Wyndon Stadium.
At the center, spotlights shone on a simple, transparent rectangular draw box containing several opaque silver balls.
The host, Vivian, wore a professional smile.
"Next, let's welcome Miss Nessa to draw the matchups for the 1-1 bracket!"
Nessa deftly twisted open the first silver ball, took out the slip, and unfolded it.
The 1-1 bracket featured Champions such as Cynthia, Steven, Lance, Diantha, and Wallace.
Since Diantha and Wallace had already faced each other,
they would not be matched again, even if their names were drawn together.
"The first name is... Lorelei!"
The first matchup had now been decided.
[Lorelei vs. Steven!]
Lorelei adjusted her glasses.
Steven responded with a composed smile.
Yellow exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Steven and Lorelei?"
Everyone in the waiting room turned their attention to Steven and Lorelei.
Blue nodded slightly. "They haven't faced each other yet, so they'll be battling."
"This is so tense! So exciting!"
Ash rubbed his hands together eagerly.
"Right, Pikachu?"
"Pikachu!"
"Get a grip. You're not the one battling."
Iris couldn't help rolling her eyes at Ash.
Iris was deeply unhappy with this draw. Why had Grandpa Alder been matched against Raihan?!
Caitlin and Drake, both easier opponents, were in the same bracket, yet he had drawn Raihan.
Nessa reached into the transparent box to continue the draw.
"The first name is Bruno!"
"The second is..."
"Diantha!"
Bruno and Diantha had likewise never faced each other.
Bruno, who was munching on a Rage Candy Bar, nodded slightly.
Whoever his opponent was, he would give it his all.
Diantha's ace, Gardevoir, would be difficult to deal with, but the rest of her lineup held her back a little.
Especially Aurorus, with a quadruple weakness to Fighting-type moves.
It would depend on whether Diantha sent out any new Pokémon. That was