The reason why people with special honors can challenge the Battle Frontier early is one of the privileges they earn by giving it their all to achieve high rankings in the conference.
The Champion, Runner-Up, Final Four, and Top Eight of the Quartz Conference are not just about rankings and prizes. Otherwise, it would not justify the hard work of acquiring eight badges and the effort to achieve such a ranking.
The newly launched Battle App has taken the honor of rankings into consideration.
If you're an Elite Champion, you can even skip all queues and move directly to the front of the line for battles.
Although Ash is just the Champion of the Quartz Conference, as long as there isn't someone with the same ranking ahead of him, he can still secure a very good spot.
Under Paul's guidance, Ash entered his information into the app and then clicked to join the queue again.
Ash watched as his rank shot up from over five hundred to five in one go!
This ranking made Ash's eyes widen: "No way, did I just rank fifth?! Being the Champion of the Quartz Conference really pays off!"
Paul raised an eyebrow slightly upon seeing Ash's rank because his own rank was — four!
This meant Ash would face Brandon after him.
"It's my turn," Paul said casually to Ash as he glanced at the prompt on his phone before turning to leave.
"Hey! What do you mean it's your turn?! Are you going to battle Mr. Brandon?" Ash quickly caught up with Paul, with Misty and the others close behind.
Paul didn't reply, just nodded slightly with his hands in his pockets.
"What's your rank?"
"Fourth."
"What! That means you're just ahead of me. So does that mean after you finish your battle, it's my turn?" Ash was momentarily stunned before realizing that four was the number right before his.
It meant that after Paul's battle with Brandon, it would be Ash's turn.
"Can I watch the match?"
"Suit yourself."
"It's not about suiting myself, but can Mr. Brandon's pyramid let us in?"
Hearing this, Paul paused momentarily before responding without turning his head: "Just say you're with me to watch the match, and the guards won't stop you."
"Really? That's great!" Ash was visibly excited. He had initially prepared to wait in line for three or four days.
The information he encountered upon arriving was a rollercoaster of emotions. First, the offline queue was canceled, then the online line required a month's wait, but being a Quartz Conference Champion shortened the wait time.
In the end, he was able to challenge that very day.
And that wasn't all—Paul, who was challenging before him, was just a perfect coincidence.
Now, he could follow Paul inside to watch the Battle Pyramid, wasting no time, a perfect arrangement!
"Ash, don't you think Paul has changed a lot?" Misty softly poked Ash's side and whispered.
"Huh? Did he? I didn't notice." Ash scratched his head, full of confusion.
Has Paul changed? Isn't he still as cold as ever!
"He's changed a lot," Brock also chimed in, "The old Paul would never suggest going in together, let alone actively guide you on operating the queue system."
Paul's change was visible to everyone who knew him, and anyone acquainted with Paul would probably wonder, is this really Paul?
Only a thick-skinned person like Ash hadn't noticed Paul's transformation.
Yet, to Ash, he truly couldn't see any change in Paul. Wasn't he still as cold and indifferent as before?
In reality, Paul's significant improvement in attitude towards Ash partly came from Ash's strength, and partly from the influence Ash's character had on him.
He wasn't the same as when he first met Ash, treating Pokémon as mere tools.
However, his obsession remained unchanged, and that was to defeat Brandon and rid himself of the inner shadow!
The way he was before meeting Ash was closely tied to Brandon.
His brother, Leisi, was once a very strong trainer, but after battling Brandon, he became a Breeder. It was his brother's change that led to Paul's transformation.
Brandon became an obsession for Paul.
While he has changed somewhat now, he hasn't forgotten Brandon's name, which is why he immediately headed over upon hearing Brandon was in Goldenrod City, to face Brandon in battle, to avenge his brother's past shame!
Before long, Ash and the others arrived at the Battle Pyramid. It was an enormous structure, far larger than a typical Gym, and it was hard to imagine something that could actually fly!
The guard at the gate verified Paul's app information and let them through, with Ash and the others entering as accompanying companions.
The inside of the Pyramid was even more spacious than it appeared from outside, with dim lighting but an extremely open layout.
After taking numerous twists and turns, the group finally arrived at the battle arena.
This arena was more than twice the size of a regular Gym. Rows of bright white lights on the ceiling instantly lit up the entire space.
A lot of spectator seats were set up around, probably meant for public challenges. A rough count suggested it could accommodate hundreds of people.