He had won.
But why did it seem like...
Looking at the huge hole that had been punched through it and the Gym battlefield's utterly wrecked state, there was no way it looked fit to continue a Gym Battle.
And besides...
He looked at Volkner, who stood there blankly as though he had lost his soul.
He did not look like he would be able to resume his duties as a Gym Leader anytime soon, either.
At that moment.
As Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia felt it was necessary to step forward and comfort Volkner.
Could they really do as Steven had suggested and replace the Gym Leader?
Volkner was Sinnoh Region's strongest Gym Trainer, someone capable of challenging the Elite Four.
A talent like him was precious no matter which region he was placed in.
"Volkner."
Cynthia walked to Volkner's side and spoke with some concern.
"Mm."
However, better than Cynthia had expected, Volkner did not remain silent. He responded quickly and slowly raised his head.
Then they saw—
A broad smile hung on Volkner's face. He clenched his fists and stared intensely at Xia Yan and Infernape across from him.
In that brief instant just now.
Though he had suffered a crushing defeat at Xia Yan's hands.
He had finally felt his blood boil again.
Facing Infernape felt like the first time he had battled Gardenia in an alley, when he had faced him and his Chimchar.
Even though he had lost back then.
Battles like this.
Were what gave him the motivation to keep working hard.
Opponents like this.
Were what could truly ignite his fighting spirit.
He had lost to Gardenia and his Chimchar the first time, but when Volkner fought Gardenia again the second time, Volkner had won.
That feeling of surpassing the one he pursued was