The title of Top Coordinator Isn't that prestigious...
It is even less valuable than the title of Champion of a League competition like the Indigo Conference or The Ever Grande Conference.
Terrance had watched many videos of Top Coordinators winning. Some used Raticate cleverly within the specified five minutes to reduce their opponents' appeal points according to Pokémon Contest's criteria, thus securing victory.
Others used Gloom's stench to win, some utilized Butterfree skillfully within the rules, dragging the match to the end... defeating the opponent's Tyranitar.
When time was up, the side with more appeal points was declared the winner.
On this stage, strength was secondary; as long as the charm of the Pokémon was showcased, the opponent's appeal points would decrease. When time was up, the side with more appeal points wins.
Those who cleverly use Pokémon Contest rules to earn the title of Top Coordinator were indeed impressive. They were true Coordinators and epitomized the essence of Pokémon Contests...
However, the consequence of this approach was that it was too much like a cheap trick, resulting in their actual combat ability being far inferior to traditional Trainers. It's even hard for the public to accept because they don't understand that showcasing a Pokémon's own charm is also a kind of strength. Though this is the rule of Pokémon Contests, the audience has the right not to accept it.
On the Pokémon Contest' stage, Top Coordinator stands at the peak, but once they step out of the Pokémon Contest stage, the status of a Top Coordinator greatly diminishes.
"Pokémon Contests need reform."
Raoul Contesta once exchanged ideas with Wallace and received this advice. After much thought, he disregarded many previous rules and began traveling far and wide, searching for opportunities to elevate Pokémon Contests.
"This Terrance is very clever..."
"No, it should be said, very cunning..."
"With this Altaria's skills, it could have easily advanced to the second round even if it had used simple moves, but he chose to put out such a performance..."
"Hiding the moves that highlight the Pokémon's own charm during the performance, while outwardly showcasing a dazzling combo to attract the audience. Is he trying to create a problem for me?" Raoul Contesta chuckled inwardly. What an annoying kid, but... he liked it!
Possessing both flashiness and strength, and understanding the current shortcomings of Pokémon Contests... It was different from the extremes of Coordinators who simply had strength or pursued flashiness. This contestant Terrance had seen through the essence of Contest Master Wallace and had started to imitate him strongly.
"Since he's willing, let's give him a chance."
"His strength is not bad, and he's also not too old. If he can really stand out among many Top Coordinators, it would also be a boon for Pokémon Contests..."
10 points.
So, after the three discussed, they decided to give Terrance a high score, making the audience resonate more emotionally and giving Terrance a good boost.
This one-sided "boosting" is due to the fact that Pokémon Contests are currently on the rise. If Pokémon Contests were already a large-scale competition like The Ever Grande Conference...even if Terrance was very good, this situation would never have happened.
"If he wants to be the next Wallace, let's give him a chance to see if he can handle it. It's up to him to prove himself."
***********************
"25 points..." Sora's primary judging's result was 25 points, a 0.2-point improvement from when she had first participated in the Pokémon Contest.
But this time she had used the newly captured Pokémon for her performance, so her progress was quite significant.
"Ah... 21 points, 20 points, how unlucky," Reiko's two Trainer friends recalled their own scores, instantly lamenting.
Reiko wore an expression as if she had already anticipated this, smiling as she stared at the big screen.
The eight candidates who advanced were soon announced. Following a beep, everyone's attention focused on the big screen.
"How could this be..."
Sora's pupils contracted, disappointedly saying, "Among the eight who advanced... I'm not there."
Reiko also looked surprised at the big screen. Her score of 26.4 points had unexpectedly placed her third from the bottom among the eight...
"The contestants in this Lilycove Conference are all very strong….." Reiko remarked.
At the Verdanturf Conference level, 25 points would easily secure advancement to the second round of the Contest Battle. However, this Lilycove Conference saw a full one-point increase from the base 25 points.
"Sora..." Reiko looked at Sora and found her already rallying, though still unable to conceal her disappointment. "Reiko, you have to keep fighting." Reiko looked at Sora and noticed that she had regained her composure, though she couldn't hide her disappointment: "Reiko, you can do it?"
"Alright... I will definitely get..." As she spoke, Reiko noticed Terrance's 30-point score at the top of the big screen...and couldn't help but look at Terrance embarrassedly and said, "Terrance, I'm looking forward to our battle."
"Sure," Terrance nodded.
For the secondary judging Contest Battle, Terrance was also contemplating how to maximize his trump card.
Terrance had always been clear about his goal... he wasn't aiming to be a top-level Breeder, a master-level Trainer, or even a Top Coordinator.
These were just means. As long as he could provide the children at the Old Green House with the capital to pursue their dreams through these means, it was enough.
At the same time, Terrance participated in Pokémon Contests to ensure that Beautifly could stand on the final stage of the Grand Festival. These coinciding paths are not something that Terrance can pursue singly.
Pokémon Contests and enabling the children at the Old Green House to pursue their dreams was not contradictory.
He could also gain reputation, benefits, and various other things through the identity of a Coordinator. In any case, if he wanted to do something, he shouldn't waste time and should strive to maximize efficiency.
"If I could become a Coordinator like Wallace, all my problems would be solved."
"If I could become a Senior Breeder, all my problems would also be solved."
"If I could become a Trainer at the level of Elite Four, I could still solve all my problems."
There are many paths to choose from, it all depends on how Terrance decides to proceed. He has numerous options available to him, but regardless of which one path he takes, he only has the potential and may still not quite reach that level.
"Regardless, I have to participate in Pokémon Contests. Since that's the case, I must do my best and demand of myself the standards of a Contest Master!"
Give the most magnificent performance, fight the most beautiful battles!
"Altaria is different from Beautifly, it's much stronger, more dominant. Compared to Beautifly's battling style, it isn't inferior to others in any aspect. So... coordination and battle is inseparable. Even if it's a Contest Battle, Altaria can show its dominant side, allowing the audience to experience the excitement of Trainer battles, while also not overlooking the rule of appeal points. Only by doing this can I approach the status of Wallace and gain more recognition."
"Focusing solely on showcasing one's own charm is too niche and has few admirers. Pursuing only flashiness and hollow excitement doesn't align with the meaning of Pokémon Contests... It's truly not easy... That Wallace is quite impressive to have reached this level."
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