Chapter 215: The World's First Pokémon Tournament

The world's first Pokémon tournament was about to begin.

In his study, Aven was making the final preparations. He had been looking forward to this tournament for a long time.

On the desk, Petilil was trying on the white lab coat Aven had specially made for it.

This lab coat was identical to the one Aven had worn when he went to the battlefield, except it was resized to fit Petilil's tiny frame. Dressed in the coat, Petilil looked just like a little nurse. The three leaves on its head trembled constantly as it let out laughter as clear as silver bells.

For a proper Pokémon tournament, in addition to a battle arena and professional referees, the presence of a Pokémon doctor responsible for healing was equally important.

After all, Pokémon battles were still battles. Only with sufficient medical support could the Pokémon fight without worry and perform at their best.

Moreover, a match wasn't considered over until a Pokémon could no longer battle, and such Pokémon needed immediate treatment.

Thus, a Pokémon doctor's role in a tournament was arguably even more important than that of the referee.

In the future Pokémon League, healing duties would naturally be handled by Pokémon Centers, but for now, that responsibility fell solely on Petilil.

At the same time, Petilil's special attire served as a tribute to the Pokémon doctors of Aven's past life.

Perhaps after this tournament, Petilil's image as a nurse in white would spread — the first step toward establishing a Pokémon Center.

"Lil Lil~ Lil Lil~"

Petilil was very pleased with its outfit.

Images surfaced in its mind of itself and Aven, both dressed in the same white coat, standing side by side. A look of anticipation filled its eyes.

"Lass~"

Beside Aven, Froslass appeared silently.

For once, she didn't argue with Petilil like usual. Instead, a gentle expression flickered in her eyes.

She, too, remembered the first time she had met Aven — back when he wore the very same white coat. That moment was etched forever in her memory.

"Petilil, Froslass... let's go."

Smiling, Aven picked up Petilil, waved to Froslass, and walked out of the house.

Out on the farm's grasslands, Shinx paced back and forth nervously.

This time, it too was one of the main participants in the tournament.

As long as it could win first place, it would earn the right to battle Aven himself. And Aven would send it into the match!

Images of being watched by countless people surged into Shinx's mind, making it shiver uncontrollably.

But thinking about Aven's trust filled it with courage. No matter what, it couldn't afford to lose this battle.

Taking a deep breath, it closed its eyes and ears. Instantly, the entire world seemed to fall silent, and its body relaxed completely.

Zzz... zzz... zzz...

Electric energy crackled in the air around it, appearing in Shinx's perception like mischievous sprites.

"Meow~"

It instinctively meowed and reached out a paw to grasp the electricity in the air.

As it willed it, the electric energy began to gather around its paw, forming into a wave of electricity.

In the physical world, electricity surged around Shinx's paw, dancing and crackling, fully under its control.

In this state, Shinx could feel an enhanced sensitivity to electric energy. It could control the element with remarkable precision.

When it opened its eyes again, the current on its paw quickly dissipated.

Without that deep connection, it lost control over the electricity.

"Meow?"

Shinx stared at its paw in curiosity, then looked around.

The ambient electric energy had vanished from its perception. Only the power stored within its body remained.

"Shinx, we're heading out."

The door opened as Aven stepped out, holding Petilil and smiling at Shinx.

"Meow..."

Shinx's emotions were mixed — but what is coming has finally come.

Aven scooped it up and let it perch on his shoulder, then headed toward the Pokémon battle arena in the center of the village.

"RHYY!"

Rhydon was visibly excited.

Just hearing that it was about to battle made its whole body tremble with anticipation.

After all, it was scheduled to fight Torterra in the opening ceremony match. Defeating Torterra in front of everyone was something it had long looked forward to.

Today, Fruitvale Village was bustling. Villagers walked in small groups toward the Pokémon arena.

In the center of the village, a large arena had gathered all the participating patrollers, now waiting for the tournament to begin.

Uncle Mike, Sutter, Fessen, Phyllis, Link — all the major officials of the territory were present.

Under Link's guidance, the villagers who had purchased tickets slowly entered the venue and looked for their seats according to the marks on the tickets.

Sutter, clad in his knight armor, led the knights who had recently joined Fruitvale Village on patrol duty.

The newly formed knight squad was small — only twenty-two men — but each had a loyal Mightyena at their side.

These new knights were all veterans, and through certain methods, they had quickly earned the trust of the Mightyenas and become true knights.

Those who hadn't yet bonded with a Mightyena were assigned as knight instructors.

Many of the knight instructors were disabled knights. With the knight selection process ongoing, they will soon take up their posts and train a group of qualified knights for Fruitvale Village — all of whom would eventually join the knight squad.

"The knight selection is about to start... I'm actually looking forward to it."

Sutter's gaze turned to the battle arena, and a look of anticipation crossed his face. Even as a veteran knight, this method of selection felt refreshingly new.

His eyes scanned the battlefield and quickly landed on Mado, who had only one arm, and Jorah, who was missing a leg — both standing proudly among the patrollers.

They made no attempt to hide their injuries and didn't care about the unusual looks they received from the villagers.

Sutter's eyes softened as he recalled what they had once told him — that even if their bodies were broken, their knightly hearts remained whole.

"Mado, you nervous?"

Jorah leaned on a wooden cane, smiling at his old comrade.

This moment made him feel like he was back on the battlefield — his whole body ablaze with energy.

"Heh, it's just a match!" Mado scoffed. "Back when we were surrounded by a hundred magical beasts, I didn't even flinch. You think I'd be nervous about this?"

"Alright, today let's show these rookies what a real knight is!"

Jorah's booming laugh drew stares from the nearby patrolmen, but he didn't care in the slightest.

Faced with these two disabled veterans, the younger patrol members clenched their fists with expressions of unwillingness to admit defeat on their faces.

Though Mado and Jorah had once been knights, they had only recently bonded with their Pokémon. They had spent almost the same amount of time cultivating their Pokémon, and some even had some advantages.

Pete, however, looked at them with admiration.

Only those who had truly seen battle could understand what they meant by "real knight."

Just as Aven had said — even if they'd left the knight order, even if they were physically broken — they were still knights worthy of everyone's respect.

Pete's gaze fell on the Pokémon beside the two men: Stunky and Yanma.

He frowned, recalling what the Trainer's Battle Handbook said about those species.

Stunky was a dual Poison/Dark-type — immune to the toxic strategies he had prepared against Mightyenas. He would need to rely on Sleep Powder or Stun Spore.

Yanma, a Bug/Flying-type, was a poor matchup for his Gloom's powder tactics. Worse, both its types countered Grass-types like Gloom.

Running through the matchups in his mind, Pete sighed — Gloom had low odds of beating either Stunky or Yanma.

"It's Lord Aven! Lord Aven is here!"

Suddenly, a cheer erupted from the crowd as Aven entered the arena, holding Petilil and with Shinx on his shoulder. Rhydon followed behind him.

All the villagers stood up, cheering for their lord — for everything he had done for them.

"Meow... Meow..."

Shinx trembled on Aven's shoulder.

It quickly shut its eyes and ears, trying to calm itself. But in the darkness of its mind, the electric waves of countless people buzzed like static.

Each electric wave represented a person. The whole arena was alive with energy, making Shinx feel anxious again.

But just then, Aven's warm hand gently patted its head, calming it.

A sense of safety filled its heart, and the anxiety began to fade.

After comforting Shinx, Aven walked to the front of the arena's main platform.

He looked down at the simple yet familiar battlefield — a wave of nostalgia washed over him. For a moment, it felt like he was back at the League tournaments of his previous life.

"Lord Aven! Lord Aven!"

The cheers still echoed through the arena.

Raising his hand to quiet the crowd, Aven took a deep breath and looked out over his people.

"My dear citizens, good morning."

"I am Aven, Earl of the southeastern frontier of Aspiration City."

This was his first time formally announcing his title to the people — his first official speech as a lord.

Even before he finished, the crowd burst into renewed cheers:

"Long live Lord Aven! Long live Lord Aven!"

Their cries came straight from the heart. Even if Aven weren't a noble, even if he weren't their lord — they would still follow this man without hesitation.

As the cheers died down, Aven continued, "Winter has passed. Under the protection of the Glooms, the Mightyenas, Tangelas, and the others, not a single magical beast breached Fruitvale Village."

"This proves that magical beasts can become Pokémon that live in harmony with us. As long as we treat Pokémon sincerely, the Pokémon will also treat us sincerely. They will become our companions, our comrades, and our family."

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Villagers exchanged smiles with their Pokémon — a silent vow that they would always stand together.

Taking advantage of the rising emotion, Aven raised his voice:

"Now, I hereby declare... the knights selection tournament — officially begins!"

Thunderous applause erupted. Fessen quickly directed knights to bring a wooden table to the stage, placing a wooden box on it.

At the same time, Phyllis, who served as the temporary host this time, also walked onto the stage in a neat long-sleeved suit and announced the rules of the tournament to all the contestants.

To ensure fairness, the tournament would follow a double-elimination format. Some contestants were initially confused, but understanding dawned as Phyllis explained.

Winners would enter the winners' bracket and continue to compete for the championship.

The loser will enter the losers' bracket. Only by winning in the losers' bracket can they be qualified to fight with the losers in the winners' bracket of the same level. However, entering the losers' bracket means losing the qualification to compete for the championship.

The first step of the Pokémon Tournament is naturally the drawing of lots. The first round: drawing lots.

This time, 128 patrollers had qualified for the tournament. Aven drew name after name, pairing contestants two by two.

Soon, the 64 first-round matchups were finalized. The contestants studied the match list — some joyful, some worried.

"Alright, all contestants, please proceed to the waiting area."

With the draw complete, Aven finally relaxed. They had made it — the first proper Pokémon tournament of this world was about to begin.

The "waiting area" was simple — just spaces on both sides of the battlefield where contestants could rest and watch other matches to prepare for their own.

(End of Chapter)