Rustboro Contest

One in the afternoon.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"The Rustboro City Pokémon Contest is finally about to begin!"

The bespectacled host stood onstage, surrounded by cheering spectators and three smiling judges.

"This time, we've invited Mr. Yanase of the Pokémon Fan Club."

Tall and handsome, Yanase nodded in greeting.

"And Mr. Patestan, deputy director of the Contest Affairs Bureau."

The gray-haired middle-aged man smiled.

"And Miss Joy of Rustboro City. Our three judges will carefully evaluate the competing Pokémon."

Miss Joy's smile never wavered.

The bespectacled host raised a red ribbon edged in pink. "The winner will receive none other than this Rustboro Ribbon! Contestants who win Pokémon Contests in five cities and collect five ribbons will earn a nomination as a Top Coordinator, qualifying them to enter the Pokémon Grand Festival!"

The applause was thunderous.

"Now, the first round of judging begins! Please welcome our first contestant!"

The spotlight shifted toward the rear. The three judges took their places at their scoring desks and watched the stage, some solemn, others beaming.

In the waiting room.

Baimu, already changed into his outfit, sat on a sofa and calmly watched the broadcast on the large screen before him.

With his tall, lean build and handsome, composed face, the suit did nothing to betray how young he still was. Instead, it lent him an air of maturity and poise, and he carried it with effortless distinction.

Even sitting there in silence, he drew plenty of attention from people passing by.

Many wondered who he was and traded information in hushed voices, only to discover that no one knew this remarkable-looking man.

Pokémon Contests had always had their share of show-offs and contestants with striking poise. If someone like Baimu had entered one before, there was no way he would have gone