1:00 PM.
"Thank you for your patience!"
"The Pokémon Gorgeous Competition in Kanaz City is finally about to begin!"
The bespectacled host stood on the stage, surrounded by cheering spectators and three smiling judges.
"Today we have the pleasure of inviting Mr. Liu Lai from the Pokémon Fan Club."
The tall and handsome Mr. Liu Lai nodded in acknowledgment.
"Deputy Director of the Competition Bureau, Mr. Patistan."
The middle-aged man with gray hair smiled.
"And Miss Joy from Kanaz City. These three judges will rigorously assess the Pokémon competing today."
Miss Joy kept her bright smile.
The host raised a pink-edged red ribbon high, "The winner will undoubtedly receive this Kanaz Ribbon! Achieving victory in various city contests, participants holding five ribbons will be nominated as the best candidates to enter the Pokémon Gorgeous Grand Festival!"
Applause sounded like thunder.
"Now, the first review is about to start! Let's welcome the first contestant!"
The spotlight shifted backward, and the three judges proceeded to their respective scoring stations, either serious or full of smiles as they watched the stage.
In the lounge.
Baimu sat calmly on the sofa, dressed and leisurely watching the large screen broadcasting the event.
Thanks to his tall and slim figure, serene and elegant appearance, the suit did not reveal his youthful age but added a touch of maturity and steadiness, naturally exuding a different kind of radiance.
Even sitting there silently, he attracted much attention from passersby.
Many were curious about his background, whispering to gather information, but no one seemed to know this extraordinary individual.
In Gorgeous Competitions, there have always been contestants who aim for showiness, as well as those with outstanding temperament; someone like Baimu would never be unknown if he'd participated before.
Unless he never passed the first review or today is his debut.
Despite hearing the conversations clearly, they did not affect Baimu.
He was more interested in watching others' performances.
On the screen, a girl in a fluffy skirt threw her Pokeball, revealing a smiling Wigglytuff amidst numerous sparkling pink bubbles.
"Wigglytuff, use Charming Voice!"
"Pudding~"
The pink-eared, fluffy-haired, big-eyed Wigglytuff hummed a tune, enchanting everyone. The audience looked intoxicated, seeing heart-shaped bubbles fly out and dance around its body, smiling involuntarily.
"Use Absorption Kiss! Then Charging!"
Wigglytuff slightly opened its mouth, and the pink hearts swirling around it seemed to be drawn by some force, flying straight into its mouth. Meanwhile, its body began to enlarge, transforming into a round and giant balloon within seconds.
The next moment.
"Spout!"
"Puff puff puff puff puff——"
Numerous heart-shaped light waves spouted from Wigglytuff's mouth, bursting like bubbles in front of the audience, metamorphosing into countless beautiful sparkles that drifted down lightly.
Wigglytuff's body also returned to its original shape.
"Ding~"
The girl and Wigglytuff bowed together to the judges and audience, signaling the performance's end.
Thunderous applause and audience awe!
"Impressive skills, fully displaying Wigglytuff's strengths!" Mr. Patistan praised with a smile.
"Subarashii!" Mr. Liu Lai was moved to tears.
"A very creative performance, must have involved intense practice, remarkable!" Miss Joy's compliment was straightforward.
The host then said, "Now let's see how the judges score the contestant and Wigglytuff!"
Bip bip bip.
9.2, 9.1, 9.5.
Three different scores appeared on the judges' scoring boards.
A total of 27.8, the highest score so far, showing the judges' fondness for this Wigglytuff.
"In the non-categorized Gorgeous Competitions, the Fairy Attribute does have quite an advantage," Baimu couldn't help but feel. Fairy types seem born for beauty and cuteness.
Though there are a few "traitors" within.
Theoretically, Milotic from Gen VI should have a Fairy or Dragon attribute, but somehow even Azumarill has Fairy, yet Milotic doesn't.
Maybe related to its egg group being the Dragon group?
"Hello!"
The surprised voice from the side made Baimu turn his head.
In front of him was Wula La, Xiaoguang's fierce rival, her pink twin ponytails changed from spiral to wavy curls, lightly powdered, dressed in an elegant black pleated skirt, showcasing her youthful yet lively figure thoroughly.
"Good afternoon, I'm Wula La, I sincerely apologize again for this morning."
She slightly bent in greeting.
"Hello to you, too, a trivial matter not worth dwelling on."
The latter casually nodded.
In the anime, Wula La was arrogant, thoroughly showcasing being a sinister antagonist towards Xiaoguang, even resorting to childish actions like electrocuting her hair into a frizz.
Once watching the anime, Baimu automatically took Ash Ketchum's side, disliking Wula La, but not feeling that way now.
Perhaps seeing worse characters more often, or knowing she's essentially childlike.
The friendly opponent initiated the conversation, and Baimu didn't respond with a cold face, slowly stood up.
A height difference of nearly thirty centimeters immediately made Wula La look up to him, the latent deterrence in his extraordinary features made her breath hitch.
Fortunately, Baimu naturally took a few steps to the side, giving her space to breathe.
"I've watched your competitions, especially two years ago in the Sinnoh Region." He searched her background after seeing Wula La this morning.
She still hadn't obtained the title of top Coordinator Trainer, similar to Xiaoguang in that regard.
Wula La just took a relieved breath, hearing this statement, she showed a smile, "Really?"
"Yes, I've seen many of your matches, you seem to have a rival named Xiaoguang?"
Baimu asked with a straight face.
Wula La's smile froze hearing this, she replied, "Y-yes. She truly is my rival."
"Why, do you two have a bad relationship? Is her personality unpleasant?"
Baimu knowingly inquired.
Unexpectedly, Wula La replied, "The relationship wasn't particularly good, but it had nothing to do with her personality. It was me being immature before."
"Oh?"
Baimu had an attentive listening expression.
Wula La clearly was reluctant to discuss her dark history, changed the topic, "Is this your first time participating in a Gorgeous Competition?"
"Yes."
He nodded, glanced at the round sequence on the screen, "Looks like it's almost my turn to perform, please excuse me."
With that said.
He began to walk toward the nearby passageway.