As President Charles Goodshow left, Elite Four member Glacia stepped up to the front under everyone's gaze and spoke in a gentle voice.
"The Hoenn League's Ever Grande Conference officially begins! The rules are the same as in previous years, with preliminary matches, qualifying rounds, and finals!"
Glancing at the contestants, Glacia said with a smile,
"The preliminary matches will be one-on-one battles! Winners advance to the qualifying rounds! Losers are eliminated immediately! This continues until 256 contestants remain! The qualifying rounds will use three-on-three battles! There will be three rounds in total, with three matches in each round! Each victory earns one point! Anyone who wins only one match is eliminated! Those who win two continue to the next round! Those who win all three earn three points and advance directly! The remaining contestants' advancement will be determined by their point totals, until the final thirty-two contestants are selected for the finals!"
She paused to give the contestants and spectators time to take it all in, then continued,
"The finals will consist of full six-on-six battles! Starting with the round of sixteen, once either contestant loses three Pokémon, the match will enter an intermission, and a new battlefield will be selected! This continues until we have our champion!"
"So, young Trainers! Give it your all!"
As Glacia finished explaining the rules, a slight stir ran through the contestants. Yong pondered them. The preliminary matches should be easy enough to get through. He might need to battle twice, but with luck, a single victory could secure his advancement! Yet in the qualifying rounds, only earning three points-winning all three matches-would let him advance directly! Would losing one match mean elimination?
Frowning slightly, Yong exchanged a look with Kong. Each saw determination in the other's eyes!
They would advance with a