"Group 7, number 7."
At that moment, Ethan saw his battle number and couldn't help but smile.
It seemed that he had quite an affinity with the number 7. He was really very lucky!
His opponent, number 8 of group 7, was a trainer named Harry, belonging to the Federal League.
"The Federal League?"
"I didn't expect to run into them in the first match... enemies really do cross paths on narrow roads."
Ethan touched his nose somewhat helplessly as he recalled the information about Harry.
According to the basic data, Harry was 22 years old and an outstanding student graduated from Harvard Pokémon University. In the world championship list he held the number 7 position of the Federal League.
When Ethan directed his gaze toward the formation of the Federal League, the participants of that League also looked toward the side of the Daleron League.
During that time, the news that Ethan had swept the exchange team of Harvard Pokémon University had already spread among them.
At that time they had not been able to participate in that confrontation due to age, but now, on the stage of the world championship, all of them were eager to teach a lesson to that kid who, in their opinion, didn't know how high the sky was or how deep the earth was.
"Ethan, it seems you've offended all the students of the Harvard faction within the Federal League," Lucas said beside him with a somewhat teasing tone.
The news that Ethan had completely defeated the exchange team of Harvard Pokémon University had already spread across all the Leagues.
Although as a student of Ironvale City Pokémon University it was very satisfying for him to see Ethan crush the so-called best Pokémon university in the world, it also brought quite a few problems.
"So what? Sooner or later we were going to meet them at the world championship. We're just stepping on them ahead of time. Anyway, in the world championship we would have to do it as well. To become the strongest, you inevitably have to step on everyone else."
At the side, Jorge Holt spoke with complete indifference; he even seemed somewhat excited.
The others nodded.
Having reached this point, no one was thinking of backing down.
"But don't be too confident either. The Federal League has always been one of the strongest in previous editions of the world championship. In fact, in the last three editions of the world championship, the champion has come from the Federal League."
As captain of the youth world championship team, Adrian Vane had a serious expression.
According to the investigation of his family, among the eight participants the Federal League was sending this time, five were at the Quasi-Elite level, while the other three were extremely close to that level. It was a very powerful lineup.
In terms of pure strength, the Daleron League still had a considerable gap compared to them.
If they faced them directly, aside from Ethan, Adrian, Jorge, and some of the higher-ranked members, the others probably wouldn't be able to defeat them.
"Ethan, we'll leave the first match to you. This first battle against the Federal League must start on the right foot." Adrian looked at Ethan as he spoke.
The momentum of this match was very important.
"Alright, I understand." Ethan nodded, his gaze becoming a bit more serious.
A trainer from the Federal League—even if he was only number 7 in their internal ranking for the world championship—had to be taken very seriously.
Soon, after the draw was finished, the participants began to leave the field and returned to the competitor areas of each League.
The battles officially began.
The entire venue was divided into eight battlefields, where eight battles were taking place simultaneously.
The participants of the Daleron League had obtained relatively high numbers. Each group had 32 competitors, and Ethan's number 7 was already one of the earliest.
In contrast, a participant from the Federal League had obtained number 1.
When his match began, Ethan and the others headed to the spectator area to observe.
"That one is called Stefan Levin. He's the strongest among the participants of the Federal League!" Lucas said with a serious expression as he saw a blond young man step onto the field.
Ethan and the others watched carefully.
They wanted to see the level of the one considered the strongest of the new generation of the Federal League.
Soon the battle began.
Stefan's opponent was a dark-skinned trainer belonging to the Sylvara League.
After deciding who would start, Stefan threw his Poké Ball.
A Gothitelle appeared on the field.
His opponent released a Haxorus, which upon appearing let out a powerful roar, displaying a very strong presence.
"The aura of that Haxorus is very strong. Just from its presence it's already brushing against the Quasi-Elite level."
Many spectator trainers quickly made that evaluation.
In comparison, the Gothitelle on the opposite side seemed extremely calm, simply standing there, with all its energy completely contained.
"But being Stefan's Pokémon, it can't be weak either. It looks like it will be a very interesting battle."
An Asian spectator removed his glasses to clean them, preparing to watch the battle carefully.
Then the battle began.
When the referee gave the signal, Gothitelle opened its eyes.
Instantly it raised its hand.
A terrifying psychic energy condensed in its hand, distorting space as if it were tangible and transforming into a shockwave that shot toward Haxorus.
In barely a blink, Haxorus didn't even have time to react.
It felt a sharp pain in its abdomen and discovered that its body had been lifted off the ground by an irresistible force, being violently pushed until it crashed against the protective wall.
BOOM!
The entire field trembled slightly.
Only then did the audience react.
(End of Chapter)