It's special training time again.
Baimu took this chance to go to the bathroom and saw the Miniskirt returning home in a black sedan.
As the magnificent main gate opened, countless Pokémon poured out from inside the gate, rushing towards the Miniskirt. Even in pixel art, it made one sweat with nervousness.
He looked carefully and realized that the Miniskirt was not lacking in Pokémon at all. Rare Pokémon like Farfetch'd, Kangaskhan, Abra were all there, and there were plenty of final evolutions.
Passing through the mansion into the "back garden," there were even more Pokémon. He even caught a glimpse of a quasi-god — in its juvenile form.
All he could say was: incredibly wealthy and extravagant.
The reason for the Miniskirt's return this time was naturally to carry out special training and continue strengthening her small team.
At the same time, she didn't forget to arrange a second team to serve as backup Pokémon in case the main ones were injured and couldn't go on stage.
[You start preparing your second team...]
Such a hardworking and wealthy Trainer reminded Baimu of a Steel Type Champion from the Hoenn Region, who soared all the way and took turns with his friend sitting in the Champion's seat.
It just makes one wonder whether the simulation is connected to reality.
If such a Miniskirt existed in reality and achieved excellent results at the Quartz Conference, she would certainly leave a mark in Kanto's history.
"Illiteracy is so annoying!"
Baimu really wanted to check past winners of the Quartz Conference on his phone now but, unable to understand many technical terms, he couldn't search for something so hardcore.
After all, whether the Pokémon World has search engines like Google and Baidu is still a question!
Chansey saw the Trainer with a face full of confusion and didn't know what happened, trying to comfort him, but was stopped by Lairon.
"Gudo~"
Lairon shook its head, indicating that this was normal for their Trainer, no worries.
"Lucky..."
Really...
Chansey watched as Baimu inexplicably sighed and sat back on the bed to continue reading, feeling quite worried.
Fortunately, the Trainer remained very quiet afterward, which made it relieved.
On the other side.
The simulator sped up this "unnecessary" part of the special training, and before long, Baimu reached the official opening day of the Quartz Conference.
The Miniskirt's strength far surpassed the previous Bug Catching Boy, Shorts Kid, and Camper, making the qualification rounds worry-free.
As expected.
The three rounds of the qualification rounds were no problem at all for the Miniskirt.
[You defeated Trainer*** and earned advancement points]
[You defeated Trainer...]
The League's assessment of players advancing in the qualification rounds is comprehensive, based on their performance in Gyms and schools to decide if they can advance. The Camper had slipped up here before.
But for the Miniskirt, this was not an issue that needed attention.
[You broke through the preliminaries and embarked on a higher peak]
After the preliminaries.
Hundreds of Trainers who obtained eight badges or graduated from research schools were eliminated, leaving only sixty-four trainers to advance in the main draw.
In other words, the starting point was the top sixty-four.
Did Ash Ketchum crash out at the top sixteen in the Quartz Conference? It seemed to be the top sixteen.
Baimu wasn't sure; the memory was too old and somewhat fuzzy.
The main draw began.
The opponent's strength had visibly increased a lot, from ordinary foes to elite monsters. Clefable's punching frequency had noticeably increased, and sometimes a match that could have been ended in three punches required a fourth because the opponent always stood up again.
More crucially, the League's referees were far more lenient than school referees, ensuring that as long as one side's Pokémon showed signs of standing up, they wouldn't blow the whistle, only raising the flag to declare a loss when it was knocked out for over ten seconds.
This was a considerable boon for many Trainers who liked to bond by having their Pokémon do sit-ups.
And perhaps due to being kind-hearted, the Miniskirt also liked giving her opponent's Pokémon a chance, even frequently encouraging them to get up.
Honestly, it was a bit annoying.
However, Baimu thought this behavior was a demonstration of the Miniskirt's confidence in her own strength.
No matter how many times you stand up, I will defeat you!
This straightforward approach was very much in line with her usual style.
[You defeated your opponent and advanced to the top thirty-two]
Reaching the top sixteen.
The opponent's strength undoubtedly ramped up another level, and Clefable faced a daunting opponent in the boxing area for the first time — a muscular Hitmonchan.
The other side, as expected of a Pokémon with the Iron Fist Trait, delivered punches that were fast and fierce, dazzling to watch.
But Clefable wasn't bad either. Essentially, as a Fairy Attribute, it had a unique technique — [Playful].
The narrator introduced the full name of this move as [Don't Mess with Me Here Fooling Around]!
This punch, even though Hitmonchan had first used Bullet Fist to hit Clefable on the cheek, didn't secure the final victory.
Instead, it was hit by Clefable and flew out of the arena like a shooting star.
The path to victory at the top sixteen was laid with such a solid foundation.
[You defeated your opponent and advanced to the top eight]
[You broke through the main draw and embarked on a higher peak]
After the preliminary rounds ended, it was time for the championship tournament.
Baimu saw this narration and was beside himself with joy. Breaking into the top eight was the best result he'd ever achieved! Previously, he either stumbled in the preliminary rounds or simply didn't qualify for the conference.
It can only be said that the gap between wealth and talent is truly vast.
However.
As the saying goes, man proposes but God disposes, human strength is no match for fate.
When Miniskirt successfully defeated an opponent in the top eight, just as Baimu was full of joy, a woman with chestnut red ponytail and glasses walked up to the opponent's seat.
He rubbed his eyes.
In the pixelated world, most people's faces and outfits look pretty much the same, often just differing in color.
Only special figures, like Gym Trainers, have unique sprites.
And Miniskirt's opponent leading to the finals was precisely one with a unique sprite—
Kona?
Even though she wasn't wearing a professional OL skirt or black stockings, it's likely she was still inexperienced while participating in the league conference, so not wearing them was normal.
But maybe not, maybe—
Baimu's heart sank as the opponent released a Dewgong.
It really is Kona of the Four Heavenly Kings! Why!?
How could you be in the same league as my simulation character? Please, let me go!
He started tossing on his bed, really unwilling to accept this, clearly a runner-up performance was within reach, he could even accept facing a Divine Beast Man.
But to meet a future member of the Four Heavenly Kings in the semifinals!
If Miniskirt can defeat Kona, then she should be destined to become one of the Four Celestial Kings of Kanto in the future!
Wait.
Maybe Kona is the type of Trainer who blossoms later? Not performing well at the conference, Baimu kept convincing himself, but unfortunately, the pixelated animation showed the two parties were already locked in a stalemate.
And Kona is clearly holding the upper hand.
As the Ice Celestial King, praised during the Orange Islands saga for 'being like flowing water in usual times, but in competitions transforming into solid ice.'
This battle clearly demonstrated this point.
Clefable's proud fists could only match up equally against Slowbro's Million-ton Punch, and Dewgong's Ice Breath sent the inflated Wigglytuff flying high.
Cloyster's perfectly armored defense also made Nidoqueen's Poison Tail and Poison Strike unable to break through.
The remaining Pokémon were not looking optimistic either.
Only Kingdra's battle was somewhat remarkable, fighting Kona's Lapras, it managed to do sit-ups twice back and forth.
This also showed that Miniskirt wasn't beaten down, despite sailing smoothly all along, when facing a sudden powerful blow, she did not lose heart.
Part of why strong people remain strong is always looking upward, head held high!
Sadly, Miniskirt inevitably walked towards defeat.
Kona from Isle of Seven was simply too formidable, her exceptional strength was evident even in her youth, no wonder she went on to become one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Not long after.
The match ended.
Miniskirt left the field regrettably, embracing friends tearfully, a smiling face icon appeared on her forehead.
[You lost to Trainer Kona, stopping at the final four. But this did not make you despondent, you realized there's always a taller mountain, decided to persuade your parents to travel to the next region, continue participating in conferences]
[Your story is not yet finished]
[Simulation ended]
The screen disappeared, Baimu rubbed his sore neck, his face showing a thoughtful expression.
Although the simulator only displayed the content of one event, how could a Trainer's life possibly end here, this loss can be won back next time.
This is the true essence of being a Trainer.
Hope to see you again in the future, Miniskirt.
Baimu rubbed his face, preparing to select the rewards for this simulation.
[Fixed Reward: Move Tutor ×2 (can specify attribute)]
[Fixed Reward: Miniskirt's Fighting Memory—Punch (can be repeatedly reviewed)]
...
[Choice Reward 1: Raise any two Pokémon by two levels (below lv.70)]
[Choice Reward 2: Clue for acquiring a Pokémon (can specify attribute)]
[Choice Reward 3: Move—Water Fluctuation (can select Pokémon to learn)]
[Choice Reward 4: Preserve [Attracting Bees and Butterflies] Trait for next simulation round]
The rewards were still four to be chosen from two.
He took a deep breath, looking around, immediately caught Chansey's face and rubbed it fiercely three or four times, then found Lairon's face and rubbed it fiercely three or four times.
The gap between breaking through the preliminaries and not breaking through was too great!!
Baimu roared in his heart, this time the simulator offered too much. Previously it was all about little skills and rewards like Magical Candy, leaving him hanging, just like picking up small prizes at the movies.
Unexpectedly.
He pondered for a long time and chose rewards one and two, feeling still a bit reluctant to give up Water Fluctuation. Even though its power wasn't high, Lairon could learn it.
It just seemed that one and two were a bit better.
As for Attracting Bees and Butterflies... to be honest, Miniskirt's traits this time were only somewhat prominently displayed through kind-heartedness and early education, Attracting Bees and Butterflies barely made an appearance.
Forget it.