Pokémon: Starting with Lucario and Gardevoir

... ...

"Thank you to contestant number 233 Haoyan and contestant number 123 Shanhui for the wonderful match."

"Let's congratulate contestant number 233, Haoyan, on successfully advancing to the top 7 of this museum director election competition."

After Vivian finished speaking, applause immediately broke out in the room.

"Next, let's welcome the next contestant..."

... ...

The museum directors in the guest seats all seemed a bit uninterested after Haoyan left the stage.

I'm not particularly interested in the upcoming matches.

After what happened at the hotel last night, Du Juan successfully joined the group of sisters led by Ya Sha.

They huddled together on one side, whispering among themselves.

Mura and Tiexuan ate sunflower seeds, chatting about the past while casually watching the game.

Mikkuri and Adam chatted about their experiences raising Pokémon over the past few months.

The vine was a little bored, so it did sit-ups on the side.

The two children, Feng and Nan, were nestled on the sofa, half-closing their eyes in meditation.

... ...

Chapter 210 As expected of Aaron, he's ruthless enough.

Time flies, and this round of competition has come to an end.

The competition has reached the semi-finals, where the final seven will be selected from among the many participants.

The stage lights converged on the center, and Vivian gracefully strode to the front of the stage.

Under the lights, she looked radiant.

"After a fierce battle, we have finally arrived at our semi-finals."

"Let's give a round of applause to the final seven candidates for director!"

Under the lights, Vivian would call out a name each year, and the light would shine on the corresponding person.

Because it was a two-on-two competition, the number of people remaining on site was odd.

That means one person will be left without a pass.

A bye means you can advance without having to participate in the competition.

"Alright, please have our staff select opponents for the top 7 contestants."

"Let's see which lucky person gets a bye."

Watching the names rotate on the TV screen, after a while, the result was confirmed.

Haoyan will face off against a player named Gegil, who will receive a bye. The lucky player is Reiji from the Sinnoh region.

When Gejir learned that his opponent was Haoyan, he gave a wry smile.

He raised his hand, drawing the attention of those around him, and then said, "Host, I'm withdrawing from the competition."

Gejir's words immediately drew the attention of those around him.

Even Hao Yan was taken aback.

After finally making it to the semifinals, he had to withdraw?

It's rare for Vivian, who has hosted various Pokémon competitions, to voluntarily withdraw from a competition.

"Mr. Gegil, are you sure?"

Gejir nodded affirmatively to Vivian, then said to Haoyan, "I was lucky enough to make it to the semi-finals. Haoyan's strength is simply too great."

"Even if Lady Luck were on your side, you still wouldn't be a match for such a powerful opponent."

Gergiel was very self-aware, and he always knew his opponents.

It's either not strong enough, or it's countered by its attributes.

He was indeed very lucky.

However, when faced with absolute strength, luck is of little use.

Challenging the strong is certainly commendable, but it doesn't mean blindly engaging in reckless confrontation.

Haoyan has become so powerful that he needs to look up to him.

Determination, strategy, and even willpower cannot break through the shackles of strength.

Moreover, there is a deeper reason that Gegir did not mention.

Gejir and Shan Hui, who just lost to Haoyan, are good friends.

After Shan Hui stepped down from the stage, he felt that the way people looked at Shan Hui was different.

Because in the minds of most viewers, Haoyan was already their chosen curator.

And they competed with Haoyan for this position.

They will naturally be categorized as villains by the audience.

If I could win, that would be fine; I wouldn't mind being a villain just for the sake of the position of curator.

However, since they couldn't win in a fight, they might as well go with the flow and gain some goodwill.

... ...

An organizer spoke a few words into Vivian's ear through an in-ear monitor.

Vivian nodded and said, "Alright, since contestant Gegil has made his decision, the tournament will respect your choice."

"After discussion by the organizers, Haoyan and Leisi, who received a bye, will both receive a bye."

"Directly advance to the final four."

"In the next match, Haoyan and Leisi will automatically become opponents."

"Now, let's hand the stage over to the contestants who will be coming up next."

... ...

Since he could advance without fighting, Haoyan was too lazy to bother and went straight backstage.

"Brother Haoyan, you're amazing! The opponent surrendered immediately upon hearing that it was you!"

As soon as she got backstage, Safia clung to Haoyan.

"Hehe, thanks to you, Safia, for praying for me, otherwise I wouldn't have been so lucky." Haoyan smiled and ruffled Safia's hair.

Haoyan felt nothing about Gejir's surrender.

Because he knew that this time his opponent was the Pokémon hunter Aaron!

Only Ah Long is Hao Yan's match.

Safia happily raised her head and said to Haoyan in a cheerful tone, "It's not as exaggerated as Brother Haoyan makes it out to be..."

... ...

While Haoyan and Safia were chatting, the TV was showing a battle between Pokémon Hunter Aaron and another player.

Aaron controls his Steelix, using its massive body to compress the space occupied by his rival Pokémon.

Then the Megalodon formed an encirclement on the other side.

Gengar, meanwhile, suddenly launched an attack from the sidelines.

Aaron's fighting style is exactly the same as his usual method of capturing wild Pokémon.

After encircling them, Aaron controlled his Pokémon and launched an attack.

The Steelix used its Steel Tail to pin down a Skitty.

Aaron immediately commanded Gengar and Metagross to launch a fierce attack on Meowth.

There was absolutely no room for compromise.

After knocking down the tailed cat, they didn't let her go.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Aaron somehow managed to make Steelix overpower Skitty and attack the other Pokémon.

Aaron's opponents were immediately alarmed!

Skitty is already lying on the ground, unable to get up, if it gets crushed by Steelix.

That would be terrible!

The Steel Serpent weighs a ton!

The skirmisher is so small. Being run over will likely result in serious injury, if not death, and may even leave lasting health problems!

Immediately command the remaining Pokémon to rescue Skitty.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Aaron quickly seized the opening and launched a series of attacks.

In the end, Aaron's opponent lost with bitterness.

Aaron's indifferent attitude towards Pokémon angered the audience.

A chorus of boos erupted from the crowd.

But Aaron completely ignored it and continued to do as he pleased.

"Heh, as expected of Aaron, he's ruthless enough!"

A hint of coldness lingered in Haoyan's eyes.

... ...

Chapter 211 The Semifinals Begin

"Dear viewers, the quarterfinals will begin shortly."