Trainer's Village
Paul quickly found his assigned room—a clean and tidy single suite. Other than a computer for researching opponents, there was nothing particularly special about it.
After unpacking his belongings, Paul immediately turned on the computer and began searching for information on the participating trainers.
With countless competitors entering the tournament, most people would only look up details on their designated opponents to plan strategies accordingly.
However, Paul wasn't like most people. Paul possessed knowledge beyond what the average trainer could access. With a clear goal in mind, he typed directly into the search bar:
"Tobias."
He wasn't particularly concerned about the other trainers, but if this world had an equivalent of the Legendary Trainer, known for wielding Mythical and Legendary Pokémon, then Paul needed to confirm whether Tobias was competing in this year's Lily of the Valley Conference.
In moments, Tobias' profile appeared on the screen.
Tobias
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Hometown: Sinnoh Region
Achievements: None
Pokémon: Darkrai
At first glance, his personal information seemed normal, but as Paul scrolled further, things started getting strange.
Tobias' Pokémon records listed only one Pokémon—Darkrai. Furthermore, there were very few available battle recordings, with only footage from Gym Battles.
The content of those battles was eerily consistent: Tobias used only Darkrai.
With just one Pokémon, he completely steamrolled through all eight Sinnoh Gyms, achieving overwhelming victories. His strategy was straightforward—Dark Void and Dream Eater—but in most cases, his opponents barely stood a chance before being utterly crushed.
Achievements: None.
The entire thing was odd, almost as if this guy had materialized out of thin air.
"Could it be that, after setting out on his journey, he's been hunting down and capturing Mythical and Legendary Pokémon?"
Paul speculated.
After all, even if Tobias had insane luck and somehow started with a Legendary, there was no way he had a full team of them from the beginning.
The most likely scenario was that, instead of focusing on improving his battle skills over the years, Tobias had spent most of his time seeking out and capturing Legendary Pokémon.
Fortunately...
"His strength is still within an acceptable range."
Paul analyzed the available battle footage and estimated Darkrai's power level to be somewhere between an Elite Four candidate and near-Top Trainer level.
In other words, Tobias was stronger than Reggie.
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon weren't inherently all-powerful. They had naturally high base stats, but they weren't unbeatable. Tobias' Pokémon clearly hadn't reached their full potential yet.
But if they had?
If his team had already fully matured, he wouldn't be competing in a regional League tournament—he'd be aiming straight for the Champion's Cup or the World Coronation Series, challenging the Masters Eight and the title of World Champion.
"I hope the rest of your team isn't weaker than Darkrai..."
Paul muttered in a very quite voice as he closed Tobias' profile and entered a new search query:
"Paul."
Paul
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Achievements:
Veilstone City Youth Fighting Tournament Champion
Veilstone... Jubilife Victory Cup... Hearthome Exhibition... Circle Tournament...
Pokémon: Electivire, Ursaring, Garchomp, Ninetales, Dewott, Torterra, Drapion, Metagross, Froslass
The tournament's trainer database wasn't fully comprehensive. For instance, Tobias' profile only displayed Pokémon that had been seen in recorded battles or those that were widely known.
For the same reason, Aggron wasn't listed in Paul's profile, as he had only caught it after earning all eight Gym Badges and hadn't used it in any official matches.
Similarly, Ursaluna and Samurott had yet to appear in a formal battle. Since Paul had specifically requested privacy before the tournament, the only people aware of these Pokémon were Professor Rowan and the caretakers at the Pokémon facility.
At most, some insiders in the Pokémon League might have known that Ursaring had an evolution now—but they wouldn't have had access to the specifics.
Of course, as soon as Paul used Ursaluna or Hisuian Samurott in battle, his profile would update immediately.
Not that it mattered to him.
"After all, this whole game is about information asymmetry, isn't it?"
After that, Paul proceeded to research profiles of other notable trainers—Barry, Conway, and Lucas among them.
The Next Day – Lily of the Valley Conference: Preliminaries Begin
As the preliminary rounds started, multiple stadiums held non-stop battles throughout the day, gradually reducing down the competitors until only 64 trainers remained.
For Paul, the preliminaries were insignificant. He didn't encounter any serious challengers and easily advanced using only two Pokémon—his newly caught Aggron, and his ever-meditating Rotom that rarely moved but trained constantly through Calm Mind.
By the time the dust settled and the tournament reached its Top 64, the Trainer's Village had grown noticeably quieter.
That evening, beneath the dazzling lights of the central stadium, the strongest 64 trainers gathered on the grand battlefield, standing beneath the flames of the opening ceremony.
"The Torch is about to be lit..."
"And there it is!"
"The Sinnoh League - Lily of the Valley Conference - has officially begun!"
As the sacred flame ignited, a spectacular display of fireworks burst into the sky.
The audience erupted into applause and cheers.
"The Champion is here too, huh?"
Paul calmly scanned the highest section of the stands—reserved for VIPs—and spotted Cynthia, the reigning Sinnoh Champion, watching with a doubtful smile.
His gaze then swept across the trainers gathered on the battlefield, quickly identifying Barry, Conway, and Lucas...
And Tobias.
"Now, the matchups for Round One will be announced!"
As the announcer's voice rang out, the giant screen at the top of the stadium flickered, rapidly sorting the 64 names into their respective matchups.
Paul's name appeared in the upper right corner.
His opponent?
"Nando."
Paul's lips moved slightly as he turned to face the bard holding a harp.
"Fate sure is funny."
In the original timeline, Ash had fought Nando in the first round of the Lily of the Valley Conference.
But now?
Paul was the one facing him instead.
"If this is fate, then the outcome is already decided."
Paul spoke bluntly.
Nando chuckled softly, plucking a note on his harp.
"Then let us see whether the melody of fate plays out as you expect."
With that, the opening ceremony concluded.
Later that night, Paul stopped by the Pokémon Center to make some final listing adjustments with Reggie. After that, he headed back toward his lodging.
"Hey, Paul! Come grab a bite!"
A familiar loud voice called out from the roadside.
Paul turned to see Barry, Dawn, and Lucas sitting at a small outdoor grill, all three of them looking his way.
"Not my habit."
Paul replied casually.
"You're battling Mr. Nando tomorrow. Have you decided which Pokémon to use?"
Lucas asked.
"Considering his background, I've chosen the three most suitable ones."
Paul didn't care how Lucas knew Nando, but he had already studied Nando's profile.
As always, Nando preferred Bug- and Grass-type Pokémon. His Pokémon specialized in dance and performance, possessing techniques well-suited for both battles and Pokémon Contests.
For an average Trainer, he would be a terrible opponent—one that couldn't be ignored.
But for Paul? Not quite.
No matter the tactics or techniques, there was only one fundamental requirement for victory—strength.
If perfection couldn't be achieved in other aspects, sheer strength alone could break through any strategy.
"Then let me wish you a victorious start."
Lucas smiled.
"I knew it. Paul, you're as confident as ever. No wonder you're one of only two real rivals I have in this League."
Barry grinned, a skewer of food in his mouth.
"Only two?"
Dawn tilted her head in confusion.
"Because neither Paul nor I can say for sure that we'll win."
Lucas explained in a low voice.
"Huh?! Lucas, what are you whispering about?"
Barry glanced, pouting at the two.
Lucas let out a small laugh and quickly changed the topic.
"By the way, the moon looks really round tonight."
"Yeah, it's really bright."
Dawn agreed.
"But tonight's a waning moon..."
Barry muttered, pouting again.
"Don't state the details! Just focus on eating!"
Lucas grabbed a skewer and filled it into Barry's mouth.
"Eat? I still want to talk to Paul—wait, huh?! Where's Paul?"
Barry turned around, only to realize that Paul was already gone.
"He left a moment ago."
"Ah..."
The Conference—was about to begin!
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