Aurelia had two major hubs.
One was the Aurelia Olympic Sports Center, and the other was the Aurelia Pokémon Competitive Center.
While the Competitive Center wasn't quite as massive as the Olympic Center, as a national-level integrated arena, it had earned its fair share of honors, having been selected as a host site for the National Championships several times.
For a Provincial High School League with just over a hundred participants, this venue was more than sufficient.
Water fields, Rock fields, Grass fields, Ice fields, Sky battlegrounds...
A variety of complex, multi-terrain fields were set to make their debut during this competition.
"The design of the Competitive Center was inspired by a tribute to the clouds above and a blessing for the booming Pokémon competitive scene. The theme of the design concept is 'Freedom and Competition'."
The Fairview No. 1 team had arrived in Aurelia and reached the center.
In addition to the ten school team members, the traveling party included Zoe from the Trainer Association, Dean Wu, and two teachers from the school, including Ms. Nina. This was only the vanguard for Fairview No. 1; once the matches officially began, various school leaders would surely arrive.
Furthermore, some teachers from the freshman and sophomore grades, underclassmen, and families of the players would come to act as cheerleaders and spectators.
If they were lucky enough to make it to the finals, perhaps even the stressed-out seniors currently drowning in exam prep would get to come and watch for a couple of days.
Of course, if the Fairview team were eliminated on the first day, there would be nothing left but disappointment.
"So white... so big," Leo muttered, touching the spotless white walls and looking at the grand scale of the arena with a sigh.
"I don't want to lose. Competing in a place like this, with underclassmen cheering, big shots watching, and media reporters interviewing... it would be too embarrassing to lose," he said. "Boss, can I borrow that dictionary of yours that doesn't have the word 'lose' in it?"
Owen felt a twitch in his eye. Why do you talk so much? Can't you learn from your boss and be a quiet, handsome guy?
"Why... why... just why..."
Sarah, who was holding Lynnea's hand, was feeling a bit resentful. Just a moment ago, they had seen a team from another school wearing beautiful, custom-made uniforms. They, on the other hand, were still in their standard school tracksuits.
The thought that all nineteen other schools might have flashy uniforms while they were stuck in school clothes made not just Sarah, but the rest of the players feel a bit dejected.
"Let's go register first. Then I'll take you to the Athletes' Village. Once you've dropped off your things, you're free to tour the arena. There are volunteers here all day today," Zoe said, clapping her hands.
Hearing this, the ten members finally broke into smiles. They had been waiting for those words.
The Athletes' Village at the Aurelia Pokémon Competitive Center was where the participants stayed. Inside the village, there were 18 various training and battle fields. Additionally, there was a dedicated cafeteria and a Pokémon Hospital to monitor the condition of the team's partners.
The Fairview No. 1 team was stationed in the northern part of the village.
By this time, teams from other schools had already begun moving in. Fairview wasn't the earliest to arrive, but feeling the competitive atmosphere around them, the ten students couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
"Now this is a professional setup," Owen murmured to himself. What a joke that "Junior Phoenix King Cup" was in comparison—he'd had to find his own hotel, and they didn't even reimburse the champion's lodging fees...
After checking into their rooms, Leo found Owen almost immediately. "Boss, do you want to go check out the battlefields later?"
"What's there to see? We don't have Water or Ice fields back at Fairview, but it's not like you haven't seen them on TV," Owen replied, making Leo realize he had a point.
"Well, shouldn't we get familiar with the locations of the different zones?"
"There will definitely be people to guide us... volunteers, staff... don't worry about getting lost."
"True." Leo was convinced, but he asked, "But we can't just sit here, right?"
Owen grinned. "I want to go scout for intel."
Leo was baffled. "How?"
The competition hadn't officially started yet. Each school's knowledge of the others was limited, mostly restricted to Pokémon types and basic backgrounds.
For a trainer like Owen who had participated in a small tournament before, battle footage might have been dug up, but that was ancient history.
A rookie's strength changes drastically in a few months; even a perfect analysis of those old videos wouldn't reveal Eevee's current level.
This was an official tournament. Every school was taking it seriously. Unlike an exchange match, where you could mess around, the stakes here directly affected school funding and prestige.
The school provided free supplements and elite training; the players brought home the glory. It was a win-win.
"By battling, of course," Owen said. "Our teachers didn't say we weren't allowed to battle today. Maybe the other schools' teachers didn't forbid it either."
Leo was stunned. Not revealing your trump cards or engaging in intense battles before a tournament was basic common sense—did that even need to be taught?
But Owen was playing the long game.
"I'll use Magnemite to challenge participants from other schools. There are so many fields here; it would be a waste not to use them," Owen said, scratching his ear.
"Good grief..." Leo finally saw through him. Owen wasn't scouting for intel; he just wanted to use these players as "EXP fodder" for his second Pokémon.
In the end, while the other team members went to tour the various venues of the Competitive Center, Owen and Leo slipped away. Zoe didn't stop them, as she trusted Owen implicitly.
In fact, not every participant wanted to tour the center. For example, local students from Aurelia were likely so familiar with the place that they could walk it blindfolded. Buying daily necessities or hoarding snacks for late-night hunger in the dorms was a much better use of time.
"Do you recognize those uniforms?"
As they passed a small convenience store in the village, Owen's eyes lit up. Through the glass, he saw two girls in red school uniforms buying supplies.
"They should be contestants, right? I hope they accept a challenge..."
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