Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

"Oh, so the nurse is here too, and she's a judge," Qiao Ran thought.

Qiao Ran's gaze swept across the faces of the judges, but when he reached the last person, his confident smile froze on his face. He even rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"Huh... huh???"

That petite figure... those black twin tails... that...

Without a doubt, this was the same person Qiao Ran had seen before, the one who had run off without saying a word.

This... this... how is this possible?

A grade-schooler... how did a grade-schooler suddenly become a judge?!

Chapter 28: Diamond Storm

Qiao Ran felt like he had encountered the strangest oddity of his life.

And, most importantly, after realizing this person was actually a judge, a sense of foreboding began to spread within him.

—Yes, a very ominous premonition.

Meanwhile, the judge's speech had already begun.

"Thank you. I am very happy to return to my hometown and serve as a judge. It is my honor, Shi Yiyi's honor, to see the brilliant performances of the younger generation tonight. Thank you all. I love this town, and I love Pokémon Performances."

The "grade-schooler" in a formal dress with black twin tails walked to the front with a microphone. However, the words coming from her mouth sounded like those of a seasoned senior.

Suddenly, she changed her tone.

"Also, I do not welcome those who slander our Zhenhui Town behind our backs, nor do I welcome those who lack observational skills. Under my scrutiny, those who try to muddle through will certainly be eliminated!"

"Great!" The crowd below erupted in cheers and applause.

"Thank you, everyone. My speech is finished."

With that, Shi Yiyi smiled and bowed to the audience before taking her seat among the judges. She looked like a young lady attending a tea party, showing no trace of her previous demeanor.

However, Qiao Ran felt as if her eyes had lingered on him for a moment while she was speaking. Thinking of this, Qiao Ran got goosebumps. Could she be talking about me?

I just commented that the name of your town is strange, do you have to hold such a grudge!

Qiao Ran sighed inwardly, realizing that this competition might indeed be a bit difficult.

The first round of the Pokémon Performance Competition was a timed performance of a few minutes for each participant.

In this round, all contestants had the opportunity to showcase themselves, and their scores from the judges would determine their chances of advancing. After advancing, they would face the final round.

The performance competition in this small town was not as strict as the official competitions held by the League, so the champion would be decided tonight. No one knew which contestant would win the final crown.

Qiao Ran's number was 15. There were 14 strong contestants before him. During the long wait, Qiao Ran was studying the principles behind their performances.

"It's probably about using moves to create dazzling visual effects, or performing some difficult physical actions..."

Watching the Jynx performing on stage, Qiao Ran felt a glimmer of understanding.

The contestant now appearing was a girl in her early twenties, accompanied by her partner Jynx. It was evident that this Jynx had been trained very well.

As soon as they took the stage, the Jynx first used Blizzard to decorate the stage, and then, utilizing its affinity for ice and snow, it performed ice skating on the stage. Its superb skills drew cheers from the audience, and even the judges at the judge's table nodded repeatedly.

A performance competition was a stage like this, showcasing the inherent charm of Pokémon. Of course, at times, trainers also needed to participate in the performance and become part of it.

Unlike the serious Gym Battles, the performance competition was a battlefield without smoke.

"Oh my goodness! The Jynx's superb performance has earned an unprecedented average score of 80! The judges have unanimously given positive reviews!"

Exquisite performances could earn the judges' praise and the audience's cheers. Everything here provided instant feedback to the participants. Some Pokémon standing offstage looked at the Jynx with admiration and envy.

Soon, as time passed, it was almost Qiao Ran's turn to perform.

"Number 015, please begin your performance."

Shi Yiyi frowned as she watched Qiao Ran walk onto the stage step by step. Although she said nothing, her cold expression fully revealed her inner thoughts.

The audience also keenly noticed that Shi Yiyi, who had been smiling all along, now had a frown on her face, indicating how little she thought of this contestant.

Under Shi Yiyi's subtle influence, the audience's expectations for Qiao Ran plummeted to freezing point.

"This contestant looks so sloppy, he doesn't look like a performer at all."

"Yeah, yeah. Look at the judge's expression, she must think he's no good."

"I'm not watching anymore. I'll just go to the restroom."

The crowd below buzzed with discussion. All of Qiao Ran's shortcomings seemed to be magnified countless times under their scrutiny.

However, Qiao Ran was not discouraged. He took a step forward, ready to call out Dianxi to start the performance.

But before he could even strike a pose, Shi Yiyi's voice rang out.

"Untidy attire, minus 10 points!"

Qiao Ran's lips twitched, and his movements froze on the spot: "..."

They're already deducting points??

Is she taking personal revenge!

However, Qiao Ran had no way to protest Shi Yiyi's deduction, as what she said was not unfounded. His attire was indeed much shabbier compared to the other contestants. But this was not entirely his personal problem; it was a problem of his wallet.

If he had money, he wouldn't have money to buy little skirts... no, buy clothes!

Qiao Ran helplessly adjusted his stance again and glanced back at the judges' table. He only saw the nurse from the Pokémon Center give him an encouraging look.

Big sisters are always so gentle.

Qiao Ran thought to himself and summoned his Pokémon.

"Come out! Dianxi!"

The Poké Ball opened, and light shot out from within.

In an instant, a breathtaking scene beyond imagination descended upon the stage.

—In that single moment, the previously incredibly noisy audience immediately fell silent. Even Shi Yiyi, who had been looking away and wasn't planning to watch Qiao Ran's performance, widened her eyes.

All doubts and prejudices seemed to vanish like smoke.

They saw—the moon itself had deliberately peeked out from behind the clouds, quietly casting moonlight across the sky, just to adorn this evening's masterpiece.

Moonlight converged at a single point, pouring onto the blooming pink diamonds. They rippled in the night sky like drifting cherry blossoms, and flowed like pink stars in the moonlight.

In the center of those pink "petals" stood a serene princess, flanked by a guardian-like pink galaxy. Pure white light gathered on the jeweled crown atop her head.

She—was the focus of the entire venue.

People had even forgotten she was a Pokémon, or anything else; all that had become irrelevant. She was now the embodiment of beauty.

Her sudden, awe-inspiring charm was simply breathtakingly beautiful. Even on a dark night, she could radiate the most stunning light.

Then, the diamond princess merely opened her eyes and offered the audience a sweet smile—

As if on cue, the entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers.

—They were all electrified.

Section 29: 029 [Dianxi]

"This light... this shadow... this Pokémon..."

It wasn't just the audience below; even Shi Yiyi, who had seen much, couldn't help but offer sincere praise for this pure beauty.

She couldn't help but stand up from her chair, staring intently at the center of the stage.

Amazing... truly amazing...

She hadn't expected it, she really hadn't, that such a terrible man could raise such a Pokémon.

That Pokémon seemed to be born to attract all eyes, as if she existed in this world to be a leader and an idol. It was an aura from within, and when she stood on stage, every movement could captivate the audience's hearts.

"Dianxi! Power Gem! Dazzling Gleam!"

"Di!"

Dianxi gently raised her hand, and several more pink diamonds appeared around her. But this time, it wasn't the moon emitting the light, but Dianxi herself.

The light of Fairy energy spread out, and upon touching...

In that instant of brilliance, the pink diamonds shattered into tiny particles, drifting in the air.

But even the smallest particle was still a sparkling diamond. Beautiful light was refracted by them, creating a scene like a fairyland that enveloped the entire plaza.

"Heavens..."

The audience members reached out to catch the sparkling powder, but when they held it in their hands, they were astonished to find that the powder, like snowflakes, turned into a wisp of light the moment it landed in their palms, disappearing into the heavens and earth.

Dianxi's ability to condense diamonds wasn't yet fully developed; she couldn't create "Eternal Diamonds" yet. However, this minor imperfection was quite fitting for the current moment.

And just as everyone was immersed in this dreamlike scene, and Shi Yiyi was staring blankly at the wisp of light disappearing from her palm, the bell announcing the end of the performance rang out, unseasonably.

"Ding ding ding ding."

—The performance was over.

"It's... over already?"

The audience seemed to snap back to reality, while Qiao Ran and Dianxi on stage were the first to bow to the crowd.

"Thank you, our performance has concluded."

"Di."

Dianxi lifted her skirt and gave a gentle bow.

The voices of Qiao Ran and Dianxi awakened the stunned audience, and instantly, a tidal wave of applause erupted.

"Amazing! Truly amazing!"

"An unprecedented, unprecedented performance!"

These townspeople might not have seen many performances by master artists, but they could still resonate with beauty. They could feel what was beautiful.

Their fervent applause and shouts were the best proof.

After witnessing Dianxi's performance, even Qiao Ran's tracksuit-like attire was reinterpreted by the audience as a form of performance art, a sacrifice made to create a dramatic contrast.

To highlight his Pokémon, he sacrificed his own appearance, not stealing the spotlight—what a magnificent performer!

Compared to the other contestants, it was like comparing the heavens to the earth! This was a true performer! They were moved to tears!

As they thought, some of the more emotional audience members couldn't help but shed tears.

"Dianxi! Dianxi! Dianxi!"

The audience spontaneously started chanting Dianxi's name. Eventually, it was the host who stepped forward to calm the fervent excitement.

"Alright, alright, it's about time for the judges to give their scores. How many points will this performance receive in their eyes?"

Following the host's words, the audience's attention turned to the judges.

Almost without hesitation, the town mayor, the president of the enthusiasts' association, and the nurse all held up scorecards for a perfect 100 points. Shi Yiyi, however, looked conflicted, gazing at Qiao Ran and Dianxi for a long time before gritting her teeth and holding up a score of 90.

"My goodness! An unprecedented score! Three judges gave perfect scores, and even Miss Shi Yiyi gave a high score of 90. If you don't count the 10-point deduction at the start, it's still a perfect score!"

To be honest, Shi Yiyi didn't want to give Qiao Ran such a score, but there was nothing she could do. Dianxi's performance was simply too perfect. No matter how much she disliked this man, she couldn't bring herself to give a lower score.

He's so detestable...

With such high scores, Qiao Ran and Dianxi advanced to the next round almost without any suspense.

As the competition continued, the list of finalists was gradually announced.

"After a fierce competition, a total of eight contestants have entered our finals! What kind of brilliance will they showcase on the finals stage!"

Qiao Ran stepped onto the stage once more, but this time, both he and Dianxi appeared much more confident. Qiao Ran looked around and noticed that the Jynx from before had also made it into the finals.

"I declare, the finals officially begin!"

Whether it was intentional by the organizers or not, Qiao Ran's performance order this time was placed last, in eighth position. Qiao Ran felt a bit helpless, but there was nothing he could do.

The finals began, and Shi Yiyi started watching the other contestants' performances. However, for some reason, she felt a sense of restlessness, like tasting a sour citrus after enjoying a fine dessert.

"..."

Shi Yiyi knew what she was expecting in her heart. Or rather, after witnessing such a performance, who wouldn't have expectations? She hoped Dianxi would deliver an even more stunning show.