How to comfort others...
The browser had provided many answers, but Owen had sifted through them and couldn't find a single one that felt right. In the end, he simply gave up.
Forget it, Lynnea seems like a tough girl. I'll let her heal on her own.
Lynnea had been eliminated. Since her Growlithe was injured and needed an examination, she hadn't returned to the observation deck immediately, leaving Owen to finish watching the morning matches alone.
Clutching Eevee's Poké Ball, Owen wondered if Eevee could continue advancing without taking any damage, just as she had before.
If she could, that would be ideal. Considering Eevee's unique traits, Owen actually felt fairly confident.
By the end of the morning session, the list for the Top 32 was finalized. All sixteen Seed Players had advanced without a single upset—and the audience already considered them the most likely candidates for the Top 16.
Before the Storm
Before the afternoon matches began, a Pokémon doctor invited by the organizers checked the condition of the Pokémon belonging to the thirty-two remaining contestants. Once it was confirmed that everyone was in fighting shape, the battle for the Top 16 was ready to erupt.
"Boss, you absolutely have to give it your all!"
In the waiting room, Owen held his phone as Leo's voice buzzed in his ear for the third time.
"This is your third call already, Leo."
"Vee!" Perched on Owen's shoulder, Eevee also looked displeased. Owen's phone was supposed to be in her paws right now; she had already picked out several brands of phones in her shopping cart. This fat kid was interrupting her window shopping.
"OK! This is definitely the last one. I checked the official forums, Boss. Your next opponent is a Seed Player, but I believe in you. Crush him!"
Owen hung up. But it wasn't over. The Psychology Club's group chat was popping off.
Tiffany: Top 32... unbelievable. Does this mean if he wins the next one, he'll be on the live stream?
President: You didn't secretly use an Evolution Stone on Eevee, did you? Flareon? Jolteon? Don't tell me it's a Vaporeon!
Diana: I feel like the credit goes to the trash talk I taught him...
Vice President: Wait a second... at this rate, is he actually going to break into the Top 16?! Owen: Don't panic. Just standard procedure. Sit tight and wait for the stream.
With that, he closed the chat.
The Final Stand
1:00 PM.
Owen felt a tap on his shoulder in the waiting room. He turned to see that Lynnea had returned.
"Is Growlithe okay?" Owen asked.
"He's fine," Lynnea said. "I just got off the phone with my dad. I told him about the loss, and guess what he said? He said it's normal because we've only done basic training so far. Growlithe hasn't reached its golden growth period yet, so there's no need to rush for power."
"I see," Owen nodded.
"Yeah." Lynnea's face flushed slightly. For some reason, after losing a battle, one always feels the need to explain.
It was like blaming lag for a lost game or saying you misread a question on a failed test. Having a reasonable excuse made one feel much better.
Owen pretended to understand and turned back. Eevee hopped onto his shoulder, and the two shared a moment of silence.
"It's almost my turn."
"I know. I'm ready to take photos. If you lose, get ready to be exposed in the group chat," Lynnea threatened.
"It's impossible for me to lose."
"Vee." Eevee agreed. Losing wasn't an option.
As the matches for Groups A, B, and C concluded, the Seed Players all advanced smoothly to the Top 16. The fierce battles convinced the casual spectators that the official Seed list was accurate. Those trainers really did have some serious skill.
"Group C is over. Group D is next. I remember the contestants are that trainer Liden and that kid Owen, right?"
"Yeah. Honestly, I hope the cute Eevee wins... I didn't expect an Eevee to make it to the Top 32. I want to see her keep going."
"Not a chance. Didn't you see the other matches? So far, not a single Seed has been eliminated..."
At the edge of the stands, two spectators discussed the odds. Nearby, a girl wearing sunglasses overheard them and gritted her teeth.
It was Hannah, the first girl Owen had eliminated with his psychological warfare. She and her Cacnea had suffered a miserable defeat.
She had planned to leave after losing, but for some reason, she desperately wanted to see Owen lose, too. Only then could she vent her frustration. So, she had come back to watch.
Entering the Field
Group A has Scyther, Group B has Mr. Mime, and Group C has Misdreavus. If I win this, Eevee will have to face a Ghost-type.
I should try to win without revealing Bite; it might make the next opponent let their guard down, thinking Eevee has no way to deal with them.
But against this Ivysaur, Eevee is going to have to take things seriously.
Owen walked alone through the player tunnel, waiting for his cue. If he won this, he'd be in the Top 16. That meant a face on a live stream with millions of views and interviews with reporters—a rare achievement for a high schooler and a validation of their two months of effort.
If my parents see me being interviewed, they'll be so happy, Owen thought, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"Alright, it's time for our fourth match of the afternoon! Liden versus Owen! I'm sure everyone is familiar with their names by now..."
Following the commentator's voice, Owen and Miles stepped onto the field.
Liden looked at Owen with a strange expression. He had watched Owen's previous battles and had even sought out Owen's last opponent to ask about his tactics.
I'm prepared, Liden thought. If he tries to distract me with trash talk, he's walking into a trap. Talking distracts the speaker too; it's a double-edged sword. As long as I seize that moment to let Ivysaur launch a fierce offensive, winning against that Eevee won't be a problem.
Thinking of this, Liden smiled.
"You look pretty happy to see me," Owen remarked as they took their positions.
Liden ignored him, choosing instead to throw his Poké Ball first.
As both trainers released their Pokémon, Ivysaur and Eevee faced off across the field, their eyes locked in mutual hostility.
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