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After winning the match, there would normally be an interview session.
Usually, Roy would never pass up this opportunity to boost his popularity, but today he was truly exhausted. Using two Z-moves, one Aura fusion, and maintaining intense tactical command throughout the battle had drained him completely. If his body hadn't been enhanced by the virus, he suspected he might have collapsed from shock.
All he wanted now was a good night's sleep.
After politely declining the media interview, Roy returned to his hotel room, released all his Pokémon from their Poké Balls, and immediately fell into a deep slumber.
Following the use of Max Revive, Lucario, Ninetales, and Mimikyu, who had participated in the fierce battle, had recovered by now and showed no signs of physical injuries.
Ninetales gracefully leaped onto the bed, gently wrapping its fluffy tails around Roy's sleeping form and stroking him softly, helping him feel peaceful and secure in his rest.
Lucario sat cross-legged on the floor, closing its eyes in deep concentration as it absorbed and processed the valuable insights gained from the extreme battle they had just experienced.
"Buzz, buzz."
Electabuzz looked on enviously at the three teammates who had participated in today's match. It really wanted to battle too and prove its worth alongside them.
"Blast!" Blastoise gave an admiring rumble, immediately turning its attention to Mimikyu, who wasn't even as large as one of Blastoise's massive legs.
Today's greatest hero was undoubtedly Mimikyu.
The small Ghost-type had mastered the Totem aura, Ghostium Z, and fairy-type techniques, combined with its original "Infinite Matryoshka Technique," allowing it to accomplish an unprecedented feat.
Without breaking through its racial limitations, Mimikyu had managed to defeat two professional-level opponents using Fury Cutter.
It was incredibly impressive.
Blastoise had never imagined that this tiny teammate could be so powerful and strategic in battle.
With so much attention focused on Mimikyu today, the outside world must be full of surprises and praise for the little Pokémon right now.
Blastoise felt envious, wishing it could have taken Mimikyu's place in the spotlight.
The Water-type was becoming increasingly eager to master the power of the Totem aura itself.
As long as one could master the Totem aura and learn the method of 'transforming natural energy,' achieving the 'sage technique' would be possible, and Z-moves would no longer be a problem—they could be executed instantly without delay.
Metagross was equally shocked by everyone's demonstrated strength. The Steel/Psychic-type was very proud of its own growth rate and felt quite satisfied with its progress. It believed that given enough time, winning against the strongest teams would be well within reach.
As a "genius" among the pseudo-legendary group, Metagross carried its own sense of pride and confidence.
However, it had never expected that all its teammates would prove to be so formidable. Compared to their performance in the National College League just a month ago, everyone had advanced to an entirely different level of skill and power.
Well...
Metagross looked toward the "cute, nebula-like" little Cosmog and felt pleased to see the small legendary Pokémon holding a berry and eating it contentedly.
It was fortunate that Cosmog was there with them.
Metagross gently picked up the little nebula Pokémon, placed it carefully on its metallic head, and floated toward the balcony outside. Cautiously, the Steel-type took on the voluntary duty of keeping watch and protecting the team.
Just as Roy fell into his deep, much-needed sleep, discussions about him in the outside world grew even more intense and widespread.
The conversations didn't cool down simply because he had declined to give an interview.
"Mimikyu defeating two professional-level Pokémon is absolutely incredible."
"This is no longer just the limit of what a genius can achieve. Are all trainers from China complete monsters?"
"I heard that there are two other geniuses who are just as famous as Roy in China. It's terrifying to think about. I can't imagine how the global championship will unfold in a few years. How will Zenia possibly compete against him then?"
"This is deeply concerning."
European and other foreign audiences, in addition to expressing admiration and praise, also felt a growing sense of anxiety and crisis.
Zenia Reginald was already considered a top European favorite and prodigy, but when facing Roy, who was the same age, she had been completely overwhelmed and defeated so thoroughly that she was brought to tears. If there were truly two more geniuses like Roy in China, what would happen to the competitive balance in the future?
Wait...
Hold on, wasn't Europe already ranked third in the international arena anyway?
These major conferences and competitions had always seen the first and second places contested between China and the United States' Unova region.
What they should really be worried about was defending their current third-place position from other rising regions.
Thinking about it from this perspective, the European audience immediately felt much more relaxed and less concerned.
In China, some people shared and discussed the comments from European audiences online.
Seeing the obvious anxiety and worry of these foreign viewers, Chinese fans were immediately delighted and amused.
"Caroline: I'm not that strong, I'm really not, don't spread false rumors about me."
"Henry: At age 19, I can also defeat three professional-level opponents? Why didn't anyone tell me I was capable of that?"
"Roy is as fierce as a tiger in international battles, love love love, I'm becoming such a huge fan."
"Destroy them, keep fighting hard! Roy, don't stop, keep working toward your goals! This makes me so happy!"
"??? There's something questionable about that comment above."
"Fellow fans, keep it appropriate and respectful."
"Now, I really feel that this summer's national competition results are going to be unpredictable and exciting."
"League University team, Henry is amazing!"
Roy's amazing performance this time had once again completely refreshed the outside world's perception and understanding of his true capabilities.
Anyone with a discerning eye and knowledge of competitive training could clearly see that the potential and natural talent he had demonstrated had already surpassed the "Double Kings" who had previously been considered his equals, reaching an entirely new and unprecedented height of skill.
At his current age, the Double Kings had been nowhere near this impressive or accomplished.
Caroline had already fulfilled much of her potential and become an active Psychic-type Elite trainer.
This development made people eagerly anticipate the day when Roy would fully realize and unlock his complete potential.
The former "star of tomorrow" had now transformed into the brilliant "newborn sun" of the training world.
"I understand completely."
In the Promise Gym, Sebastian, who was wearing his training clothes, held his mobile phone and spoke with a somewhat rueful smile: "I will arrange for someone to protect him immediately... Yes, yes, you are absolutely right. I was far too careless and negligent. I gave him a broken protective device and let him travel freely without proper security. I didn't think the situation through carefully enough, and I fully admit my mistake."
What could make an Elite trainer of an entire country speak so humbly and deferentially? Even the current regional Champion couldn't command such respect and careful attention.
On the other end of the phone call was Benjamin, the second-generation Champion with the highest seniority and greatest strength in the entire China trainer community.
The reason the elderly Champion had called was specifically because of concerns about Roy's safety and security.
He was deeply dissatisfied with Sebastian for only providing Roy with a 'broken' protective device capable of emergency teleportation, and he expressed severe condemnation for this oversight.
This difference represented a significant gap in mentality and perspective.
For Sebastian and Frances, who had been young trainers themselves in the past, young people definitely needed to go out into the world and make their own way through challenges. As the old saying went, "Precious swords emerge from intense focus and dedication," and they themselves had developed their skills through similar experiences.
However, for Benjamin, Roy represented the most precious and irreplaceable talent that China had produced in the past ten years. When he considered the possibility of Roy meeting an early and tragic end, he immediately felt deeply unsettled and worried.
The reality was that Benjamin didn't have another ten years to wait, to search for, and to find the next genius of Roy's caliber.
"Roy's safety cannot be entrusted solely to foreign organizations' fear and respect for our national power... The talents and abilities he has demonstrated now have exceeded the scope of what national deterrence alone can protect against. His skills are enough to make many foreign organizations and hostile forces willing to take extremely dangerous risks."
"I completely understand and agree."
On this critical point, Sebastian was in complete agreement with the Champion's assessment.
He realized that he had already overestimated Roy's abilities and potential, but he still hadn't anticipated that the young trainer's upper limits would prove to be so incredibly high.
If he had known that this day would come so soon, Sebastian would never have allowed Roy to travel and compete without maximum protection.
"Who are you planning to send for his protection?" Benjamin asked with obvious concern in his voice.
"Cole," Sebastian replied confidently. "He completed his assignment of maintaining security in the Spiritual Realm of the Twin Gods some time ago, took a well-deserved rest period, and just returned to active standby status. He has the time and availability right now."
"That choice puts my mind at ease."
Upon hearing this particular name, Benjamin hung up the phone feeling much more reassured and confident about Roy's safety.
Trainers who successfully passed the "professional level assessment" were recognized by the country as significant military assets, essentially functioning as walking instruments of tremendous power and capability.
The combat effectiveness of every professional-level trainer was comparable to that of an entire modern military unit.
The battle system constructed by at least six well-trained Pokémon, in certain specific situations and environments, possessed lethality that was far more terrifying and devastating than conventional military forces.
For example, a trainer specializing in Poison-type Pokémon functioned like a walking biological warfare unit capable of mass destruction.
In a technological society without the presence of trainers, a single professional-level trainer specializing in Poison-type techniques could potentially devastate an entire country through strategic application of their skills.
On the other hand, a professional-level trainer who specialized in healing abilities and restorative techniques could save countless lives and provide medical support beyond what traditional medicine could offer.
Cole, however, was a professional-level trainer who specialized in early warning systems, defensive strategies, and emergency evacuation procedures, with particular expertise in Ghost-type Pokémon.
The task he excelled at most was maintaining security for important locations or providing personal protection for high-value officials and individuals.
With Cole protecting Roy, there would be absolutely no doubt about the young trainer's safety and security.
Moreover, Cole wasn't even operating at a normal professional level anymore.
After completing his recent assignment in the Spiritual Realm of the Twin Gods some time ago, Cole had successfully passed the 'Master Certification' assessment and obtained the qualification to participate in the Elite Qualifying Competition, representing a significant advancement in his official standing and recognized capabilities.