Ash guessed that he probably wouldn't feel any regret, but Ash didn't want him to regret; he wanted him to acknowledge Chimchar's strength!
The useless one isn't Chimchar, but you who can't bring out his potential!
...
After the midday incident, Ash and the others continued to the Quartz Conference competition grounds to watch the matches. In the afternoon, Conway's battlefield was the Grass Field. The Trainer named Conway was a bespectacled, gentle-looking person.
His battles gave the audience a sense of pleasure, as smooth as flowing water, as if everything was within his calculations. Every step his opponent took was foreseen by him. Despite the similar strength, his opponent was completely outmatched, unable to fight back at all.
The audience around found it enjoyable to watch, but Conway's opponent couldn't have been more miserable. Every step they took was calculated by Conway; despite having similar strength, they couldn't even perform at seventy percent of their capability, which was truly frustrating.
Facing an opponent like Conway in battle is like losing ten years of life.
After the battle, Conway's Pokemon didn't lose a single bit of their combat ability, taking down three opponents at zero loss. Although the battle wasn't a total domination, his opponent was completely unable to fight back.
Moreover, Conway didn't reveal any valuable information during this fight. The Pokemon he used were only at the Professional Level, which definitely wasn't his true strength. According to old information, Conway's main Pokemon were all at the Gym Level.
His current Professional Level Pokemon were probably just the weakest of his main team, or perhaps even his secondary team. As a master at gathering intelligence, he naturally understood the importance of information. When he could completely control his opponent's information, how could he possibly go all out?
As a result, this battle left many Trainers who wanted to observe and gather information on Conway's Pokemon empty-handed.
Ash and the others also didn't gather any useful information about the Pokemon, but Ash did get to know Conway's battle style, which was actually quite significant, arguably more important than the Pokemon's strength and information.
Pokemon can combat other Pokemon, but only a Trainer can counter another Trainer. The strength competition between Pokemon is one aspect, whereas the strategic battles between Trainers are another. Ash's task is to not lose to his opponent in the strategic battle between Trainers, so that his Pokemon won't let him down and will defeat the opponent.
"Let's go, there probably won't be any matches worth watching today. I'm going to take Chimchar for special training. In the next battle, I plan to let him shine and regain some confidence!" Ash stood up and said to everyone before running outside.
Misty and the others watched as Ash quickly ran off without calling after him. They knew that what Ash wanted most now was probably to help Chimchar prove himself to Paul; this was likely more important to him than winning the Quartz Conference.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was the fifth day of the Quartz Conference. By the fifth day, the first match of the preliminaries had basically concluded, eliminating half the contestants within four days. The next second, third, and fourth rounds were expected to take only four days in total.
The second round would take two days, the third round one day, and the fourth round one day.
Then there would be a week of rest and preparation before the top 32 of the Quartz Conference. The competition schedule was still very tight. To stand out in the conference, not only must one be well-prepared in the competition, but also off the field.
Resting well and preparing strategies are also very important. In the first match, many Trainers already showed their cards. If they don't make tactical changes by the second match, it might be difficult for them to advance to the third round.
Ash's match was at ten in the morning on the fifth day, one of the earlier matches. Once again, his audience seats were completely filled, and Cynthia and Leon, who hadn't appeared for several days, surprisingly showed up again in the special guest seats.
Now even a fool would know that Cynthia and Leon showed up at the preliminaries to watch Ash's match; they came especially for Ash.
Upon hearing this, many were incredibly shocked. Ash was indeed renowned and powerful, but was he really worth it for two Champions to attend in person and not miss a single preliminary match?
These two Champions are even considered among the top two in the world! Is Ash really that influential?
In reality, Ash really does hold that much sway…
The two Champion Trainers came here just to watch Ash's matches. Although his first match had already given them quite a surprise, it was uncertain what unexpected things Ash might display in the second match.
In an inconspicuous spot in the stands, Paul, wearing a blue long-sleeved jacket and sporting a cold expression, sat with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ash. No matter what he said last time, he indeed took Ash very seriously.
Having the strength to defeat an Elite candidate is not to be underestimated; the necessary information must still be collected.
"Welcome everyone to the Quartz Conference site. This match is the one everyone has been anticipating—Ash's match. And Ash's opponent is a beautiful girl from Poke Academy named—Giselle!"
"Rumor has it that Giselle had previously battled Ash and narrowly lost. If this rumor is true, then this match is Giselle's revenge match. Can she successfully take her revenge on Ash in the Quartz Conference? Let's wait and see!"
As the host warmed up the audience, Ash and Giselle slowly walked onto the field. Giselle's appearance had matured slightly compared to when Ash first met her, her figure becoming more shapely, looking not far from becoming a mature, beautiful woman.
Even Ash, upon seeing Giselle for a second time, was slightly stunned by her looks, but more than stunned, he felt an odd sensation inside…
Who would have thought they would meet in the second round of preliminaries? This encounter with an old friend came sooner than expected. In fact, Giselle was quite unlucky, as there were at least dozens of matchmaking combinations in a group, yet she just happened to meet Ash in the second round.
"Long time no see, Giselle."
"I didn't expect to face you in the second match, Ash. I'm not the same as I was back then, but you seem to have grown significantly too." Giselle's gaze at Ash was somewhat complicated.
She felt that her progress since back in the academy wasn't minor at all, but Ash's progress seemed even more extraordinary. It was so astonishing that she could hardly recognize Ash as the beginner who had battled with her at the academy.
Who could've thought that within just half a year, that young man's journey would lead him to where he is now? Strictly speaking, it only took three months for him to be able to battle with Elite-level Trainers. Back at the academy, he was only battling simulations on a computer; three months later, he was facing real Elites.
It's a truly dramatic world.
One of Giselle's reasons for entering the Quartz Conference was to battle Ash, but when she finally faced him, it seemed perhaps a bit too soon…
How did they face each other in the second round of preliminaries? If she lost, wouldn't her first Quartz Conference performance look quite unfavorable?
"Both contestants, please release your first Pokemon!" The referee, seeing the two still chatting without any intention to release their Pokemon, couldn't help but remind them.
Ash and Giselle both couldn't help but show an embarrassed smile; they nearly forgot they were still in the middle of a match.
"Go, exact your revenge, Marowak!!"
"It's decided, Chimchar!"