"Alright, the Pokémon Center is about to open to the public. You should hurry up and leave too."
Wallace stood up, hands in his coat pockets.
He really didn't show any skin at all!
"Back then, I was so mobbed by fans that I couldn't even eat."
Trainers like Steven, who crushed their way to the finals, usually had a natural fan-attracting charisma.
Especially handsome ones—female fans came in droves.
"Perhaps you don't feel it now, but once you win the Ever Grande Conference, you'll understand when you go to crowded places."
Wallace sighed slightly. If he wasn't a Gym Leader, he'd probably still be in that situation now.
For Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and Champions, this situation wouldn't exist.
Because you might have official duties, and normal people wouldn't come up to 'obstruct official business.'
A Conference Champion was different…
Not only were there fans, but also an endless stream of challengers.
Similar to Red, who won the Indigo Plateau Conference—many challengers came specifically for him.
This made Steven consider whether to challenge the Elite Four on the spot.
"Is it really that terrifying?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Wallace said helplessly.
"I still suggest you challenge the Elite Four as early as possible. At the very least, with the title of Regional Champion, not too many people will bother you."
"At most, they'll take a photo and tell their friends they met a Champion."
"Enough talk. I'll contact you later!"
With that, Wallace hastily left.
Watching Wallace's hurrying back, Steven also got up and retrieved Lucario's Poké Ball.
Before going upstairs, Steven did see a crowd of people pouring into the Pokémon Center.
It was a good thing he left a step earlier.
"It really does seem terrifying…"
Steven returned to his room.
He saw Empoleon, holding a scabbard in one wing, raising its arm high, revealing Honedge's blood-red blade, and shouting something like "Power!"
"Is this how you babysit?"
Steven's mouth twitched, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Empoleon.
Can you please stop being so out of character?!
Lord of the Waves (✗)
Chuunibyou Penguin (✓)
"Aoboh!"
You don't understand!
Empoleon slowly sheathed the sword, shaking its head gently at Steven.
"Nyu!"
Honedge flew out of Empoleon's wing and floated in front of Steven.
Steven held Honedge in his arms, gently stroking Honedge's red ribbon with his hand.
"Tomorrow's finals—do you want to come watch?"
"Nyu!"
Honedge's eyes in its hilt curved, looking very happy.
"Aoboh!"
Then let Honedge witness my heroic form!
Empoleon placed one wing on its waist and the other suspended in front of it.
As if holding an invisible straw hat and a sword.
"Pfft—"
Steven couldn't hold it in. It seemed Empoleon's true nature wasn't much different from Piplup's.
It was still very much like that little rascal.
Perhaps only during battles would Empoleon bring out its 'Lord of the Waves' swagger.
Meaning it only acted cool when it was useful!
Bang bang—
Steven's Pokémon once again filled the room.
"Aoboh?"
Empoleon stared at Lucario.
You evolved too, after only a few hours?
"Besides Honedge, you're at the bottom again."
Steven nodded, speaking for Lucario.
"Aoboh?"
Empoleon's body stiffened.
It seems… that's true?
Steven looked at all his Pokémon, which had evolved to their final forms.
The Ever Grande Conference was just a way for Steven to train Piplup and Riolu.
He hadn't expected both little ones to evolve.
"Then let's vote by a show of hands: after winning the Conference Championship, should we challenge the Elite Four?"
Steven sat cross-legged on the bed, holding the confused Honedge in his arms.
"Nyu?"
What are you saying? I don't understand.
Skarmory was the first to raise its wing.
It was clear that the commentator's complete omission of it today made it very angry.
Stabbing one Pokémon doesn't count as contributing?
Just tell me if I caused damage!
If it weren't for my Spikes, could Riolu have used Swords Dance?
Huh? Answer me!
Skarmory only wished it could grab the commentator by his collar with its wing and question him.
Metagross and Scizor exchanged glances, then raised their limbs together.
Lucario also raised its paw, leaving only Empoleon and Aggron.
"Ka-oh~"
Elite or not, it doesn't matter. As long as I can eat my fill.
Aggron patted its belly indifferently.
"Aoboh…"
Empoleon glanced at its best friend.
I just feel like my current strength won't let me show off much, will it?
"Four to two, so the minority follows the majority?"
"Metagross."
Metagross said something to Aggron, and Aggron raised its claw.
"Five. Five to one?" Steven didn't need to guess what Metagross said.
It was simple.
Two words!
"All you can eat!"
Finally, his gaze fell on Empoleon.
"Aoboh?"
You're still looking at me?
My best friend is going for it. What else can I say?!
Empoleon rolled its eyes at Steven.
"Then it's a unanimous vote."
Metagross, currently the strongest, could reach Master level after Mega Evolution.
It wasn't impossible.
"Then it's decided."
Steven made the decision. He had originally wanted to be more cautious and train for another month before attempting it.
"Tonight, Empoleon and Lucario must train to consolidate their strength."
"As for Honedge, I'll just hold it."
In the other semifinal match that afternoon, Steven specifically paid attention to the Trainer who used Sceptile.
His name was Ryosuke, and this was his third time participating in the Ever Grande Conference.
He was also a Trainer from Littleroot Town in the Hoenn Region.
His strength was formidable, and he had originally been a favorite to win this Ever Grande Conference.
However, Steven participated in this Ever Grande Conference.
It was estimated he'd have to participate in the next Ever Grande Conference to have a chance at winning.
Honestly, he was quite persistent.
Stubbornly aiming for the Ever Grande Conference Champion title.
Ryosuke's Sceptile also achieved a four-knockout streak in the semifinals.
The final score was set at one to six.
That night, the hottest topic was:
Can Trainer Ryosuke score a point against Steven?
After all, Steven hadn't lost a single point since the start of the competition.
He'd even scared one opponent into withdrawing in a round.
Steven naturally saw this forum discussion.
Surprisingly, the support rate for both of them was fifty-fifty?!
Oh!
Upon closer inspection,
It turned out that the support rate for Ryosuke to score one point against Steven was fifty-fifty with the support rate for Steven to win without losing a single point…
This was a bit hurtful.
But Ryosuke had already failed twice. Another failure shouldn't be a big deal, right?
As the saying goes,
No destruction, no construction.
How can one improve without being beaten?
Makes sense.
At least Steven thought it made a lot of sense.
As for whether Ryosuke would find it sensible,
That was none of Steven's business.