Cain discreetly greeted Steven and Phoebe, who were sitting comfortably on the couch, and then positioned himself next to the old Matsuda, watching through the window at the giant screen displaying the battle assignments.
The round of the top 128 switched to a format with a limit of three Pokémon per trainer.
Unlike the previous rounds, where multiple battles took place simultaneously on several fields, now there would only be two active battlefields. Additionally, these would be separated by a considerable distance to avoid interference between them.
The new format allowed spectators to observe the battles more closely. This increased media exposure was a dream for many trainers, who longed for public recognition and mass attention.
It was the first step toward fame and a unique opportunity in their careers.
Just one more victory separated them from entering the top 64. From that phase onward, trainers would receive rewards from the League and an official certificate with their position in the tournament.
This certificate was a key resource for those seeking a more promising future. Earning a high position in an event organized by the five main regions of the world could open countless doors, regardless of the field they wished to pursue.
Therefore, the trainers who had made it this far were beginning to give their all. Cain quickly found his place in the matchups. His opponent was not one of the favored trainers.
Within minutes, the Tournament system completed all the battle assignments.
The old Matsuda furrowed his brow. Although neither Cain nor Steven, both favorites from the Hoenn region, would face other favorites from different regions, one of the ten Hoenn representatives had unfortunately drawn a rival of that caliber.
As the tournament progressed, such situations would become more common. Ultimately, the tournament was beginning to show its true level.
In the round of 128, only 64 battles were needed to determine who would move on to the next phase. With two fields running simultaneously, the entire process could be completed in a maximum of two days.
After a rest day, the battles between the top 64 would begin.
With the matchups set, Cain sat on the couch next to the old Matsuda. The battles would be shown on the television in the lounge when it was time for each Hoenn representative to compete.
Although one of them would face a favorite from another region, Cain did not worry too much, as it wasn't someone with whom he had much of a connection.
Steven, Phoebe, and Wallace approached and sat next to Cain, forming a small group within the lounge reserved for the participants.
It was clear that the four of them had established themselves as the strongest trainers in the place. Their level set them apart, and others noticed it, making it difficult for anyone else to try to join their circle.
The three looked at Cain with a mix of reproach and resignation. Although they had been staying together in the rented mansion on the outskirts of Hearthome City, Cain had only spent a few days with them before going off on his own.
While Cain focused on his own training, they dealt with daily difficulties, such as not knowing how to cook or not wanting to hire help for fear of revealing their training strategies.
Noticing their accusing gazes, Cain smiled awkwardly and promised not to disappear like that again. He knew that, as the tournament advanced, the battles would become more frequent, and he wouldn't have time for expeditions.
This promise calmed his friends, and they finally stopped looking at him with so much resentment.
When the battles began, Steven was the first to compete. His opponent did not pose much of a challenge, and Steven won quickly, using only his Skarmory.
Next, it was Wallace's turn, and he decided to train his Pokémon by switching them out during the battle, allowing both Starmie and Luvdisc to participate.
Finally, it was Cain's turn. His opponent was a trainer from the Kalos region, who had earned eight badges and overcome numerous battles to reach this stage.
Though he proved to be competent, Cain was widely recognized as one of Hoenn's best trainers. Despite knowing he had little chance of winning, the Kalos trainer showed an intense desire to compete.
Cain initially planned to use Swampert, but noticing the passion in his opponent, he changed his mind and chose Drapion instead. This Pokémon, known for its combative nature, was a fitting choice to honor his rival's determination.
Although the battle was one-sided, Drapion's energy was recognized both by the spectators and by Cain's opponent.
Thanks to the intensive training on the mysterious island, Drapion had reached level 53, becoming a quasi-elite level Pokémon.
Although his progress in level had slowed in recent days, his mastery of combat techniques had improved significantly.
Cain had dedicated time to perfecting his Pokémon's skills, ensuring that their fundamentals were solid and that they could overcome any disadvantage that might arise in battle.
With this victory, Cain felt a renewed confidence in his chances of reaching the top eight, as long as he didn't face overly powerful opponents. Even though the system was still in rest mode, his determination remained undiminished.
The last to participate was Phoebe, whose battle took place in the afternoon. Her performance marked the end of the day, and the four of them returned together to the mansion on the outskirts of the city.
To make up for the time he had been absent, Cain prepared an elaborate dinner for everyone. After a lively conversation at the table, each of them retired to their rooms, satisfied and ready to face the challenges that awaited them in the tournament.
(End of chapter)