While Xia You studied Cheren, Cheren was clearly studying him too.
As a teacher, Cheren was clearly better informed about international affairs than those Trainers and Gym Leaders who only paid attention to what happened around them.
The instant he saw Xia You, he was dazed for only a moment before immediately recognizing his face.
After all, the news about him had caused such a stir that even across the sea, Cheren had read the relevant reports and even watched several battle videos with the intention of learning from them.
Having watched them, he was somewhat familiar with this man's face, so after his initial surprise, he recognized him right away.
It would have been hard not to!
Still, he was a teacher, and now a Gym Leader as well. Though surprised inwardly, he showed nothing on his face, maintaining his usual composure.
Rising to his feet, Cheren walked around his desk and came up to the group.
"Forgive my presumption." Cheren's voice was clear and polite. Though he phrased it as a question, his tone was already certain. "Would you happen to be Mr. Xia You, who won the conferences in the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh regions?"
Xia You was not surprised that Cheren recognized him.
After all, whether in the anime or the games, the man before him possessed extensive knowledge of Pokémon and could offer his own unique insights. How could someone like that not learn about what happened in other regions?
He simply had not expected such respectful language.
"That's me." He smiled and nodded at Cheren. "Just as I said earlier, I'm here to challenge the Gym."
From that sentence alone, Cheren knew that this man had now set his sights on their Unova Region and was preparing to enter the Pokémon League Conference