Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

The competition continued, and a slight accident occurred during Jynx's turn. Jynx's figure skating routine had a minor mishap, but the performer adjusted quickly, managing to cover the mistake with some extra moves.

"Alright, next up! It's our final group, and also our most anticipated group!"

"Dianxi, Dianxi, Dianxi! Dianxi!!"

Qiao Ran and Dianxi hadn't even appeared yet, but as soon as the host announced them, thunderous cheers erupted from the audience, showing just how enthusiastic and fervent they were.

"Let's see what you've got," Shi Yiyi sat up straighter, her eyes fixed on the center of the stage without blinking.

She still wanted to witness a miracle like that again.

A man in a tracksuit appeared on stage and, just like last time, threw out the Poké Ball in his hand.

Surrounded by moonlight and a diamond whirlwind, Dianxi revealed her beautiful form, which was equally dreamy and captivating. It was as if a fantasy scene from a fairy tale had been brought to life.

The audience's cheers seemed to shake the very ground, all of them shouting encouragement for Dianxi.

However, Shi Yiyi's expression on the judges' panel shifted from surprise to calmness. The look of anticipation and amazement in her eyes gradually took on something else.

"Dianxi! Dianxi!"

Amidst shattering gem snowflakes, this performance also came to an end. Dianxi and Qiao Ran once again received thunderous applause and cheers.

"The final competition has concluded. Judges, who do you consider to be the champion?"

In response to the host's question, the mayor stroked his beard.

"Well... this old man believes the final group was the best."

"Yes, it was truly beautiful..." the nurse covered her cheeks dreamily.

"Dianxi, I'm already a fan," the president of the Pokémon Enthusiast Association even drew a chibi Dianxi on paper and waved it in the air.

"It seems the judges all favor the final group. Then, our champion this time is..."

The host was about to continue speaking when another voice interrupted her.

"Wait!"

Shi Yiyi suddenly stood up, her gaze fixed directly on Qiao Ran and Dianxi.

"It's not over yet. I have something I want to say."

"..." Qiao Ran looked into her eyes and found her gaze to be terrifyingly serious.

"Contestant Qiao Ran, and Dianxi, your performance was indeed excellent. Based on the performance alone, it was enough to receive full marks in the first round. The second round was the same, equally perfect. However, your performance in the second round was truly disappointing!"

"All the move sets, all the actions, all the performance patterns were exactly the same as in the first round. Although the final presentation was still flawless, this... this is not something a qualified performer would do!"

Shi Yiyi looked at Dianxi, feeling truly pained and regretful.

"You gave me the impression that you have excellent conditions and chemistry, but you went on stage without any preparation whatsoever. Even though your performance was good, even if it was good, your attitude was not proper."

Shi Yiyi opened her Poké Ball, and a shiny Eevee with blue rings around its body appeared before her.

"This is my best partner. Do you know how long it takes for us to rehearse every day? We brainstorm move sets, combinations, the coordination of skills and the stage, the stage lighting. Not only that, but we also need to consider how to handle unexpected situations, like what to do if we suddenly fall on stage? What to do if a skill cannot be chained? Everything must be considered."

"But what about you? You're just abusing your talent! If you can't come up with anything new, I won't let you win this championship! I, Shi Yiyi, will not acknowledge it!"

"You have such great potential... Show it to me properly!"

Shi Yiyi's words were spoken with great earnestness. She had truly high expectations for Dianxi, but she hadn't expected this pair to deliver such a result.

Perhaps this was a case of the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

The entire audience fell silent. It was the first time they had seen the ever-smiling Shi Yiyi so agitated.

"..."

Qiao Ran was rendered speechless by her barrage of words, unable to immediately refute anything.

Indeed... the issues she raised were present. For tonight's competition, they had only crammed at the last minute. Both in the preliminaries and the finals, they had used the same performance pattern, and they hadn't devised any contingency plans for accidents...

"Dianxi..."

Qiao Ran crouched down, stroking Dianxi's head and hugging her.

Perhaps he shouldn't have approached challenging someone's livelihood with such a dismissive attitude. If he had been more serious, Dianxi's performance might have been even better...

However, unlike Qiao Ran, who felt a tinge of regret, Dianxi glared back at Shi Yiyi's criticism without hesitation.

Her eyes were filled with an unyielding spirit.

What did she mean by unprepared... disappointed... performer's attitude?

She just wanted to perform on stage with her master! That was all!

This person... how could this person say such things about her master...!

Didn't she just want to see something new... didn't she want change!!

"Dianxi, you..."

Qiao Ran seemed about to say something more, but to his surprise, he found that Dianxi in his arms was emitting a bright light.

That light was so dazzling.

"What happened?"

"That is..."

The audience and the host exclaimed in surprise, and even Shi Yiyi's eyes widened in disbelief.

In the light, Dianxi's dress began to lengthen, her body started to grow, and pink light enveloped her entire being...

A strange power emanated from Qiao Ran's chest, and he could even feel a peculiar connection being established between himself and Dianxi.

"This... could it be..."

Qiao Ran's heart pounded violently.

Could it be... real?!

Section 30: 030 [Undeniable]

—Doubt.

Living in this world, everyone faces various kinds of doubt.

And when a person stands on stage, doubts are magnified countless times, coming at them from all directions.

However, everyone has different attitudes and feelings when facing these doubts.

Qiao Ran might have hesitated, but Dianxi never gave up because of it.

With her pride as a mythical beast and a princess, how could she possibly back down in such a situation?

She wasn't discouraged or ashamed by Shi Yiyi's verbal criticism, nor did she want to retreat because of the other party's doubts.

She simply felt it was unfair to her master. They already had the strength to earn the cheers of the entire audience, so why did they have to follow the path of ordinary people who train, strive, and haggle over every detail?

Working hard is certainly better, but aren't they, who could earn the cheers of the entire audience in just one night, the more capable ones?

They! Are more capable!

They are more capable!!!

Dianxi stared directly at Shi Yiyi with an unyielding gaze, and the light gradually bloomed from her body, soaring into the sky.

And her body, covered by the light, also underwent a transformation.

—Her skirt hem extended to her ankles, and pink diamonds formed her hemline. Her originally petite body was like it was adorned with a gorgeous and intricate Bride Attire gown, making her appear incredibly noble, lovely, and charming.

White ribbons cascaded from her head, and her body floated in mid-air, emitting a dazzling radiance.

"Heavens..."

"So... beautiful..."

"What happened...? Did it evolve?"

The entire audience was plunged into unprecedented shock. If the previous Dianxi needed various skills to highlight her beauty, then the current Dianxi needed no other embellishments.

—She was a work of art, her very being was the most beautiful work of art.

A work of art so exquisite that one would fear it shattering or melting if held in the palm of their hand.

As for Shi Yiyi's doubts, they had long since crumbled at this moment.

"Dianxi! Dianxi! Dianxi!"

The entire audience chanted Dianxi's name, and the roaring waves of sound were even more passionate than before.

Gazing at the princess-like figure, Shi Yiyi dazedly slumped back into her chair, her hands trembling slightly.

Could it be... she had made a mistake?

"Di."

Dianxi, having changed her appearance, floated in mid-air. Instead of immediately addressing the audience, she turned and gently took Qiao Ran's hand.

"Mega... Dianxi... you succeeded..."

Qiao Ran's eyes also rippled with excitement. Facing Shi Yiyi's doubts earlier, he had felt confused and hesitant, and hadn't immediately solidified his resolve. But now, it was Dianxi who led him, shattering all doubts and trampling them underfoot.

"Didi."

"Yes, I know. It's okay now, you did it."

Qiao Ran and Dianxi's eyes met. Without needing many words, Qiao Ran understood Dianxi's thoughts and intentions. A trainer and a Pokémon are an integral whole; when the Pokémon is lost, the trainer can point the way; and when the trainer hesitates, the Pokémon can also lend a hand.

The current Qiao Ran and Dianxi had connected with each other, reaching a new realm, and allowing Dianxi to display a new form.

—Mega Evolution.

This is a temporary evolution that can be triggered only when a Pokémon and its trainer share a strong bond. The trainer and Pokémon link through an evolution stone, granting the Pokémon greater power and a new form.

For Qiao Ran and Dianxi, this was an unprecedented step. Qiao Ran had also been wearing Dianxi's evolution stone around his neck, which led to the current outcome.

"Di."

Dianxi extended her other hand, and beautiful pink diamond fragments once again drifted in the air, like a snowfall of diamonds. These colorful fragments danced in the air, offering a hymn to the birth of the Diamond Princess.

"Summer snow... I never imagined it would be like this."

"So beautiful..."

Just like the captivated audience, Qiao Ran also extended his hand, wanting to catch the falling snowflakes. However, unlike the other spectators, Qiao Ran was surprised to find that the diamond fragments coalescing in his hand didn't melt away; instead, they gathered more and more.

Gradually, they actually formed a gemstone... no, the shape of a pink diamond ring.

"This... Dianxi?"

Qiao Ran stared blankly at the Dianxi before him, while Dianxi simply smiled at him.

"Dian."

"Is that so? The first Eternal Diamond you made, so you want me to accept it?"

"Dian!" Dianxi nodded earnestly.

Qiao Ran didn't hesitate. He reached out and carefully placed the gemstone into his pocket.

"I'll take good care of it."

Having gained new strength and a new form, Dianxi also gained the ability to create Eternal Diamonds. This meant that the gemstones she condensed with her heart had the possibility of being preserved forever in this world, no longer disappearing as easily as before.

This—was the true meaning of the title "Diamond Princess." Her existence was eternal.

Of course, her eternity would now be given only to one person.

"Dianxi! Dianxi! Dianxi! Dianxi!"

The audience below also shouted her name. Even though they hadn't seen the Eternal Diamond Dianxi created, it didn't dampen their excitement and fervor.

"Champion! Champion! Champion!"

The entire audience roared. It wasn't just them; some of the participating contestants were also shouting Dianxi's name. There were no underhanded dealings, no collusion. Dianxi had conquered them with her actions and charisma. Even when facing doubts, she pushed forward, unafraid of any criticism.

"Miss Shi Yiyi, may I ask what you think now..." the host inquired.

"I have no objections. They are the champions. I was wrong, I was wrong..."