"His team…" After a while, Cynthia looked up with a strange expression on her face and glanced around.
All the gathered Champions looked at her eagerly, their eyes filled with childlike curiosity and excitement, like kids seeing something novel for the first time.
Even Edward perked up his ears—he was incredibly curious about Tobias's team too. After all, this was the Legendary Pokémon guy, the first known trainer to openly use Legendaries in battle. Definitely a big deal.
But back in the Sinnoh Lily of the Valley Conference, Tobias had only used two Pokémon—Darkrai and Latios—leaving the rest of his team unknown.
"He only registered Darkrai and Latios," Cynthia finally said. "The other four are fairly standard: Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur, and a Ditto."
The Champions were a little let down by that answer.
"Well… that's still a solid lineup," Edward scratched his head. He genuinely thought it was a good team. Two Legendary Pokémon and the classic trio of starters—very few people in the Pokémon world could put together such a roster.
Don't be fooled by how everyone in the games seems to have starters. In the real world of Pokémon, starter Pokémon weren't so easy to come by.
Most ordinary people started out with things like Rattata, Caterpie, or Weedle. Some got their first Pokémon by fishing. Others didn't even make it far enough to become full-fledged trainers.
That's why Edward had created the Trainer Journey Foundation —to support aspiring trainers who lacked the means to pursue their dreams.
"Yeah, it's solid. It's just that the gap in power between those first two and the rest is kinda jarring," Steven commented, resting his chin in one hand. There weren't many exciting contestants on screen right now, so the Champions kept their focus on Tobias.
As the discussion evolved, they started talking about training methods and whether they themselves could handle a Legendary if it came down to it.
Edward didn't join in on the discussion. His attitude toward Legendaries was more laid-back.
Maybe it was because, in his past life, he had caught so many Legendaries in the games that it had become routine. In each version, catching Legendaries felt like a given.
But in this world, Edward had come to realize just how rare it was. Catching a Legendary was no easy feat—being a genius was only the baseline requirement.
"Kyu~" Q snuggled into Edward's chest with a contented yawn. Edward chuckled and gently rubbed its head.
Maybe most people would never be anything more than average.
Look at the Champions around him. Each one was a figure standing at the pinnacle of their respective regions. And beneath them? Countless ordinary people.
Even among the gifted, many couldn't collect all eight Gym Badges. And those who did often fell to even more talented rivals. Those who won tournaments still had to get past the Elite Four. And even then, beating a Champion was another mountain entirely.
Yet even these Champions couldn't guarantee they'd beat a Legendary Pokémon.
So really, in retrospect… the player characters from the games were the true geniuses. Freakishly talented individuals who overcame every possible hurdle.
"Now entering the field… it's a Master from the Hoenn region!" the announcer's booming voice snapped Edward back to attention.
Another top-tier contestant?
All the Champions immediately turned their heads toward the screen.
In the world of Pokémon, the title of "Master" wasn't handed out lightly. Only the winner of the Masters Tournament could claim such a title.
Everyone was eager to see who this Master was.
On screen appeared a handsome and elegantly dressed man, standing before a stormy sea. Yet not even the roaring winds and crashing waves could diminish his presence.
Edward's mouth twitched.
"That is the Master of Hoenn's Contest Scene—Wallace!" the announcer declared.
A wave of high-pitched screaming erupted from the audience. The sheer volume proved Wallace's immense popularity—especially among the ladies.
"Oh… it's Wallace." Edward instantly lost interest.
Wallace was a close friend of Steven's. He had even visited the Stone household as a guest before. Currently, he served as the Water-type Gym Leader—a man of incredible strength and endless flair.
He was also the head of Hoenn's Contest circuit, crowned with the title Contest Master, which meant his battle style was packed with flair and style.
Many people described fighting Wallace as attending a full-blown performance.
But that didn't mean he was weak. Edward knew that Wallace would eventually succeed Steven as Hoenn's Champion.
A bolt of lightning streaked across the darkened sky. In perfect timing, a Milotic leaped gracefully from the ocean, drawing thunderous cheers from the audience.
Edward winced.
He had met Milotic before. Back when he was still losing baby teeth, Steven had dared him to let Wallace's Milotic help extract one of them.
As a result, Edward developed a slight trauma—just seeing Milotic now made his teeth hurt.
….
"Waaaah!!"
"Milotic-sama!"
"AAAAAHHH! Wallace! My husband! I want to have your babies!!"
The screams grew even louder.
Milotic elegantly used Aqua Tail to split the tree in half. Coincidentally (or not), another bolt of lightning flashed across the sky at the same moment, casting the Aqua Tail in an ethereal glow. The scene was dazzling.
Naturally, Wallace passed without any issue.
As Wallace exited the stage, the regional competitions continued to heat up. Eventually, at 9:30 PM, the chaos died down.
Each region's representative Champion stepped onto the awards podium. They would be flying out overnight to Hoenn to participate in the finals tomorrow.
Thankfully, the distances between regions weren't too vast, so the flight wouldn't take too long.
"I don't know why… but today felt so long. Like several days passed all at once," Edward sighed as he leaned back against the car seat on the ride back.
"Young Master Edward, don't forget—the Finals are tomorrow," the old butler reminded him with a chuckle.
Edward rubbed his temples. Hopefully, tomorrow's events would wrap up quickly.
Still… he couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity.
Who would win the Finals?
Could Tobias withstand the pressure from the Champions?
Or would that wacky guy from Johto pull off another insane stunt and snatch the crown?
"…Tch," Edward smirked. He had to admit—he was strangely looking forward to it.
(End of Chapter)