"Ha, happy!"
Blissey frantically swung its little arms, taking a sudden step back to break free.
Although it wasn't its first time participating in the Gorgeous Competition, was performing with Mawile the same as performing solo?
What if its performance wasn't good enough to maintain the past achievements of its Trainer and Mawile, or it couldn't even get past the second round of scrutiny?
"Calm down, don't act like a newbie."
Mr. Baimu looked helplessly at Blissey. This guy changed a lot after evolution, becoming incredibly brave in various aspects, but it couldn't shake off the habit of getting nervous and overthinking before a "major" event.
It's hard to change such an inherent nature.
After some thought, he suddenly clutched his arm with a gasp of pain, "Hiss!"
"Happy?"
Blissey's attention was indeed drawn, and it looked at his arm with concern.
A few days ago, Mr. Baimu replaced Hypno with Blissey to test the superpower training method he learned from dreams, on the off chance he had superpowers.
He held some special expectations, but ended up failing, and his right arm muscle got strained due to excessive training in a short period, requiring a day's rest before recovery.
"It's nothing, just a slight pain." Mr. Baimu was quite pleased with the effect of feigning pain, though using Blissey's love for him might be a bit unethical, he did it to help the latter relax.
On television.
A few days ago, Xiaofeng, who had battled against him, appeared in a dynamic attire, sending out her pre-decided performing Pokémon, Scizor.
Having transitioned from Trainer to Coordinator Trainer, her performance was as crisp and straightforward as Ash Ketchum during the Jewel Drill era and Mr. Baimu's early Gorgeous Competition days.
Of course.
"Simple" was not derogatory in the current Gorgeous Competition; with everyone excessively pursuing flashy effects, seasoned audiences and judges were eager to witness performances that showcased the beauty of Pokémon.
That's why Mawile's dance easily received high scores as soon as it debuted.
And Xiaofeng, along with Scizor, were walking the same path.
With Scizor, modeled after a samurai, using its pincers and wings as props, it constantly used the moves "Bullet Fist" and "Steel Wings" towards the deliberately placed stumps on stage; the glittering silver light amid the flying wood chips presented a bladed waltz, captivating viewers.
Once the moves concluded, the stump transformed into the likeness of Shuijing City's lighthouse, triggering another round of applause from the audience.
Undeniably.
The performance was truly unique, especially considering the previous performer's extreme light pollution; in contrast, Xiaofeng's simple act was exceptionally genuine, earning her a high score—
29.2 points.
"How many above 29 points already..."
Mr. Baimu stroked Blissey's face, deep in thought.
In previous competitions, judges scored with extreme caution, and those scoring above 29 were rare; today five such scores appeared as if they cost nothing, even though participants weren't more numerous than before?
Could it be that eight would advance?
He understood that any Gorgeous Competition where eight passed the first scrutiny had significant prestige, bestowing ribbons more distinguished than those at town-level contests.
Admittedly, ribbons themselves hold no hierarchy; obtaining five qualifies for the grand Gorgeous Festival.
However, people inherently like categorizing things, and ribbons, as symbols of honor among Coordinator Trainers, naturally are ranked.
Of the three ribbons Mr. Baimu held, two were from big cities, one from a special system; all are "excellent in quality," silencing many who viewed them unfavorably or disliked them, hence preventing them from claiming small-town ribbons lacked skill.
"It's almost our turn."
He stood up slightly, immediately attracting countless gazes akin to the moon surrounded by stars.
Only Mikoli enjoys such treatment, right?
Mr. Baimu inwardly chuckled, turning towards Blissey, who was taking deep breaths beside him, "Ready?"
"Happy!"
Blissey raised its little hand and adjusted the grass crown, earnestly nodding.
No matter how panicked before the match, once it starts, there must be no panic, but instead a firm resolve and belief in victory, thus avoiding disappointing the Trainer.
Only then can it move towards becoming an ace!
Undoubtedly, it never abandoned its resolve to strive towards being an ace, unshakably attempting to become a perfect Pokémon coexisting with varied skills in battling, performing, healing, and living!
Blissey strode forward with vigorous steps, the white-light enclosed exit appearing as a gateway to a bright future.
I'm coming!
Inside the venue.
The cacophony of countless noises echoed continuously.
Three judges quietly sipped water, moistening their throats dry from successive critiques.
With year-end approaching, the grand Gorgeous Festival was imminent; to stir the atmosphere, it's necessary to moderately lower scoring standards, attracting audiences and Coordinator Trainers alike.
Galar Region's Luozi set a good precedence, with the new-star Hall Masters he discovered all boasting overseas popularity, not to mention Dan Emperor, hailed as the "world's strongest Champion."
This title incited much dissatisfaction and brought increasing attention to Luozi's proposal concerning the Pokémon World Championship.
"Who is the world's strongest? Let's find out!"
The Trainer Realm was in an uproar, and how could the Gorgeous Competition realm fall behind? The board members within the conference bureau had been arguing for quite a while, all eager to seize the opportunity to make a grand move, though most suggestions were largely unimpressive.
Very frustrating.
Vivian stood on stage, smiling as she saw the next performer upon her card, raised the microphone, and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please let us welcome Mr. Baimu and his Blissey to present their performance~"
Mr. Baimu! Blissey!
Patistan and Liu Lai's eyes brightened, the audience fell silent for a moment before erupting into frenzy, screams and shouts nearly bursting through the venue's ceiling, cheerleaders stood, continuously jumping with joy in the limited space.
To be responsible, over seventy percent of the audience were there for Mr. Baimu, buying tickets several times their usual price.
Once acquainted with Mr. Baimu, subsequently becoming the fan club president, Bei Lingyin, the Aromatherapy Shop owner, was among the audience, unable to suppress her excitement.
Finally, she managed to catch up!
She sought Mr. Baimu's news throughout Hoenn to witness his Gorgeous Competition performance firsthand, but never managed to until now, a chance she cherished deeply.
Beside Bei Lingyin were the first elders who established the fan club, some dressed as Mawile and Mr. Baimu, others holding Mawile dolls, even cosplaying as Mawile and Mr. Baimu, showcasing their love for the duo.
If not for the absurdity of buying every ticket, the fan club initially planned a complete takeover, ultimately negated by Bei Lingyin's dissent, averting such a bizarre act.
Thus preserving Mr. Baimu's reputation on the brink.
Soon enough.
A slender silhouette appeared in the contestant passage, causing many eager spectators to instinctively close their mouths, followed by a seemingly chain reaction spreading to the sides.
When the star finally appeared, the venue was eerily silent.
——
Silence.
This was the first impression Shuijing Conference gave Mr. Baimu.
Though a few subtle noises like leaving seats, pacing or whispering seeped into his ears, it was due to the overwhelming quietness of the setting.
He first bowed to the smiling judges in greeting, then surveyed the audience encircling him like a water fort; if not for seeing the barely restrained extreme enthusiasm on their faces and the vigorously swaying luminous support boards, he'd have thought he was out of favor.
What hasn't such a genius Coordinator Trainer, who clinched three ribbons in six months, witnessed?
Alright.
This he truly hadn't experienced.
"Such enthusiasm."
Mr. Baimu felt a bit embarrassed, he originally intended to make the wave-fist-silent move his trademark, but alas the audience didn't give the chance.
All's well.
This time's performance is singing, so keeping silent suits him well.
He took a deep breath, "Begin!"