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Because they had registered together, the four contestants' rooms in the Contestant Village were close to each other.
On the way back, Luther studied the Contestant's Handbook diligently. Unlike Ash and Etorre, seasoned veterans of numerous tournaments, Luther was a complete newcomer to competitive events.
He wanted to know what benefits the tournament provided for its participants.
When Mai opened the door to their room, placed the egg gently on a soft cushion, and dove onto the plush bed, Luther closed the handbook.
Looking at Marill beside him, Luther decided to say something to boost her morale.
"The handbook says that all contestant expenses are covered during the tournament."
Marill tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"To put it in terms you'd understand, all the food here is free. It's buffet-style, so you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want, twenty-four hours a day. You can even pre-order meals based on your preferences."
Seeing that Marill was already drooling, Luther continued, "In other words, for every extra day that we stay here, you get another day of all-you-can-eat feasting. The Pokémon League will let you eat as much as you want."
Marill's tail wagged like a high-speed fan, but her eyes suddenly turned fierce.
"If we lose, this special treatment ends." Marill understood perfectly.
"Anyone who stands in my way will be swept aside!" Marill resolved to eat her way through the entire tournament!
Even Chansey, who wasn't particularly interested in food, perked up at the mention of free meals. One could only imagine Marill's state of mind.
Moreover, beyond the usual transactions between competitors and vendors, all Pokémon League–affiliated establishments on Lily of the Valley Island were accessible to competitors.
If the Contestant Village wasn't to their liking, they could stay at a hotel instead. The Pokémon League didn't require staying in the village.
Seeing the consecutive room numbers, Luther didn't want to move. At this hour, it was uncertain whether they'd even find rooms at a hotel, and there was no better place for the four of them to gather and chat than here.
Besides, could the Pokémon League's resources really be this vast? The Contestant Village's accommodations were furnished to hotel standards without compromise.
As Luther polished his Pokémon Egg, he heard a knock on the door. Before he could get up, Mai had already opened the door.
Dawn took two apples from the fruit basket and offered one to Luther and one to Mai.
Seeing that Marill had just snapped out of her gluttonous fantasies and was wiping drool from her mouth, Dawn smiled and gave her a pear.
"Professor Oak pre-ordered a fruit basket for Ash," Dawn explained. "He's calling Professor Oak right now and asked me to give these to you."
This reminded Luther of his childhood, when neighbors would bring baskets filled with festive treats to share with everyone during the holidays.
Luther had never liked apples, and his aversion persisted even after his time travel.
He still couldn't stand the lingering tartness after eating one. Yet, he enjoyed apple cider vinegar, a peculiar contradiction.
After swapping his apple with Marill for a pear, Luther began to munch on it. Ash's fruit basket reminded him that it was time to update Professor Rowan on his progress.
During the video call, Professor Rowan looked as vigorous as ever. Upon learning that Luther had completed his registration, Sachiko squeezed into the frame and announced that the Research Lab would support him beginning with the preliminary rounds using data from the Pokémon League.
"The preliminary rounds are broadcast online and on TV?" Luther asked, surprised.
"Of course there is," Sachiko retorted. "You didn't think the broadcasts would only start during the main tournament, did you?"
According to the registration data Luther had been reviewing, 416 participants had met the competition's qualifying criteria by the end of the first day. With two days remaining until registration closed, the final number was still uncertain.
Even participating in the preliminary round offered trainers the chance to showcase themselves to Pokémon trainers across Sinnoh and worldwide—a strategic incentive provided by the Pokémon League.
Standing before the screen, Sachiko suddenly swayed, then lowered her head. "Lairon, not again... Ah!"
Sachiko nearly lost her balance while Lairon straightened up, tilted its head, and greeted Luther.
"Still full of energy, I see. How many rocks have you eaten? Why haven't you evolved yet?"
Upon hearing Luther's question, Lairon scratched its head awkwardly with a claw.
"He's eager to compete in the tournament with you and has been waiting with bated breath. Why don't you consider bringing him along?"
Luther smiled awkwardly. "Isn't your research at its most critical stage right now? Lairon's evolution is vital data for your upcoming paper, and evolution is a crucial step for Lairon, too. I have enough here.
Besides, I'll be participating in other tournaments in the future. There's no rush. I'll definitely bring him along next time."
That was exactly what Lairon wanted to hear. Satisfied, he left the screen and scampered off.
After catching up with Professor Rowan about Musharna and the newly hatched Pokémon and confirming that everything was fine, Luther ended the call.
As he opened his messaging app, a new message popped up:
"You've signed up, right? I'll be eagerly anticipating your performance. Don't disappoint me!"
Just as Luther was about to reply, another message popped up from Cynthia.
"Etorre, Ash, and Paul are all formidable opponents. I'm looking forward to seeing how your matches against them unfold."
"The Ash-Paul grudge match is the main event that everyone's been waiting for. I wonder if my arrival will change the dynamic of that battle."
"You know Etorre?" Luther asked curiously.
"I met him at Gardelia Villa. After seeing me, he challenged me to a private battle, and his six-on-six team managed to defeat my Cacturne and Milotic, even with Garchomp Team support. His skills and strategy are impressive. I heard you two are on good terms?"
"Ugh! The Pokémon League people are here looking for me. Let's talk more when we meet up."
Cynthia ended the chat abruptly, but the information she revealed left Luther stunned.
Did Etorre already possess such strength back then?
Judging by the team lineup he had assembled, it featured an impressive number of Pokémon characteristic of the Unova region. Not to mention Ferrothorn, that disgusting Grass/Steel-type Pokémon.
Excadrill... Luther felt that the name "mole-headed land dragon" better suited its combat prowess.
Then there was Chandelure, which had once rivaled Gengar in power.
Luther rubbed his temples, about to turn off his phone and check the status of his Pokémon egg. After all, Ash had just hatched a Riolu, making Luther eager to hatch his own.
Just as he pressed the screen off, it lit up again with a new message scrolling in.
Candice's profile picture was a Swinub. Each time she sent a message, the notification erupted from the Swinub's snout in her icon, a detail that always amused Luther.
This time, however, Candice's message stunned Luther for a moment. He covered his forehead as a wave of helplessness washed over him.
"I've come to Lily of the Valley Island to cheer you on! Which Contestant Village are you in? I'll come find you!"
(End of Chapter)