The lively venue.
The symphony exclusive to the Gorgeous Competition is continuously being played.
The host, Vivian, raised her right hand, greeting the densely packed audience and Pokémon, and shouted in a voice that stirred emotions:
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Gorgeous Competition Mikoli Club, hosted by Master Mikoli!"
"I believe you all are familiar with this year's location—yes, exactly! It's Master Mikoli's hometown, Glazed City!"
The long-awaiting audience erupted with exuberant cheers.
The front rows, nearly all dressed in white hats, proved Mikoli's immense charm.
Inside the preparation room.
A large number of contestants gathered in front of the televisions that were live broadcasting the venue, their faces either excited or expectant.
"It's starting!"
"Is Master Mikoli going to appear?"
"Come quickly! Mikoli is about to take the stage!"
Baimu stood among the crowd, next to Liuqia and a group of sprightly girls, while Xiaosheng and Xiaogang had been pushed off who knows where.
He watched the giant TV screen, filled with curiosity about Mikoli.
Having stayed at the Glazed Gym for many days, he hadn't gotten a glimpse of him once.
Busy?
Not really.
According to Liuqia, Mikoli didn't return to the gym to avoid being hunted by his fanatical fans, which would be troublesome for Miss Jun Sha and could disturb the semi-retired Adam and those actively preparing for the competition.
What a considerate man.
No wonder Da Wu considers him a close friend, the gentleness in dealing with others is strikingly similar.
Baimu thought to himself, while Vivian's sweet voice came from the television:
"Now, let me introduce—"
Deng!
The biggest screen in the venue suddenly displayed a pattern.
It was a slender, well-proportioned, green-haired man in a white hat commanding a fierce Walrein from a high platform.
"Sometimes a Gym Leader!"
The scene changed to the green-haired man draped in a Champion's Cloak, gracefully standing in a wildly acclaimed venue.
"Sometimes a Regional Champion!"
Again, the scene changed, the green-haired man smiling warmly as he held a water drop hourglass-shaped blue ribbon.
"And at times, a top Coordinator Trainer!"
Vivian's volume suddenly heightened, "However, his true identity is—"
Pong!
The center pool of the venue erupted with a towering water pillar, followed by the explosion of water droplets into the sky.
A serene, meditative Milotic gradually appeared, encircled by three dazzling, translucent water rings that moved with it, the surrounding water droplets dancing along. Under the backdrop of the sun, a divine radiance enveloped its incredibly beautiful form!
"Mii-lotic—"
A long, melodious low sound, akin to a ballad.
The audience instantly went wild!
Suddenly.
Milotic opened its eyes, and as the light surged, massive waves arose on both sides of the pool, rolling towards the stage in the center!
Rumble!
Following which, it gracefully flipped its enchanting form, melodiously singing as it sent the three translucent water rings below.
The crashing waves roared as they submerged the stage, but the translucent water rings stirred and swirled them, forming an ascending water spout, which expanded and then gradually calmed.
At the center of the stage.
An elegant green-haired gentleman half-kneeled, his deep blue cloak swayed with the breeze, while translucent water rings cast a splendid afterglow.
Vivian's incredibly excited voice reached everyone's ears, "The super-genius Master of the Gorgeous Competition, Master Mikoli!!"
Swoosh!
Mikoli suddenly rose and flared his cloak, his voice as clear as a nightingale's song, he said brightly:
"Dear audience! Good Morning~~!"
Yeah—!!
Screams instantly echoed throughout the venue, the fervent fans raising their fan merchandise and acrylic boards high, passionately expressing their idol worship.
The same was true inside the preparation room.
Even though Mikoli on site couldn't hear, it didn't stop the surrounding fans' screams from flooding Baimu's ears.
"Uncle is amazing~~"
Liuqia's eyes sparkled with stars, with Xiaoguang and Xiaoyao equally filled with admiration.
"No matter how many times I watch Mikoli and Milotic's entrance show, it's never enough."
"Yes, their coordination is so exquisite."
So far, the Battle Arena has yet to see a world number one, but in the hearts of all Coordinator Trainers, Mikoli, bearing the title of Master, is undoubtedly the prime figure of the Gorgeous Competition.
A competition named after himself and officially recognized, something many people wouldn't even dare to dream of.
On the TV screen.
As blue water pillars surged around the stage and with Milotic beside him, Mikoli officially announced the start of the Mikoli Club.
"Let us eagerly anticipate who will dance the most gorgeously in this Glazed Hall!"
"Thank you very much, Master Mikoli."
Vivian smiled slightly as she stepped forward, "Next, Master Mikoli will also serve as a special judge, observing all the performances and giving evaluations."
"Next, let us introduce the judges for this event."
At her introduction, the familiar gray-haired elder Patistan, the young Liu Lai, and Miss Joy from the Pokémon Center in Glazed City expressed their thanks in turn.
With the increase in the number of judges, the total score naturally rose to forty points.
The highlight also followed.
Vivian held up a light blue ribbon high and loudly announced: "The prize for the winner of the Mikoli Club is the Water Pillar Medal!
"This medal is not only valid in Hoenn but can be used in Gorgeous Competitions worldwide. It is a medal that allows participation in a dreamlike grand gorgeous celebration!"
Without a doubt, globalization is one of the reasons so many Coordinator Trainers have gathered here from around the world.
Baimu could feel the breathing around him growing rapid.