Pokemon Contest

"Amazing?" Darren smiled bitterly.

"This isn't just amazing, it's the result of Beautifly's painstaking efforts," Darren said. "It took a lot of hard work to develop this technique..."

It required sensitivity to air currents, honing silk-spinning skills, mastering Electricweb... All were essential.

At the same time, "Electric Vortex" was one of the most difficult techniques for Beautifly to master, and as it was the first time participating in the Pokemon Contest and also the last time participating in the Pokemon Contest for some time, Darren brought this technique to the forefront.

However, some of these techniques, whether mastered by Beautifly or Swablu, were destined to only appear in the first round of the Pokemon Contest, as the lengthy preparation time required for these techniques was not allowed in battles, which started from the second round.

These techniques were designed to enhance the charm of the Pokémon themselves.

"Absolutely...amazing! Beautifly was truly dazzling," Abby didn't hold back her praise, and once again pulled Darren over to discuss the Pokemon Contest.

Darren wouldn't refuse Abby's consultation.

After some discussion, the two unexpectedly discovered that their focus was on the condition of the Pokémon themselves...

The Pokemon Contest.

It was a coordination event where trainers showcased their Pokémon's appearance and skills.

But whether it was appearance or skills, they were all based on the condition of the Pokémon.

The Pokemon Contest had an unwritten rule that a Pokémon's appearance was not compared to that of other competitors' Pokémon, but rather compared to other Pokémon of its kind... What sets it apart from them?

There was no case of judges comparing the appearance of Grimer to that of a Milotic.

So, in the first round of review, a Pokémon's healthy growth and beauty were important factors in the judges' scoring. Pokémon cared for by trainers naturally had an advantage in "appearance".

At the same time, this also tested the judges' level.

As for the display of skills, it was a means of expanding a Pokémon's charm and uniqueness.

"Pokemon Contests are not just for show!"

Darren always believed that some move combinations exhibited by top coordinators were not just for performances. Even the "Electric Vortex" he just showed was not qualified. He admired the standards of Mr. Juan, the top coordinator of the older generation.

Juan focused on the magnificence of battles and hoped that other trainers would also be able to engage in battles elegantly.

Even with a simple Seaking, Mr. Juan could grasp the "talent" of its resistance to electric-type moves and command it to use its strong, species-specific horn to reflect powerful moves like "Thunderbolt" and "Thunder" back at water-type Pokémon.

Due to his acquaintance with Wallace, Darren also paid attention to these two master and apprentice in the city of Sootopolis, and was surprised to discover that both Wallace and his master Juan were top coordinators who had dominated Pokemon Contest in the past, Mr. Juan seemed to place great emphasis on guiding trainers in their Pokemon Contests during challenges at the Sootopolis Gym, hoping to let them appreciate the unique charm of their own Pokémon. As long as the trainers had some level of understanding, the Sootopolis Gym would grant them a certain degree of "passage" and recognition.

Therefore, Darren always believed that excellent top coordinators were not necessarily trainers who lacked strength and expertise in battles.

...

There were less than a hundred participants in the Hearthome Contest, and after Darren's performance, there weren't many competitors left. So, after a brief mid-game break, the second round had immediately followed.

"The second round of the Pokemon Contest is about to begin!"

"In the limited time of five minutes, use your skills to beautifully to reduce your opponent's score is the key to victory!"

In other words, even if the battle is a heated confrontation, even if the target is hit, or even if the opponent loses their ability to battle, the reduction in score for the opponent is still minimal. In the second round of the Pokemon Contest, if it is a legitimate coordinator trainer who is striving for the top, they will not overlook the opportunity to showcase their Pokémon's charm with beautiful moves during the battle.

This is the pride of a coordinator.

In the first round of review, Darren unsurprisingly passed with flying colors, scoring first place!

Therefore, in the second round of the Pokemon Contest, Darren would be the first to perform as a seeded player.

"First is Mr. Darren on this side--"

"Next is Miss Shayla on the other side. Time limit of five minutes, there is no pause button, please begin the match!"

Ding--

For the two who stepped onto the stage, the countdown on the screen marked the official start of the battle.

Darren's opponent was a young girl who seemed very serious, perhaps due to watching Darren's first-round performance. She had a look of facing a great enemy.

"The opponent is strong, please do your best, Lopunny!"

"Beautifly, it's your turn to take the stage!"

The fur at the tips of Lopunny's ears was very neatly groomed and looked very elegant. It could be seen that her opponent often showcased Lopunny's charm through her "ears."

However, just as the two Pokémon took the stage, Lopunny's state became a bit strange...

"It's the Attract status! Mr. Darren's Beautifly is using a charming move right after taking the stage. This is the same performance style that Miss Abby demonstrated in the previous round of review. It looks like Lopunny is in some trouble. What will Miss Shayla do to resolve this?!!"

"Wow, it's lucky to meet someone of the opposite gender," said Darren with a smile, surprised by his good fortune in catching a Beautifly.

"Hmph, don't underestimate my Lopunny. Use your ears to stomp on the ground and jump!" exclaimed Shayla loudly, trying to wake up Lopunny with his voice.

In a state of attraction, it would be difficult for the little sprite to use its moves. However, hitting and jumping were innate abilities for Lopunny, almost like flying was for the bird Pokemon. It was easy for Lopunny to execute these moves.

After crouching down, Lopunny's long ears thumped on the ground as it hopped around without attacking. But with this rhythmic thumping and jumping, Lopunny was able to snap out of its attraction state.

Jumping is not an attacking move but rather a method of movement.

"It seems like Lopunny has recovered from its attraction state. Shayla used a good method to break the charm and show off Lopunny's skill!" exclaimed the announcer.

"Darren's score has decreased a bit!"

"Impressive. Be careful of its ears Beautifly," warned Darren.

"Being careful won't help. The battle isn't over yet. Lopunny, use Bounce while Jumping!" shouted Shayla.

Next, Lopunny hopped around, building up energy before bouncing up high into the air, close to the ceiling of the arena, and reaching the high altitude where Beautifly flew.

Bounce was a flying move, and Lopunny's jump displayed an impressive jumping ability and aerial mobility.

"In this state, do you think Lopunny's aerial agility is better than that of Beautifly?" Darren asked.

"Beautifly, use Air Cutter!"