"Red! Blue! What are you two doing here?"
Ash beamed, practically vibrating with excitement.
"I came with Professor Oak! My mom said it was okay!"
Gary lifted his chin proudly, voice full of confidence.
"Master Chen, we agreed before, remember? I said I'd come watch your match."
"I never break my promises!"
Chen Shi chuckled and ruffled both their heads—but before he could speak, he noticed someone walking toward them.
Professor Samuel Oak.
Chen Shi straightened immediately and gently pulled the two kids aside before stepping forward.
"Teacher, you're here?"
"Teacher—?"
Steven and Cynthia froze mid-breath, staring at Chen Shi as if he had just evolved into a Legendary.
He was Professor Oak's student?
They knew Professor Oak's reputation—even if only in fragments.
He wasn't just a world-renowned researcher.
Before stepping into the academic world, he had been a trainer—and not just any trainer.
He was the former Champion of the Kanto League.
A true giant in both battle and academia.
A man standing at the top of the world.
And Chen Shi casually called him teacher?
No wonder the shock hit them like a Hyper Beam to the face.
Only Phoebe looked clueless—curiously circling around the old man like she was inspecting a strange artifact.
Professor Oak laughed heartily.
"These two little troublemakers wouldn't stop begging to watch the World Championship, so I brought them along."
"And besides—this time, important figures from every region are here."
"The lowest ranked is Elite-tier. If I didn't come, who knows if you could handle the pressure?"
Chen Shi blinked—then warmth crept into his chest.
That sentence carried a simple meaning:
I'm here to have your back.
But even so, part of him hesitated.
He leaned closer and whispered:
"Teacher… The representative from Kanto this time is Agatha."
"Are you… sure you're okay?"
Professor Oak froze for half a second.
Then—his smile twitched.
"You little brat—what do you take me for?! Why would I be afraid of her?"
Chen Shi simply stared back silently, eyes innocent.
Please. If Agatha walked in right now, you'd run faster than Zapdos flying with a tailwind.
…But of course, he only said that in his head.
Never out loud.
Professor Oak coughed twice, waving dismissively.
"Ahem—anyway, no problem! I've got everything under control!"
Then his tone switched like a switching Pokémon.
"But you—you better not embarrass me. If you don't make it to the semifinals, I came here for nothing!"
"I won't! Chen Shi is the strongest! He's definitely going to be Champion!"
Ash interrupted loudly before Chen Shi could respond.
"That's right! Master Chen is unbeatable!" Gary added, nodding fiercely.
Chen Shi sighed helplessly and introduced his friends.
"Teacher, these are my friends—Steven Stone, Cynthia, and Phoebe."
The three quickly greeted him politely.
Professor Oak's laugh boomed again.
"Ah yes—I've heard of you all. Excellent young talents. Work hard tomorrow!"
Steven and Cynthia smiled in acknowledgement.
Phoebe muttered something under her breath—but thankfully too quietly for anyone to decipher.
Chen Shi asked, "Teacher, did you just arrive today?"
"How about dinner together? My treat."
"That sounds great! Of course. Let's have a meal."
The two boys—and Phoebe—instantly lit up like Pikachu spotting a ketchup bottle.
In a private room at a hotel in Silver Town, Chen Shi finally sat down—only to find Ash and Gary had already claimed the seats beside him.
Cynthia exhaled helplessly and took a seat with Phoebe.
Once the food was ordered, Chen Shi asked,
"Teacher, earlier you said many important figures came. What did you mean?"
Professor Oak tapped his chin before answering:
"You've probably noticed—many veteran positions in the League haven't changed. Some leaders from the previous generation… didn't exactly produce many successors."
"This World Championship isn't just about rewards."
"It's a test—to evaluate your generation."
"If you perform well, the League will invest heavily in you. You will become candidates for future Elites—or even Champions."
He paused halfway through his next sentence—then stopped, keeping the rest to himself.
Everyone noticed—but no one pressed.
Chen Shi instead asked,
"So who else came?"
Professor Oak listed slowly:
"President Miyazaki from Hoenn. Bonnie. Drasna from Kalos. Professor Magnolia from Galar. Alder from Unova. And Bertha from Sinnoh."
"That's the official list."
Chen Shi nearly choked on his own breath.
Professor Oak wasn't kidding.
This lineup was terrifying—every single one an Elite or higher.
And that's just the public ones?
Steven muttered, stunned,
"President Miyazaki came personally?"
Professor Oak grinned.
"Hoenn produced three remarkable youths this year. Of course he came."
Steven finally understood.
Among the top eight, three were from Hoenn—himself, Chen Shi, and Wallace.
Even Kanto only had two—Lance and Lorelei.
Ash tugged Chen Shi's sleeve and asked,
"Chen Shi, is tomorrow's match the semifinals?"
"That's right. Why?"
"I'll cheer for you! You have to win!"
Chen Shi smiled. "I will."
"And me! I'll cheer too!" Gary added, refusing to be outdone.
Professor Oak looked at Chen Shi, expression softening.
"Do what your heart wants. Don't fear anything."
"As long as I'm here—you're not alone."
Chen Shi's hands tightened slightly—and he nodded firmly.
Cynthia and Phoebe exchanged confused looks but said nothing.
Steven, however, lowered his gaze thoughtfully.
There was meaning in those words.
And he knew Chen Shi understood it, too.
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