"Ding! Steelix won an official battle! Gained 500 Training Points! Gained a large amount of experience!" "Ding! Proficiency increased for Iron Tail, High Horsepower, and Crunch!"
The battlefield had been reduced to rubble. At the referee's direction, Yong and Kong's group, who had left the stands to join him-the top eight contestants in this conference-headed to another battlefield on the eastern side to wait.
The host's enthusiastic voice continued to echo through the venue's loudspeakers. He introduced each of the eight contestants' paths through the rounds, his voice rising and falling with emotion, keeping the audience's cheers going without pause.
They stood below the stage. Familiar faces like Kong and A Kun, opponents like Carmilla, and even Kofu, who had suddenly returned, gathered around Yong. No one paid any attention to Heross, who stood at the far edge of the group, even though he was this conference's runner-up!
Kong slapped Yong on the shoulder with his usual easygoing manner and laughed heartily.
"Fantastic! Just what I expected from the rival I chose! If you're the champion, I'm happy with that! Hahaha!"
A Kun gave him a disdainful glance, then nodded at Yong.
"Remember, we still have a match to settle!"
After a pause, the boy, who had always been so cold, suddenly gave a faint smile.
"For now, congratulations on winning the championship, Yong!"
Looking at the right hand he offered, Yong nodded with a smile.
"Thanks! I'm looking forward to battling you again!"
"Don't get too pleased with yourself! I'll catch up soon!"
Ignoring Kong's loud cries of "Me too!" and "How could you forget me?" beside them, the two shook hands.
Carmilla was as radiant as ever. Wearing a gentle smile, she pursed her lips and said,
"Now that you've won both the Elite Tournament and