The lingering excitement from the second-round performance review had yet to fade. At the judges' table, the four judges were still quietly discussing the upcoming battle round.
Mr. Contesta pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping across the list of contestants who had advanced. His tone carried a faint hint of regret.
"I wonder whether Theo and Grace will end up drawing each other as opponents in the battles. Honestly… if only this competition were on the scale of Grand Festival in Slateport City."
He paused, tapping lightly on the names "Theo," "Grace," and "Armani" on the list.
"If that were the case, we could arrange a single-elimination format—letting the top contestants face off again and again until only the true champion remains. That would be spectacular to watch."
He sighed with a touch of pity.
"There are five ribbon badges at stake. If those three don't run into each other in the battle matches, that would be a real shame. I really want to see to what extent they can blend beauty and combat skill in a live battle."
Hearing this, Mr. Sukizo's round, plump face immediately blossomed with an agreeing grin. He eagerly picked up the conversation:
"You're absolutely right! But if you ask me, although both Theo and Grace scored perfect marks in the first two rounds, I still lean more toward Theo."
He clapped his hands once for emphasis.
"Grace's combination moves are undeniably impressive but we already saw them in last year's festival. They're beautiful, yes, but they've lost some freshness. But that boy Theo? He's different."
Mr. Sukizo's eyes widened with excitement.
"From that completely unexpected opening performance in the first round, to the breathtaking aurora in the second round… every appearance he makes brings something brand new! Creativity like his—raw, bold, and instinctive—hasn't appeared among new contestants in years."
Nurse Joy nodded lightly. Her eyes shimmered with unconcealed anticipation.
"Mr. Sukizo is absolutely right. With a contestant like Theo emerging this year, the Grand Contest Festival is guaranteed to be spectacular. I can't wait to see what new combination techniques he'll create in future contests."
She placed her hand on her chest, smiling with pure delight.
"Today's performance was simply wonderful. Especially that aurora… even now, when I recall it, my heart is still fluttering with excitement."
As the others eagerly discussed their expectations, Wallace listened quietly. His lips carried a gentle, poised smile, his calm gaze drifting toward the contestants' waiting area. Deep in his eyes, a trace of subtle anticipation stirred.
He cared little for so-called "clashes of titans." As the coordinating champion who presided over countless festivals and competitions every year, he had long been accustomed to dazzling performances.
What truly mattered to him was something deeper—the creativity, harmony, and artistry born from the interaction between trainer and Pokémon. Those sparks of genius were the true heart of a Contest.
And Theo… possessed that rare untamed creativity. The kind that broke convention, leapt over boundaries, and breathed artistry into every move.
That was what he appreciated most.
…
Soon after, the drawing ceremony for the battle round began.
The twenty advancing contestants stepped forward one by one to draw a number from the lottery box.
Theo drew number 15—his opponent was the girl who earlier used her Oddish to create a miniature flower garden.
"Contestants for Match 15, please take the stage!"
At the host Kotaro's announcement, Theo stepped onto the battlefield, releasing Feebas. The little Pokémon flicked its tail and looked around eagerly, revealing its fighting spirit.
Across from him, the girl clenched her Poké Ball so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. Her voice trembled with nervous tension.
"O–Oddish… let's do our best."
A flash of red light, and her bright green Oddish appeared in the center of the stage, its leaves gently swaying as if cheering its trainer on.
"Begin!"
The referee's shout fell, and the girl, clearly uncertain—called out first:
"Oddish, use Leech Seed!"
Several glowing green seeds shot from Oddish's leaves, drifting slowly toward Feebas.
Theo's eyes remained calm and steady.
"Feebas, Whirlpool."
With a sharp lash of its tail, Feebas summoned a sudden surge of swirling water. A spinning vortex formed instantly around it.
The drifting seeds were sucked in before they could even approach—pulled into the swirling water and shredded instantly without leaving so much as a trace.
"Now, use Icy Wind!"
A frigid blast surged across the battlefield, icy mist sweeping out like a pale-white wave.
Oddish, still in the midst of trying to move in, was completely caught off guard. Frost spread across most of its body in an instant, its leaves drooping stiffly as it froze in place.
"Oddish is unable to battle! Number 86, Theo, wins!"
As the referee raised his flag, the girl's face flickered with disappointment. But she quickly approached Theo, bowed deeply, and said sincerely:
"Your Feebas is amazing."
Theo nodded politely and returned Feebas to its Poké Ball before stepping off the stage.
This match had been almost effortless. Most Coordinators prioritized beautiful move combinations over direct combat strength and in straightforward battles like these, that difference showed clearly.
…
Next came Armani's battle. His Flareon performed brilliantly.
First, it trapped its opponent within a blazing Fire Spin. The swirling flames churned like molten orange waves before compressing into a streak of crimson lightning.
"Quick Attack!"
Wrapped in fire, Flareon blasted forward and ended the battle in a single swift strike—sharp, clean, and explosively stylish. The crowd erupted into cheers.
Grace's battle was equally decisive. Her Medicham moved with unwavering composure. Its Ice Punch crackled with pale-blue frost, followed immediately by a Vacuum Wave that tore through the field.
Within seconds, her opponent was defeated.
…
When all the battles concluded, the judges combined scores from the first two rounds. Only ten contestants remained in contention for the five ribbon slots.
Mr. Contesta scanned the updated match list and sighed heavily.
"A pity. Looks like we won't get to see Theo, Armani, and Grace face each other this round."
Theo's next opponent was the twin-tailed girl from the first round, the one whose Skitty had charmed the audience with its adorable performance.
She hugged her Skitty tighter, cheeks puffed out, eyes burning with stubborn resolve.
"I know you and Feebas are really strong… but I definitely won't give up easily!"
"Battle, begin!"
"Skitty, Double Team!"
Skitty blurred and split into six identical copies. The fluffy pink bodies darted across the stage, tails swishing as they crisscrossed unpredictably. Their movements overlapped until they became impossible to distinguish.
"Flash!"
All six figures erupted in searing white light, bright enough to make the audience instinctively squint.
"Now, Double Slap!"
Using the blinding light as cover, the six Skitty copies shot forward like streaks of pink lightning. Tiny paws sliced through the air, creating overlapping afterimages as they lunged at Feebas.
"Feebas, Icy Wind."
Theo's voice remained calm.
Feebas puffed up its round, chubby body and unleashed a burst of freezing wind. Cold air swept across the stage, frost forming rapidly along the floor.
The real Skitty's paw pads touched the icy surface and it immediately slipped. Its front paws slid forward helplessly, its hind legs scrambling, its once nimble form flailing clumsily.
The clones, however, were unaffected by the slippery ice. They continued moving normally, and that contrast made the real one's position glaringly obvious.
"There you are. Feebas—Water Pulse, layered with Confuse Ray!"
Theo pointed sharply toward the real Skitty, signaling Feebas to strike.
(End of Chapter)