Time quickly passed to the next day.
Reaching the semifinals meant that this Master Tournament was nearing its end.
Among the four advancing competitors, all were either Elite Four members or Champions. Even Raihan, often referred to as the "strongest Gym Leader," had been stopped at the quarterfinals.
The powerful abilities of the contestants made the audience even more eager for the upcoming two fierce battles.
The first match of the day would still have Cynthia going first, facing Hassel, the Paldea Dragon-type Elite Four member who decisively crushed Clair yesterday.
After seeing Cynthia off into the player's tunnel, when Aiden arrived at the stands, they were already packed full.
As the world's number one sport by a wide margin, the popularity of Pokémon battles was evident.
Perhaps right now, a large number of viewers were waiting in his live stream. Most couldn't make the trip due to the distance and could only watch online.
Since some of the competitors had already been eliminated, Aiden could even see Clair's figure next to Caitlin.
Perhaps because of her devastating loss in the quarterfinals, today Clair looked notably dispirited.
However, Aiden wasn't particularly close with Clair, so he didn't plan on comforting her.
This is true for any competitive event; no matter how much both sides want to win, there will only be one winner.
As trainers, it's impossible to never fail. Moreover, it's not surprising that Clair lost to an Elite Four member.
Maybe after losing a few more times, she'll learn to adjust her mindset.
After all, her idol, the genius from the Dragon Envoy family, also gradually had his rough edges smoothed out in the battles among the Elite Four...
After nodding to her and Caitlin as a greeting, Aiden quickly started his main task—
Live streaming the Master Tournament!
Having already streamed once yesterday, the online audience knowing today and tomorrow's matches would be even more exciting had gathered in his live room early.
As the Master Tournament venue appeared on the screen, countless viewers instantly cheered.
[Wait wait wait, I'm 'Impatient Wings', why hasn't the match started yet?]
[Yay! In the semifinals, we get to see Ms. Cynthia, the beauty with both strength and grace again!]
[Who do you support today, streamer?]
"It should be soon. The players have already all gone backstage."
"As for who I support today... I'm a ten-year Cynthia fan here!"
Since the match hadn't started yet, Aiden had some time to interact a bit with the chat.
Whether looking at strength or familiarity, he obviously favored Cynthia more for this battle, and the reason was simple—
Because he had also temporarily taken on the role of Cynthia's coach and last night helped her analyze the Pokémon Hassel might use.
"Elite Four member Hassel's strength is definitely not lacking, but it will be somewhat difficult for him to win like he did yesterday."
"As everyone knows, our Sinnoh Champion Cynthia's ace is Garchomp. Although Duraludon has strong defensive capabilities, it's still not enough against the piercing power of Garchomp."
Upon hearing Aiden's words, Clair beside him immediately furrowed her brows.
As the victim of the previous battle, she could feel the importance of type combinations in this Master Tournament.
If only she had a Flygon, maybe she could've managed to take down that Duraludon...
Unless, like her cousin Lance, using two Dragonites to keep the opponent guessing about tactics, it might be possible to compensate for some of the disadvantages brought by types.
If only she had realized this earlier...
No, a loss is a loss.
Clair sighed and quietly waited for the upcoming match.
As for the live audience, their focus was completely not on Aiden's pre-match analysis but rather...
[Our Sinnoh Champion? Streamer, aren't you a Gym Leader in Paldea!?]
[Sinnoh's move was too ruthless, actually using the Champion to poach talent...]
[Streamer: I hardly know Paldea, you know. I've long wanted to bring my talents to Sinnoh!] (IYKYK ;) )
"..."
Aiden belatedly realized that few people knew he was originally from Sinnoh.
"Cough cough— Both competitors are ready to enter. Let's turn our attention to the upcoming exciting match!"
Noticing the host's introduction had temporarily concluded, Aiden swiftly changed the topic, simultaneously aiming his Rotom towards the battlefield ahead.
The elegant and spirited Cynthia and the composed and steady Hassel quickly appeared in view.
Seeing this meticulous Paldea Elite Four member again made Aiden quickly recall memories.
Like Brassius, the Gym Leader of Artazon who went out for inspiration, Hassel was also a trainer passionate about art, regarded by Brassius as a life mentor, and even planned to teach art at the academy in the future.
He was also the young master of Paldea's Dragon Master family, though he left home in his youth to pursue his dream of becoming a musician and never returned to inherit the position of family head.
I have a feeling he might have a lot in common with Lance.
With the referee's whistle, Cynthia and Hassel simultaneously threw their Poké Balls.
"Hassel didn't choose Duraludon as his starter but instead sent out Baxcalibur, the pseudo-legendary Pokémon of the Paldea region."
Aiden narrowed his eyes, showing an expression of "just as expected," and continued:
"Using the Sinnoh Victory Road as a reference, the Pokémon in Cynthia's hands could be predicted in advance."
"In the case of only having two Dragon-type Pokémon, namely Garchomp and Kommo-o, starting with Baxcalibur is a very straightforward matchup—"
"He's targeting Cynthia's ace Garchomp."
"However, it's clear his prediction was preemptively countered."
While Aiden was speaking, Cynthia's Poké Ball also emitted a red light, and the fierce-looking Kommo-o made a dazzling entrance.
This was the result Aiden and Cynthia discussed last night.
Whether it's Garchomp or Kommo-o in her hand, both pose significant threats to Duraludon. Mishandling them could easily lead to failure.
Therefore, he speculated that Hassel would most likely not start with Duraludon.
It's not that being type-disadvantaged means there's no way to play, but who wouldn't want an advantage right from the start?
As for Hassel's other choices...
Unless a Dragon Master can pull out a Fairy-type Pokémon on the spot, otherwise, Fighting-Dragon types can be challenged.
As a robust pseudo-legendary, Kommo-o, except for its Fairy-type weakness, can hold its own even against Baxcalibur, which excels in Ice and Dragon types.
Both sides can effectively deal damage to each other, and the deciding factor would be the trainers' command abilities.
And this was precisely where Cynthia excelled.
"Baxcalibur, Ice Fang!"
Right at the start, Hassel chose to strike first, using the attack method of throwing ice spears to try and wear down Kommo-o's stamina.
Cynthia smiled slightly and immediately countered—
"Kommo-o, use Iron Defense!"
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