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With the victories of the first and second groups, Trainers from the Sebas region erupted in cheers. Starting with such dominant wins lifted their spirits immensely.
Instantly, Groups One and Two were considered the most likely contenders to reach the finals and claim the championship title.
However, as Groups Three and Four began their matches, the situation took a sudden turn. Possibly due to being significantly weaker than the previous two groups, they suffered immediate defeat in the first battle, also a crushing loss—almost reversing the earlier narrative entirely.
"Their Strongest Group has emerged!"
"It must be; otherwise, they couldn't be this powerful."
"Darn it! I thought Group Three had a good chance at reaching the finals, but now facing their Strongest Group, it seems quite unlikely."
In this competition, encountering the Strongest Group was the worst possible luck. If the strongest group faced the weakest teams from Sebas, it wouldn't have been significant, even advantageous for them.
However, it was unfortunate that both the third and fourth groups from Sebas, who were quite strong themselves with high chances of advancing, had to face the strongest opponents.
Originally, Groups Three and Four could have easily progressed due to their considerable strength. But encountering the Strongest Group virtually guaranteed their defeat. Overall, the Sebas teams were weaker; only when pitting their strongest against Ellie's strongest did they stand a chance.
Kalia watched as Trainers from Sebas' third group repeatedly crumbled under pressure. The Strongest Group from the Ellie region was exceptionally formidable, consisting entirely of top mid-level trainers on the brink of becoming high-level trainers—practically indistinguishable from them in skill.
With such prowess and early mastery of Z-Moves, aside from the first two groups, no other team from Sebas stood much chance against them.
Kalia paid close attention to the Ellie region's third group, undoubtedly their strongest contingent. On the big screen, she noticed a Trainer named Jessie, seemingly the most powerful among them.
Jessie dispatched just one Pokemon, effortlessly defeating two of the opponent's Pokemon. Through strategic teamwork, not a single Pokemon lost its fighting capability, securing victory without any casualties in the first round.
"Phew, good thing we didn't face their strongest group. The fifth group should still be manageable; we have a chance," Gustav muttered to himself, clearly eager for victory.
"The third and fourth groups from the Ellie region seem to be their top contenders. Consequently, the subsequent teams might be weaker," Mark analyzed. As part of the sixth group, he would compete simultaneously with Kalia. If the opponents facing the sixth group were relatively weaker, there could potentially be an opportunity for success.
Although the chances were slim, even if the opposing team was comparatively weaker, they were still mid-level trainers. Overcoming them with just three beginner trainers seemed quite challenging.
As time passed, the matches between the third and fourth groups proved arduous. From the first round itself, it became evident that Trainer Jessie dominated effortlessly. In the second match of the third group, although they barely held their ground, it was primarily due to favorable type advantages against their Pokemon lineup. Anyone observant could see the significant gap in skill levels.
Ultimately, the third match ended in another devastating defeat, shattering hopes. Facing the Strongest Group left little room for surprise, as everyone had given their best effort, successfully utilizing Z-Moves throughout the battles.
The third and fourth groups both lost to the Ellie region, losing their chance for advancement. However, it wasn't entirely futile; at least now, most of the strongest Trainers' Pokemon had been revealed, allowing for targeted strategies. With some luck, they might even exploit type advantages to defeat opponents.
Following the conclusion of battles involving the third and fourth groups, it was finally time for the fifth group, including Kalia, to take the stage. Due to the previous defeats, expectations were low for both the fifth and sixth groups.
"Having two mid-level trainers paired with one beginner makes winning quite challenging. They're likely going to lose."
"The sixth group is worse off, with all three being beginner trainers. It's almost laughable. What gave them the courage to participate in this exchange competition?"
"I could easily outperform those beginner trainers, but alas, without a Z-Ring, money talks these days - truly unfortunate."
As the fifth and sixth groups entered the arena, both the Sebas region's Trainers and spectators groaned collectively. The performance thus far by the Sebas region was dishearteningly poor.
Kalia stood on the battlefield, awaiting the start of the match, while Gustav directed from the sidelines, "Sam and I will go first; you'll be last. If we both lose, there won't likely be much chance left."
Soon, the battle commenced. The opponents' strength was unknown, but they were expected to be formidable. Gustav stepped forward as the first contestant, confident that he was the strongest among the fifth group and aiming for a swift victory in the opening round.
Although Kalia despised Gustav, she had to admit his skills were commendable. However, their opponents weren't particularly strong, falling far short compared to the third and fourth groups.
This disparity offered them an opportunity. Gustav faced off against a Trainer named Thomas. In their battle, Gustav successfully unleashed a Fighting-type move, All-Out Pummeling, effectively defeating the opponent's most crucial mainstay Pokemon.
He also utilized Protect to counter the opponent's Z-Move, although not entirely successful, blocking a significant portion still proved advantageous. This strategy was critical, ultimately securing Gustav's smooth victory in the first round.
"Haha, I won!" Gustav excitedly shouted, following his usual habit of cheering after every victory.
However, realizing it was just the first win, he quickly silenced himself. It wasn't time to celebrate yet; Sam's performance would be crucial next. If Sam lost, their chances for advancement would diminish significantly.
Based on his assessment, the upcoming opponents were unlikely to be weaker than Thomas. Should Sam lose, Kalia's strength alone might not suffice to defeat the last Trainer.
After Gustav's victory, Sam stepped up as the second contestant. Initially, Kalia had planned to go second, eager to demonstrate her skills, but being last also worked well, ensuring that even if Sam lost, she could still secure at least one more win.
Sam's opponent was Brandon, a true Trainer from the Ellie region known for his loud battle cries. From the start of the match, he yelled incessantly, almost as if victory depended solely on his volume.
Despite all the shouting, his actual performance was lackluster. A small mistake led to the defeat of his first Pokemon, giving Sam an immediate advantage.
"Great job, Sam!" Gustav exclaimed with delight. If Sam won this match, he would directly advance to the top eight, and it seemed highly likely.
Kalia, though eager to compete herself, was equally pleased by Sam's performance. Winning meant smooth progression to the quarterfinals.
While Kalia's situation looked promising, Mark's battle was grim. The three beginner trainers were grouped together essentially as cannon fodder, ensuring they wouldn't hinder others' progress.
Taro's strategy appeared to be concentrating all beginner trainers in one group, effectively eliminating them in the first round.
Clearly, Mark and his peers were sacrificial pawns, destined for defeat. However, even in their losses, they gained valuable insights about their opponents' Pokemon. As Kalia observed from the sidelines, she also kept an eye on Group Six's matches, understanding the importance of memorizing opponents' Pokemon during battles.
No one hands you detailed information about your opponent's Pokemon; you must observe and learn yourself. Kalia maintained this habit, anticipating potential future encounters.
Time passed swiftly, and Sam did not disappoint. He secured a second victory, advancing successfully to the top eight with consecutive wins.