THIS FIC IS NOW ON PATREON, CHECK IT OUT AND IF YOU LIKE IT, I'D APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
[Start of the chapter]
Isobe Himeko hadn't even had time to think the matter through when the host's voice came through the TV again.
"Next up!"
"Let us welcome this Pokémon Tournament's specially invited finale guest!"
"The Great Axia Alliance's youngest Elite Four-level Trainer! A Dragon-type specialist! Wintergreen City's pride—Elite Four Miyazato Aisa!"
The moment the words fell, the venue erupted into a wave of astonished cries.
The commotion and momentum were even greater than when they'd just introduced the major figures within Wintergreen City.
Not only that—
At this very moment, among the viewers watching the live broadcast in front of their televisions, ninety-nine percent of them sprang up from their sofas in shock.
Miyazato Aisa!!
No one expected she would actually come!
To the entirety of Wintergreen City, this name carried an especially unique meaning.
Not only because she was the first truly powerful figure to emerge from this remote little city—
But also because her dazzling achievements and terrifying rise in strength and speed had made her the youngest Elite Four-level figure in the entire history of the Great Axia Alliance, the most renowned super genius.
It had also made the name of Wintergreen City, a far-flung border town, resound across the land.
That dignity and glory—
It was a gift Miyazato Aisa had bestowed upon every father and mother, every elder and neighbor of Wintergreen City.
It was an honor and a debt of gratitude carved into one's bones.
As long as you were from Wintergreen City, you would never forget it.
And precisely because of that—
After hearing the news of her arrival, the people of Wintergreen City were this excited, this fired up!
"ROAR!!"
A clear, piercing dragon's cry echoed through the sky and earth.
The surging sound waves battered everyone's eardrums again and again.
All of them raised their heads in unison to look toward the sky.
Up there—
An orange-colored shadow was descending at high speed.
"ROOOAR!!"
Another resounding dragon's cry.
A violent whirlwind swept across the enormous plaza, blinding everyone in an instant.
When the crowd could finally see again—
Two figures had appeared in the VIP seating.
One was a beautiful woman in battle gear, with a clean, refined aura and an imposing noble presence.
That was naturally Miyazato Aisa.
The other—
Was a dragon-shaped Pokémon that looked adorably stout and a bit chubby.
It had a pair of bat-like wings on its back, and two antennae on its head that curved upward.
A thick orange tail dragged behind it.
This was Aisa's signature partner.
An Elite Four-level Dragonite!
Its strength was obvious to the naked eye.
Just the Dragon-type pressure spilling off it—so tangible it almost seemed to take form—brought an intense sense of oppression to every spectator present.
That feeling—
Was like standing before a deity.
It made people uncontrollably tremble inside, giving rise to reverence and sincere respect.
Two seats had been reserved at the very front of the center of the VIP section.
One was for Aisa.
One was for Dragonite.
Elite Four-level Pokémon enjoyed a whole series of privileges within human society.
They had long since moved beyond the category of mere tools for battle, standing as equals alongside their Trainers.
The instant Aisa and Dragonite took their seats—
A deafening roar of cheers rose from below once more.
What had been only a few scattered shouts calling Aisa's name began to grow louder.
And louder.
And more unified.
Until, in the end—
All two hundred thousand spectators were calling her name in perfectly ordered rhythm.
Even the big shots of Wintergreen City seated in the VIP section felt their hearts pound at the sheer scale of it.
This popularity was truly terrifying.
Inside the backstage lounge—
All the contestants waiting there were infected by this indescribably feverish atmosphere.
Every one of them had shining eyes as they stared at the screen, looking at Aisa and Dragonite.
Their faces were filled with incomparable envy.
This was what a Trainer was supposed to look like!!
Being worshiped and admired by so many people!
If they could reach this level in their lifetime, they would die without regrets!
Isobe Himeko's expression, however, wasn't as fanatical as everyone else's.
From start to finish, she maintained the calm stillness of an ancient well.
After all, in her previous life, she had reached the level of a Champion-level Trainer.
An Elite Four-level figure, to her—
Was just so-so.
But Aisa's appearance did answer the question in her heart.
So that department had sent someone over after all.
But instead of sending an evaluator like the other Pokémon universities—
They had directly sent an Elite Four.
That was something even Isobe Himeko found a little unexpected.
"Shiko, are you going on stage for the upcoming matches?"
Isobe Himeko lowered her voice and asked for Hirata Shiko's opinion.
"No."
Inside the Luxury Ball, Shiko replied with a single word, rolled over, and went right back to sleep.
If it weren't for the task requiring him to watch battles today, he couldn't be bothered to come.
"Alright."
Isobe Himeko nodded and didn't say anything more.
There were two rounds of matches today.
Round of 32 to Round of 16, and then Round of 16 to Round of 8.
Even if Shiko didn't compete—
Isobe Himeko was absolutely confident she could rely on Kirlia and Lopunny to win easily.
"Alright! Now all of our honored guests have taken their seats!"
"Next up is the randomized match draw! Once the draw is complete, this year's Pokémon Tournament will officially begin!"
(End of Chapter)
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]