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Indigo Plateau.
In Charles Goodshow's office, Charles Goodshow and Mammon were leisurely brewing tea.
"Mammon, have you heard? Wallace from Hoenn was challenged twice in a row a while ago, and his ranking has dropped again."
Charles Goodshow chuckled, taking a sip of tea, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"I know. Drayton and Kieran challenged him."
Mammon let out a soft laugh.
"With the World Championship starting, the public has realized just how many powerful hidden Trainers there are. However…"
Charles Goodshow was both joyful and emotional.
"At this rate, the competition for the Eight Masters ranking in the second half of the year will be incredibly fierce."
Indeed, Charles Goodshow could already foresee it.
Currently, the most intense ranking battles are for the top fifty. Blue, Drayton, and Kieran's challenges to Wallace were just the beginning.
In recent years, the number of exceptionally talented Trainers has been too high. For now, the ranking battles are only at the 'Ultra Ball-level'.
But in the second half of the year, the flames of war will surely spread to the 'Master Ball-level'.
"The strong rising to the top, that's just how it is."
"Speaking of which, I also have something I'd like to discuss with you, Chairman."
Mammon pondered for a moment.
"Regarding the second stage of the Tournament, don't you think it would be a bit too monotonous if it were just an internal battle among the Eight Masters?"
"You mean, add another segment to the Tournament?"
Charles Goodshow immediately understood Mammon's meaning.
"Exactly. There are too many powerful Trainers now. I think it would be a shame if, after the first stage of the ranking Tournament, we only had the Eight Masters Tournament."
"How about adding another segment? In the second segment, the top thirty-two ranked Trainers would compete to determine the true 'Eight Masters', and then the battles among the Eight Masters would proceed."
Mammon expressed his idea.
"This would both increase the watchability of the Tournament and make the 'Eight Masters' title more prestigious."
"But wouldn't that be somewhat unfair to the Trainers who are designated as 'Eight Masters' at the end of the first stage?"
Charles Goodshow frowned, considering the suggestion.
"We could add a 'revival match' mechanism for the Eight Masters from the first stage. If they are defeated by other Trainers in the second stage, they could have another random match. If they fail to seize both opportunities…"
"Then… hehe~"
Mammon didn't finish, but the meaning was self-evident.
If you can't advance with two chances, who can you blame?
You were given opportunities, but you couldn't make use of them.
"That's a good idea. I'll discuss it with the chairmen of the other regions."
Charles Goodshow nodded; he thought this was truly viable.
After all, the ranking stage allows for targeted preparation, especially for those ranked just below the 'Eight Masters' who can launch successive challenges.
Under continuous intense battles, it's inevitable for Trainers to become mentally exhausted and then be defeated.
With this second stage of matching battles, it would not only increase the appeal but also add more prestige to the 'Eight Masters' who ultimately emerge.
"Who are you planning to challenge next, Mammon?"
Charles Goodshow teased Mammon.
"I'm not planning to challenge anyone for now. I'll rest for a while," Mammon chuckled softly.
World Tree Castle.
"Are we going to decide based on the World Championship rankings?"
Cynthia mused, deep in thought. In truth, she wasn't particularly keen on competing with these younger generations, as she was older than Selene and the others.
Moreover, in Cynthia's view, as long as Mammon was fair and impartial, he should be able to resolve any family conflicts.
Yet, she also strongly agreed with what Selene said: regardless of anything, everyone would be family and live together in the future, so having a clear hierarchy was indeed very important.
It could prevent many unnecessary disputes.
"Exactly. I think this is the fairest way."
Selene nodded. She had the right to say such a thing.
After all, she was Mammon's first girlfriend. In terms of how long they had known each other, she was the earliest among everyone present to meet Mammon.
So, Selene certainly had the right to propose this idea.
"I have no objections."
Caitlin spoke calmly. Caitlin was very confident in her World Championship ranking; even if she couldn't secure the position of the main wife, she could still achieve a good ranking.
"But Lillie isn't a Trainer, is she? What about her?"
Rosa thought for a moment and wasn't against it, but this method would be unfair to sisters who weren't Trainers.
For example, Lillie.
"Oh, I don't mind," Lillie said softly, smiling and shaking her head.
Her personality wasn't the assertive type; she wasn't one to contend or snatch, so it didn't matter to her.
Besides, although she wasn't a Trainer, Lunala was her good friend, and she was also pregnant with Mammon's child.
Who would dare to look down on her?
"Then I have no objections either." Seeing that Lillie had said so, Rosa shrugged.
"Then let's settle on this. Regardless, everyone will be sisters in the future, and getting along well is the most important thing."
Selene smiled brightly, finally adding a reminder.
Although the idea was to establish a hierarchy, compared to that, the stability and harmony of the family were paramount.
Selene was very clear about this point.
"Yes, but is Platinum okay? If it's by the end of the year, it should be Platinum's due date."
Cynthia looked at Platinum with concern.
Cynthia and the others all knew that Platinum was also pregnant.
"It's alright. Mammon is currently nurturing the baby with his abilities, and I don't feel as tired as before. Whether I can participate then… we'll see,"
Platinum shook her head, smiling gently.
It was February now. Theoretically, she should be due around November, which would be close to the final stage of the World Championship.
Compared to the competition, her health and the baby were, of course, the most important.
So, Platinum couldn't be sure if she would still be able to participate then.
However, it wasn't a big problem. Platinum's mindset was similar to Lillie's; she wasn't very concerned about her status within the family.
"That's right, health is the most important thing. Speaking of which, if you're too weak after giving birth, there's a way."
Selene thought for a moment.
"Xerneas has always been in the paradise. At that time, Mammon can temporarily awaken Xerneas and have it transfer some life energy to you. That should solve the problem."
Serena also suggested, and honestly, Serena strongly suspected, did Platinum really need to compete herself?
Akari could totally stand in for her… and her battle record would definitely be better than Platinum's own.
No, to put it another way, Platinum and Akari could fight side-by-side, damn it.
What kind of 'mother-daughter love' is this?
"Eh?" Platinum was startled by the remark.
"Serena seems to be right. Having Xerneas infuse some life energy into your baby might make the child healthier, and their physique will definitely be better in the future."
Caitlin thought Serena's suggestion was very feasible.
However, the regrettable thing was that Xerneas hadn't woken up yet.
"There's no need for that, it's too exaggerated," Platinum said, a little embarrassed.
"That's so nice~ Hilda, why is my belly so uncooperative?"
Rosa said enviously to Hilda in a low voice. She wanted a baby too!
"How would I know?" Hilda replied grumpily. At this moment, she still looked worried, having been inexplicably dragged into this 'family meeting' by Rosa.
And they were even talking about ranking family status by World Championship results.
What the hell did that have to do with her?
Hilda was now very worried about her matches in the World Championship. If she were to be matched with these women then…
Wouldn't they go all out against her?
Hilda was very troubled.
After chatting for a while longer, this so-called 'family meeting' dispersed, everyone going their separate ways.
"Everything went smoothly, didn't it?"
Outside the castle, Selene happily opened a soda and took a sip. Chilled soda was truly delicious.
Selene was in a very good mood. In her opinion, she would absolutely dominate the World Championship at the end of the year!
That's right, she was that confident!
"You seem very confident." Caitlin appeared behind Selene, looking at her rather strangely.
"Caitlin, scaring people can literally scare them to death."
Selene was startled by the sudden voice. She turned around and patted her chest. Caitlin really walked without making any sound.
"Actually, you didn't need this suggestion. Your status is still the highest for now."
Caitlin walked gracefully to the tree, then turned to look at Selene.
"That's also maintained by the initial concept of first-come, first-served. I want my sisters to acknowledge me from the bottom of their hearts, otherwise, there will always be annoying issues later."
"And Caitlin, do you know?"
Selene's lips slowly curved into a smile, her expression sharp and arrogant.
"I've always believed that no one in this world can be more outstanding than Mammon and me! Not a single one!"
"Whether it's you, or Cynthia, or Rosa and the others, none of you can be my opponent!"
"Caitlin, just you watch. By the end of the year, besides Mammon, even Uncle Giovanni won't be able to defeat me!"
Arrogant!
Undoubtedly, this was absolute arrogance.
Caitlin's beautiful eyes sparkled with a strange light as she looked at Selene, whose face was pure but whose confidence and arrogance stemmed from her very bones.
Indeed, this was Selene's absolute self-confidence.
She firmly believed that no other girl could be more outstanding than her.
There was still almost a year, and Selene also believed in her growth rate. By the end of the year, even Giovanni, who commanded Groudon, she would be able to defeat him.
Absolutely!
"You truly live up to your name, Selene."
Caitlin couldn't help but smile. Turning around, she had already found her answer.
Dressed in a form-fitting pink long dress, she moved gracefully, her golden hair swaying gently, her elegant and beautiful figure truly dreamlike.
"But can you truly defeat everyone?"
Perhaps in this era, no woman can truly compare to you, Selene.
But what if that child also participates?
Caitlin's lips curved slightly. That would surely be a very interesting sight.