Thunderous cheers rolled through the stands.
The drawing of lots was about to begin.
Seventy-eight contestants stepped into the center of the Grand Arena, splitting into two lines. In front of them stood two transparent glass boxes filled with numbered slips.
Two Trainers who drew the same number would face each other in the qualifying round.
Under the eager gaze of countless spectators, the contestants stepped forward one by one and drew their lots.
"Oh, number 28?"
Freya looked down at the slip in her hand, momentarily surprised.
She quickly scanned the crowd, searching for the person holding the same number.
Soon, she found him.
It was a gentleman dressed in a black tailcoat.
"Hello, beautiful lady," the man said as he approached. He removed his top hat and bowed elegantly. "My name is Warren. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"W-Wow…"
Freya froze for a moment.
This Mr. Warren was truly a gentleman.
But, no matter how elegant he was, she had no intention of holding back once the battle began.
Freya's eyes lit up with fighting spirit.
Elsewhere, Derick calmly examined the number on his slip.
Before he could react, a woman with a seductive figure stepped forward, laughing softly.
"Hehe~ looks like I'm your opponent."
She shot him a flirtatious glance, her voice dripping with temptation.
"When we battle later, you'll be gentle with me, won't you. Otherwise, I might get very sad~"
Derick: "..."
Normally, he might have hesitated.
But the reason he had entered this tournament was crystal clear.
He wanted to win, so that his mother could live a better life.
Derick looked at the woman calmly, already planning his strategy.
His conclusion was swift.
For the first match, he would demonstrate his strength to the world.
He would send out his most powerful partner.
Hydreigon, the three-headed Brutal Pokémon.
On the other side of the arena, Alex, the Gym Leader of Castelia Gym, was staring at the number in his hand in disbelief.
He rubbed his eyes, looked again, then slowly raised his head.
Standing in front of him was a bright, smiling girl.
Alex's face turned pale.
"H-Hey… Anna," he said weakly. "Don't do this to me…"
"Hehe~"
Anna slipped an arm around his shoulder cheerfully. "Alex, looks like fate really brought us together!"
Alex felt like crying.
Why?!
Why did his first opponent have to be Anna?!
He had originally thought that reaching the quarterfinals would already count as success, but now?
Was he about to be eliminated in the qualifying round?!
No, this couldn't be happening!
"Hehe, Alex," Anna said encouragingly, patting him on the back. "Make sure you give it everything you've got!"
Alex looked utterly devastated.
"It seems all contestants have found their qualifying round opponents!"
On the main stage, the President of the Trainer Association beamed at the young Trainers before him.
"Now, I officially declare, that the first League Tournament in the history of the Unova Kingdom has begun!"
The crowd erupted.
"The first round of the qualifying matches will begin at 2:00 PM!"
"Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated until then!"
"Wooooo!"
The stands exploded with cheers.
Thanks to the extensive promotion by the Royal Gazette, news of this tournament had already spread across the entire kingdom.
Countless people were watching with anticipation.
The ultimate winner would become the first Champion Trainer in Unova's history, and receive personal guidance from His Majesty Lucien.
A true meteoric rise.
Because of this, the tournament required almost no additional publicity. The news spread like wildfire among the common people.
Everyone wanted to witness that moment.
To see the birth of the strongest.
The opening ceremony came to an end.
While the crowd buzzed with excitement, Anna quietly slipped away from the arena and headed toward the castle.
The guards at the gate recognized her immediately and let her through.
She had planned to sneak in quietly, just to take a look.
But the moment she stepped inside, a familiar voice sounded behind her.
"So?"
"You've been back for this long, and only now you decide to come see me?"
Anna startled and quickly turned her head.
Not far away, her teacher stood there, smiling calmly at her.
"T-Teacher!"
"Sneaking around like that," Lucien said mildly, "what kind of behavior is that?"
Anna chuckled awkwardly and scratched her head.
"I originally wanted to give you a surprise," she admitted. "I planned to show you, at the arena, how much Zoroark and I have grown over the past year."
Lucien's expression shifted slightly. He looked at her more seriously.
"Are you confident?"
Anna knew exactly what her Sensei was asking.
She straightened, puffed out her chest, and answered without hesitation.
"Yes!"
"Good." Lucien nodded. "I personally trained you. I won't allow other Trainers to look down on you, or on me."
He looked at her steadily.
"Don't disappoint me, Anna."
"We definitely won't!" Anna clenched her fists, her voice resolute.
This Champion title, it could belong to no one but her.
She wanted to stand at the very top, to do more for His Majesty Lucien, to help him expand Trainer culture and deepen the bond between humans and Pokémon.
So that people across this vast land could truly live alongside Pokémon.
That had always been Anna's goal.
Because of Lucien, she and her mother had been able to live the life they had today.
And on that snowy night long ago, Anna had already sworn in her heart to protect him for the rest of her life.
2:00 PM.
The first qualifying round officially began.
The Lucien City Grand Arena was packed to capacity, nearly every seat filled.
Amid thunderous cheers, Derick and his opponent walked out through the passageway and onto the battlefield.
Minako covered her mouth lightly, her smile playful rather than serious.
"Next, let me show you just how impressive this big sister is~"
Derick remained silent.
The referee stepped into the center of the field, raised the flag, and announced loudly:
"The first qualifying match!"
"Contestant Derick, from Castelia City versus contestant Minako, from Ripple Town!"
"In this match, both sides are limited to two Pokémon."
"The battle will end only when one side's Pokémon are completely unable to continue!"
"The first match, begin!"
With a sharp whistle, the referee swung the flag down.
Both Trainers threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
Whoosh!
Two flashes of white light erupted.
On the left appeared a massive, three-headed Dragon Pokémon, wings spread wide, radiating ferocious pressure.
Hydreigon.
On the right appeared a humanoid Pokémon with long blond hair and red attire.
Jynx.
The opening battle of the tournament: Hydreigon vs. Jynx!
...
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