As Group D concluded, the matches for Group E roared to life. One by one, the remaining groups determined their victors.
To Owen's surprise, he was the only non-seed player to advance. The other fifteen slots were filled entirely by the original Seed Players...
"I suddenly feel bad for Liden," Owen muttered, scratching his head. That poor guy had the misfortune of running into someone as invincible as himself.
Immediately after the day's matches ended, the organizers contacted Owen. He already knew what they wanted: an interview.
It was an opportunity few contestants would refuse. After all, what hot-blooded young person doesn't want to be famous?
The matches tomorrow would be even more grand. The guest lineup would likely include some major figures, and local TV stations would be recording.
With a bit of luck, a contestant might even get a few seconds of screen time on the regional news. To build hype before the Round of 16, the organizers were ramping up their promotional efforts.
For this interview, I can't just follow the crowd, Owen thought. I have to stand out so I can go viral.
He decided to focus on his "unique" philosophy of what makes a trainer. As for the specific tone? He'd play it by ear.
Being conventional was rarely a good thing in the age of the internet; the public much preferred something different.
The Rising Star and the Playful Reporter
Owen was led into a private room by a staff member. A young female reporter was waiting for him. She looked like a fresh university graduate—vibrant and approachable.
"Don't be nervous," she said, sitting across from him with a smile. "Just answer my questions. If you mess up, it's fine; we can edit it out later."
"Understood," Owen nodded.
Meanwhile, Eevee, perched on his shoulder, put on her most "innocent" face. Recording a video? She had never seen such a professional setup. She decided it was best to behave herself.
"OK, let's begin."
The reporter, Selina, signaled the cameraman and turned to Owen and Eevee. After a fun self-introduction, she asked her first question.
"Student Owen, what do you think is the reason you and Eevee were able to make it this far?"
"I believe," Owen began, "that current rookie trainers are far too restless. They haven't yet mastered the qualities a true trainer should possess."
"Oh?" Selina's eyes lit up. This was a bold, un-humble answer—she could smell the viral potential already. This rookie was interesting.
"So that's the reason. You used verbal interference in your previous matches, clearly taking advantage of your opponents' unstable mindsets. But I have a question: doesn't that reduce the number of commands you can give your Pokémon?"
"It's all part of the strategy. While it's not perfect yet, my victory proves its value. In my view, this is exactly what a real trainer should be doing."
"Can you elaborate on what a 'real trainer' looks like to you?"
"A trainer is like a coach for a professional athlete," Owen said sagely. "You create the plan before the match, handle the strategy, and then you should step back and let the athlete—the Pokémon—perform freely. Isn't that right, Eevee?"
"Vee! (Nonsense!)"
"It seems Owen's Eevee completely agrees!" Selina chirped. "Owen's tactic of letting the Pokémon play to their own style and characteristics is truly a breath of fresh air among rookie trainers!"
Owen and Eevee both froze for a second. They had met their match. This reporter was a natural actress. Owen refused to be outdone.
"Naturally. Trainers who have to scream every single move haven't realized that they can't possibly know their Pokémon better than the Pokémon knows itself.
Shouting moves just expose your strategy. I only need to use my superior vision to call out the decisive commands—like 'Dodge it!'—and offer words of encouragement—like 'Stand up!'. That's enough."
"I trust my Eevee. One minute of battle reflects ten years of training. She is incredibly hardworking."
"It is our bond and synchronization that allowed us to reach the Top 16, and we plan to go much further."
Eevee wore a look of "sudden realization" (though it was mostly confusion), while Selina looked genuinely impressed.
"Owen's perspective is truly unique and thought-provoking! So, you're saying all your brilliant moves on the field are discussed in advance?"
"Exactly. They are all tactical maneuvers. Every change on the battlefield is captured by me in an instant."
"Thank you, Owen, for the interview. Viewers at home—did you learn something?"
The interview was edited and released that night. The staff knew exactly which clips would generate clicks, and Owen's video was placed in the most prominent spot on the official website, forums, and streaming platforms.
Before Owen even realized it, the video had surpassed 100,000 views and was climbing fast.
Leo: "Boss! You're famous! Your interview is miles ahead of the others in views. It's only been a few minutes!"
Owen: "For real?"
Owen immediately denied Eevee's request for his phone and pulled up the video. It was indeed a hit.
The scrolling comments (bullet chat) were moving so fast they startled him. Especially after Selina asked, "Did you learn something?"
"Can't learn this, too hard, too hard."
"We both had nine years of compulsory education, why are you so much better than me?!"
"Why does he actually sound logical?"
"666, I'm convinced."
"Live and learn."
Beyond the memes, there were serious long-form comments:
Lazy Dragon Lord: "I didn't expect such a profound insight from a rookie. In fact, he's right. The matches we see on TV don't reach this level, but I've heard that for Pro Trainers exploring Secret Realms, danger changes in the blink of an eye. There's no time to shout commands. The Pokémon's own reaction and judgment often determine the survival of the team."
Mushroom Kangaroo: "As a member of a university league team, I have to say something. I don't know about Pros, but in my current matches, the 'command' phase is becoming a struggle. My Pokémon reacts faster than I do. Sometimes it can see an attack coming that I can't even register. Reducing the number of shouted terms is actually a sign of growth for a trainer—provided the fundamental training is there."
Owen read the comments with great interest, pleased that people were debating his philosophy. He took a moment to reply to Leo:
"I did what I promised. Whether you can get a girl now is up to you. Remember to buy me dinner when we get back."
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