December 15, League Calendar year 224.
Hongqiao Arena, Shanghai, Donghuang League.
As Shanghai's largest and most professional Pokémon Battle Arena, Hongqiao Arena had hosted many prestigious competitions, including the Donghuang Conference and the finals of the World Pokémon Battle Championships.
But during the last few weeks of every year, the place would be packed with rookie Trainers and their Pokémon.
"Hello, viewers! We're here at the preliminary rounds of the annual Shanghai Pokémon Cup. I'm your field reporter, Zhang Yu."
Amid a crowd as dense as a school of Wishiwashi, a woman with immaculate makeup gave a professional smile to the camera carried on a Machoke's shoulder.
"Today is the opening day of the Shanghai Pokémon Cup, and we can see that an astonishing number of Trainers have entered. The official figure is 11,451, breaking ten thousand for the first time and setting an all-time record."
"But out of all those entrants, only thirty-two will reach the main event. Qualifying really is a one-in-ten-thousand prospect. Now, shall we pick a contestant with a dream at random for an interview?"
The reporter looked around. When her gaze swept over a boy sitting on some roadside steps, looking down at his phone, her eyes lit up.
He's so handsome!
I choose you!
As everyone knew, in this restless, materialistic society, attractive individuals always drew more attention and traffic, whether they were men, women, or even Pokémon.
So I'm not just a sucker for a pretty face. This is my keen instinct as an outstanding reporter.
While making excuses for herself, the reporter beckoned Machoke over and headed toward the handsome boy.
She gave him a genuinely sweet smile and asked, "Hello, could I trouble you for a brief interview?"
The handsome boy looked up blankly and asked in confusion, "An interview? With me?"
There really are people in this world who look even better from the front than in profile!
Her heart fluttering, the reporter nodded with a smile. "That's right. We're from Shanghai TV Station's Pokémon battle channel. Could we have a few minutes of your time?"
"Meow!"
Before the handsome boy could answer, a hostile meow came from beside him.
Only then did the reporter, blinded by his good looks, notice that there was a Sprigatito there too.
But why does this Sprigatito look so fierce? It's like a Pokémon guarding its food.
Just as Sprigatito's stare began to make the reporter inexplicably nervous, the handsome boy reached out and held Sprigatito back.
"Sprigatito, behave."
After soothing the sulky little jealous cat, he looked up at the reporter and smiled. "Sure. What would you like to ask?"
The reporter asked, "May I have your name?"
"Xia Chi."
And your phone number and home address?
Of course, that was only what the reporter was thinking.
If she actually asked that aloud, it would be a full-blown live broadcast disaster, and her career as a reporter would probably end right there.
"Contestant Xia Chi, what are you and Sprigatito aiming for in this tournament?"
Xia Chi looked surprised. "Did I say I was here to compete?"
"Uh..."
The reporter was at a loss for quite a while before stammering, "Sorry, I thought..."
Xia Chi immediately changed his expression. "You've got a great eye for people. I am here to compete."
Seriously, what was that?
The reporter let out a long breath and forced a smile as she continued, "Then what are you and Sprigatito aiming for in this tournament?"
Xia Chi answered honestly, "Dunno. I saw the school advertising ten comprehensive assessment points for winning this tournament, so I signed up."
The reporter: "..."
Do you even hear what you're saying?
You're trying to win for ten assessment points? Could your goal get any more ridiculous?
"Just kidding."
Xia Chi apologized sincerely. "It looked like you'd only just started streaming, so I cracked a few jokes to liven things up."
The reporter stole a glance at her phone screen. The livestream really had gained quite a few viewers, though some of the comments left her baffled.
"Holy crap, it's ol' Shui!"
"A doxxing weapon! If Teacher Shui dares use those cursed tactics again, someone might actually come teach him a lesson in person."
"LMAO, he still knows how to put on a stream."
"Shuiye has appeared! Ability [Livestream Entertainment Generator] activated!"
"Miss, don't play mind games with him. Even Raihan can't beat him at those!"
"..."
Uh, is this handsome young guy an internet celebrity?
Watching the livestream's viewer count shoot up, the reporter grew excited.
She continued, "Then can I take that to mean you're aiming to win this tournament?"
Xia Chi replied modestly, "I'm mainly here to improve myself and help Sprigatito gain battle experience."
Why does it feel a little strange now that he's suddenly acting normal?
The reporter was silently grumbling to herself when Xia Chi added, "Of course, if the mood is right, we can pick up the championship trophy while we're at it."
What the hell do you mean, 'if the mood is right'?!
The reporter felt that her mood was turning downright foul instead. How did this guy have more tricks up his sleeve than a Qwilfish had spikes?
I never should have judged him by his looks!
Her tone was stiff. "All right, thank you for accepting our interview. Best of luck in the tournament!"
If I ever interview you again, I'm a Growlithe!
After making that fateful vow to herself, the reporter called over the camera-carrying Machoke and stormed off.
Xia Chi watched the reporter walk away and shrugged. Why turn down entertaining livestream content when it was handed to her?
"Contestant number 9527, Xia Chi, and contestant number 3862, Qiu Hongyuan, please proceed to court 23. Your match will begin in five minutes."
At the announcement, Xia Chi patted the little cat beside him on the head and stood up. "Come on, Sprigatito. Time to go."
Because of the sheer number of entrants, the Shanghai Pokémon Cup's preliminary rounds used a double-elimination format.
As the name suggested, two losses meant elimination, and the rounds continued until the final thirty-two qualifiers were decided.
It didn't matter whether you were unlucky enough to face strong opponents twice in a row. If that happened, it only meant your own strength wasn't up to par.
As it turned out, thanks to Xia Chi's tireless efforts and just a teeny-tiny mountain of help from his system bro, Sprigatito's current strength was very much up to par.
Almost none of the opponents they faced that morning posed any threat to Sprigatito.
Over ten thousand entrants sounded intimidating, but plenty had shown up with Pokémon such as Pidgey and Nidoran that they'd only recently caught.
How weak were these matches? After an entire battle, the system showed that Fear had increased by only 0.1.
Good grief, they aren't even as tough as those Mankey at Shanghai University.
And those were actually among the stronger ones. When Xia Chi was at 2-0, he encountered a Metapod that knew nothing but Harden.
Xia Chi was stunned on the spot.
Seriously, dude, how did you win your first two matches?
Did you use Harden until your opponents ran out of stamina?
The opponents Xia Chi met in his first three matches were basically all "Bug Catchers" and "Youngsters" like these.
The battles grew considerably tougher in the middle and later rounds, with opposing Pokémon that had clearly received proper training.
There were even formidable opponents such as Wartortle and Haunter, but even then, no one could force Sprigatito into "full-power mode."
And so, after cutting his way through every obstacle, Xia Chi qualified for the Shanghai Pokémon Cup's main event with a perfect 9-0 record.
Before you continue