The capital city.
The grand awards ceremony was held as scheduled.
Naturally, it wasn't only the champion who received League rewards.
Every trainer who had entered the High School Tournament and passed the first round earned a generous cash prize.
Anyone who reached the top 16 even received a Pokémon egg on par with the starter Pokémon.
The League was clearly investing heavily in nurturing young talent —
nothing like this would have happened just a decade prior.
Lin Yu had attended his fair share of award ceremonies already.
And this time, the host was not Ye Rong, but a middle-aged man accompanied by an imposing Dragonite.
Lin Yu recognized him at once.
He was one of the trainers who had represented China in the Pokémon World Championships the previous cycle —
the very man who had led China to claim the world championship title,
bringing glory to the entire nation.
Elite Four & Champion Lance.
The atmosphere in the arena hit its peak.
Traditionally, the awards were hosted by the highest-ranking trainer from that year's World Championships.
For these fresh-faced young trainers, seeing a legend like Lance in person was incredibly inspiring.
"Lance! Lance!"
The crowd chanted his name in unison, even though the ceremony was supposed to honor the young competitors.
Lance lifted a hand in a calm gesture, and the stadium fell silent at once.
His warm, steady voice echoed out:
"The spotlight is not on me today, everyone. Let us turn our attention to these promising young trainers!
They — along with all of you, and every trainer who bonds with Pokémon — are the future of this nation."
Lance glanced toward the award platform,
at the bright, youthful eyes and still-inexperienced faces.
He felt a quiet sense of nostalgia.
Once, he too had stood here, full of ambition.
Lin Yu, standing on stage, quietly observed Lance's Dragonite.
[Pokémon: Dragonite]
Ability: Inner Focus
Gender: Male
Potential: Champion
Level: 89
Moves: Protect, Hyper Beam, Dragon Dance, Wing Attack, Dragon Rush, Ice Beam, Thunder Punch, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Extreme Speed…
Huh?
Level 89 Dragonite, but only Champion potential?
Lin Yu was surprised.
The Articuno he'd met before was Level 95 with Level 3 Legendary potential.
Did that mean Level 90 and above marked the threshold of the divine realm?
How could ordinary Pokémon cross that barrier and reach Level 3 Legendary potential?
Lin Yu's mind began to wander during the ceremony.
Treasures?
He thought of the Plate.
A Normal-type Pokémon carrying it long-term might break through to Level 3 Legendary.
Was he supposed to catch a Normal-type just for that?
Probably not worth it.
But it gave him an idea.
The Plates of Arceus could help ordinary Pokémon cross that divine threshold!
And the system was already pushing him to collect the Plates anyway.
Killing two birds with one stone.
"Student Lin Yu? Student Lin Yu?"
Lance called out twice, noticing Lin Yu staring blankly into space.
"Huh? Oh!"
Lin Yu jolted awake. Remembering this was a national live broadcast, his face flushed with embarrassment.
He'd actually zoned out in the middle of the ceremony.
Just as he expected, murmurs broke out in the stands.
"What's wrong with Lin Yu? He didn't even respond when Champion Lance called him twice!"
"He's blushing! So cute~"
"Was he daydreaming? How can he focus on anything else right now?"
"Is he being arrogant?"
Lin Yu quickly apologized.
"Sorry, Champion Lance. I was lost in thought."
"No need to apologize," Lance said with a smile.
As a veteran, he watched these tournaments every year — both to revisit his own past and to scout China's next generation of talent.
This year's class had especially impressed him.
This boy had risen from obscurity, and he'd only been a trainer for less than a year!
League records showed it clearly:
On August 10, 2008, Lin Yu registered his Charmander and officially became a trainer.
Today was July 18, 2009.
Less than one year.
And he'd achieved this without any family background.
Given more time,
he would absolutely be sent to a future World Championships.
The same went for that young girl Ye Qingxue.
But first…
he needed to be protected.
Lance made up his mind to look after the boy, even as he continued speaking.
"Let us congratulate all the award-winning trainers in this tournament! May they shine brightly on their journeys ahead!"
He turned to the trainers eligible to choose a Pokémon.
"Will you be selecting your Pokémon now?"
"Can we leave them in storage temporarily?" one asked.
"Of course. If your party is full, or you lack the resources to raise them right now, you may leave them with the League until you're ready."
The contestants split into two groups: some took their Pokémon immediately, others chose to wait.
"Choose wisely. The League breeds new starter-quality Pokémon every year, so there's no rush to pick your favorite today."
Two more trainers decided to come back later.
Lance nodded and had staff guide the others to make their selections.
He then looked at Lin Yu.
"Come with me."
Lance leaped onto Dragonite and gestured for Lin Yu to join him.
The precious pseudo-Legendary eggs were not stored with the common starters.
Lin Yu hesitated for a moment, then jumped onto the Dragonite's back.
The second he landed,
the usually calm Dragonite let out a confused cry.
"Kyuu?"
It could feel its speed suddenly increase.
Oops.
Lin Yu's heart sank.
He'd forgotten to unequip the [Dragon Rider] Entry.
He quickly removed it.
Dragonite fell silent again, then shot into the sky like a golden streak.