Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

"In short, do you want to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings?"

Kikuko's mood was unpredictable, and suddenly her tone became serious again.

Xia Yan stopped in his tracks and glanced at the bustling shops on the side of the street.

He remembered that just a few days earlier, an old man had asked him if he wanted to become a PhD.

Unexpectedly, just a few days later, an old woman asked him if he wanted to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

"Hmm...I want to."

Xia Yan was only slightly taken aback before quickly giving his answer.

It would be a lie to say I don't want to.

But Kikuko is also one of the Four Heavenly Kings, so her opinion doesn't count.

"Hmph, you're quite honest." Kikuko snorted. "Then you should have won the championship."

"The champion of this competition... can also become one of the Four Heavenly Kings?"

This competition is a bit too intense.

"You're dreaming."

Kikuko mocked him without hesitation.

However, after spending so much time together, Xia Yan gradually got used to his cheap teacher's personality.

She has a bad temper, a foul mouth, and a sinister, elusive appearance, but she's actually not a bad person at all, provided you get her approval.

She has a sharp tongue but a kind heart.

Xia Yan had heard about her protective nature.

Before Xia Yan could speak, Kikuko continued, "However, the Kanto Alliance's example has been taken seriously by both the central alliance and the regional alliances."

He took a short breath.

"So, some time ago, before your game started, the league passed a policy that only the league's top management and a few people knew about."

Xia Yan held the phone, listening silently without moving an inch.

"Regulations on the Cultivation and Promotion of Outstanding Talents in the Alliance".

Xia Yan was certain that Kikuko was holding that document in her hand right now and was reading out the names on it.

"Selection and cultivation of outstanding talents?"

Kikuko ignored Natsuhiko and continued, "To put it simply, the 'outstanding talents' referred to here are those who will be able to come into contact with or even have the opportunity to reach the level of the Four Heavenly Kings in the future."

What are the filtering criteria?

Xia Yan asked instinctively.

Such talent isn't just someone who recommends you, or someone who decides based on your background, right?

That's far too frivolous.

However, as soon as he asked the question, he suddenly realized what he had said.

He quickly added, "So the selection of these so-called 'outstanding talents' is based on the competition?"

"Heh—not stupid." Kikuko retorted sharply.

"The alliance will determine whether a competition is eligible for selection based on the level and difficulty of the event."

He paused slightly, then continued, "Take this 'Island Tournament' for example; it's the first ordinary competition to be included in the judging criteria since this bill was announced..."

"Regular competition?"

"Yes, it's mainly divided into regular tournaments and master tournaments," Kikuko explained.

Then he cursed, "You brat, don't interrupt me."

Xia Yan shrank his neck.

The person on the other end of the phone continued, "We'll use a points system: first place gets 10 points, second place gets 6 points, third place gets 5 points, the top eight get 2 points, and the top sixteen get 1 point. That's how we've determined the points for this 'Island Tournament'."

Although the score was not high.

It is obvious that the first place has a much greater advantage than the other places.

"Those who score more than five points will be qualified to participate in the Masters Tournament."

In other words, after this island tournament, only the top three teams actually benefited the most.

At the same time, Xia Yan finally understood why the 'Island Tournament' had a good format in the earlier rounds, but turned into an unrestricted battle for all participants in the finals.

Xia Yan thought someone was giving him special treatment.

In retrospect, this was just a rehearsal for a Masters tournament.

After Kikuko's explanation, Natsuhiko understood the competition format of the "Island Tournament".

No wonder the "Islands Tournament" is hosted by Professor Oak; there's absolutely no inside story behind it.

because.

This involves the Four Heavenly Kings, which is a fundamental matter for the league.

No one dares to reveal any inside information about this.

"Teacher, besides being able to participate in the Masters Tournament, these points must have more uses than just that, right?"

The Masters Tournament can be considered the highest level competition in the entire Pokémon world and Pokémon League.

But Xia Yan felt that even without these points, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to participate in the future.

After all, it's not just a competition for the Four Heavenly Kings and the champion.

“Of course.” Kikuko hummed. “If it’s just a Masters tournament, you should be able to participate a few years later, although those years will delay your progress.”

"The role of points includes, but is not limited to, participating in the Masters Tournament, league position assessment standards, reserve selection, and... challenging the Four Heavenly Kings!"

Challenging the Four Heavenly Kings?

Xia Yan was taken aback.

Then I slowly savored it.

The league is really stirring things up!

Although there have been challenges to the Four Heavenly Kings before, the Four Heavenly Kings can choose whether or not to accept the challenge, and they can also decide whether or not to make the challenge public.

Even if the Four Heavenly Kings lose, it doesn't mean they have to give up their positions.

The best example of this is Hoshino Ryuichi, who has a grudge against Natsuhiko in Sinnoh. After being challenged and defeated by Kikuno, he simply moved over and became the Rock-type Elite Four member.

But this points system was introduced.

It seems the Four Heavenly Kings wouldn't have the right to refuse, especially since they would have to step down if they lost.

Isn't this just the league stirring up trouble?

The league is encouraging these young trainers to put in their best effort and take down those Elite Four.

Moreover, winning such a challenge doesn't guarantee a stable position; you might still be challenged by others.

In short.

In a word.

The positions of the Four Heavenly Kings are reserved for those with the ability to obtain them.

It might even include the champion later.

This is similar to the situation in later games, where you can challenge the Four Heavenly Kings and become the champion by obtaining enough badges.

The only difference is that badges have been replaced with points.

Kikuko also said that points have been included in the league's evaluation criteria.

Xia Yan couldn't help but smack his lips. "The alliance has such great ambition. They're going to reform it."

Do not break or stand.

Xia Yan didn't say that word aloud.

If things go wrong, he doesn't know if it will even work, but it will definitely break.

"What a load of nonsense! This policy was proposed a long time ago, but it took so many years to pass, and then a lot of restrictions were added to it." Kikuko scoffed at Natsuhiko's words.

But no matter what.

Xia Yan, who won the championship and earned ten points, is definitely the first beneficiary of this policy.

Masters Tournament.

He's already qualified to participate?

However, he wouldn't go to such lengths as to participate in a Masters tournament like a complete idiot, only to be utterly humiliated and return defeated.

The strength is not enough.

They only qualified.

"Doesn't that mean we're actually pretty much the same as those reserve Four Heavenly Kings?" Xia Yan said after a moment of surprise.

Even reserve players need to defeat the Four Heavenly Kings or gain recognition to be promoted to the regular ranks.

However, the trouble involved is no less than that of the points system; there's also supposedly a method for calculating the contribution value of the "fishing buddy".

In short, they first make you do things, calculate your contribution value, then see if you have the strength to challenge the Four Heavenly Kings, and whether you can win. Finally, they see if the Four Heavenly Kings are willing to step down and give way to the more capable.

Tom Ruch simply didn't want the league to keep taking advantage of him, so he switched teams.

Thinking about it this way, the points system is indeed more straightforward and simple.

“It’s different,” Kikuko said quietly. “In terms of power, you are inferior to the reserves, but in the long run, the reserves are far behind you.”

Seemingly feeling she hadn't explained clearly, Kikuko added, "The difference lies in the allocation of resources."

Resource allocation...

Xia Yan suddenly realized.

Ultimately, they are younger and have more potential; some of the reserves may already be in their thirties or forties or even older.