"Next, please welcome this year's first contestant in the ranking match with a round of warm applause—Xiaoxue!"
The flamboyantly dressed host introduced her enthusiastically as a sweet-looking young girl nervously walked onto the stage.
Behind her, a sleek-furred, elegant Vulpix leisurely leaped onto the stage, completely unfazed by the cheers and screams around it.
It looked very much like a quiet, graceful little princess.
"Contestant Xiaoxue earned her Level 3 Breeder badge in her very first ranking match. Now, she has entered the field once again this year with her old partner, Vulpix. What sort of evaluation will she receive from the judges?
"Now, please let Contestant Xiaoxue fully showcase Vulpix's charm!"
After finishing his animated introduction, the host left the stage to Xiaoxue and Vulpix.
Vulpix confidently stepped out and let out a delicate cry.
"Wuuu~~!"
The Sun Shining on the Earth seemed to have heard Vulpix's call, voluntarily withdrawing the sunlight around it before concentrating it onto Vulpix's body.
Under the sun, Vulpix's fur became even more radiant and dazzling. Its six furry tails gently swayed in the breeze, looking so soft that people wanted to reach out and stroke them a couple of times—then a couple more times.
Even after the beam of sunlight vanished, everyone remained immersed in the beautiful illusion they had just witnessed.
"Wuu~"
The sweet cry startled the dazed crowd awake.
"Hahahaha, what an adorable Vulpix! Even my Clefable feels inferior!" Master Nagamura was the first to offer his assessment, and there was even a hint of sourness in his words.
"Vulpix's tails are impeccable in both color and sheen. Only the healthiest Vulpix can possess such bright red, smooth, silky fur.
"It's clear that Contestant Xiaoxue has taken extremely good care of Vulpix!"
From a health perspective, Nurse Joy gave Vulpix and