Sunyshore City, the main battlefield of the Sunyshore Gym.
As the largest sports venue in Sunyshore, it boasted comprehensive facilities and top-of-the-line lighting and sound systems.
Naturally, it had been requisitioned for the Masters Tournament.
The spectator stands, which could accommodate over a thousand people, were packed, the air buzzing with voices.
After all, this was a Masters Challenge between two members of the Elite Four. Its explosive popularity was well deserved.
What caught Gary's attention, though, was this: how could someone who had made his Gym facilities so luxurious dislike battling?
In the second-floor VIP Lounge, Young Master Mao put that question to Volkner.
Still showing no fluctuation in emotion, Volkner replied, "The challengers are too weak. It's not that I dislike battling. I just have no interest in crushing pushovers.
"Rather than spend time steamrolling them, I might as well work on inventions and patents."
Gary's face darkened. Who are you taking a jab at...?
Who didn't know that Young Master Mao ran the biggest pond of small fry in the entire Pokémon League? That was practically an ultimate attack fired straight into Gary's face...
"Not every challenger is weak, surely," Jasmine offered timidly from beside them, glancing at Young Master Mao.
"Yes, and as far as I know, you and Flint seem to trade wins, don't you?" Sitting nearby, Cynthia reminded him with a smile.
Volkner lowered his head and sighed. "That's true, but I haven't trained in over six months. Even so, Flint can still only go fifty-fifty with me."
I don't even train, for fear that if I put in the slightest effort, my best friend won't be able to beat me anymore.
How should one put it? A faint air of showing off drifted through the room.
Young Master Mao patted Volkner's shoulder in