I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the venue of this year's Mikuri Cup!" the announcer shouted loudly as the camera panned to the packed audience erupting in thunderous applause and cheers.

"I'm so, so nervous!" The blonde ponytailed girl clenched her small fists unconsciously voicing her thoughts.

Celadon Anemone sat with her cheeks propped on her hands, sucking on a soda straw as she glanced at the girl. "You're not even participating, why are you nervous?"

"But I can't help feeling nervous for the contestants!" The girl wrote the character for 'person' on her palm before dramatically pretending to eat it.

Ami sat with her knees pressed together, cuddling a Magnemite, smiling gently. "This is just the opening ceremony where the judges make their entrance."

"The actual competition won't start for quite some time yet."

"Miss Ami knows so much!" Celadon Anemone's eyes sparkled as she looked at Ami.

"N-not really~" Ami blushed slightly, whispering, "I just...follow these events..."

Celadon Anemone scanned the surroundings, noticing countless audience members wearing white hats identical to Wallace's.

"If only I'd thought of that first...o(╥﹏╥)o" she lamented internally. Suddenly, the cheers in the venue surged as the announcer declared: "Now, let us welcome the founder of this tournament, the Hoenn Champion—Mr. Wallace!"

Spotlights focused on the central pool of the stage.

In an instant, a Milotic leaped from the water, its scales refracting dazzling light under the illumination.

Mist sprayed outward, forming a rainbow as crystalline water droplets fell like diamonds from the sky. The breathtaking spectacle left the audience momentarily breathless.

"Fuu~!"

The next moment, massive waves erupted from the pool, colliding midair to form towering water pillars.

Behind this magnificent display of Water-type power, a green-haired man in white attire emerged from the water pillars, smiling gracefully as he placed a hand over his chest in greeting.

The venue erupted in its loudest cheers yet.

Following Wallace's grand entrance, a plainly dressed middle-aged man in a suit with thinning hair walked out unceremoniously from the judges' entrance.

The audience's polite applause sounded rather lackluster in comparison.

"That's Mr. Contesta, chairman of the Contest Judging Committee," Ami explained softly while clapping. "He attends prestigious contests across all regions."

"He seems...quite ordinary," Celadon Anemone yawned behind her hand. "When will Teacher Lu appear?"

"He already went to the judges' entrance," Ami said with a smile. "I imagine he'll make his entrance as a coordinator too."

Both Celadon Anemone and the girl blinked in realization.

Teacher Lu had been dragged into judging by Ruby...

Did he know about the unspoken rule that judges needed to make a grand entrance?

While Teacher Lu's reputation alone would earn him applause, if his entrance lacked 'style', it might invite criticism from the audience.

The group grew tense, all eyes fixed on the judges' entrance.

But the next judge didn't emerge from there.

"Look up there!" someone suddenly shouted.

A shadow passed overhead as a purple Drifblim spun ribbons through the air, creating a dazzling display of strange winds.

Glittering particles scattered from Drifblim's rotation, mesmerizing the crowd.

Ami murmured in recognition, "That technique...it resembles Teacher Lu's Counter Shield strategy."

Before Drifblim's performance concluded, it gracefully descended into a thick fog under the brilliant stage lights.

Then Melisa emerged from the mist, her long purple gown swaying as she confidently raised her hand in greeting.

The audience erupted again.

"Miss Melisa! I'm your biggest fan!"

"I'm Ash from Pallet Town! Can we battle later?!"

Ami and the others turned toward the shouting in surprise. "Ash is here too?"

"Seems he couldn't find us and sat there by himself," Celadon Anemone observed.

Ash's outburst earned him disapproving looks from nearby spectators, making him scratch his head sheepishly.

Celadon Anemone turned back curiously, "How did that dark mist work earlier?"

"I've seen it explained on TV," Ami said softly. "Miss Melisa was waiting below the stage the whole time...the Drifblim was just misdirection."

"But that spinning move was beautiful!" the girl exclaimed.

Celadon Anemone added, "Speaking of which...I think Teacher Lu can do that too, right?"

As the audience still marveled at Melisa's spectacular entrance, all the stage lights suddenly went dark.

Ash immediately tensed. "Is it Team Rocket?!"

Meanwhile, the Team Rocket trio peered through binoculars, muttering, "When's the boss gonna show up, meow?"

Then, piercingly bright lights abruptly illuminated the darkened venue, shining as brilliantly as the sun and capturing everyone's attention.

Tap. Tap.

The entire venue fell silent as all eyes focused on the radiant glow.

Anticipation peaked when a tall, upright young man stepped into view. The glowing rings above him shot skyward like fireworks, exploding in a dazzling display.

Dazzling Gleam!!

A visual effect commonly used by coordinators, but executed here with masterful precision.

Wallace clasped his hands, his eyes showing genuine appreciation.

As the light effects faded and normal lighting returned...

Snap! Snap! Snap!

All spotlights converged on the nearly impossibly handsome trainer, making him shine like a beacon.

"Holy crap, how can someone be this handsome?!"

"I admit, Teacher Lu is slightly better looking than me!"

"Wait, Teacher Lu's partner Pokémon hasn't appeared yet!"

Just as cheers began, everyone saw Teacher Lu raise one hand, his coat fluttering in an unseen breeze.

The show wasn't over!

The lights dimmed again, transforming the stage into an ethereal purple mist.

This dreamlike scene made the audience hold their breath.

Then, like a graceful fairy, a snow-white Sylveon leaped effortlessly from the Pokéball at Lu Ye's waist.

No fancy move introduction, no dramatic entrance.

Just a simple release, yet it felt like the appearance of an old friend who needed no invitation to stand by his side.

"Sylveon...legend says it only evolves when an Eevee shares an unbreakable bond with its trainer..." Wallace murmured with a faint smile.

Unconsciously, he'd developed new respect for Lu Ye.

This wasn't a trainer obsessed solely with power and ambition.

This was someone who truly trusted his Pokémon.

Just like how Ruby had accepted a Feebas named 'MIMI', and how the evolved Milotic 'MIMI' had never abandoned Ruby.

The venue remained silent—not from the typical awe of a coordinator's visual spectacle, but from something deeper, more heartfelt.

"Perhaps," Wallace mused with sudden realization, "this could become a new school of coordinating..."

On the screens, Sylveon's white ribbons gently draped over Lu Ye's palm as he led it to center stage.

Blue Aura energy flickered at his fingertips, transforming into fluttering butterflies that eventually dissolved into sparkling dust.

Performance complete.

Hand over heart, he bowed.

The venue stayed quiet, the audience still moved by the soul-stirring display.

Then Ash abruptly started clapping, breaking the spell as the group joined in.

The applause became a roaring wave that wouldn't stop.

Melisa watched Lu Ye on stage, arms crossed with an intrigued smile.

"What a fascinating man..."

Teacher Lu's performance hadn't just won over the audience—it had earned the judges' approval too.

Mr. Contesta leaned toward Wallace. "What did you think of Teacher Lu's performance today?"

"Based solely on today's display," Wallace admitted freely with a smile, "I was completely outclassed."

"There's still the exhibition match between judges later," Mr. Contesta noted, glancing between Lu Ye and Melisa.

"These two are rare masters of coordination..."

"With their demonstration, we can expect this tournament's performance level to rise significantly!"

Wallace nodded in agreement.

Following the opening ceremony's schedule, Aaron in his burgundy suit came on behalf of the Sinnoh League to officially declare the Mikuri Cup open.

The announcer took over enthusiastically: "Now, let's welcome two of this year's Mikuri Cup judges..."

"Mr. Lu Ye and Miss Melisa, who will treat us to an absolutely spectacular Contest Battle!!"

The cheers intensified, even prompting the usually reserved Ami to cup her hands and shout:

"Good luck, Teacher Lu!!"

Lu Ye, who had just taken his seat at the judges' table and exchanged nods with Wallace, suddenly froze.

There's an exhibition match too!?

Ruby never mentioned this part!

With the event starting soon after his arrival, Wallace hadn't had time to brief Lu Ye properly.

Now, Wallace could only offer an approving look.

Lu Ye's heart sank.

I knew that judge's paycheck wouldn't come easy!

"Shall we, Mr. Lu Ye?"

Melisa smiled gracefully in her purple dance gown, extending her lace-gloved hand.

Dressed formally himself, Lu Ye offered his left hand in gentlemanly fashion to escort Melisa to the battle stage.

As they took positions under the spotlights on opposite sides, the crowd's excitement peaked.

"Even in a Contest Battle, I won't hold back!" Melisa declared with a smile.

Lu Ye closed his eyes, recalling the techniques from his [Glamorous Command Lv4].

In Contest Battles, victory was determined by points—using moves deemed insufficiently stylish would lose points.

This meant even if you defeated your opponent, you could still lose by lacking flair.

'What a pain...'

Lu Ye sighed inwardly before calmly telling Melisa, "Ladies first."

"Then my first Pokémon will be—"

Melisa nodded, spinning gracefully in her gown before tossing a Pokéball:

"Go, Drifblim!"

The same Drifblim from earlier summoned eerie winds again.

As a Ghost-type Gym Leader, Melisa's Drifblim expertly blended coordination techniques with battle tactics, making it quite formidable.

Though just an exhibition match, Mengmengda might be watching.

If I lose, she might think I went easy on purpose...

"Sylveon," Lu Ye said quietly. "Make this quick..."

If I win fast enough, the judges won't have time to notice my moves aren't flashy!

"Bui! (▼皿▼#)" Sylveon landed lightly, already glaring fiercely at the opponent.