Julian Reed had seen this coming. Guinaifen was, at her core, a baseline human—perhaps a bit sturdier than most thanks to her life as a street performer, but her mental processing power had its limits.
The "Soul Link" and the sheer intensity of the high-speed tactical battle had forced her brain into an overclocked state. The adrenaline had acted as a temporary patch, but once the flame of competition flickered out, the crash was inevitable. Fainting was her body's way of hitting the reset button.
"Don't worry," Julian murmured to the staff. He had already prepped a medical team from the Alchemy Commission. A specialized medical attendant stepped onto the stage, efficiently checking her vitals before carrying her toward the infirmary.
Owlbert's voice boomed across the stadium, calming the panicked murmurs of the fans. "Rest assured, everyone! The doctors have confirmed that Guinaifen has simply suffered from mental exhaustion. She'll be back on her feet after a good rest!"
"Guinaifen! Guinaifen!"
The chant started in the back rows and swept through the stadium like a tidal wave. Even in defeat, she had won the heart of the Luofu. Her unyielding will had turned a "game" into a legendary struggle.
The Preparation Area
In the stands, the Fruit Shop Part-timer was hunched over a recording device, his fingers flying across a holographic interface as he logged the battle data. He paused occasionally to nod, a small, knowing smile touching his lips.
Fu Xuan, meanwhile, felt a lingering hum of excitement in her chest—a sensation she hadn't felt since the high-stakes days of the Abundance Wars. The battle had moved her in a way pure divination never could.
Welt Yang adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing as he watched Silver Wolf return to the bench. "I never thought I'd be so moved by a simulation," he whispered. "No... this isn't a game anymore. This is a collision of realities."
A rare spark of envy flickered in Welt's heart. He wanted that. He wanted to feel that connection on the stage. As he stood up, his glasses caught the light, glowing with a sharp, white intensity. He began walking toward the tunnel.
Silver Wolf, catching his eye, gave a tiny, rare smirk before her projection flickered out. The "Veteran" was finally getting serious.
The Dragon Lady's Visit
In the infirmary, Sushang burst through the doors, her face pale with worry. She stopped dead when she saw the small, dragon-horned girl directing the medical attendants.
"Lady Bailu?!"
"Shh! Keep it down!" The "Medicine-Carrying Dragon Girl" huffed, checking Guinaifen's pulse. "You must be her friend. She's fine, just pushed her brain too hard. My secret brew will have her up and jumping by dinner."
Bailu leaned in, her tail swishing with excitement. "Listen, I saw the match. It was amazing! When she wakes up, tell her she must add me as a Pokémon friend. Here's my contact info." She pressed a slip of paper into Sushang's hand. "And don't tell the Alchemy Commission elders you saw me out here, or I'll be back in the compound by sunset!"
With a final, "Remember to add me!", the High Elder of the Vidyadhara scurried out the back door.
Sushang looked at her sleeping friend, a sense of awe washing over her. "Even the High Elder is a fan... Guinaifen, you really did it. You aren't just a streamer anymore; you've become the soul of this competition."
The Master's Move
Back in the arena, the third round's final marquee match had begun: Welt Yang vs. Lei Yue.
Influenced by the raw passion of the previous fight, both players skipped the usual cautious probing. After a few initial feints, the match exploded into a high-octane brawl.
Lei Yue was a formidable Electric specialist, and unlike the previous "glass cannons," her team was built for sustain. However, she was facing a man who had navigated the fundamental laws of the universe. Welt used his Dragonite and Gyarados not just for power, but as anchors for complex tactical traps. He baited Lei Yue into overcommitting her AOE attacks, only to punish the cooldown windows with surgical precision.
As the match reached its climax, the normally composed Welt Yang was swept up in the heat. He was no longer just a scholar; he was a Trainer.
"Dragonite! Hyper Beam—Finish it!"
When the final blow landed and the victory screen flashed, Welt actually let out a triumphant shout, punching the air with a grin that made him look twenty years younger.
"Haha! I knew Uncle Yang had a hidden wild side!" March 7th laughed, snapping a photo of the cheering Welt. "I'm sending this to Dan Heng right now. 'The High Elder of the Astral Express has lost his cool!'"
Himeko watched with a soft, knowing smile. She remembered Welt when he first boarded the Express, often locked in intense, expressive debates with the Void Archives. Over the years, the "burdens of adulthood" had smoothed him into a stoic mentor.
"It seems," Himeko whispered, "that Julian's world has given him back something he thought he'd left behind."
The first round of the Top 8 was over. The stage was set for the semifinals, and the galaxy waited with bated breath to see who would claim the title of the first Pokémon Master.
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