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The next morning, feeling refreshed and full of energy, Kai and Erika left their dorm and headed toward the competitor's entrance of the battle arena.
Today marked the start of the elimination rounds, where the format shifted into full 6-on-6 battles.
Each Trainer was required to field their entire team, making it a truer test of overall strength compared to the earlier rounds.
For the spectators, this was a dream come true more battles, more excitement, and a better chance to see each Trainer's full strategy.
As Kai approached the main gates, he happened to cross paths with his next opponent Casey.
Her face was complicated with emotion, and though nervous, she shuffled forward.
"sir…" she began softly. She wanted to call him "Kai" the way Misty sometimes did, but their relationship wasn't that close yet, and she hadn't found the right timing to change how she addressed him.
"I didn't think we'd end up as opponents. I… I hardly slept last night. I don't know how to face today's match. I really didn't want to battle you like this…"
Kai noticed the dark circles under her eyes and shook his head with a small smile.
"That doesn't sound like the Casey I know. You're usually so full of energy. That's the version of you I'd rather see."
"Full of energy… me?" Casey blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected him to say that, and a warm feeling swelled inside her.
It was true she hardly recognized herself right now compared to the cheerful girl she used to be.
"Exactly," Kai said. "Just treat this like a practice match. No pressure. No matter the outcome, you should be proud of how far you've come. Don't let nerves make you regret today's battle."
She froze for a moment. Even though he was her rival, Kai was going out of his way to comfort her.
Moved, Casey placed a hand over her chest and shouted in her thick Johto accent, "I understand! I'll give this battle everything I've got! And… please give it your all too!"
She bowed deeply, then glanced at him one last time, her cheeks flushed red before she ran off.
Erika, watching from the side, couldn't help but chuckle.
It wasn't jealousy Kai hadn't been trying to flirt with the girl. It was just amusing that his encouragement had completely fired Casey back up. In fact, his words might've made his own path harder, since she'd now battle with her full spirit.
But from another perspective, it also showed just how confident Kai was in his own strength.
The two entered the Trainers' lounge from the competitor's tunnel.
Because Kai had reached the Top 16, Erika didn't need to watch from the crowded stands anymore she was allowed to stay in the private lounge and view the match from there.
The facilities had upgraded too. Gone were the smaller side arenas. Now, the matches were held in the grand Silver Stadium, which boasted better equipment, a larger crowd, and far more attention.
As the clock ticked closer to Kai's match, the atmosphere inside the lounge grew heavy with anticipation.
Kai stopped chatting and pulled up recordings of Casey's earlier battles on the lounge's computer.
Despite being a fairly new Trainer, her progress was impressive. In the earlier rounds, she had rotated between her Meganium, Pidgey, Rattata, Beedrill, and Elekid.
She had faced setbacks but handled them well, showing clear growth and solid battling instincts.
Making it to the Top 16 so early in her journey put her in rare company already matching the kind of progress Ash had made back during the Indigo Plateau.
After skimming through her matches, Kai leaned back on the sofa and turned his gaze toward the big screen in the lounge.
On it, the day's first match was reaching its climax. One of the competitors was Travis, a Trainer in the other half of the bracket whom Kai had previously battled. The other was a Johto local named Duscher.
To Kai's surprise, Travis who was normally strong for his age was being completely overwhelmed. Duscher's battling style was relentless, his control absolute.
"That's… unexpected," Kai muttered.
Erika frowned as she watched. "This Duscher guy looks dangerous. I overheard people saying he's one of the local favorites here in Johto probably second only to you as the tournament favorite."
Kai nodded slowly, committing Duscher's name to memory.
On the screen, Travis's Pikachu was darting around against Duscher's blazing-fast Rapidash. But despite its agility, Pikachu was steadily forced back by the sheer speed and power of Rapidash's fiery charge.
"It's over…" Erika sighed quietly.
And sure enough, Pikachu collapsed beneath Rapidash's flaming hooves. Travis had only managed to take down one of Duscher's Pokémon before his run ended.
The camera cut to Travis cradling Pikachu in his arms, a defeated expression on his face. His Silver Conference journey had come to an end far earlier than he had hoped, and now he would have to return home to the Orange Islands empty-handed.
Kai felt a twinge of sympathy, but the announcer's voice soon rang through the speakers, calling him to the field.
He stood, his expression calm.
Now it was his turn. His battle with Casey would decide who moved forward… and who, like Travis, would have to leave Silver Stadium behind.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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