For the evening matches, Main Arena Ring 3 was brightly lit. The stands were even fuller than in the afternoon, with people standing in the aisles.
The reason was simple: videos of Lin Hao's two morning battles had been uploaded online, racking up over a hundred thousand comments in six hours and reaching third on the trending list.
"The dark horse is battling again tonight."
"I waited until now just for this."
"That Charizard was so strong. What will he use tonight?"
Lin Hao stood in the challenger's area, his cap pulled low. Pikachu crouched on his shoulder, its tail swaying lazily.
Inside System Space, Ho-Oh finally seized a chance to speak. "Master! It's an evening match! The lighting's dimmer! I could sneak out and watch."
"No."
"What if I shrink to the size of a fist?"
"Even shrunk down, a glowing Ho-Oh is still a Ho-Oh."
Groudon rolled over. "Just watch quietly." Ho-Oh shook its wings in frustration and retreated into a corner.
Across from him, Qin Ye stepped into the ring, his long black hair tied back, his gaze sharp, and his Poké Balls neatly arranged at his waist.
"Lin Hao," he said calmly. "I watched both your matches this morning."
"Mm."
"Your Charizard is strong." Qin Ye looked at Lin Hao's shoulder. "But you're sending out Pikachu tonight?"
"Yes."
Qin Ye's brows lowered. "Are you looking down on me?"
"No." Lin Hao slipped his hands into his pockets. "This one can fight."
Qin Ye stared at him for three seconds, then looked away. "Referee, let's begin."
The referee raised a flag. "Preliminary round three, number 417, Lin Hao, versus number 188, Qin Ye. Both trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Qin Ye threw a Poké Ball. "Ampharos, go!"
Red light landed in the ring, and Ampharos planted its