Chapter 583: The March-On Conference!

Beep—

The steam-whistle sound lingered over the venue.

"The ultimate victor is—Contestant Baimu!

Let us congratulate Baimu from the Orei region on winning the title of Top Coordinator! A triumphant climb to the top at the ××th Grand Gorgeous Festival!"

Amid Vivian's impassioned shouts, the fans of the Mawile Fan Club leaped from their seats in jubilation—some embracing in tears, some cheering wildly, some hurling their streamers high into the air.

The ordinary spectators clapped with exceptional warmth, their eyes toward the stage brimming with admiration.

Miss Liuqi's fans were deeply saddened, yet still offered their applause with all their might—not only for the girl below who had fought her way to this day, but also for Baimu, who had given her a splendid battle.

Only by facing one's opponent squarely can one face oneself squarely.

Buzz buzz buzz—

The varied reactions made the audience seats rather chaotic at first.

But under the fan clubs' guidance, it quickly turned into pure applause and blessings; many fervent fans began humming in unison the lyrical version of 【God's Garden】 that Blissey had once performed, drawing sidelong glances.

Their remarkably unified singing was so loud that even the organizers had to swap the scheduled celebratory concerto for God's Garden.

On the giant screen—

Baimu's and Mawile's and Blissey's portraits glowed softly against a golden backdrop; the enormous "winner" emblem shone into the latter two's eyes.

"Ch'do…"

"Happy~"

The two Pokémon were panting heavily; their taut nerves hadn't yet caught up.

It was only when their Trainer released the Shiny Milotic and ran over with it to embrace them that they finally understood the match was truly over.

They had won!

"Beautifully done! We won! On this long journey, we've finally claimed our first regional tournament victory!"

Baimu vigorously rubbed the heads of his three Pokémon. "Thank you all!"

"Ch'do~"

"Happy~"

"Milo~"

The three Pokémon called out softly, joy overflowing from deep within onto their faces.

They had succeeded!

The half-year of having to balance performance with battling, the day-and-night efforts, had finally received their due reward!

"Listen."

Baimu's voice drew their attention back.

The familiar song drifting in from every direction made the three Pokémon each show a different expression—especially Blissey.

Its eyes went blank for a moment, then welled with grateful tears.

It was 【God's Garden】!

"Happy!

Even though it had long since shed its shell of self-doubt and its heart had grown steadily stronger, Blissey had never imagined it could earn so much recognition and support.

Every one of those voices, brimming with burning emotion, conveyed affection for it.

Though it lacked the Shiny Milotic's stunning beauty, or Mawile's outstanding dance skills and powerful attacks, it had a charm all its own!

Its performance had always been remembered in everyone's hearts!

"Ch'do!"

Dummy!

Mawile looked at the softly sobbing Blissey and tenderly opened its arms to embrace it.

Unlike the latter, who never went online, Mawile—who frequently uploaded photos to its personal blog and even asked Porygon to translate the comments—knew very well that Blissey's popularity among the fan club's members was extremely high.

—【The Loving Blissey】.

This was the nickname the Miss Joy fans had given to praise the Loving strategy.

In fact, Porygon2 had told it just the other day that the one who proposed singing 【God's Garden】 to celebrate if they won was a Miss Joy from Mistralton City.

It glanced toward the judges' seats.

Sure enough.

The Miss Joy from Lalaria City had joined in as well, singing while clapping her hands, making the person beside her unable to resist singing along too.

"Milo~"

The Shiny Milotic blinked. Unlike Mawile, who understood much, it simply thought Blissey was weeping tears of joy at the victory.

It was very happy too!

And seeing the two of them embracing, unwilling to be "left out," it twisted its serpentine waist and joined in.

The three Pokémon became affectionate with one another as if no one else existed.

Excited screams erupted across the audience seats; countless fans sang while opening their phone cameras and grabbing professional cameras to capture the scene.

Everyone had long wanted to see these three Pokémon interact affectionately with one another.

But a certain someone never appeared on TV shows, and Gorgeous Contests rarely featured doubles formats, forcing fans who loved multiple members to resort to all sorts of creative means to produce affectionate interactions for themselves.

"Hehehe."

Baimu cheerfully turned his gaze toward Miss Liuqi nearby, who was hugging an Altaria and pressing close to a Galarian Rapidash.

"Teacher Liu."

"Baimu! Congratulations!"

Miss Liuqi did not call him by his usual title of "dear student," but used his real name instead.

She beamed as she offered her blessing, "You've successfully taken the first step toward your dream! Grand-Uncle-Master and Uncle will surely be proud of you!"

Baimu opened his mouth, watching Miss Liuqi's current expression, the words in his belly turning once in his throat.

He said earnestly, "Thank you! I won't stop at this one step!"

"Mm~! Go for it~! You're my very first student, and also my very first worthy rival! Run toward your dream! Dream ☆ Go for it!"

"Churu!"

"Heeeruuu!"

Miss Liuqi waved her little fists, showing not a trace of discouragement or dejection.

The Tanabata Blue Bird and Galarian Rapidash responded by throwing back their heads and neighing.

She is a Contest idol.

Called "Liu Princess" by countless fans, the number-one idol of Hoenn must always face difficulties and setbacks with positivity, showing her most dazzling side to everyone.

Perhaps only in the dead of night, embracing the Tanabata Blue Bird and the Rapidash, does she allow herself to show her unwillingness and frustration.

This is not a "mask" donned for the sake of pride.

It is her powerful conviction that she wants to bring spiritual encouragement to all her fans and even to Coordinators everywhere, telling them that failure is nothing to fear!

Knowing all this, Baimu could not, with a clear conscience, lecture her on how she ought to show her truest self.

Perhaps some might think a Miss Liuqi who felt dejection and regret would come across as more down-to-earth.

But what matters more is that one must respect her present choice and resolve.

Advice is only advice in the right situation; otherwise, it is nothing but a condescending lecture.

Just as Miss Liuqi had helped him so much from start to finish, yet never once truly put on the airs of a "teacher" and wag her finger at him.

She is a forever positive and cheerful girl, full of goodwill toward others.

At this thought.

Baimu took a deep breath, and with heartfelt gratitude and sincerity, extended his right hand and said, "Miss Liuqi, knowing you and competing on the same stage as you is the greatest fortune I've had since coming to the Hoenn region."

Miss Liuqi blinked, ignored the right hand, and lunged forward to give him a tight hug.

"Me too! My rebellious disciple~!"

She whispered softly, then, amid the audience's exclamations of surprise, grabbed that right arm and raised it high, facing every spectator with a brilliant, radiant smile.

Her expression was full of pride — for Baimu, and for herself.

Perhaps the latter's becoming a Coordinator had nothing to do with her, but the direction she had pointed him toward in his growth, the opportunities she had contrived to create for him, had not been in vain.

Therefore.

The fact that Baimu could become a top-tier Coordinator owed in part to her.

No matter how small the contribution, she was content.

Attracting more people into Contests, making them stronger, making Contests even more beloved — that was Miss Liuqi's original intention in becoming a Contest idol.

Anyone can become an idol! The possibilities are ☆ infinite!

This is absolutely not an empty slogan.

"Teacher Liu..."

Baimu glanced, expression unchanged, at the toes Miss Liuqi was standing on, and smiled helplessly.

The height difference between them was simply too great, so that even grabbing his wrist and raising it high, she still had to stand on tiptoe to fully support it.

Fortunately, her Galarian Rapidash noticed and used its psychic power to help stabilize her center of gravity and keep her from falling.

The Pokémon on both sides quickly gathered behind the two, exchanging glances and smiling at each other, bowing deeply alongside their Trainers to all the fans in the audience who had supported them all along.

This made the cheers in the venue swell even louder.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fireworks exploded, confetti flew!

Countless cheers drew the curtain on the Grand Festival's second round of judging.

—

Upon the red carpet.

Under the watchful eyes of all.

Four judges and one host surrounded Baimu, smiling and applauding.

Patrickstarn: "Congratulations! The Top Coordinator title is well deserved!"

Yanase: "What a spectacular Final Stage~! Baimu-kun~!"

Miss Joy: "Chansey is so cute~"

Amy: "If you ever come to Cianwood City, please be sure to let me know in advance — I'll definitely come cheer you on."

"Thank you, thank you very much."

He kept nodding in acknowledgment, a Mawile cradled in his arms, a Shiny Milotic and Chansey flanking him.

"Kyuddo~"

Mawile held the golden trophy aloft with a beaming smile, the immense joy overwhelming her to the point that she forgot all about "a lady's reserve."

"Congratulations! Contestant Baimu! Please deliver an acceptance speech for this award!"

Vivian handed the microphone over.

The acceptance speech is a tradition of the Grand Festival, but it doesn't require the contestant to deliver any lengthy speech — even a simple "thank you" is fine —

Baimu could not do that.

It had nothing to do with being a spokesperson for Team Aqua and Team Magma — of course thanks were due — the point was he had to announce something.

"— Although I am deeply reluctant to leave this stage, I must inform everyone who has supported us that, for a considerable time to come, I will be suspending my participation in any level of Contest performance."

Gasp!

The moment those words fell, the audience erupted.

Normally, once a Coordinator has claimed a top title, they can no longer enter ordinary Contests — what they do instead is travel to various places to put on Contest performances and build up their fame.

For those top Coordinators whose fame reaches a certain level, the Grand Festival administration will bestow upon them the title of Master.

Equivalent to a regional Champion.

But at present, only Mi Ke Li has ever received the Master title.

Many of All Baimu's supporters had hoped he could become the second Mi Ke Li — who could have expected him to suddenly announce a pause in Contest performances at a moment like this?

The bewildered audience quickly got their answer.

"I will be entering the Lily of the Valley Conference two weeks from now, and I will do my utmost to claim the final victory. At the same time, I will return to my home region of Ohre to compete for the Champion's crown. Please allow me to say one thing to everyone — I'm sorry."

His words fell.

Boom!

If a moment ago the audience had merely been boiling, now it was turned upside down!

All Baimu, a top Coordinator, was preparing to challenge the Lily of the Valley Conference? And compete for that Champion's throne in the Ohre region?

One name flashed through everyone's mind.

【Mi Ke Li】!

The undisputed reigning Master Coordinator, founder of the Mi Ke Li Cup, the object of admiration for every Coordinator — the Water Prince, Mi Ke Li!

So All Baimu really was going to walk the same road as him!

The media on-site, having already sent out their press releases, hurriedly began calling colleagues to have them rush out short pieces on this bombshell news.

Members of the Mawile fan club exchanged glances, their eyes full of pleasant surprise.

Club president North Ayane was so thrilled she grabbed the hands of the person beside her.

In fact.

Many Contest spectators also enjoy watching League Conferences and even the Champion League — after all, Pokémon battles are the most popular form of entertainment in the Pokémon world.

Trainers are also the most numerous profession in the Pokémon world.

The reason Contests in the anime were able to take off and grow so large is largely due to their second examination — the battle element in Contest Battles is quite spectacular.

Of course, times change, and the differences between Contests and League Conferences grow ever larger.

Perhaps in a few years, it will become exactly like it is in the games.

"Waaah…"

All Baimu felt the scorching gazes coming from every direction, and realized he had underestimated the appeal of battling — no wonder Sharin had specifically had him make the announcement in public.

Still, gaining support is a good thing.

He handed the microphone back to Vivian, who was equally stirred. "Thank you."

"Hss—"

Vivian drew a deep breath. "Let us congratulate Contestant All Baimu once again! We look forward to his even more outstanding performances as a top Coordinator, and… his performances at the Lily of the Valley Conference and the Champion League!"

Cheers from the audience shook the heavens.

"And so, with that, every event of this Grand Festival has come to a close. Coordinators, please set your sights on the next Contest, take on new challenges, and let us part here — take precious care!"

Vivian's voice echoed above the stage.

——

The real-life Grand Festival drew to a close.

But online, All Baimu's remarks stirred up a tremendous uproar.

He only just earned the top Coordinator title and he's already announcing in public that he'll win the Lily of the Valley Conference?

How arrogant!

What contempt for the heroes of the world!

In just half a day, All Baimu's great name had been pushed to the top of the trending searches in the Hoenn region.

Countless Trainers in the Hoenn region left comments on their blogs — some full of anticipation, some itching to try and wildly excited, some openly mocking, and others searching through All Baimu's past match records for information.

It has to be said.

All Baimu's words served perfectly as a hot talking point before the Lily of the Valley Conference opened.

How could the League's publicity department pass up such a golden opportunity? They immediately began using him as the centerpiece for pre-Conference hype.

Sharin, far away in Ohre, was nearly delirious with joy.

How much publicity money this saved!

The Ohre Rescue Organization certainly wasn't at the point of being short on funds anywhere — its finances were still well in the black — but saving where it could never hurt.

It was well worth deliberately holding back and not starting the publicity during the first examination.

"What do you think?"

Sharin asked with a smile, addressing the red-haired man behind him.

"Hmph. I didn't expect Mayor Sharin, so young, to understand online public opinion so well." Chief Chiyansong crossed his legs and gave a light snort. "But with such a grand reputation, can All Baimu bear the weight of it?"

"He can."

Sharin answered without hesitation, smiling. "I believe in him."