Even though Qi himself wasn't speaking, the people around him continued chatting nonstop, and Icarus took the opportunity to gather a lot of useful information—some about Qi, and some about the unwritten rules of the tournament.
"That guy named Qi seems pretty famous. His starter Pokémon was a Krabby, and he evolved it into a Kingler last year. I just heard someone say he recently broke through to the Superior stage, so it must've been his Kingler that advanced.
It's a Water-type, so with Weepinbell to counter it, I might still have a chance."
He silently memorized Qi's information. This was definitely a dangerous opponent.
Earlier, a heavyweight seed contestant from the family faction had apparently arrived too, but he was too far away for Icarus to see clearly. He only caught a glimpse of the man's back and heard a few comments. Still, for someone to receive that much praise from the family side, he was definitely a young Superior-level Trainer.
In theory, the annual Qingmu Conference was open to any local Trainer under fifty years old. In reality, though, ordinary beginner Trainers rarely participated. Their priority was still breaking into the Ordinary Level first.
As for the older Superior-level Trainers, they generally wouldn't participate either. They had their pride. Established Superior Trainers in their forties were already considered influential figures in Aoki Town, and competing with younger Trainers for a few million in prize money would honestly look embarrassing.
Besides, once someone reached the Superior stage, there were plenty of ways to earn money.
Some people, tired of adventuring, established small families or gangs and opened businesses.
Others, determined to push toward the Elite-level, formed hunting teams and spent their lives carrying out dangerous missions in the wild.
No matter which path they chose, none of them were truly desperate for prize money anymore. A few million alliance currency was certainly valuable, but not valuable enough to make them throw away the dignity and reputation they had built over decades.
After all, if they chose to settle down in town instead of traveling the world, reputation became extremely important.
Furthermore, the Aoki Conference had another rule: a person could only participate three times in their life. Most Trainers who were still around by their forties had already used up their chances.
Of course, Icarus suspected there was another reason those older Trainers stayed away.
More than ten years ago, the patriarch of a small family suddenly remembered he still had one participation slot remaining. Ignoring his status, he joined the Qingmu Conference and successfully won first place. The reward was provided by the Joy Family, but shortly afterward, he was forcibly conscripted for a dangerous cleanup mission and eventually died outside town—almost exactly like that stubborn "Iron Head" commoner from before.
The meaning behind it was obvious.
The Aoki Conference wasn't meant for old veterans to return and collect rewards. It was a stage reserved for the younger and middle-aged generation of Aoki Town.
And honestly, would anyone stupid enough to win first place come back the next year to compete again?
Of course not.
Anyone capable of taking first place would at least possess average social intelligence. If they had already become an apprentice or married into one of the major powers, then even if they themselves were foolish, their backers would definitely remind them not to come back and monopolize the rewards.
As for anyone arrogant enough to openly defy the wishes of the three major powers and continue competing for rewards year after year…
Icarus estimated they would probably end up "accidentally" dying during another forced cleanup mission.
After all, if someone at the Superior stage already dared to challenge the authority of the major powers, why would those powers continue investing resources to raise them to the Elite-level?
That would just be raising a dangerous wolf.
So, after thinking everything through, Icarus reached a conclusion:
The annual Aoki Conference was essentially a talent selection event.
Anyone wanting to develop under the League's major factions needed to treasure these three opportunities and showcase their full talent each time.
On the other hand, anyone who wanted freedom—to travel without being tied down—absolutely could not take first place.
Even if they had the strength to win, they would need to lose deliberately in a believable way.
Because first place almost guaranteed recruitment into one of the three major powers. Once someone joined, they would inevitably have to follow those organizations' rules.
Even the patriarch of the Asada Family, despite leading an Elite-level family, still obeyed the Gym Leader in everything.
Fortunately, Icarus didn't need to worry about that right now.
He was almost certain he wouldn't win first place anyway.
His goal was simply to enter the top three.
But now, just from what he had seen, two Superior-level Trainers had already appeared. Who knew how many more hidden experts there were?
He knew he hadn't arrived especially early. There were probably more seed contestants hidden in the crowd—people who looked ordinary but were secretly extremely strong.
"Getting into the top three is going to be difficult now… Maybe I really do need to copy that Superior-level secret manual first."
Icarus rubbed his nose, feeling increasingly uncertain.
Although he had three mid-stage Pokémon, Houndoom had only recently broken through.
He felt confident about reaching the top sixteen. The top eight was possible too.
But the top four?
That was hard to say.
Experienced mid-stage Trainers definitely wouldn't only have three Pokémon. After several rounds, all of Icarus's cards would be exposed. If he encountered an established Trainer who deliberately countered his lineup with type advantages, losing was entirely possible.
And once he reached the later rounds, none of the remaining contestants would be weak.
"Brother Icarus, relax. Just think of this as gaining experience."
At that moment, Airi patted Icarus's shoulder and quietly comforted him.
She had clearly noticed his changing expression.
"Mm, I'm fine, Airi. I just feel like I might only be here to gain experience this year."
Icarus forced a smile.
"Airi and I only hope to pass two rounds. Brother Icarus, you'll definitely make it to at least the third or fourth round."
Stone also noticed Icarus's gloomy mood and added his own encouragement.
"Alright, let's all do our best."
Icarus couldn't exactly say, "I absolutely have to reach the top three!" Not when a certain maid was still waiting for his full approval. So he simply smiled and pretended he had already adjusted his mindset.
"Ahem~ All Trainers, please quiet down."
At that moment, a deep voice suddenly echoed from the high platform ahead.
"It's starting!"
"Line up quickly!"
"Hurry up!"
The experienced Trainers immediately understood that the tournament was about to officially begin and quickly organized themselves.
Soon, the noisy hall quieted down.
Everyone's attention focused on the high platform at the very front.
"Thank you all for your cooperation. Next, we invite our Gym Leader, Lord Arai, to deliver the opening speech."
The host stepped aside after speaking.
"Ahem. Good afternoon, outstanding Trainers of Aoki Town! I am the Gym Leader of Arai Gym!"
Even from the back of the hall, Icarus could hear the Gym Leader clearly through the loudspeakers and giant screens.
"Woohoo!"
"Clap clap clap!"
Hearing the Gym Leader greet them, the crowd erupted into applause.
Icarus and Stone joined in as well.
"…Sniff… sniff…"
But beside them, Airi didn't clap.
Instead, her body trembled slightly, and faint sobs came from beneath her oversized robe.
"Airi, control yourself. We can't keep running forever. You need to learn to face the past. If you don't even have the courage to face him, then even if you become stronger than him someday, you still won't be able to take revenge."
Icarus immediately noticed her abnormal reaction and quietly tried to comfort her.
"Listen to Brother Icarus, Airi. Stay calm."
Stone also patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"…Mm. I just lost control for a moment. I'm okay now."
Hearing the two comfort her, Airi gradually calmed down.
Fortunately, she stood between the two of them and remained hidden beneath her robe, so nobody else noticed what had happened.
"All Trainers are the pride and future of Aoki Town…"
The Gym Leader naturally noticed none of this and continued delivering his routine speech.
Every year, the contents changed slightly, but the core message remained the same: encouragement, motivation, and praise for the Gym.
Still, these speeches were useful.
Even repetitive words acted like advertising, strengthening the Gym's influence and reputation year after year.
"Next, we invite Miss Joy to deliver her speech!"
After the Gym Leader finally finished, it was Nurse Joy's turn.
"Hello everyone! I am Joy from the Pokémon Center~"
Dressed in her pink nurse uniform, Joy gracefully greeted the Trainers below the stage.
"Miss Joy is so beautiful!"
"Angel! Angel!"
"We love you forever!"
The crowd immediately exploded into cheers again.
Especially the commoner Trainers, who shouted shamelessly without restraint.
"This is a little exaggerated… though she really is beautiful."
Icarus helplessly covered his ears.
The screams nearby were honestly too loud.
He had to admit that Joy was incredibly attractive. Purely in terms of facial beauty, she might even surpass Luna. Her appearance perfectly embodied softness and elegance, creating a gentle beauty that naturally triggered protective instincts in men.
"But Luna's figure is better than Joy's."
After secretly comparing them in his mind, Icarus reached this conclusion.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm, but our time is limited, so please quiet down and let me finish speaking."
Seeing the overwhelming response, Joy smiled gently before reminding everyone.
"Quiet down!"
"If you love Miss Joy, then listen to her!"
"Stop yelling!"
The fans immediately began helping restore order, and the hall quickly quieted again.
"Thank you for your cooperation. This year, our Pokémon Center and the town logistics department have prepared everything for all participating Trainers…"
Joy bowed slightly before beginning her speech.
Since the event wasn't hosted by the Joy Family, her speaking time was relatively short, but she still completed her prepared remarks smoothly.
"Next, we invite the final guest of this tournament—Miss Jenny! She is also this tournament's organizer, and the first-place prize has been personally provided by Miss Jenny!"
As soon as Joy left the stage, the host immediately introduced the final speaker.
"Ahem~ Hello everyone. I am Jenny from the Police Department."
Unlike Joy's soft voice, Jenny's voice sounded sharp, clear, and authoritative.
"Miss Jenny! My goddess!"
"She's so cool!"
"Those legs are incredible!"
"She looks amazing in uniform!"
The hall instantly erupted into another wave of excited shouting.
Unlike Joy's gentle beauty, Jenny gave off a heroic, mature, and commanding aura. She looked like the kind of strong woman nobody dared approach casually.
Combined with the police uniform…
According to an unnamed Trainer's "survey," six or seven out of ten men in town would choose Jenny over Joy, largely because of the uniform bonus.
"Everyone quiet down! All units—silence! Attention!"
Unlike Joy, Jenny directly issued commands through the loudspeaker.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Trainers immediately shut their mouths and stood straight.
After all, the Police Department controlled most of the town's law enforcement authority.
"Good. Now then, let me first discuss the current state of our Police Department. First of all, this year…"
As the organizer, Jenny had the longest speaking time and calmly began her speech from the beginning.
"…Finally, I hope all of you achieve excellent results in this tournament!"