May 11, Hearthome TV Station.
6:45 p.m.
Background music swelled, and eight spotlights lit up in quick succession, gradually converging on the center of the stage.
Amid the audience's enthusiastic cheers,
Dressed in a smart orange business suit, the host, Yuka, walked to the front of the stage with a bright smile and waved to the audience.
"Good evening, everyone! This is Hearthome TV Station!"
"We're here live at the semifinals of the eagerly anticipated 24th Young Breeder Competition! Tonight, we'll find out which two contestants will advance to the finals!"
"Once again, I'm Yuka, and I'll be spending this wonderful evening with you as we witness a dazzling feast of flavor and Pokémon breeding!"
"Let me hear you!"
The audience erupted into another round of thunderous applause. Amid the endless clapping, cheers rang out for Blue, Wallace, Li Wei, Professor Oak, and the others.
Shiyin exclaimed in surprise, "They're really pulling out all the stops!"
Leon smiled. "Every Pokémon Breeder Competition gets like this once it reaches the final four. There's more to come."
The Breeding Center had taken the rare step of giving everyone May 11 and 12 off.
Li Wei had gotten tickets for everyone who had time to attend, so he had an enormous group of friends and family there to support him.
Leon, Wen Hui, and Old Master had all competed in the Young Breeders' Competition, which was held once every three years.
Li Wei waited backstage. He could only enter after the host introduced him.
Just then, his phone kept vibrating.
One source was the [Have You Battled Today?] Chat Group. Quite a few members were online today, deep in a lively discussion about the Pokémon Breeder Competition.
Another message came from Cynthia.
Cynthia: [Good luck.]
Cynthia then sent a photo of herself watching