After hurrying through breakfast, the group rushed to the sports center to claim seats in the front rows.
After they had waited about half an hour, the sports center was packed. Besides the competitors and their accompanying teachers, many spectators had come after hearing about the Rookie Tournament.
Just then, with a piercing bird cry, an enormous Pidgeot appeared in the sky. A woman sat on its back, holding a microphone and calling out in a ringing voice, "Welcome, everyone, to Bingzhou City's first Pokémon Battle Rookie Tournament!"
Thunderous applause instantly erupted throughout the venue. "I'm your host, Ai Mi! Let's enjoy the next half month of heated battles!"
The atmosphere immediately came alive, and everyone clapped enthusiastically. "And now, please welcome the mayor of Lu'an City to deliver the opening address!"
The mayor of Lu'an City walked into the arena with a smile and began speaking into the microphone. He mainly discussed why the government had reformed the college entrance examination to introduce Pokémon Studies, as well as the spirit shown by the competitors.
After speaking for a little over ten minutes, the mayor of Lu'an City suddenly stopped. "Hehe, you probably don't want to listen to an old man like me ramble on any longer. Then let's move on to today's main event! Please welcome our nation's renowned Fire-type Elite Four member, Yu Xiao, and Ghost-type Elite Four member, Wen Xu, for an exhibition match!"
At those words, the entire venue erupted.
Everyone craned their necks, hoping to see what the two Elite Four members looked like in person. To ordinary people like them, Elite Four members were idols.
Yu Xiao and Wen Xu entered through entrances at opposite ends of the sports center, setting off wave after wave of cheers.
"A-Tian, look! It's actually the Ghost-type Elite