My name was Shunichi. I was a Pokémon Trainer and a student who had yet to graduate from Pokémon School.
I had been fortunate enough to receive my teacher's recommendation. Although I had not finished my studies, I had luckily earned a chance to enter this year's Lily of the Valley Conference, which made me very happy.
To live up to my teachers' and classmates' expectations, I would give it my all, try to make it into the Main Tournament, and secure a good placing.
After looking forward to it for so long and spending several days in the Athlete Village, I finally welcomed the official start of the conference.
Today was my first battle.
I wonder what sort of opponent I'll face?
But whoever it is, as long as I use the skills I learned at school, I'll definitely win!
After all, every teacher had said that people like me, who came out of Pokémon School, had far better professional skills than rookies who set straight out on a journey, and would naturally grow stronger than them!
Brimming with confidence, Shunichi entered Battle Contest Hall B in that frame of mind and stepped onto the Battle Field-until he saw the handsome, tall man opposite him.
Although these were only the preliminary rounds, held in a smaller venue, the entire Contest Hall was still packed.
After waving to Cheryl, May, and Dawn, who were cheering him on in the Rest Room, Xia You went through the Contestant Entrance, stepped onto the stage, and took his place in the Pokémon Trainer's Battle Area on his side.
Opposite him stood a boy who looked quite young.
Before him was the most common Normal Field, completely empty, with nothing to take advantage of.
Although these were the preliminary rounds and there were