Too fast.
Korrina only realized the match was over when the Rotom Drone announced the result.
"Lucario!!"
She shouted loudly, like a helpless girl on a battlefield.
Silence.
The snowbound Pokémon in the arena had fallen completely silent, body and soul.
Blizzard froze the standing water left behind by the torrential rain, leaving behind a vast expanse of white. The entire battlefield resembled a kingdom of frost, and the temperature plummeted.
It even affected the stands.
Clouds of white mist billowed from countless mouths as people rubbed their exposed arms, their teeth chattering.
Western Kalos had always been fairly hot, especially with summer approaching. Most people who came to watch the match wore short sleeves, and they were truly struggling with the cold.
The commentator said regretfully, "The Champion's decisive strength has dominated this battlefield. Let us give him a round of applause! And please give a round of applause to our young Gym Leader as well, thanking her for bringing us such a wonderful match!"
Clap clap clap—
Thunderous applause erupted.
As Baimu recalled Milotic, he turned to glance at the ranking on the big screen: 1995.
Korrina's ranking had fallen to 1732. She had dropped more than seven hundred places in two matches. Most people would probably have had a complete mental breakdown.
But she was fine. She ran into the field and rescued Lucario from the snow, softly comforting him. "Thanks for the effort, Lucario!"
"Grr..."
Lucario looked at her weakly. Catching sight of his fallen ranking from the corner of his eye, he felt somewhat ashamed.
Korrina smiled. "It's okay! We can fight our way back up! Failure is the nourishment of success!"
She recalled Lucario into his Poké Ball, then looked toward Baimu, who was affectionately interacting with Shiny Milotic, and briskly walked over.
"Champion!"