As the son of Byron, Roark's talent as a Trainer was in no way inferior to his father's. In less than two years of traveling, he had already made quite a name for himself.
He was the newest "rising star" to shine brightly after the twin stars of Sinnoh, Flint and Volkner.
Now, with his sudden appearance at the Exploration Competition, the people of Canalave City were immediately fired up, cheering enthusiastically for him.
In their eyes, Roark was their own boy. No matter what kind of result he achieved, they would still be extremely proud.
"Leader Sato, that's my useless son. He only got second place at the Lily of the Valley Conference not long ago… I was so mad I didn't even want him to come back."
Despite the self-deprecating words, Byron's face couldn't hide his smile.
Truly, all parents in the world are the same. They talk about how their children are lacking in this or that, claim their accomplishments are nothing special… but inside, they're already bursting with pride.
If someone else adds a few compliments about their child at that moment… well then, suddenly the back doesn't ache, the legs don't hurt, the food tastes better, and everything sounds pleasant.
Then, Sato simply nodded and chose to stay silent.
Byron's smile froze on his face as he looked at Sato, who didn't say a word. He suddenly remembered that Sato was only three or four years older than his own son, and yet already stood on equal footing with him.
In an instant, Byron felt life was dull. Compared to others, the son he'd raised with so much effort…
Was just so-so…
However, what Sato was thinking internally was that Roark was only two or three years younger than himself. Calling him "gaki" would probably make more sense. Judging someone from the position of an elder…
'Hmm… not a good idea.'
As for that whole set of mutual boasting communication between parents… sorry, Sato had never experienced it. He didn't even know it existed.
Roark's appearance brought a small peak to the competition, and in the time that followed, he appeared frequently on the main screen, clearly racking up solid results.
Not long after, judging from the footage being broadcast, Roark had already caught a Steelix, an Onix, a Golem, and a Golbat. All wild Pokémon with relatively high point values.
Roark's rapid capture pace got the audience fired up. Every time he threw a Capture Ball, everyone held their breath, and when the capture succeeded, they cheered together.
The local prestige of Canalave Gym was on full display.
Finally, the screen cut back to Mark. He, too, had encountered a massive Steelix.
Under Lucario's Agility plus guaranteed-hit Aura Sphere combo, the Steelix went down in just a few hits.
This time, Mark didn't hesitate at all. He immediately tossed a Capture Ball and added the Steelix to his collection.
Gradually, Mark began to fire up. He went on to encounter a Golem, an Onix, and a Golbat. And successfully captured all of them.
Soon, someone noticed that, in terms of captured Pokémon, Mark and Roark were currently tied.
The key was that Mark had also started with a 100 score tokens, which made many spectators start worrying about Roark.
Could their boy actually lose?
Though Sato and Joseph weren't seated together, both couldn't help but feel a bit speechless. What were the odds they'd each captured the exact same four Pokémon?
Now, the two sides that originally had no connection at all were suddenly put into opposition.
…And Byron's expression naturally didn't look too good. That 100 score token felt like a Steelix, pressing down heavily on him as he worried for Roark.
Nurse Joy had witnessed the whole thing, and though she wore a "calm and smiling" expression, beneath it was clearly a look of someone watching a show unfold.
As the participants ventured deeper into the island, the main screen kept switching feeds nonstop. One thrilling capture battle after another lit up the screen, pulling the spectators' attention away from just Roark and Mark.
"Roark has discovered a new area! …Wait… WHAAAT?!"
Suddenly, the host's shriek echoed across the venue. The entire broadcast screen abruptly merged into one.
Roark's slightly disheveled figure appeared on the main screen, and behind him, a swiftly flowing river immediately caught everyone's eye.
"Looks like an underground river… I didn't expect Iron Island to have such hidden place! Magnemite, did you get that recorded? Let everyone verify if this qualifies as a new area."
Roark's voice came through clearly. Byron couldn't hold back a loud laugh. "This punk's got decent luck too. Discovering a new area adds 150 points, not bad at all!"
Sato nodded beside him. Judging by Roark's appearance, he did seem to have stumbled into the place by accident, he was covered in mud and looked pretty messy.
But whether it was an accident or not didn't really matter. A 50 point gap was just half a score token.
Sato hadn't demanded that Mark had to win first place, but if he really didn't win… Mark might start doubting his whole existence.
The only real thing Mark had going for him… was his luck.
In the next instant, the main screen flashed again. This time, the feed didn't split, it immediately showed someone the entire crowd recognized by his messy hair.
Byron's smile froze. His eyes widened in shock. Had Mark also discovered a new area? Otherwise, why else would he get the full-screen broadcast?
The answer quickly came: a sparkling golden Geodude appeared before Mark, fully visible to the entire audience.
A Shiny Pokémon!
'Oh no…'
If Roark discovering a new area had made the audience cheer in joy, Mark encountering a Shiny Pokémon left them utterly stunned.
Even Nurse Joy couldn't help but show a second expression beyond her usual smile.
Finding a Shiny Pokémon during the Exploration Competition was basically like cheating; it left no chance for the other participants to fight for first place.
It was just a Geodude. Even if it was Shiny, it couldn't withstand a single casually thrown Aura Sphere from Lucario.
As the Capture Ball flew toward the Shiny Geodude, countless people silently prayed that a third party would jump in and interfere.
…Unfortunately, the Capture Ball hit the Shiny Geodude dead-on. A flash of red light drew it in, and it gave just a couple of symbolic shakes.
… … …
Ding~
Shiny Geodude! Successfully caught!
---
The entire venue fell silent.
For the rest of the day, the audience stands remained eerily orderly.
Even when Roark went on to capture two more Steelix and a Golem, there was barely any reaction.
The moment Mark caught that Shiny Geodude, the outcome of the Exploration Competition was essentially decided.
According to the event's rules, any participant who caught a Shiny Pokémon or a never-before-seen Pokémon would receive 500 points.
A Steelix was only worth 60 points. There was no way Roark could catch ten of them now.
And it wasn't like Mark would stop catching more Pokémon.
In terms of bonus points from score tokens, Mark had started with 100. No one could say Roark had the upper hand there.
Mark's luck was just outrageous. Everyone who had been watching understood that clearly now.