"Oh, Mauville City is going to hold a Pokémon Contest?" They had just returned to the Pokémon Center and had yet to step inside when they spotted Nurse Joy putting up a contest flyer. Liu Yuan immediately cried out in delight.
"Yes!" Hearing his voice, Nurse Joy turned to see the two of them and smiled. "That's right. We just received word from the higher-ups. An R1 Rank Pokémon Contest will be held in Mauville City in five days."
"R1 Rank?" Liu Qing asked, puzzled.
"Liu Qing, R1 Rank means only Coordinators who have already won a Ribbon can enter. These contests are usually held as preliminaries before the Grand Festival, and they use the Grand Festival's rules," Liu Yuan explained.
"Oh, then it looks like plenty of skilled competitors will be coming from all over!" Liu Qing said.
"Yes. In the Hoenn Region, aside from the Grand Festival and the Wallace Cup, R1 Rank contests are the most exciting Pokémon Contests to watch. This will be Hoenn's first R1 Rank contest this year, so plenty of Coordinators who have won Ribbons should be coming to compete," Nurse Joy said.
"The Wallace Cup?" Liu Qing was very familiar with Wallace's name. "Is that a Pokémon Contest held in honor of Hoenn's Champion, Wallace?"
"Yes. Mr. Wallace isn't just the Champion—he's also a Contest Master. Every year, he visits different regions to hold Pokémon Contests and promote them. He held one in Slateport City last year!" Nurse Joy grew bashful as she spoke of Wallace, a clear sign of just how charming he was. "But I heard he went to Johto this year. Who knows when he'll return to Hoenn to hold another Pokémon Contest!"
"Liu Qing, I've decided. I'm entering this Pokémon Contest, and I'm going to win!" Liu Yuan