Chapter 234 — Tournament Starts I
6 min read ·
[ACC Federation Stadium - Tournament Day - Morning]
The stadium was alive.
Fifty thousand people packed into seats that rose toward the sky in impossible tiers, their voices merging into a roar that shook the air itself.
ROAR!
Academy banners waved like colorful seas – Purple and silver for Stormhold, Black and gold for Imperial, crimson and white for Skyreach, a hundred different combinations representing every institution in the Federation.
The energy was electric and intoxicating, the kind of atmosphere that made hearts race even before anything happened.
Five arenas had been constructed across the massive stadium floor – one central arena significantly larger than the others and four satellite arenas positioned at cardinal points.
Each arena was reinforced with defensive barriers strong enough to contain B+ rank combat, medical teams stationed at every corner, referees wearing ACC official uniforms standing ready.
This was it.
The World Championship Tournament!
Across the entire Federation, people stopped whatever they were doing. Workers paused at their jobs, students gathered in common rooms and families clustered around holographic displays.
Betting houses were packed beyond capacity!
This wasn’t just entertainment. This was a showcase of humanity’s future strength, a demonstration that the next generation could protect what their parents had built.
Before the portals opened, they’d had the World Cup. Now they had this – and somehow, it mattered even more.
****
[Betting House - Tranquil City]
Robert Gilligan, the butler of the student council, stood at the counter of the largest betting establishment in Tranquil City, his weathered face showing absolute certainty.
The clerk looked at him with barely concealed pity.
"Sir, you want to bet... everything? Your entire fortune? On Stormhold Academy?"
Robert slid the credit chip across the counter.
"Everything. Every last credit I have."
"But sir, the odds are 500-to-1 against them. Most analysts say they have zero chance of even making it past the first round. You could lose–"
"I know the odds."
Robert’s voice was calm and unshakeable.
"But I also know that boy. Know what he’s capable of and know that betting against Damian Valcor is the stupidest financial decision anyone can make."
He pushed the chip forward with finality.
"Put it all on Stormhold to win the entire tournament."
The clerk sighed, processed the transaction, and handed over the betting slip.
Robert folded it carefully and put it in his pocket, a small smile on his face.
’Young sir Damian survived a hostile portal, built a criminal empire from nothing and changed an entire Academy’s power structure... You really think some tournament is going to stop him?’
****
[ACC Stadium - Main Stage]
The stadium lights dimmed suddenly, dramatic spotlights cutting through the darkness to illuminate the central stage.
Music swelled – orchestral, powerful and the kind that made spines straighten and blood pump faster.
The hosts appeared on hovering platforms that rose from beneath the stage – Noah Montague in a sharp suit, Sarah Lin in elegant combat-style dress, both of them radiating professional energy.
Their voices boomed through stadium speakers, enhanced to perfection.
"WELCOME!"
ROAR!
The crowd erupted, fifty thousand voices screaming as one.
"WELCOME TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT!"
The roar intensified, banners waving frantically, the energy building to fever pitch.
Noah’s voice carried across the stadium with practiced drama.
"For two centuries, humanity has fought to survive! We’ve faced Monsters from beyond reality! We’ve defended our world against impossible odds! And we’ve done it because of people like you – the next generation of awakeners who will carry that torch forward!"
Sarah took over seamlessly.
"Today, we witness the best of the best! One hundred Academies! The top students from every region! All competing to prove which institution produces humanity’s finest defenders!"
ROARR!
The crowd’s response was deafening!
Noah raised his arms, commanding attention.
"Let me explain the rules! Each Academy fields teams of five combatants! Victory is achieved when all opposing team members are too wounded to continue, admit defeat, or when ACC referees intervene to prevent death!"
He paused for effect.
"And let me emphasize – the top medical teams in the Capitol are on standby! We have S rank healers ready to intervene instantly! So don’t hold back! Fight with everything you have! Show us what you’re made of!"
BOOM!
The cheering threatened to shake the stadium’s foundation!
Sarah gestured to the five arenas.
"The first round is elimination! Fifty teams will be sent home today! Rankings determine matchups – first place fights one hundredth place, second fights ninety-ninth, and so on! Only the strong survive!"
The crowd loved it, the brutality of instant elimination adding stakes that made hearts race.
Noah’s voice became even more dramatic.
"Let’s introduce our first matches!"
Holographic displays lit up above each arena, showing team compositions and Academy crests.
"Arena One! Stormhold Academy – DEFENDING CHAMPIONS – ranked FIRST!"
The Stormhold section erupted, Purple and silver banners waving frantically.
"Versus Westridge Academy, ranked one hundredth!"
Scattered cheers from a much smaller section.
"Arena Two! Imperial Academy – ranked SECOND! The pride of the Southern Region!"
Black and gold dominated an entire section, the cheering intense and organized.
"Versus Northpoint Academy, ranked ninety-ninth!"
"Arena Three! Skyreach Academy – ranked THIRD! Masters of tactical combat!"
Crimson and white filled another massive section.
"Versus Eastmere Academy, ranked ninety-eighth!"
"Arena Four! Darksky Academy – ranked FOURTH! The Western Region’s combat specialists!"
Deep blue and silver banners rose.
"Versus Southvale Academy, ranked ninety-seventh!"
"Arena Five! Republic Academy – ranked FIFTH! Representing commoner excellence!"
The response was enormous – commoners across the Federation had adopted the Republic as their team, their cheering matching the Imperial sections.
"Versus Stonebrook Academy, ranked ninety-sixth!"
Sarah’s voice cut through the noise.
"Teams, enter your arenas!"
****
[Arena One - Stormhold Academy Entrance]
The team emerged from the preparation tunnel, and the crowd’s reaction was immediate and confused.
They wore complete black combat uniforms – practical, intimidating and unmarked except for small purple accents at the shoulders. The kind of outfit that said: we’re here to fight, not pose.
Professor Seraphina moved to stand beside the arena’s edge, her S+ rank presence making even veteran fighters nervous. Elizabeth joined her, along with Fiona and Victoria – the substitutes who’d been left out of this match.
And Damian...
Damian walked out without his usual long coat, wearing just the black combat uniform that showed his enhanced physique clearly, his eyes covered with dark glasses.
The Devourer Body Art had sculpted his frame into something that made people stare – muscle definition that shouldn’t exist on a sixteen-year-old, a presence that drew eyes like gravity.
Adrian walked beside him, his beautiful features attracting different attention – gasps from female spectators and whispers about the Imperial family he belonged to.
But then... people noticed something wrong.