When Chen Shi saw Cynthia again, it was already the next day—in the Silver Conference lounge.
And the moment he saw her, he froze.
Today, Cynthia… had makeup on.
Just the slightest touch, but enough to add an enchanting glow atop a face that was already breathtaking without effort.
She had never worn makeup before—not once. She simply never needed it.
Her face alone looked like it had been carved carefully by the gods.
So why today…?
Chen Shi instinctively felt something was off.
He leaned a little closer to take a better look—
Cynthia tilted her head away ever so slightly.
"Don't look."
That single reaction confirmed his suspicion.
She never dodged him before.
At most she'd blush.
Hide? Never.
Something was definitely up.
But since she clearly didn't want to explain, Chen Shi didn't ask.
Some things, you push and you get nowhere.
Phoebe let out a dramatic sigh.
"Big brother… can you two not do this first thing in the morning? People are watching! Should we leave you alone?"
Right then, she wanted to yell:
Why am I stuck between two people flirting at sunrise?!
Do you not see the single girl dying here?!
Steven nodded solemnly.
He felt the same.
Chen Shi opened his mouth to respond—
But the screen lit up, and the host's face appeared, interrupting everything.
"Good morning, dear viewers! Welcome to the semifinals of the World Championship!"
"Today, we only have two matches—but these two matches will decide the finalists!"
"And after careful consideration, the committee has decided to change the semifinal format to a full 6-on-6 unrestricted rotation battle!"
The announcement dropped like a bomb.
The entire arena detonated in cheers.
Flags waved, fans screamed—
The roof practically trembled from the noise.
"And now," the host continued, "it's time for everyone's favorite moment—our matchup draw!"
On the big screen, the portraits of Steven, Cynthia, Lance, and Chen Shi appeared, scrambled, spun, shuffled—
Then stopped.
Chen Shi VS Cynthia
Steven VS Lance
The crowd exploded.
Chen Shi pressed his fingers against his temples.
Exactly what he had been afraid of.
Perfect. Just perfect.
Cynthia's golden eyes flickered.
"I hope you fight me with your full strength."
Without waiting for his reply, she walked straight out of the lounge.
Steven let out a sigh.
"So in the end, we really won't get to battle each other. Shame."
But his eyes sparkled with glee.
Serves you right for showing off. Good luck, lover boy.
Chen Shi shot him a dark glare and headed out as well.
"Entering the arena now—Chen Shi!"
"Since the beginning, this trainer has amazed us again and again. Just yesterday, he revealed a brand-new evolution and overwhelmed Lorelei! What surprises will he bring today?"
The metal gate opened.
Chen Shi stepped forward, facing Cynthia across the field.
He hated this matchup—
But once the moment truly arrived, only one thought remained:
To defeat Cynthia with everything he had.
Because that was his greatest respect for her.
"Trainers, send out your Pokémon!"
Chen Shi smiled faintly at Cynthia and threw his Poké Ball.
Togekiss burst out in a swirl of white wings.
"Togekii~!"
She chirped happily—
Then paused when she realized the opponent.
But only for a second.
Then she winked at Cynthia.
"Oh! Chen Shi opens with Togekiss—recently discovered as a new evolution of Togetic!"
Cynthia didn't hesitate.
"Go—Gastrodon."
"Guuu~"
Another Gym-peak Pokémon.
"6-on-6 unrestricted rotation," the referee announced. "Prepare yourselves."
"Begin!"
"Gastrodon—Rain Dance!"
Cynthia acted immediately, choosing weather over offense.
Chen Shi smiled.
"Togekiss—Air Slash!"
"Chaaaa!"
A blade of compressed air cut toward Gastrodon—fast.
Shock flashed in Cynthia's eyes.
That fast?! One second from charge to release?!
But she clenched her teeth.
"Gastrodon, finish Rain Dance—take the hit!"
Rain was invaluable.
If Gastrodon could endure one Air Slash, the trade was worth it.
But what happened next nearly shattered her mentality.
Gastrodon did complete Rain Dance.
It did take the hit.
And then—
Flinched.
The audience stirred—but didn't overreact.
Back-to-back flinches weren't common, but they happened.
"Togekiss—Air Slash again."
Cynthia's pupils tightened.
"Again—?!"
Second Air Slash.
Flinch.
The host's voice cracked with excitement:
"Unbelievable! Two consecutive flinches from Togekiss's Air Slash! Gastrodon can't act at all!"
The crowd murmured.
Rare, but not impossible.
Then came the third.
Flinch.
Fourth.
Flinch.
Fifth.
Flinch.
Sixth—
Flinch!!!
Gastrodon never moved again.
On the seventh "Air Slash," there was no flinch—
Because Gastrodon had simply fainted.
And so, on this day…
Togekiss's technique—
"Flinch Reaping"
was born.
A move that slashes not HP—
—but your lifespan as a battler.
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