Wyndon City.
This was the most modern and prosperous metropolis in the entire Galar region, a city personally planned and built by Chairman Rose himself.
Although Hammerlocke, where Raihan resided, served as the central hub of Galar, ever since Wyndon was fully completed, it had become the region's true commercial heart.
The headquarters of Rose's vast corporate empire, as well as the Galar League's main building, were both located right here in Wyndon City.
But today, without a doubt was the single day with the greatest foot traffic since Wyndon's construction was completed!
Wyndon Stadium!
The enormous and extravagantly luxurious stadium was now packed to the brim with roaring spectators. As far as the eye could see, there were people everywhere—every single seat was filled.
Even the walkways and aisles inside the stadium were crowded with standing spectators.
Outside Wyndon Stadium, beneath gigantic live broadcast screens, an equally staggering number of people had gathered. Although they couldn't experience the battle firsthand inside the arena, watching the live projection still allowed them to feel the electrifying atmosphere.
"This crowd is just absurdly huge…"
In a corner of the stadium, N clicked his tongue as he looked at the densely packed masses. It was simply unbelievable.
A rough estimate suggested tens of thousands of people in the main arena alone—and that didn't even include the auxiliary venues or the crowds outside.
Even Leon's legendary battle against Lance back then hadn't drawn anywhere near this many spectators!
"The Galar region has an extreme reverence for Pokémon battles," Blue remarked, smacking his lips slightly as his eyes glimmered faintly with envy. "People here worship Pokémon competition with almost fanatical devotion."
Still, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous—if only all these people were here for him.
But that was fine. One day, he would reach this level of popularity too!
"Leon isn't just Galar's Champion," Red added calmly. "He's also the most respected and idolized star Trainer in the region."
"And Lucas… he's Lance's cousin. The mere fact that he's challenging Leon already makes this match incredibly special for Galar."
Everyone knew that when the World Championships were first established, Leon had immediately challenged Lance.
Unfortunately, Leon had lost.
For the people of Galar, that defeat had been a significant blow. The invincible, undefeated Champion they believed in—brimming with confidence as he challenged the world's strongest No.1—had returned in defeat.
And now, Lance's cousin, Lucas Blackthorn, was challenging Leon.
That alone was enough to draw unprecedented attention.
Moreover, not long ago, Lucas had crushed Iris with overwhelming force. His strength was beyond doubt.
A battle between two top-tier Trainers—one of them being Leon, and the other a globally renowned Trainer ranked No.5—how could a region that revered Pokémon battles not explode with excitement?
"I hope today's battle is spectacular," Red murmured, crimson eyes shimmering with anticipation. "It's been a long time, Leon should have improved too."
Yes, Red was here as well.
Yesterday, his battle against Iris at the Opelucid Gym had already concluded. He defeated Iris and successfully claimed her ranking.
Without stopping to rest, he had rushed straight from Unova to Galar to watch this challenge match.
"It still depends on whether Lucas uses Legendaries," N said noncommittally. "If he doesn't, this fight will be incredible. But if he does… Leon won't be able to hold on."
"He won't," Zinnia shook her head. "Lucas won't use those overpowered Legendaries in the World Championships."
She had already asked Lucas directly and he had given her his answer.
To Lucas, the Championships were entertainment. To put it bluntly, had anyone ever seen an adult go all-out against a child? Using monsters like Kyurem or Rayquaza against Leon would simply be bullying.
On a raised platform within the arena, a well-dressed announcer slowly rose up on a lift.
"Hey—welcome, everyone, to Wyndon Stadium!"
"I'm sure all of you already know who today's two battling Trainers are, but allow me to formally introduce them nonetheless."
"Today's match is a World Championships Masters Class Ranking Match between—No.5 Master Trainer Lucas Blackthorn Challenging No.2 Master Trainer Leon Laventon!"
The announcer's clear, impassioned voice echoed throughout the stadium via the microphone.
"Champion Leon needs no introduction—he is the strongest man in the Galar region! As for Mr. Lucas, many of you may have already heard his name."
"That's right—Mr. Lucas is Champion Lance Blackthorn's cousin. Not long ago, he challenged the former No.5 Master Trainer, Iris Aurelian, and decisively took her ranking!"
"And the battle itself was shockingly swift—Mr. Lucas's strength is nothing short of terrifying!"
As he spoke, even the announcer's expression grew more solemn. As a Galar commentator, his heart naturally leaned toward Leon.
But the existence of Lucas was undeniably pressuring.
The moment his voice fell, the entire stadium erupted into thunderous cheers!
"No matter whether it's Mr. Lucas or Champion Leon, today's battle will be one where both must give everything to claim victory!"
"So now, let us eagerly await—who will emerge victorious today?!"
"Please welcome our challengers to the field!"
"Leon!!"
"Lucas!!"
The deafening roar surged skyward, as if it were about to lift the entire stadium off the ground. The shockwaves made ears ring.
Amid the cheers, Lucas, dressed in white robes and Leon, clad in his iconic cape, slowly stepped onto the battlefield.
"Leon! You can do it!"
"Leon—go for it! You're the strongest!"
"Our pride of Galar—you'll definitely win!"
The stadium was filled almost entirely with cheers for Leon. Only a small number of voices supported Lucas.
That was only natural—this was Galar's home ground, after all. And as Galar's Champion and superstar Trainer, Leon's fanbase was unimaginably vast.
Those cheering for Lucas were mostly spectators who had traveled from Indigo and other regions just to witness the match.
Meanwhile, viewers watching live broadcasts elsewhere instantly flooded online forums as soon as the two entered the arena.
"Bets are open! Who takes the win, Lucas Blackthorn's or Champion Leon?!"
"Do we even need bets? Is my Champion Leon not worthy? That Blackthorn's kid is still so young!"
"Stop embarrassing yourself, are we really still judging by age? Lucas absolutely crushed Iris, did you forget that?"
"Beating Iris doesn't mean he's qualified to challenge Leon!"
"Leon guaranteed victory!"
"Guaranteed my ass, did you already forget how hard Lance crushed him back then?"
The forums instantly devolved into familiar chaos, as the controversy between the two sides was simply too intense.
"Your precious Lance isn't even around anymore, and you're still bringing him up!"
"Leon is Leon, Lucas is Lucas, why are you equating them?"
"When did I ever say they were the same? How do you know Lucas is definitely weaker than Lance?!"
"Stop arguing! Lucas oppa is the strongest!"
"Get lost, looks-only fans!"
Although Lucas was young, the consecutive battles between Lucas, Blue, and Red had already proven to the world that youth did not necessarily mean inferiority.
Lucas's near-total domination of Iris had made his true strength impossible to gauge.
As a result, the outcome of this challenge match was shrouded in uncertainty.
Naturally, none of this external debate mattered to the two individuals at the center of it all.
On the battlefield—
"Well then, Champion Leon," Lucas said with a slight smile, casually rolling a miniaturized Poké Ball between his fingers, "I'll be seeking your guidance today."
"I will give it my all," Leon replied solemnly.
To say he felt no pressure would be a lie, especially considering Lucas's terrifying Legendaries…
Leon still vividly remembered the scene in Saffron City, where Mega Rayquaza had crushed everything in its path.
But the pride of a top-tier Trainer told him one thing, he had to face this battle head-on!
"That's exactly what I was hoping to hear," Lucas chuckled. "On a stage watched by countless eyes, an all-out battle with Champion Leon… even my heart's racing."
His smile deepened as he placed a hand over his chest.
"What happened in Saffron City hardly counts as a true clash. I'm really looking forward to you giving me a surprise today, Champion Leon—am I right?"
"I should be the one saying that," Leon replied, eyes sharpening. "Standing before you is the Champion of Galar."
"Perfect," Lucas said lightly. "Then, Champion Leon, your first opponent will be this one."
With a flick of his wrist, the Poké Ball expanded and was thrown forward.
"Prepare for battle—Moltres!"
"SCREEEEEE—!"
A sinister, piercing cry split the sky as a black-and-crimson avian spread its wings and soared upward.
Galarian Moltres!
Using Galar's legendary bird… to challenge Galar's Champion!
(End of Chapter)