"The mission goal of 10,000 participants has been achieved!"
Just an hour after Hiroshi launched the official website and registration app for the Liyue Trainer Competition, a notification popped up in his mission log. He stared at the screen, tempted to click the "Submit" button, but the option was greyed out.
System Note: The participant target has been met, but rewards can only be claimed after the event concludes.
Hiroshi checked the backend data. The number of registered participants was climbing at a terrifying rate—already close to 100,000. By the time registration closed in a week, he expected hundreds of thousands of contestants from Mondstadt and Liyue.
"This is the power of the Poké-Phone," Hiroshi mused. "We built the internet infrastructure of Teyvat overnight. Of course the network is going to crash."
He realized he needed more than just a registration portal. "We need a dedicated live broadcast app. A platform combining video streaming, game highlights, and community forums... Damn it, I'm accidentally reinventing Bilibili (or YouTube)."
Currently, Hiroshi had moved his operations to the Research Institute to avoid the noise of the downtown store. His psychic powers allowed him to monitor the main store effortlessly. At this moment, Meloetta sent him a mental ping.
Master! The famous customers are flooding the stores in both Mondstadt and Liyue! They are competing to use up their weekly draws!
Hiroshi opened the group chat interface and couldn't help but laugh. "Looks like Lumine's luck broke their composure. Catching a starter and a Spiritomb in one day? That's a 50% complete competitive team right there."
He scanned the draw results of the VIPs. Out of thirty famous characters, only Klee, Xingqiu, and Bennett had drawn anything noteworthy.
"Makes sense," Hiroshi thought. "The pool is diluted. You can't expect a jackpot every week."
However, one result stood out like a supernova.
Mondstadt Branch.
The Knights of Favonius were huddled around Klee, staring at the Pokédex screen in disbelief.
Klee: [Image: Jangmo-o] "La la la~ da da da~ Klee drew a second dragon! I really like it!"
In Liyue, Hu Tao saw this message and looked up at the sky. The sun felt mockingly bright today. Her face twitched as she clicked on the image.
[Jangmo-o (Scaly Pokémon)]
Type: Dragon
Ability: Bulletproof / Soundproof
Description: It expresses its feelings by clanging its scales. It has the heart of a warrior and never neglects its training.
"Dragon type! A Pseudo-Legendary!" Hu Tao wanted to scream. "This is the partner of my dreams! Imagine a team with Garchomp on the left and Kommo-o on the right! I would be invincible! Why did a kid get it?!"
The chat fell silent when Jean dropped another bomb.
Jean: "Just so you know... Klee drew this on her first try. Again."
Lisa: "Uh-huh. One single draw. Last time it was Deino. This time Jangmo-o."
Everyone: "???"
Two single draws. Two Pseudo-Legendary dragons. The group chat died. This wasn't just luck; this was a divine mandate. If Klee decided to use her remaining four draws, would she pull a Legendary?
Xingqiu: [Crying Emo.jpg] "I drew a Chimchar (Infernape line). Compared to Klee... I want to throw it away! Also, is no one selling a Prism Scale? I want to evolve my Feebas!"
Bennett: [Image: Togepi] "The Pokédex says this egg is a symbol of good luck... Klee, want to trade?"
Klee: "Bennett, what a cute ball! I want it!"
Bennett: "Okay! Trade for Jangmo-o?"
Klee: "But the scaly dragon is cute too! Brother Bennett, can you just give me your ball? Klee wants both!"
Bennett: [Angry.jpg] " 'I want everything' is an option only available to adults!"
The atmosphere was chaotic, but Hiroshi, watching from afar, felt a chill. Klee's luck is terrifying. If she actually learns to battle, she's going to be a raid boss.
Liyue Research Institute.
Hiroshi returned to his work. The official website was up, and the servers were holding steady thanks to Pokémon world tech. It was time to release the prize list to stoke the fires of ambition.
"Upload the video of the battle with Adaman, the Diamond Clan Leader," Hiroshi commanded the system. "Let them see what a high-level battle looks like."
He then began coding the architecture for the "Teyvat Live" app. He wanted it launched before the tournament began.
The Coastline.
Lumine and Paimon were camped far away from the forest, safe from the angry Overlord Chesnaught. They had spent the day training their new team: Pikachu, Chespin, and the eerie Spiritomb bound to the Keystone.
The sun was setting, and smoke curled from their campfire. Lumine was cooking soup when Paimon shouted.
"Lumine! Look! The official website updated! The prize list is up!"
Lumine abandoned the soup and opened the page. Her eyes went wide as she scrolled through the rewards for the Top 16.
Liyue Trainer Sword Trial Conference - Prize Pool
Champion:
50,000,000 Mora.
1x Master Ball (Guaranteed Capture).
1x Mysterious Key Item (Region Specific).
Direct Question Privilege to Manager Hiroshi (Any topic).
Runner-Up:
20,000,000 Mora.
1x Ultra Ball Set.
1x Evolution Stone of Choice.
Top 4:
10,000,000 Mora.
1x Rare Candy (Level +1).
Top 16:
1,000,000 Mora.
Qualification for the "Elite Trainer" License.
"Fifty million..." Paimon drooled. "But look at the last one! Direct Question Privilege!"
Lumine's heart pounded. That was it. That was her chance to ask about her brother, or the Unknown God, or the nature of this world. Hiroshi knew things.
"I have to win," Lumine whispered, her grip tightening on her Pokédex. "No matter who stands in my way—Hu Tao, Klee, or Yelan—I will be the Champion."