Vol.2 Chapter 71

Lua's PoV

"Ladies and gentlemen! With team Paragon’s overwhelming performance netting them a win, we have our semi-finalists! It will be Paragons against Variables! A revenge match of epic proportion! Who would win this time in the rematch of the two strongest teams in this tournament!?" the caster bellowed in his characteristically loud voice.

Even though I couldn't see the match due to my disability, I could refer to what was happening in the battle by listening to the casters. Their voices, a cacophony of excitement and commentary, filled the room, painting vivid pictures of the battle.

My hearing, unfortunately, is rather sensitive to the usual boisterous style of commentary. I find a more soothing, calm, and collected voice to be preferable. One that wouldn't overwhelm me, perhaps like that of Katherine, whom I consider my rival.

A mischievous grin momentarily crossed my face as I entertained a thought: it would be amusing to hear her casting the match. But the thought was quickly dismissed. She would never agree to such a thing. She avoids the spotlight, and the idea of casting an entire tournament would be abhorrent to her.

Still, the thought of our inevitable clash in the finals sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. Just thinking about our upcoming match makes my heart flutter. Our last match, even though exhilarating, was a bit too quick for my liking. Now that I know what to expect, I will savor it more this time. I will relish the thrill of the battle - my dance with her in the grand finals.

"So, it would be Team Paragons again, huh?" I muttered, my voice a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

As the thought of facing them again settled in, a familiar warmth spread through my chest. Although fighting Katherine would be less fun, that girl, Ariadne, would be a good warm-up.

“This is good. I kinda like that girl a lot~,” I said out loud, my voice laced with a hint of joviality.

Gil, who was right next to me, heard my voice. His gaze turned serious, well, more serious than it usually is, and a hint of concern clouded his features.

"Although we beat them before, I don’t expect our previous strategy to work now that they are well aware of it," he reminded me, his voice a sobering contrast to my enthusiasm.

"Even better~," I replied with a playful grin, "I want to face them head-on, no more sneaky tactics."

"Would you be okay? They already know your weakness. They would surely come prepared,” Gil said in concern, his voice laced with genuine worry.

"It's fine~ Let them come~,” I replied confidently.

Gil sighed in defeat.

“It appears I am unable to dissuade you now that you’re like this. However, you must exercise extreme caution when facing their ace. Her reputation as Yuusha's protégé is well-earned, and her proficiency with haste due to her mentor’s teaching should not be disregarded," he said sternly.

Yuusha, huh? That name always came up with veterans of this game. They said she was a legend, someone unbeatable. I would love to have a fight with her, but sadly, she was retired when I started playing this game. It's such a shame, really, but there is nothing I can do about it.

"One more thing... You may need to use your weapon skill in this battle. Should you find yourself in a precarious position, do not hesitate," Gil cautioned.

“...I'll think about it.”

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Lucy's PoV

As we entered the comfort of our room, the haven reserved for the Paragon team, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. The noise and energy of the arena had been replaced by a quiet tranquility that felt both welcoming and grounding. I glanced at Aria, a subtle smile playing on my lips.

"That was incredible, Aria! Seriously, you played out of your mind back there! You managed to dodge Hana’s combo perfectly! You managed to win us the game with that play!” I praised my incredible partner, my voice laced with genuine admiration.

It was well deserved, though. Her performance was nothing short of spectacular. As someone who has been with her for a long time as her teammate and partner, longer than I can remember, I could clearly see how fast she has improved over the last couple of days. She really is amazing!

Aria, always reserved and stoic, met my praise with a small smile, a rare display of emotion that made my heart swell with pride. She never has been good with praise, preferring to let her actions speak for themselves. That’s what I like about her, though, so her reaction is more than enough for me.

"We still had backup plans if I had lost there since Hana won’t be able to use her weapon skill again for the remainder of the match, so I don't think I deserve all the credit," Aria replied modestly.

“You never know. That defender is also quite good. He might be able to block Seer’s attack, so it’s not an exaggeration you won us the game,” Blitz shared my sentiment.

"Regardless, you and Seer would have won us the game eventually. Don't think I didn't see in the notification window that you beat your opponent incredibly fast," Aria countered, likely wanting to shift the focus toward Blitz.

“It’s not a challenge, really. That guy is nowhere as good as Lua,” Blitz replied, his voice nonchalant, yet a hint of seriousness lingered in his tone.

The mere mention of her sent a chill down my spine. That girl’s a monster—a true prodigy at this game.

Hearing her name reminded us of our next opponent, a daunting prospect that cast a shadow over the celebratory mood of our victory. Even though Novo had shown us her weakness, a vulnerability that we could potentially exploit since we have Aria, the best haste user in this tournament, and protégé of Yuusha herself, the thought of facing her Lua in our next match still sent a wave of apprehension through me.

Even Aria, our ace, had lost in a 2v1 battle against Lua. Could we even win against her? The odds seemed stacked against us, the fear of facing that formidable opponent gnawing at my positivity. The confidence that had filled the room moments ago after our overwhelming victory seemed to have dissipated, replaced by sudden tension.

It wasn't just me; everyone was quiet. I looked at my teammates, their faces reflecting my own unease. We all knew that our next opponent would be incredibly tough to beat.

Seer, ever attuned to the shift in the room's atmosphere, suddenly butted in, his voice a calming presence amidst the looming anxiety.

"Let's take a break for now," he suggested, "We have more than half an hour before our next match, so let's use this time to relax and get mentally ready."

We all agreed with a nod, hoping that a brief respite would allow us to refocus and strategize for the upcoming match. The prospect of facing Lua for our revenge match still loomed large, but for now, we would allow ourselves a moment of peace, a chance to recharge and regain our composure.

Over the long years we played this game together, we faced countless challenges, overcame obstacles, and emerged victorious, becoming even stronger than before. Hopefully, we will do the same this time.

I have complete trust in my team, and most importantly, I have complete faith that my partner and longtime best friend will pull us through and carry us once more.

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Tactical's PoV

“They really have become strong,” I murmured as I watched the panelists' post-analysis of the recent match.

“No thanks to you! You were too busy in your pro matches to train them,” Celeste, or should I say Calah, who was sitting right beside me, teased.

“Hmph! I’m the one who taught Seer, though. If anything, your protégé has less impact than mine,” I countered.

“What did you say? I thought I heard incorrectly?” she said as she cracked her knuckles.

I gulped, fearing for my life. Although I won’t lose to her in-game, in real life, with her bulging muscles, I don’t stand a chance.

“N-nothing. I said that you did well teaching her your grappling moves,” I placatingly said.

“Thought so,” she said jovially before continuing. “Well, if we are going to argue about whose protégé has more impact, the winner would undoubtedly be Katherine.”

“Yeah, you’re right about that; her protégé shows significant improvement,” I said expertly.

I wonder how Yuusha, or should I say Katherine, feels right now? She is probably proud and intimidated at the same time.

As I was chatting with Celeste, someone suddenly knocked at our door. It was a distinctive knock; it was probably a staff member. What could they want?

I crossed the room and reached the door. I opened it to find a staff member standing before me, her expression a blend of formality and respect.

“Good morning, Mr. Bob,” a staff member, judging by her attire, greeted, her voice polite and professional.

Looking at her, she seems young, probably in her 20s. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat braid, and her attire was a simple but elegant black uniform. A small silver badge bearing the tournament logo rested on her chest, a testament to her role in this event.

“The Tournament Director requests your presence,” she then glanced at Calah before continuing. “As well as your companion's.”

My brows furrowed as my curiosity was piqued. The Tournament Director? If I remember correctly, the tournament director at this event is Harper Stone, also the marketing director of CoA. What could a bigshot like that possibly want from us? Was this a last-minute instruction? A surprise announcement? Or perhaps something entirely unexpected?

I glanced at Calah, her expression mirroring my curiosity.

"It seems we are needed for something," I said to her, failing to hide the curiosity in my tone.

“That’s good! Beats waiting here for half an hour before the tournament continues,” she replied cheerfully, attempting to uplift the atmosphere.

She then stood up and waved at the staff member, which she reciprocated with a friendly nod.

For my part, I nodded at the staff member, a silent acknowledgment for her to lead the way.

“Please follow me,” she said curtly.

We followed her down the hallway as she got the cue. Her steps were confident, her demeanor professional, befitting a tournament of this caliber. She seemed quite different from the staff I had previously spoken with, who was a huge die-hard fan of mine, not that I’m complaining.

As we were led to the Tournament Director’s room, I saw someone I didn’t expect to be there. Another staff member was also guiding her, likely heading in the same direction as ours.

The woman stood before me as she was being led by the staff member, a vision of elegance and grace, a true embodiment of the Japanese ideal of Nadeshiko beauty.

Her eyes, though, were the most captivating feature. They were the color of deep rubies, shimmering with an intensity that hinted at hidden depths. They held a cool, almost glacial stare, unwavering and slightly detached, conveying a sense of effortless superiority. It was a look that spoke volumes of her confidence, self-assuredness, and complete indifference to the world around her.

“Gah! Murasame, why are you even here? Weren't you supposed to be practicing for the AC?” I exclaimed in surprise.

"I came here to support my sister's team…" she responded in her usual aloof tone, her voice a whisper of indifference.

I see. Now, it makes sense. The sudden increase in performance of the Sakura esports is likely due to her.

“Oh-Hoh! Looks like they are up to something, gathering us like this,” Calah commented on my side.

I agree with her, though; with Murasame here, it appears the tournament organizers are planning something big.

As we all arrived at the destination, the staff opened the door for us, revealing a spacious, well-lit office with a nice view of the whole arena. The scent of rich mahogany and leather filled the air, a testament to the room’s luxury and prestige. Inside, the Tournament Director, Harper Stone, greeted us jovialy.

“Welcome, welcome,” he said, his voice a deep, resonant baritone. “Thank you for coming.”

He extended a hand towards each of us, his gesture warm and inviting.

“Please, have a seat,” he gestured towards the plush chairs arranged around a massive mahogany table.

Calah, ever the friendly one, nodded and said some pleasantries before taking a seat, her expression jovial and easygoing. Murasame, on the other hand, with her usual aloofness, accepted the gesture with a silent nod, her gaze fixed on a point beyond the Director's shoulder.

For my part, I tried to act as polite as I could. This guy’s a big shot, after all, so there's no point in getting on his bad side.

“Thank you,” I replied, trying to act as respectfully as I could.

As we settled into our chairs, I wondered to myself. Why had he summoned us to his office in the midst of the tournament? Although, seeing that Murasame is also here, I can already guess what he wants.

As if reading my thoughts, his gaze settled upon us as his smile widened a bit.

"I understand you are all eager to return to your accommodations. Therefore, I will get straight to the point. I have a proposition for you," he stated, his voice a low, alluring murmur that hinted at something significant.

"A proposition?" I inquired curiously.

He nodded in confirmation. "Indeed. I want you all present here to participate in the all-star event, which will be held later after the champion is crowned.”

There it is. I kind of guessed this might happen.

“…You want us to fight too?” Murasame inquired.

"To be more precise, I propose a show match against the eventual tournament champion. It would be interesting, especially for viewership, for the new blood to fight the veteran pros," he clarified.

"Moreover, please understand that there is no obligation to accept. Your refusal is perfectly acceptable, and I won’t hold it against you. We have a contingency plan in place, including streamers and seasoned professionals from the Russian and Chinese streams, as well as Mr. Bogdan," he added.

Russian and Chinese veteran players, huh? It's likely LongQuan and Kreltz. They're both former pros with a significant fanbase. I should say hi to them when I get the chance. Even though we still spar and do raids together in the game occasionally, it's been a while since I've seen them in person, especially after they retired early.

“I’ve missed playing in tournaments like this, so count me in!” Calah was the first one to accept.

I could kind of understand her. Her last tournament was the first AC, so I guess she is looking forward to playing on a grand stage once again.

For me, though, it would be good to form some sort of connection with the would-be champions of this tournament in order to help my recruitment efforts. Bonds formed on the battlefield are nothing to scoff at, after all.

“Sure, count me in, too. I would be glad to return your hospitality,” I agreed to participate.

Murasame, for her part, seemed to be deliberating seriously. Her brow furrowed; her ruby eyes narrowed in contemplation. Her silence, a testament to her careful consideration, only added to the weight of the moment as we all waited for her response. Well, considering it’s Murasame, she would probably reject his offer since she almost never participates in events like this.

“Alright, I accept…” she said curtly.

That’s unexpected. She usually doesn't participate in events like this. However, considering her competitive nature, it is likely she intends to test the skills of the new generation of top players. Her competitive spirit is well-known, even among the pros, so I am certain she has her sights set on the aces of the remaining teams, particularly Yuusha and Lua.

The Director, his smile widening, nodded in approval at our favorable responses.

“Excellent! This is going to be an All-Stars match that the spectators will never forget!” he said, failing to hide the mirth in his voice.

I know he is exaggerating a bit, but he might be right about this being unforgettable if Katherine’s team wins the tournament.

Yuusha versus Murasame. Now, that's a fight I wouldn't want to miss.