Modifying

"In the seventeen performance rules of the Pokémon Contest…"

Raoul Contesta took a deep breath and continued, "Since Contestant Terrance's performance this time did not violate the Pokémon Contest's rules, we panel of judges believes that with his skill level, he is qualified to advance to the second round. Additionally, due to the lack of video recording, the video of his performance has been lost…"

"We are unable to provide a detailed score analysis and have no choice but to cancel the scoring for this performance."

"Furthermore, due to this performance, the Contest Committee has revised the relevant rules, and as the discoverer of this loophole in the rules…although we cannot give a specific score to Contestant Terrance, this is considered an oversight by the Pokémon Contest's officials. So, the number of people advancing to the second round this time… is nine!"

Nine contestants advancing…

Modifying the rules for Terrance…

These two sudden pieces of information were even more shocking to the audience than giving Terrance a perfect score.

Even the contestants who targeted Terrance stared wide-eyed, not expecting such an outcome.

As for Terrance himself, although surprised, he felt it was reasonable. He knew the Pokémon Contest's rules like the back of his hand, and considering Mismagius' uniqueness, he couldn't stick to the usual performances anymore, or else he would break his streak of perfect scores…

Although in the end, he still broke it… Terrance accepted this. After all, it was just his slight OCD acting up. Getting a perfect score was less important than being able to participate in the secondary judging and win the Ribbon.

Moreover… having the rules modified because of him seemed more exaggerated than a perfect score.

"Updated the rules, huh…" Terrance muttered to himself. It looks like he'll need to read them again. Only by being familiar with the rules can performances go more smoothly. This incident is a perfect example.

"Anyway, advancing to the second round is what matters." Terrance laughed, scratching his head, and bowed to his supporters and the judges.

As for the Coordinators who had jumped out, they were not in a good mood. Among them, only the leading young man advanced to the next round. He wanted to say something, but Raoul Contesta's words were clear enough. This made him stomp his foot in frustration, with nowhere to vent his anger. The fact that a crowd of audience was focused on him made him feel even more embarrassed.

Towards such people… Terrance could only think "idiot." His total score positioned him at seventh, so even without the ninth participant, he wouldn't have been eliminated. It was a typical case of "harming others without benefiting oneself." He impulsively jumped out without considering the consequences. Despite all this, he did gain something: he had caught the attention of Terrance's supporters.

"Next, we will proceed with secondary judging. Due to the presence of nine contestants, one contestant will automatically advance to the next round as a bye each time."

The secondary judging's matchups were immediately announced. Terrance looked at the list with a strange expression. Whether it was a coincidence or not, the bye had fallen to him right after they mentioned it.

While the competing contestants headed to the stage, the others went to the lobby to wait.

"Hope to see you in the finals," Terrance said, pausing as he passed the young Coordinator who had targeted him.

"Finals?" The young man was stunned, then clenched his fists,a "Are you afraid I'll be eliminated before then?"

With the primary judging over, three more battles followed. Terrance observed the Pokémon and battle styles of the remaining eight contestants in the lobby, gaining a good understanding.

Another unthreatening contest.

Most of the contestants in the Grand Festival were veteran Coordinators; it was rare for a rookie Coordinator to collect five Ribbons within a year.

No matter when you collect five Ribbons, you can participate in the Grand Festival. Therefore, the contestants in the Grand Festival are not all rookies who have collected Ribbons within a year.

Some might have collected them within three years, some in two years, and others might have taken a long time, participating occasionally during their travels. Moreover, the elegant Ribbons can be reused. For example, if you didn't achieve a good result in this year's Grand Festival, you could use the same Ribbons to participate again next year. This is one of the reasons why the Grand Festival has so many participants and why it's hard for rookies to stand out.

So while Terrance could navigate the usual Pokémon Contests with ease, the Grand Festival might pose a tougher challenge.

"Second round…"

"I… have a bye again?!"

Terrance was ready to stand up and warm up, but the random grouping on the big screen left him stunned.

He had another bye and directly advanced to the next round!

"This has to be on purpose, come on—" Terrance slowly stood up and then sat back down again. Forget it! He guessed the intentions of the Pokémon Contest's officials. Did they plan to keep giving him byes?

The result proved Terrance's suspicion correct. He sat in the lobby until his body was numb, as the contest indeed let him have byes all the way to the finals.

Three byes… Terrance didn't know how to feel about this. Additionally, the young Coordinator who had initially confronted him was eliminated in the second round. Terrance had no interest in mocking him further, and the Coordinator wisely avoided Terrance, letting the matter pass quietly.

As for Terrance's three byes, it was obviously suspicious, but with only nine contestants and the increasing odds, no one could definitively say anything without concrete evidence.

Moreover, the final round would decide everything. In the Pokémon Contest, only the winner receives a reward; even the second place leaves empty-handed. Ultimately, what mattered was the final battle with the last remaining Coordinator. With enough strength, one could still reach the end, bye or no bye.

So Terrance took a shortcut, skipping the middle rounds and jumping straight to the finals. As for his opponent…she was not pleased. If it weren't for Terrance's unexpected appearance, the Ribbon would already be hers.

******

"The tense and exciting moment we've all been waiting for is here! After multiple battles in the primary and secondary judging, we have finally reached the most crucial moment of the Petalburg Contest—the finals! Let's begin!!"

"Welcome the two contestants, Terrance and Mayumi!"

Vivian was both physically and mentally exhausted after a day of hosting. But she had made it to the final moment, so she couldn't give up now. Instead, she shouted even more energetically.

Hey everyone, please vote and review. Thank you.

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