Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park.
Over lunch,
Mizuki curiously adjusted her glasses and held a water glass toward Li Wei to interview him.
"A quick question: how would you feel about facing Red on the same stage?"
Li Wei thought for a moment. "Excited, probably. Even better if we met in the finals."
Lalami sounded surprised. "You're already booking your spot in the finals?"
Li Wei smiled. "You have to have a little confidence in yourself. Anything's possible."
Dayou laughed. "Li Wei's right!"
Mizuki, Lalami, Xiao Meng, and the others all nodded vigorously.
Last year's Master League had delivered plenty of unexpected twists.
Last year, Lance had knocked Leon out in the semifinals, turning the Master League final into Lance VS Cynthia.
Lance had broken Leon's unbeaten streak in the main event,
while Cynthia had become the Master League's second Champion and its first female Champion.
Until this year's Master League ended, calling Cynthia the world's best Pokémon battler was perfectly reasonable.
As for after this year's Master League ended...
Who knew?
Dayou suggested, "This year's Master League is definitely going to be amazing. When the round-of-16 knockout matches start, let's take some time off and go watch together."
Dayou's suggestion quickly won the approval of Lalami, Mizuki, Xiao Meng, Shiyin, and the others.
"We've never watched a tournament like that in person."
The Lily of the Valley Conference Li Wei had entered last time had been Mizuki and the others' first experience watching an official tournament.
Li Wei's dad, Leon, made the call on the spot.
"No need to request leave. We'll close for a holiday and go watch together. It'll be a great chance for everyone to visit the Galar Region!"
This was the decision Li Wei and his parents had reached after discussing it the night before.
Whether