The wooden stage in Levincia Gym's main arena slowly descended as the machinery beneath it whirred into motion.
Rising in its place was a regulation-sized rocky battlefield.
Xia Chi and Iono, the two contestants in this exhibition match, were already standing on the field.
Geeta did not take the field herself, instead stepping in as the referee.
Even the distinguished guests in the audience could not help marveling at that.
Was she perhaps the first Champion in League history to moonlight as a referee?
With a Champion this willing to set aside her status, no wonder the Paldea League was on the rise!
With a piercing cry from the Dragapult beside Geeta, the exhibition match preceding the press conference officially began!
"Bellibolt, let your light crackle and shine!"
"Floragato, I choose you!"
Two flashes of white light shone, and both Pokémon appeared.
Bellibolt versus Floragato!
It was hardly a surprising opening. Among Iono's main Pokémon, Bellibolt had the weakest offensive power.
Floragato needed no introduction. It was Xia Chi's starter Pokémon, and widely regarded as his strongest.
What did catch everyone slightly off guard, however, was that Xia Chi took out his Tera Orb right as the battle began.
He was going straight for Terastallization?
"Hmm, he's probably going straight for Tera Ground, eh? Floragato isn't particularly good with Ground-type moves, so taking on Bellibolt as a Ground-type is a solid choice."
Mustard, who looked close to seventy but remained full of vigor, offered his assessment from the front row.
He had reached that conclusion from the scraps of information Xia Chi had previously revealed about Terastallization. That was the caliber of a true battling legend.
Beside him, Professor Oak stroked his chin thoughtfully. "But for a Pokémon like Floragato, which has the [Protean] ability, will its type still change