The quarterfinals consisted of four matches in total, divided into two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
After Stefan's first match ended, the second began very soon. But what made the spectators from the other Leagues feel a weight in their hearts was that the winner of that match was once again the Federal League.
The third match in the afternoon was no different either. After a hard battle, Jorge was finally defeated.
At that moment, the entire stadium erupted in deafening cheers; the shouts supporting the Federal League rose wave after wave.
Now, among the four semifinalists, three already belonged to the Federal League.
With just one more victory, the Federal League would, for the first time in history, completely occupy all four semifinal spots of the World Championship!
"It's guaranteed, it's guaranteed!"
"Ethan's opponent is James!"
"In the competition for the world championship spots, James only lost by a very small margin to Harvey."
"This time, the world championship semifinals will be completely from our Federal League!"
Seeing this, the students of Harvard Pokémon University began to shout frantically, suddenly releasing all the frustration they had accumulated in previous battles.
"Ethan, be careful. That James also possesses four Quasi-Elite level Pokémon." Lucas's face looked somewhat serious. If Ethan also lost, the blow to the Daleron League would be extremely severe.
After all, every World Championship is not only meant to showcase the strength of each League, but it is also related to the distribution of resources within the World League.
"Understood."
Ethan's expression also became serious.
After reviewing James's information, he slowly walked toward the stage.
Across from him, James had a somewhat gloomy face. Seeing Ethan step up, he spoke in the League's common language: "I heard that you provoked my university before."
"Provoked? I wouldn't call it that, it was just a friendly exchange." Ethan smiled and shook his head. That had only been an accident, but those guys seemed to take it very seriously.
"An exchange?"
"Then let's also have a good 'exchange'."
As he spoke, James's muscles tensed and a Poké Ball appeared in his hand.
An extreme tension filled the air between them.
At the same time, the large screen showed who would attack first.
"I start first?"
"Then give your opponent a good lesson!"
Seeing that he had the initiative, James released his Pokémon.
Immediately, an Emboar with an extremely robust body appeared on the field.
As soon as it came out, it slammed its fists together and the ring of fire around its neck suddenly expanded. A terrifying energy fluctuation echoed across the entire field.
"Fire, huh..." Seeing this, Ethan smiled slightly. Then he raised his hand and gave a couple of taps on his back.
Under everyone's confused gazes, a Shuckle poked its head out, observing the field with its tiny eyes.
"That Pokémon is... Shuckle?"
"What is Ethan trying to do?"
"Don't tell me he plans to send it to fight?"
Seeing Shuckle slowly climb onto Ethan's shoulder, the spectators were completely bewildered.
Sending a Shuckle to battle?
That had to be a joke!
"Is Ethan really going to use Shuckle?"
"Although the cannon shot it launched in the world qualification competition was impressive... But that was clearly an extreme burst of power, and it also seemed to be a Grass-type move."
"And now the Pokémon on the field is Fire-type! Shuckle's attack wouldn't work!"
On the side of the Daleron League, everyone also became alarmed when they saw Shuckle.
"Shuckle, watch carefully. In the battle that's coming, you will also have a share of the credit."
Ethan smiled slightly, patted Shuckle's head, and took out another Poké Ball.
"Is he going to send another Pokémon?"
The spectators were once again stunned, not understanding why he had taken out Shuckle.
"Trainer Ethan, during the battle the other Pokémon cannot participate."
The referee spoke when he saw Shuckle on Ethan's shoulder.
"I know. I just want it to watch the battle that's coming. Shuckle is also an important member of my team. This stage should have its presence."
Ethan nodded to the referee and walked to the trainers' area, leaving Shuckle there.
The referee nodded and then asked him to quickly release his battling Pokémon.
"Then, I'll leave this battle to you."
Ethan smiled as the Poké Ball in his hand shone.
In an instant, a flame appeared in the air and took the small form of Litwick.
Facing James's Quasi-Elite level Emboar, Ethan sent Litwick to battle!
"That's... Litwick!"
Without any surprise, when they saw Ethan's Pokémon, the entire stadium erupted in commotion.
It had already been strange that he brought out Shuckle, but now he was even sending a Litwick in its initial form, something completely incomprehensible.
"Did he pick the wrong Poké Ball?"
Some spectators began to doubt.
After all, something similar had already happened with Shuckle.
Maybe that wasn't actually the Pokémon Ethan intended to use?
"You really plan to fight my Emboar with that Litwick?" James looked annoyed.
On the stage of the World Championship, every battle was an extremely valuable opportunity for trainers.
Sending a Pokémon like that was either looking down on him or treating the battle lightly.
And he did not want a victory like that!
"That's right. This is the first Pokémon I'm sending out. You'd better not underestimate it. My Litwick is very strong." Ethan said calmly.
On the field, Litwick also intensified its flames as if it were provoking him.
Hearing this, the spectators were speechless. No matter how they looked at it, they could not see anything special about that Litwick.
"Although Litwick is pretty good... it still hasn't reached the Quasi-Elite level, right?"
Even the members of the Daleron League were confused.
This was not the moment to joke around!
If Ethan also lost, then all four semifinalists would belong to the Federal League!
"You think I'm joking?"
"I'm not joking."
Ethan observed all the expressions around him and smiled confidently.
"Hmph! Then let's fight. Emboar, use Flamethrower!"
James snorted and decided not to waste any more time.
If his opponent wanted to surrender, then he would defeat him with absolute force!
"Now..."
Ethan remained completely calm.
The reason he sent out Litwick had two purposes.
On one hand, he had confidence in its strength.
On the other hand, Emboar's Fire-type and Fighting-type moves were perfectly countered by Litwick, a Ghost-type Pokémon with the Flash Fire ability.
When Ethan finished speaking, Litwick directly received Emboar's Flamethrower move, completely activating the Flash Fire ability and devouring all the flames.
(End of chapter)