The Stellar glow faded, and the match was over.
After defeating Poppy, Mingyou climbed to 31st place. Under the points system, he only needed to beat two more competitors ranked above him to secure ninth place and qualify for a ranking challenge.
If he got lucky and someone higher up lost a match and dropped points, one more win might be enough to qualify.
"One match, two matches—what's the difference?"
Mingyou put away his Rotom Phone. There was still more than a month left, so he had plenty of time. Besides, reaching Master Ball rank early wasn't necessarily a good thing. Unless he quickly moved out of eighth place, he would face one ranking challenge after another.
He looked at Poppy across from him. Her little mouth was pursed, and she looked ready to cry. Smiling, he asked, "Don't cry. Want some candy? I've got plenty more."
"No! You're a mean ol' mister!"
"..."
"Haha!"
The onlookers couldn't help laughing. Mingyou scratched his head awkwardly. He hadn't planned to go this hard, but before the match, Geeta had sought him out and asked him to take it seriously—to teach the child a proper lesson.
That was why he had made a special trip to the Pokémon Center to ask Akari to send Snorlax over, making him a little late. Snorlax had been sleeping soundly when Mingyou woke him up to fight, so of course he was drowsy.
At least she should have learned something from this...
Seeing Poppy brought down a peg, the students she bullied every day felt a secret thrill. They also felt a little sympathy—she was only a child. Still, it was a lesson she needed.
"It's getting late. Now that the match is over, everyone should head home."
Geeta stepped forward with a smile and addressed