"This matchup…" Terrance was taken aback.
Not only him, but even Wallace, Fantina, Albus, Leo and Fujiki, the six who advanced, hadn't expected this kind of matchup.
Leo's face was expressionless. He looked toward the large screen, then glanced over at the Coordinators' side, and let out a faint snort.
"Always scheming with little tricks."
"Why is it Terrance versus Leo?"
The audience was silent for a moment before erupting into murmurs, clearly confused. Logically, shouldn't Leo, the former Elite Four, be battling Master Wallace?
Only a Trainer at the master level should be fighting another master-level Trainer.
Even though Terrance had performed quite well in entertainment events, drawing the attention of many to this new generation Coordinator of Hoenn, that still didn't change the fact that he was a junior.
Leo had already reached the level of Elite Four years ago.
There are only four active Elite Four in each region. Even though Leo had stepped down from the position years ago, it didn't change the fact that he still possessed Elite Four-level strength!
"I see." Upon seeing the match arrangement, Steven glanced toward Wallace, Terrance, and Albus. With his status, it wasn't difficult for him to deduce the meaning behind this arrangement.
One of Steven's reasons for coming here was also to make contact with the mysterious Trainer, Albus.
"In the end, it's arranged like this after all." Behind the scenes, Glacia smiled faintly. Seeing Terrance's puzzled expression on the screen, she found it amusing. Just a year ago, he had only barely managed to defeat one of Phoebe's non-main Pokémon. And now, he was about to face a truly Elite Four-level Trainer.
This time, Terrance would likely be up against not only his opponent's main Pokémon, but even his ace Pokémon.
"Though Leo was considered the weakest among Unova's Elite Four, still…"
Steven shook his head. He had once battled Leo. Although he had won, that didn't mean Leo was weak.
The title of Elite Four, how many Trainers in an entire region can attain that?
Leo had reached that level. Even if he was no longer serving as an Elite Four, his strength was not something just anyone could treat lightly.
"If Fantina lost… and Terrance loses too…"
Raoul Contesta fell into deep thought. This situation was undeniably terrible.
Thankfully, Wallace's match was placed at the end, a battle he could surely win. Otherwise...
"Tch, look what mess you've made." Cursing inwardly, Raoul Contesta didn't know what the other high-ups at the Contest Committee or those from Takagi Film Company were thinking right now, but one thing was certain, their expressions were probably as ugly as if they had inhaled a Gloom's stench.
Even so, Raoul Contesta also understood… Fujiki and Albus possessed such strength that it was hard to believe they were just ordinary Trainers who traveled, challenged Gyms, and participated in the League Conference.
These two, even in the Champion League, would be considered top-tier in strength.
Fantina's loss wasn't unjustified.
"It's fine, this isn't the worst-case scenario. Leo's appearance was already an unexpected twist. As long as Terrance can showcase the flair of a Coordinator in this match, it won't be a loss for him."
"Yeah, let's hope this Terrance that Raoul Contesta is so hopeful about can give us a pleasant surprise…"
The high-ranking organizers of the festival, who had been silently observing the battle, resumed their conversation after a long pause.
When it comes to battles, surprises are always part of the game. Fantina lost, they couldn't complain about it now. After all, it had been their idea to let her face Fujiki in the first place.
"Terrance, you can do it! Terrance, go for it!!"
Right after the matchups were displayed on the big screen, sensing the heavy atmosphere surrounding the venue, some of Terrance's supporters quickly rallied together, shouting out cheers in unison.
"Cheering, huh..." Terrance loosened up his body, brimming with excitement.
He looked over toward Albus and saw a helpless expression on his face. Come to think of it, Albus's next opponent was probably going to be Wallace.
Albus was indeed feeling helpless. He had hoped to have an exhilarating battle with Terrance... but now it seemed... his gaze shifted to Wallace. Just at that moment, Albus and Wallace locked eyes. They exchanged a smile, and the mood grew quiet again.
"Well, it's not so bad... Though it's a shame I won't get to battle Terrance, this Wallace is an even more unfathomable Coordinator than him." Albus understood that there might be a significant gap between himself and Wallace.
Still, this burning desire to challenge a powerful opponent….it had simultaneously risen in both Terrance and Albus the moment the matchups were announced.
This time, the two of them were destined to charge toward even greater heights!
"Terrance, go get 'em!!!!"
As the cheers rang out, Terrance smiled faintly, feeling a weight settle on him.
An Elite Four, huh?
"The me of now… might just be able to hold my own."
Totem Arcanine, his now greatly strengthened Mismagius, and his strongest trump card Mega Altaria!!
With proper planning...
"I must have absolute confidence in victory."
Step by step, Terrance ascended the stage. Across from him, Leo also slowly walked up.
Both of them could sense the strange feelings stirring in each other; this absurd matchup might end up having a huge impact.
"Terrance."
"Master Leo."
Standing on the stage, they each addressed the other by name. Though Terrance used a respectful title, Leo showed a surprised and intrigued expression.
Replaying Terrance's tone in his mind… it was clear that Terrance saw him as an opponent on the same level.
It wasn't about seeking guidance from a senior, but approaching this as a battle between equals, with the will to defeat him!
Interesting... Leo exclaimed inwardly, unsure of where Terrance's confidence was coming from.
"Uh… well then, the long-awaited second match will be between Master Leo and Hoenn's Supernova - Terrance!!"
Vivian still remembered how Terrance had been referred to during the Grand Festival. It was a title the audience had given the dazzlingly brilliant Terrance at the time.
Supernova - at just 13 years old, Terrance had become a Top Coordinator in a dazzling manner. That moment still stood out in her memory; the Grand Festival he competed in was one of the most memorable ones for her.
As Vivian introduced the two contestants, many people's attention was now fully focused on the two figures standing on the stage.
Compared to the match between Fujiki and Fantina, to be honest, this battle was the one people were more excited for.
And the audience had every reason to feel that way; on one side was the monstrous Coordinator who had taken four victories in entertainment events, and on the other, the renowned former Elite Four who had also taken three wins!
Even before the battle had begun, the crowd could already sense the tension in the air, as though an earthshaking battle was about to unfold.
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