grab breakfast first?)"
At this moment, Eevee had already returned to Fang Yuan's side, lounging lazily on his shoulder like a fluffy scarf, tilting its head and looking endearing, hoping Fang Yuan would change the plan.
When teaching Pikachu the Payback Technique, Eevee was the main instructor. Moreover, with such an important competition coming up, Fang Yuan really wasn't used to Eevee not being by his side, so he brought it back.
"Didn't Brock just make some? You ate quite a bit too!" Fang Yuan frowned.
Say, did you transform from a Glutton?
"...(｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)... Bwoo! (I just saw a highly-rated restaurant online, ahhh I'm craving it!)"
"..."
Well, that's definitely Eevee.
"Alright, alright, we still have time; let's hurry up."
Fang Yuan sighed. There was really no dealing with Eevee.
Eevee also sighed. There was really no dealing with Fang Yuan; if it weren't for Fang Yuan dragging it here, it would still be sound asleep in the Secret location of Baiyong Town now instead of being tempted by food.
In a high-end restaurant in Palace Gate City.
Undoubtedly, at this time of day, the place was bustling.
But by using a bit of Cash Power to cheat, Fang Yuan and company easily acquired what they needed.
In this process, Fang Yuan and his group also got an understanding of the status of the Trainers in Palace Gate City.
At this moment, countless Trainers were scattered throughout Palace Gate City, all awaiting the drawing results of the Eight Masters.
After all, according to the elimination round rules, it was impossible to ensure that every participant would face each other.
So, some wanted to see Hirona and Karune, the two goddesses, fight; some wanted to see Fang Yuan and Kamon, the two god beast men, fight; while others hoped to see Da Wu and Mikkeli, the two "good buddies," engage in a bitter-sweet battle. Everyone's expectations were totally different.
In short, everyone had a different battle they were eager to watch, so the knockout stage draw among the Eight Masters was already causing their supporters to feel anxious.
...
"Is that... is that person one of the Eight Masters, Fang Yuan?"
On the streets.
Fang Yuan and Eevee casually carried their newly purchased breakfast towards Palace Arena, making the pedestrians stare in bewilderment.
Why... Why is Fang Yuan not in the arena waiting for the draw at this time, but leisurely enjoying breakfast here instead!!!
"Wait a second, is it possible that the Galar League doesn't provide breakfast for the Eight Masters? President Loz is being too stingy."
"That's too much, I support Mr. Leon for the new president."
"I support Miss Olive..."
"..."
President Loz's reputation suffered harm.
...Of course he had prepared breakfast; those who stayed in the master's villa yesterday were all well taken care of, but Fang Yuan had just rushed over to Galar today, what could Loz do?
However, although many people saw Fang Yuan, none could catch them for autographs or interviews because Fang Yuan and Eevee, while appearing relaxed, moved at an astonishing speed, covering hundreds of meters in a single step, actually using Teleport to hurry along. By the time they finished their new breakfast, they had just arrived inside Palace Arena, and even the guards didn't know when they had come in.
Inside Palace Arena.
At this time, there were quite a few people gathered, but they were mainly the official staff of the championship.
Apart from the staff, a few master Trainer participants, the Eight Masters, were each waiting in different areas.
...
Champion Danti, clad in a Galar Region special Battle Tower Suit and wrapped in a red cloak, was conversing with President Loz, who was wearing a grey suit.
Since the finals of the championship were being held in the Galar Region, Loz naturally became the person in charge of this competition.
As for Danti, he was the candidate that Loz was determined to secure for the champions' moment, no matter what.
...
Atsushi, the current Champion of the Quartz Alliance, dressed in red and black battle attire with a black cloak, stood alone on a high platform. He looked at the eight empty pairing slots on the giant screen inside the arena, his expression calm and inscrutable, deep in thought.