With the second match finished, it was finally time for Match Three.
Aaron of Pokémon League University versus Galen of Imperial Elite Pokémon University.
"And now... our third match!"
Kenny's voice boomed across the arena.
"Aaron of Pokémon League University will face Galen of Imperial Elite Pokémon University!"
His excitement was obvious.
"And these aren't ordinary Trainers."
"I doubt anyone here needs an introduction to Aaron. He currently holds the number-one spot in the Hidden Dragon Tower rankings!"
"He also broke a record that had stood in Hualis for thousands of years by clearing the ninth floor of the Hidden Dragon Tower!"
"You could call him one of the brightest stars of Hualis's new generation!"
"So what kind of performance will he give us today?"
"Let's find out!"
"Please welcome Aaron and Galen to the field!"
The applause came immediately.
Kenny was clearly an Aaron fan. He had spent almost the entire introduction listing Aaron's achievements and barely said a word about Galen.
In Imperial Elite's preparation area, Galen's expression darkened.
Then the stands exploded.
"Galen's got this!"
"Imperial Elite is unbeatable!"
"Number one in the Hidden Dragon Tower rankings? Please. Our guys just never bothered with those rankings!"
"Galen, teach him a lesson! Show everyone that Imperial Elite can crush the so-called number-one genius of the Hidden Dragon Tower!"
"Destroy him! Bring glory to Imperial Elite!"
"Hahaha! Just watch. Your precious prodigy is about to get flattened by a real elite!"
...
The Imperial Elite students were loud enough to drown out nearly everyone else.
A few spectators still cheered for Aaron, but their voices disappeared beneath the home crowd almost immediately. Anyone still shouting his name had to be a serious fan.
Back in Pokémon League University's preparation area, Edmund listened to the jeers with a sour expression.
"Aaron. You heard them."
"Go beat the hell out of him."
"Better yet, sweep all six. They want to run their mouths? Give them something to remember."
He jerked his chin toward the Imperial section.
"Those spoiled heirs have been begging for a reality check all day."
Aaron gave him a faint smile.
"Leave it to me."
"I'll show them there's something scarier than a whale."
His grin widened.
"A guy with cheats."
Then he started toward the arena.
"Good luck, Aaron!"
Gage shouted after him.
"Relax. He'll win."
Braveon sounded completely unconcerned.
Ivy gave a mocking laugh.
"He'll win? Do you even know who he's fighting?"
"I don't need to."
Braveon glanced at her.
"Whoever it is, Aaron wins."
He said it casually, without the slightest hesitation.
That was how much he trusted his friend.
Ivy burst out laughing.
"That confidence is about to look pretty stupid."
"You know Honorary League Commander Steelbone, right?"
"He won this tournament two editions ago, and he's also the Honorary Commander of the Hualis Pokémon League."
"Galen is his grandson."
She looked at Braveon expectantly.
"So? Still think Aaron is guaranteed to win?"
Nothing.
His expression did not change at all.
He simply looked back at her.
"Oh."
A beat passed.
"So what?"
"You—!"
Ivy flushed with anger.
Before she could fire back, Edmund cut in.
"That's enough. The match is starting."
Then he gave her a pointed look.
"And stop hyping up the other side while tearing down your own teammate."
"Yes... President."
She lowered her head, resentment flickering across her face.
Of course.
Everyone loved Aaron.
A commoner who had stumbled into a few lucky opportunities, and suddenly they treated him like he belonged beside people born into real power.
Fine.
Galen would remind them what pedigree actually meant.
By the end of today, Aaron's reputation would be in pieces.
At least, that was what Ivy told herself.
Aaron knew nothing about the argument behind him, much less what she was thinking.
He walked toward the field at an easy pace while jeers rolled down from the stands.
Not many people were cheering for him.
He did not care.
A cheering section had never made anyone stronger.
Aaron stepped into the arena with the same relaxed smile as always.
"Finally."
His match was about to begin.
And no matter who stood across from him, he had no intention of losing.
After all, pedigree was impressive.
Aaron had cheats.