At the reserved seating area.
Claire observed the unfolding scene with a mixture of emotions and mumbled to herself, "He is not dominating..."
"He isn't in a dominant position," Luke chuckled.
"Togekiss, acting as a cooperative defender, has performed remarkably well in this scenario."
Claire furrowed her brows, her thoughts unsettled.
While Lance secured the initial victory, the strategic status of their Pokémon differed significantly.
As this youngster had pointed out, Lance's strategy seemed to revolve around the enhanced effects of Dragon Dance on red Gyarados.
However, with red Gyarados now deep in slumber, Lance was confronted with a precarious situation...
Claire couldn't help but study Luke closely, her gaze piercing and intense.
He seemed to possess uncanny knowledge about the developments on the field, including the tactical decisions of both players...
"Who are you?" Claire asked with a furrowed brow.
"Just a group of friends passing through," Luke replied, absentmindedly patting Eevee's head, unaware of the little creature's adoring gaze.
"Considering the circumstances... Lance's prospects don't appear to be optimistic," Luke said, struggling to suppress a smile.
Everyone present was a friend or family member. Essentially, the game boiled down to whose friends or family members would emerge victorious, showcasing their strength.
And here he was, establishing allegiances even before the game began...
Luke couldn't help but smirk at the thought, nearly bringing himself to tears as he glanced at his cousin.
As the slumbering red Gyarados was recalled by Lance, he sent out his second Pokémon: Aerodactyl.
Luke couldn't resist offering his commentary once again.
A prestigious Dragon-type specialist, and yet, he sent out two Pokémon consecutively that weren't of the Dragon type. It was almost comical!
Aerodactyl boasted remarkable speed but lacked outstanding defensive capabilities. It was designed for high-speed assaults.
Cynthia countered with Spiritomb, which eventually defeated Aerodactyl through Lucario's Meteor Mash.
...
The Pokémon continued to rotate on both sides, each achieving their own victories and suffering losses, with the atmosphere charged with an intense and fierce battle spirit.
As the match progressed, Claire, the Gym Leader from Blackthorn, became increasingly perturbed.
Perhaps due to Luke's comments, the guy incessantly chirped in her ear.
"Watch Hydreigon, you'll either be impressed or dumbfounded in an instant!"
"Wow, Glaceon took care of the four-time ice weakness without a hitch! Impressive!"
"Oh no, Gastrodon can't withstand Dragonite's assault. That's six matches down the drain..."
Though Claire had no interest in listening, she found herself unable to avoid hearing his running commentary.
Despite her annoyance, she couldn't help but acknowledge that he possessed a more insightful grasp of battle strategies than she did.
Annoyed, Claire gritted her teeth and interrupted, "Enough already... I know where I went wrong."
"Where did you go wrong?" Luke asked, somewhat taken aback.
"I shouldn't have offered unsolicited advice," Claire sighed, berating herself.
How foolish she had been! It was evident that he had been invited by Cynthia solely out of consideration for her weakness.
With just this one battle, she was being treated as an amateur!
What Claire was unaware of, however, was that Teacher Luke was something of a master in empty boasts...
Had he actually gone head-to-head with Lance using Cynthia's team, he might have ended up embarrassing himself on the spot.
Luke glanced at her with a wry smile, coughed lightly, and remarked, "We're down to the final match now..."
Garchomp versus Dragonite.
When Garchomp entered the scene, Luke couldn't help but sense the shift in Cynthia's aura.
It was an unwavering self-assurance born from countless battles.
The love for Pokémon, the bonds forged with them, and the echoes they shared.
In this arena, even Lance and his Dragonite paled in comparison to Cynthia and her Garchomp.
In a one-on-one showdown, Cynthia placed absolute faith in her Garchomp. There was no way she could lose to anyone!
"Kaao——!" Garchomp bellowed as it extended its crimson twin scythes. Its eyes blazed red, and like a speeding cannonball, it charged at Dragonite.
Dragonite assumed a determined countenance, flapping its Dual Wings with intensity as it braced itself. Launching a frosty Ice Punch, it aimed squarely at the advancing Garchomp.
The cold Icy Wind caused Garchomp's distinctive head crest to become coated in a layer of frost.
Unfazed by this, Garchomp initiated its Dragon Dance, spiraling in a continuous rotation during its descent, yet its speed remained undiminished if not heightened.
With a resounding impact, Dragon Rush struck first, and Garchomp deftly avoided the Ice Punch by swerving sideways. It subsequently unleashed a powerful Headbutt, plummeting from the air with remarkable velocity, the blow landing squarely on Dragonite!
Astonishment laced the narrator's voice as they exclaimed, "A critical hit... Fate has favored them! Dragonite is unable to continue battling!"
The previously hushed crowd erupted into spontaneous cheers.
"Sinnoh Region's Cynthia is the victor!"
...
As the final match concluded, Luke finally released the tension that had gripped him. He glanced at Claire beside him, her expression somewhat dazed, and a mischievous grin tugged at his lips.
Why did he feel so relieved watching someone else lose?
Casting a light cough, Luke playfully patted Eevee and Haunter, addressing them with a playful tone, "How did that feel, huh?"
"Wasn't it almost cruel? But don't worry, I can still afford the two of you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Eevee leapt onto his lap and tugged at his sleeve with its teeth.
"Vui~! (〃＞目＜)"
Haunter, too, gazed at him with longing eyes, its expression one of yearning. Clearly, it was envisioning Luke emerging victorious in the championship, a mischievous grin on its face.
"Jie jie~ (′▽`〃))"
Suddenly, Haunter's eyes seemed to light up.
It realized that the primary reason for Luke attending the match was not merely to motivate them!
After all, the point was to train diligently, as this would inevitably lead to future battles against each other!
"Jie jie~! (I'll work harder then!)"
"Eevee seems rather eager to train," Claire observed with a faint smile. "A hardworking little fellow, indeed."
Luke's expression shifted subtly. Was that so?
Was that really the purpose behind bringing them along?
Sighing softly, Luke's gaze drifted to Haunter, who was seated next to him.
"Jie jie~! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧"
Haunter patted Luke's shoulder and nodded earnestly.
Touched by the gesture, Luke remarked, "You really do understand me, Haunter!"
"Jie jie~! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
...
The duel between Cynthia and Lance drew to a close, spanning nearly an hour in total.
However, the audience wasn't required to leave just yet; the event still had other high-level Trainer performance matches to showcase.
Having promised Cynthia that he would wait for her, Luke reclined on the sofa, helping himself to a plate of fresh fruit...
The aroma of the spread was simply exquisite!
"Ah?" Luke glanced at Claire in the adjacent seat. "Why haven't you left yet?"
"I'm waiting for the others."
"Who are you waiting for?"
"Who else but him!" Claire retorted, her tone a touch irritable.
Undoubtedly, she was referring to her cousin, Dragon Tamer Lance.
Observing Claire's demeanor, Luke nodded thoughtfully before a sudden realization dawned on him.
Earlier this morning... Boss Red had paid him an unexpected visit. What could he possibly want?
Luke slapped his forehead, beads of sweat forming on his brow. How could he have forgotten about it!
This could only mean one thing – Lance was probably on his way over!
Ordinary seats might have been acceptable, but the real concern was the invitation-only seating...
Was Lance coming to find him for a friendly match?
Luke gazed meaningfully at Haunter beside him.
"Haunter, I'll be relying on you later!"
"Jie jie~? ! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
A thought struck him suddenly.
Haunter's performance would only go so far. Besides, it was just a friendly match; Lance wasn't likely to be overly harsh. Moreover, even if he lost, Haunter would gain a substantial amount of experience points!
Then, as if struck by an epiphany, Luke sighed heavily.
"The routines are set in stone, after all!"
With determination, Luke turned to Haunter once more.
"Haunter's level has improved, and the Pokéblock's contribution wasn't even taken into account in my calculations?!"
At that moment, a familiar scent wafted through the air.
Cynthia strolled into the private room, taking a seat next to Luke with graceful ease. She rested her chin on her hand and remarked, "We won."
"I'm aware."
"I also mentioned you to Mr. Lance."
"Really?"
Next door, the red-haired man exchanged nods with Claire, his expression grave. He then turned to his phone, compared it with a photo, and nodded at Luke.
"Teacher Luke, right?"
Dragon Tamer Lance discarded his cloak, revealing his Champion attire of red and blue. Extending his hand, he offered it to Luke with a proactive smile.
"Red entrusted me... to inquire if you would be interested in a friendly match!"