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"Ninjask is unable to battle! Empoleon wins!"
With the referee's declaration, the final match concluded.
"The Champion of this Ever Grande Conference has emerged! Let us congratulate Steven Stone for winning the Ever Grande Conference Championship with a perfect score!"
"Congratulations, and thank you for your full effort."
Ryonosuke and Steven shook hands in the center of the arena.
The messy ground was not easy to walk on.
"Mm." Steven nodded lightly, saying, "The next Ever Grande Conference—I'm sure you're determined to win it."
"Someone tells me that every time…" Ryonosuke smiled helplessly.
This was already the third time he had been runner-up.
He wondered who said, 'third time's the charm'?
"But I'll congratulate you in advance. I'm sure you'll reach the Hoenn Champion position within half a year, just like Gym Leader Wallace."
It was just that Wallace didn't take the position.
Because Wallace had given up the Champion position before, there were many speculations about his reasons for doing so during that period.
The most popular theory was that Wallace chose to be a Gym Leader to help his mentor shoulder a heavy burden, and another reason was to teach future Trainers.
But in reality…
While the first point had some truth to it, Wallace was more concerned about Winona, who had just become a Gym Leader.
"Mm, that moment won't be too far off." Steven smiled slightly.
"Steven Stone, please proceed to the podium." The referee walked toward Steven, interrupting their conversation.
Following the instructions, Steven carried Honedge to the Conference Champion's podium.
A man and a woman approached Steven. The woman extended a microphone to Steven and said, "Congratulations! Steven Stone, could you please announce your victory speech?"
Steven faced the camera on the man's shoulder and pondered his victory speech, looking a bit troubled.
After much thought, he concluded that only one sentence was most suitable.
"Ahem…"
Steven held Honedge in one hand and lightly coughed into his fist with the other, clearing his throat.
"The Trainers in this Ever Grande Conference were all outstanding. I believe that in the near future, they too will become respected, powerful, and reliable Trainers."
"But…"
"In the very end, it turns out I'm still more impressive, isn't that amazing?"
Steven chuckled, uttering his famous line.
Having not lost a single point in the Conference, Steven was indeed qualified to say such words.
At the same time, these words would motivate a large number of Trainers to challenge him.
"This kid… is he really not afraid of a huge number of people challenging him?"
In the stands, Wallace, standing beside Chairman Goodshow, leaned against a stone pillar and chuckled exasperatedly.
"So, Steven Stone, have you considered challenging the Elite Four and ascending to the Hoenn League Champion throne?"
"Yes, I have." Steven smiled gently and replied.
"Every Conference Champion has six months to decide. When will you challenge the Elite Four?" the female reporter asked curiously.
"Well…" Steven paused, then replied with a smile:
"Tomorrow."
"Ah?!"
Not only was the female reporter stunned, but the entire audience in the venue was also stunned.
Tomorrow… directly challenge the Elite Four?!
"It's time to go down for the awards." Chairman Goodshow chuckled.
"This kid is even more confident than you were back then."
"But he has the strength." Wallace chuckled softly.
So he was planning to challenge the Elite Four directly, which is why he said those words?
It seems Steven was still afraid of many people coming to challenge him after hearing of his reputation.
Wallace accompanied Chairman Goodshow as they descended from the stands.
"I didn't mishear, did I! Steven Stone has chosen to challenge the Elite Four directly. It seems the hidden strength Steven Stone displayed in the Conference competition far exceeds our imagination!"
The female reporter smiled slightly at Steven, then turned to the camera with a surprised expression.
"Congratulations, Steven."
Chairman Goodshow and Wallace arrived at the podium. A staff member handed the medal and trophy, representing the Conference victory, to Steven.
"Chairman Goodshow." Steven held Honedge in one hand and the trophy in the other, smiling slightly.
When he saw Wallace beside Chairman Goodshow, struggling to suppress a smile, Steven's own smile became harder to contain.
It was like when you go on stage to receive an award, and your good friend is sitting below,
and they're trying to hold back laughter at you.
Laughter is contagious.
This statement is true.
After taking a photo with Chairman Goodshow, Steven left the venue with Chairman Goodshow.
Leaving Wallace to deliver the closing remarks to the audience and Trainers present.
Seated in the Chairman's office, Chairman Goodshow spoke first:
"Are you sure you want to challenge the Elite Four tomorrow?"
"Yes, I've decided." Steven nodded lightly.
This was unanimously approved by the team.
If he failed, he could always try again next time. After all, Steven had set himself a one-year deadline.
It just meant he might lose to Cynthia.
"Alright, then I'll tell you some important points."
"First, battles with the Elite Four will not be made public."
"Second, unlike Gym battles, Elite Four battles are full 6v6 battles where both sides give their all."
"Third…"
After Chairman Goodshow explained some important points, Steven left the Chairman's office.
Steven went to the Pokémon Center to restore his Pokémon's condition after the battle.
However, he saw a familiar blonde figure in the main hall of the Center.
"Cynthia, how did you get in?" Steven asked, a little surprised.
During the finals, wasn't the Pokémon Center closed to non-competitors?
And how did Cynthia come over without saying a word?
"Steven?!" Cynthia's face lit up with a smile when she turned and saw Steven.
But as soon as she thought of Steven's question, Cynthia's pretty face immediately flushed.
Indeed, apart from staff and competitors, the Pokémon Center was not open to the public at this time.
However…
To put it delicately, the competitors' family and friends were allowed to enter.
Steven's identity was easy to verify. He was the young master of the Stone family, after all.
Who in the Hoenn Region didn't know the name Stone Joseph?
Cynthia had just found Joseph before coming, and with Joseph's guarantee, she got in.
"That's nothing. I have my ways—you're not allowed to ask!"
"Alright, alright, but why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Steven quickly nodded in agreement, then asked.
"If I told you, wouldn't it ruin the surprise?"
"Oh, by the way, congratulations on winning the Conference Championship! This is for you!"
Cynthia took a brooch from her pants pocket.
The brooch had an inlay slot.
"This is…" Steven took the brooch and examined it curiously.
It was just a brooch made of rare metal.
"I saw that you like to wear suits, so I custom-ordered this brooch in advance."
"The inlay slot on it is for your Key Stone," Cynthia explained with a wink and a smile.
Steven looked at Cynthia's captivating eyes and suddenly really wanted to…
Hold it in for now!
Under Cynthia's expectant gaze, Steven removed the Key Stone from his fingerless glove.
He embedded it into the brooch and handed the brooch to Cynthia.
Seeing Cynthia's puzzled expression, Steven smiled gently at her.
"Please, Cynthia… present the award to me."