Streamers fluttered above the arena.
The audience and judges all rose from their seats, offering enthusiastic applause to the two Coordinator Trainers present, thanking them for their wonderful performances.
"Well done."
Baimu patted Aggron's powerful arm.
"Roar!"
Aggron let out a rapturous low growl, pleased that his Trainer entrusted him with this decisive moment.
Yet, after this battle, it was clear to him that he's not suited for the Gorgeous Competition.
No opportunity for full-throated roars, unable to unleash moves to their limits, needing to consider aesthetics and techniques that look good...
Not to mention that Metal Explosion just now.
He endured two combined Fire Attributes moves but, to create silver fireworks, withstood the pain, guiding flames into the light sphere, finally succeeding with only one-third of his strength.
If it were a real battle, using Metal Explosion directly followed by five Rock Blasts would take down Flareon regardless, no need to tactically break moves for extra points.
Baimu knew Aggron wasn't satisfied, so he patted its sharp horn to soothe it and returned it to its Poké Ball.
However, before he could seek out Wula La, she approached him actively.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, your Flareon gave an amazing performance, it's truly breathtaking." Baimu shook hands with her.
His praise for Flareon was sincere, perhaps lacking slightly in combat strength, but superior in performance skills compared to Aggron by far.
Moreover, as he knew, Flareon and Vaporeon, who performed Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate earlier, were a pair doubles team; besides, Wula La also owned a Plusle and Minun combo.
In other words, double battles might be her strong suit.
"Thank you for the compliment, but next time we meet, I certainly won't lose to you!" Wula La said very earnestly.
"I look forward to it."
Baimu accepted.
But predicting when they might meet next is difficult—as Gorgeous Competition venues increase, diverging travel routes might even result in missing major celebrations.
On the other side.
Three judges got on stage to present awards.
"Congratulations!" smiled gray-haired Patistan, handing the red ribbon to Baimu.
"Thank you." Baimu accepted respectfully.
Liu Lai chuckled, "There aren't many outstanding Coordinator Trainers like you, I hope you continue to strive hard!"
Hmm? So it turns out he can speak normally?
Baimu was a bit surprised and soon realized he was being silly; of course people could speak.
"Thank you for the compliment, and thanks to Miss Joy." He thanked the remaining two, raising the ribbon to the audience and causing cheers.
His debut battle thus concluded.
——
The competition ended.
The judges and audience gradually exited; some audience interested in Baimu waited at the door hoping for a close encounter, yet he predicted this might happen and stayed in the resting room on purpose.
He released Mawile and handed over the ribbon.
"See, we won!"
"Cheedoh!"
Mawile held the ribbon, its watery eyes filled with excitement and thrill.
Though it didn't clinch the last round, the ribbon truly belonged to it—it was the symbol of its hard training over these days.
"Cheedoh~"
It ran to Baimu, hoping to make this ribbon into a band and place it together with a bell.
"That won't do; if altered, how would it be used in a major celebration?" Baimu laughed, taking the ribbon and using its clip to attach it to Mawile's chest fur, "Normally it's worn like this, do you understand badges?"
Mawile glanced down, shaking twice.
And it fell off.
After all, it mostly had short fur on its body, only its jaws transformed from horns were smooth.
"Cheedoh!"
It was a tad dissatisfied.
"Of course, directly tying it to the headband works." Baimu picked it up and tied it with Mawile's red headband, "Look, this is much prettier."
"Cheedoh~"
Mawile jumped in front of the floor mirror, swaying back and forth, raising its arms, spinning, leaping, like a lively Xiaolu.
Things yearned for intensely are certainly cherished right after acquisition, and Pokémon strictly adhered to this principle; once emotions cooled, Mawile would request Baimu to keep the ribbon safely out of appreciation.
While it reveled in vanity.
Unexpectedly, Wula La, who supposedly left, walked in.
Baimu thought she forgot something, but she suddenly started talking:
"I just took a glimpse outside; at least thirty to forty people are waiting for you."
"...waiting for me? Reporters?"
He widened his eyes.
"It's reporters; likely some are agencies. Anyway, the number will only grow." Wula La took out her phone, showing Baimu what she snapped.
On a simple look, various uniforms were visible, confirming her claim of a crowd.
"Be cautious, don't get fooled by agencies, and avoid speaking recklessly in front of reporters."
Appearing quite youthful, Wula La seemed experienced in this regard.
"Thank you... You're really thoughtful, coming back specifically to warn me."
Baimu viewed her differently, not only didn't she hold a grudge after losing, knowing how to sincerely praise opponents, she even came back to provide crucial information.
Wula La's face reddened on hearing this, "I- I just don't want you to go astray!"
She turned and ran away.
But just as Baimu assumed she really left, she suddenly peeked her head out from the door, seriously warning: "Remember, don't agree to any agency terms lightly!"
"Alright."
Seeing Baimu nod, Wula La disappeared again.
This time she truly left.
"Unexpectedly adorable, this little girl." Baimu couldn't help but smile at Mawile, "Don't you think so?"
"Cheedoh~"
Mawile pondering Wula La's prowess, recalled Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate, nodding with antique maturity.
Having just achieved results, Mawile's confidence inevitably swelled a bit.
Passing time idly.
Baimu opened his phone, glancing at Poké Blogger, and followed many Gorgeous Competition bloggers and its official page, predictably pushed footage from his match via big data.
The likes were quite surprising to him.
"Two hundred thousand likes?" Baimu clicked to see the comments; the top one was actually Mikoli's, pinned.
Mikoli: 'An interesting dance, despite lacking fire, through rotational technique, the fire issue was mitigated; mastery over Electromagnetic Levitation was exquisite, move connections quite smooth, very commendable. And this Mawile was beautifully nurtured with a dreamy maiden aura! Looking forward to this Coordinator Trainer joining the Mikoli Club!"
Mikoli Club.
A special Pokémon Gorgeous Competition held by him, hosted worldwide with Water Pillar Medal awarded to champions, usable in any regional major celebrations, attracting Coordinator Trainers globally.
Xiaoguang once defeated Xiaoyao here with "home advantage," winning the medal.
No wonder so many waited outside.
Having opened Poké Communication, Liuqia had already sent nearly fifty messages, clearly Baimu hadn't replied to any, yet her enthusiasm hadn't waned.
Baimu: 'Sorry, just opened communication.'
Liuqia: 'No worries, no worries, I thank you instead for not finding me noisy, also congratulations~!'
Liuqia: 'Winning a ribbon on your debut battle, you were amazing!'
She sent five or six Altaria with flowers' GIFs.
Baimu: 'Thanks for the compliment, it's all due to you teaching well before, leading the way~'
Liuqia: 'Eh? I'm your teacher? Hahaha! I see!'
Baimu silently smiled; although said jokingly, technically Liuqia was his teacher indeed.