Terrance thought more and more that it made sense. Just like a novel, the longer it is, the more likely there are to be plot holes. Illusion skills are the same; the more complex they are, the easier it is to spot flaws. Simulating battle scenarios is undoubtedly a very complex illusion, and in such a short time, the effect Mismagius can simulate is limited, so it's understandable that it can't be perfect.
But a simple "flash" or "darkness" illusion is as simple as it gets—just a static illusion designed to trouble the opponent's sight while keeping the method of breaking it undiscoverable...isn't that simplifying complexity?
"Mismagius' talent for illusion skills is quite high, so it always complicates its illusions. Despite creating such troublesome illusions, Mismagius can still do it exceptionally well. If a simple but highly effective illusion were to be refined, it could even become a completely new move!"
A 100% success rate, an incredibly stable Illusionary Space, and an inescapable small illusion—who can say it isn't a new move?
"Moreover, crafting a complex battle scenario or panoramic illusion takes a lot of effort from Mismagius. However, a single, simple illusion, if practiced day and night, could become second nature for Mismagius, allowing it to cast it effortlessly. At that time, by layering illusions, even if the opponent can break free from it, it will take a long time. As long as the right moment is sized, it wouldn't be hard to find an opportunity to win."
As Mismagius's illusion skills matured, Terrance abandoned the "Haunted House" group's concept and started having Mismagius simplify its illusions, practicing simpler ones to maximize their effectiveness.
The first task was to create two Illusionary Spaces: "Flash" and "Darkness."
First, using countless glaring lights to interfere with the Pokémon's vision, then plunging the opponent into endless darkness, leaving no chance for escape, trapping them in an "absolute" prison.
This was the simple yet complex illusion skill Terrance conceived after abandoning the former concept. How effective it would be after practice was something Terrance looked forward to.
Additionally, simplifying the complex skill was just one of the backup plans Terrance had for Mismagius.
Besides that, he had another idea.
******
"Mom, hurry up, the Pokémon Contest is about to start."
Caroline, holding May's hand, looked helplessly at Max running ahead.
"Don't run." Caroline shouted, worried Max would get lost in the crowd at the main entrance.
As members of Petalburg City's Petalburg Gym, they had some privileges, like VIP channels and seats, so Caroline quickly called Max back, fearing he would be swept away by the huge crowd of spectators.
Terrance didn't have the habit of investigating his opponents first, but after participating in three Pokémon Contests, he had become a focus of many Coordinators.
Some even saw him as a "troublesome" opponent, leading many Coordinators to back out of the Pokémon Contests he participated in.
There were also some Coordinators who attended solely to watch Terrance's matches, choosing to be spectators rather than participants.
It's also worth mentioning that... this Petalburg Contest had fewer than eighty participants for some unknown reason.
Compared to the previous Mauville Contest, which had 146 participants, the number of contestants this time can be said to have reached a historic low.
Contest Venue, lobby.
After watching some first-round performances , Terrance was ready to go on stage.
Terrance walked out of the passageway and once again saw the familiar announcer and three judges. It was hard to say what he was thinking.
"Terrance——"
"Terrance——"
"Terrance——"
The moment Terrance appeared, the atmosphere lit up. His stellar performances in the previous three contests had never disappointed his supporters, winning each time regardless of the circumstances. This made his fans cheer with excitement.
"Wow, it seems Contestant Terrance is quite popular. What kind of performance will he bring us this time?"
Vivian elegantly swung the microphone and struck a pose, directing the audience's attention from the microphone to Terrance on the stage.
"It's Terrance," Seeing the contestant, May, Max, and Mr. Norman's wife, Caroline, couldn't help but lean forward.
"Terrance is really popular," Max remarked in surprise.
They hadn't expected such a big reaction to Terrance's appearance. At least...there were dozens of people cheering for him...
The coordinated cheers doubled the momentum, elevating Terrance's entrance to a whole new level.
"What Pokémon will he use this time..." Raoul Contesta wondered.
Beautifly, Altaria, Castform...
"Which one holds the most weight in Terrance's heart?" Sukizo began to speculate.
However, what happened next surprised everyone because... Terrance had changed to a new Pokémon again! Not only the judges but also the audience who had followed Terrance here were left with their mouths agape, not knowing what Terrance had up his sleeve.
Was it really okay to switch Pokémon so frequently...?
Ignoring the suddenly quiet venue, Terrance focused on Mismagius, who had flown out of the Poké Ball and was now floating in the air.
With a wizard-like hat, a deep purple body, and three red gemstones embedded on its body, Mismagius looked eerie yet couldn't hide its elegance.
Mismagius seemed to exude the aura of a sage, as if it had walked out of a book.
"What a pure color..." Nurse Joy of Petalburg City exclaimed.
"Such a natural color... Mismagius must have been allowed to grow naturally. It's rare for a Pokémon to retain such natural characteristics after being captured by a Trainer."
"Oh? Nurse Joy, you mean?"
"I think it must be because of its diet. This Mismagius must have a very particular diet. Ghost-type Pokémon food is the hardest to manage because most of their natural food is intangible, colorless, and ethereal. While man-made food is nutritious, it lacks a certain 'essence.' After all, this is the energy Ghost-type Pokémon have absorbed since ancient times. If I'm not mistaken, this Mismagius has retained the habit of absorbing such kind of intangible, colorless, and ethereal energy during its growth.."
The three judges understood. Terrance's new Pokémon, Mismagius, had been nurtured by absorbing human fear as sustenance, converting it into its own growth nutrients, following its innate feeding habits all along. Terrance had never let it change!
"That must be difficult..." Raoul Contesta thought, as intangible energy is challenging to find.
After this realization, Raoul Contesta and Sukizo were no longer surprised that Terrance had switched to another new Pokémon. Now, it seemed like yet another exceptionally well-raised Pokémon... All they needed to do was watch closely.
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