"Champion!"
"The Champion is out!"
"Congratulations on your victory, Baimu!"
The commotion, accompanied by a tide of people surging into the contestant backstage area, completely blocked Baimu's path.
Media reporters from all directions stood at the very front of the crowd, thrusting their microphones forward in a scramble to get closer. Yet they maintained a polite distance of half a meter in front of him, not daring to commit the slightest impolite intrusion.
Pair after pair of bright eyes cast toward him, filled with worship and reverence.
If Baimu had once relied primarily on sheer presence to overwhelm others.
Then now that he had obtained the title of Champion, even as he stood there plainly.
Everyone naturally felt an added sense of awe, looking up at him as if he were a towering mountain.
To put it bluntly.
Even Jessie, the most overbearing and rude among the Team Rocket trio, would exclaim upon seeing Steven—
"The Champion"!
An honorific belonging exclusively to the strongest.
At this moment.
Facing a newly minted Regional Champion, before he took the stage to receive his award, everyone expected him to say a few words.
Baimu looked around his surroundings, speaking softly, "Thank you all for your support. Today, contestant Wally and I had a very meaningful battle, one that also symbolizes Orre welcoming a new era..."
The acceptance speech was pre-arranged by Shan Ren.
After all, a Regional Champion's most important duties were only two things—Pokémon battles and accepting interviews.
After finishing it fluently.
The various media outlets retreated with profuse gratitude, needing to write up their interview drafts as early as possible to publish them to the outside world at the first available moment.
A crowd of family and friends gathered around, smiling and offering congratulations one after another.
Looking around.
Almost everyone