At the guest seating of the Main Stadium for the Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference.
Dian wore a silver-white, high-collared formal suit, his back straight and almost flush against the chair.
He watched Ash below as the boy reached a turning point in his life, and his lips curved. "A tournament Champion, huh."
In a Trainer's long career, a tournament championship was only the beginning.
He slowly closed his eyes, having lost all interest in the award ceremony that followed.
The golden light of dusk flowed over the Main Stadium like a river of light, lending Dian an even more serene, noble air.
By then, Ash had received the golden trophy from Champion Cynthia.
As he raised both hands high, deafening cheers rang throughout the stadium.
Cynthia still wore a faint smile. Almost imperceptibly, she stepped back, leaving the spotlight to him.
That also marked the tournament's conclusion.
A little later, once the spectators had filed out.
"President Goodshow, I'll be taking my leave."
Dian rose, ready to depart as well.
Just then!
"Mr. Yingyue, please wait!" A spirited voice rang out from a distance.
Then Ash and Pikachu bounded up to him. "Battle me!!"
Ash stared at the figure before him, his expression utterly serious.
"Now?" Dian raised an eyebrow in surprise. Was he that confident?
He had just finished a six-on-six match. Did he still have strength to spare?
After a moment's thought, Dian nodded thoughtfully. Every time Ash traveled to a new region, he raised a new set of Pokémon.
By now, he had nearly three teams at the very least, and their strength was fairly evenly matched.
That was certainly the advantage of this training strategy.
Still, it had its problems too.
Dian glanced at President Goodshow and Champion Cynthia beside him. He had