Early the next morning, the four of them headed toward the Lavaridge Gym, flowing into the massive crowd gathering from every direction.
Trainers in clothing from every region packed the streets—clearly, spectators had traveled from across the world.
Phoebe gulped.
"So many people…!"
For someone who'd spent most of her life in Mt. Pyre, the crowd looked like a teeming nest of human Durant.
Terrified, she immediately latched onto Chen Shi's arm like a panicked Spoink clinging for dear life.
On the other side, Cynthia frowned slightly…
But she didn't say anything.
Steven Stone, meanwhile, felt something strange.
He couldn't quite explain it, but…
He suddenly felt like he was the extra in someone else's scene.
Chen Shi flicked Phoebe's hand away.
"There are lots of people, so what? Why are you grabbing me? Hands off."
Phoebe puffed her cheeks angrily, then immediately grabbed Cynthia's arm instead—while sticking her tongue out at Chen Shi.
"Hmph! Stingy!"
Chen Shi ignored her and surveyed the crowd.
"Yeah… the turnout's huge. Looks like this show match is really popular."
Steven Stone nodded.
"It's the first public battle for the new Dark-type Elite Four, Karen. People want to evaluate her strength."
Chen Shi understood instantly.
This exhibition match wasn't about winning or losing.
It was political.
Karen needed to establish authority.
Mura (the Fire Elite) couldn't be humiliated.
A "balanced draw" was the only possible outcome.
A classic League performance.
The Ice Genius of Silver Academy
Suddenly, a flash of icy blue caught Chen Shi's eye.
Up ahead stood a girl with red hair, glasses, and an aura colder than Snowpoint's midwinter nights.
"That's the one Silver Academy calls their once-in-a-century genius. Ice specialist."
The others followed his gaze.
The girl, as sharp as a Froslass sensing danger, immediately looked back.
Their eyes met for a moment.
They exchanged polite nods—and moved on.
Phoebe whispered:
"She feels so cold… like ice!"
Chen Shi thought dryly:
If only you knew she's actually a plush-hoarding gremlin in private.
Her gap moe is as criminal as Cynthia's.
A Row of Monsters
They reached their seats…
And Chen Shi frowned.
To their left—Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite Four.
To their right—a boy with fiery red hair and a dramatic cape.
Lance.
Future Champion of both Kanto and Johto.
Chen Shi almost laughed aloud.
Coincidence?
Absolutely not.
Cynthia greeted Lorelei first.
"Nice to see you again. I'm Cynthia."
Lorelei smiled warmly.
"A pleasure. Call me Lorelei."
Chen Shi leaned back and murmured:
"I don't believe this is a coincidence. Too many coincidences create inevitability."
Steven Stone blinked.
"We just happened to see that girl earlier… isn't that normal? What's strange about it?"
Chen Shi sighed.
"Steven Stone.
The boy next to you is Lance, Kanto's rising Dragon prodigy. Still think it's coincidence?"
Steven Stone froze.
He immediately turned to introduce himself.
"Hello—Zvuochi Steven Stone. I've long admired the youngest Senior Officer in the League: Lance."
Only then did he grasp the weight of their "coincidental" seating.
Look at this row:
Chen Shi — Hoenn's youngest top-tier breeder
Steven Stone — heir of the Zvuochi family
Cynthia — Sinnoh's Battle Goddess
Lance — youngest Dragon officer, future Champion
Silver Academy's Ice Prodigy
Phoebe — Mt. Pyre's heir
A collection of future monsters
This wasn't coincidence.
This was a flex.
Lance returned Steven Stone's greeting.
"I've heard of you—the Lilycove Conference winner, Zvuochi heir."
Then his gaze shifted to Chen Shi.
So this was the young breeder everyone had been discussing.
Chen Shi nodded calmly.
"Just call me Chen Shi."
Lance blinked.
So he's the one the breeding world is calling 'future Master-tier.'
Definitely not a coincidence.
Cynthia offered her greeting next—graceful and light.
"Hello. I'm Cynthia."
Lance stiffened like he'd been Thunder Waved.
Now he fully understood Chen Shi's earlier remark.
Phoebe's Turn to Shine
Phoebe looked around.
Everyone had titles.
Everyone had prestige.
Everyone had terrifying potential.
She shrank in her seat.
"I feel… useless…"
Chen Shi noticed immediately and introduced her:
"This is Phoebe, heir of Mt. Pyre."
Lorelei blinked.
Lance straightened sharply.
Ah.
Not useless at all.
Mt. Pyre's heir held weight.
A lot of weight.
Phoebe instantly brightened.
Hehehe.
Who's useless now?
Chen Shi shook his head in silence.
The League really did something clever this time.
This entire row…
This entire "chance" arrangement…
Wasn't random.
It was deliberate.
A silent gathering of future pillars of every region.
A stage set for the next generation.
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