--
There was a full day’s break before the semi-finals began.
The top 20 had been finalized, and because of the 2nd part of the 2nd round, the arguments and discontent were minimized. They weren’t totally gone, as it’s impossible to please everybody, but at least it didn’t grow to an absurd degree.
The full day’s rest was just what the top 20 needed. The 2nd round had been rather stressful for them. Once they were restored to their peak state, the tournament continued.
Once again, they were gathered in a specialized arena where the 3rd and final round of the tournament would take place.
This time, there were live audiences.
The location of this arena wasn’t made public. Even those who won the tickets to attend weren’t told where they’re supposed to go. They were just told that once the final round commenced, they’d be transported to the venue.
Even the participants themselves have no idea where they are. They just have to live with the idea that they were taken somewhere safe and secured.
The 3rd and final round started early, around 9:00am. The host was none other than Terry Caster, the host of the Central City channel.
It wasn’t because of his outstanding commentary or long tenure. The host drew lots, and he just happened to be the lucky one who won the opportunity to be the main host of the final round.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 3rd and final round of the City vs. City Tournament!!"
The whole stadium shook with cheers and applause at this opening ceremony. Beneath the stage, not far from the actual arena itself, the top 20 finalists stood, basking in the attention they’re receiving.
"Ah, it has certainly been a journey. We have seen our dear participants shed blood, sweat, and tears in this tournament. We started with 256 of them, and now, there’s only 20."
Terry then showed a scheming smile on his face as he whispered, "...or, is it?"
"Just like the previous round, the 3rd round is divided into two rounds: the semi-finals and the grand finals."
"In the semi-final round, only the top 10 will advance. And the grand finals will determine the true placement of the top 10 geniuses of Letter Kingdom’s next decade!"
"But before we begin the 3rd and final round, allow me to address something that had puzzled the audience when we began this tournament."
Terry paused for the dramatic effect.
"As you all know, during the first round, there were teams that, instead of ten, only had nine participants." He made another pause, this time wearing a conspiratorial smile.
"I know that some of this confused you. We’ve received some concerns regarding this, and even more so for individuals that should’ve been included in this list but have yet to make an appearance so far."
"We stayed silent back then, but now, I can finally tell you where they are."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the seeded participants, starting with Darius Stormholt of Z-City!!"
Beneath the stage where Terry was standing, the ground opened up and four thrones rose. Then, a tunnel opened beneath the stage where an individual slowly walked out.
They saw sparks of lightning and heard roars of thunder before they saw his face. When he finally stepped out into the light, a stoney and chiseled face greeted them.
Blue eyes and raven-deep blue short hair. Darius was a six-foot-and-five-inch-tall man wearing heavy armor with carvings of purple dragons. He was lean, bronze-skinned, and walked with a gait that commands respect. He held a long spear wreathed in lightning as he slowly and confidently found his seat among the four thrones that popped out of the ground.
His profile then appeared before the top 20 participants and the audience.
**
[Darius Stormholt]
Age: 22
Home: Z-City - Stormhall Clan
Talent: Heavenly Thunder and Lighting Physique (Epic)
Record: Stage 100 (4 hours and 35 minutes)
**
Once everybody had seen the profile long enough to read everything, the screen switched and displayed a short video clip of Darius’ fight in Stage 100.
In that video clip, he looked like thunder and lightning manifest. He zipped through the air, dodging giant waves that could topple islands. He skewered flood dragons using his spear and was so far that the recording could barely keep up with him.
In his fight with the Flood Dragon King, he was injured and bleeding heavily. But his fighting spirit was clear and was completely unafraid.
The clip ends with him roaring at the skies with the corpse of the Flood Dragon King beneath him.
Once the video clip ended, everybody was now looking at Darius with equal parts awe and horror. Even more so the top 20.
Now, they understand what’s happening. And they also understand that this isn’t the end because there are three more thrones empty beside his.
"Next on the list of our seeded participants is Aurelia Valentine!"
Everybody’s eyes shifted again to the tunnel.
This time, instead of lighting and thunder, they felt a biting chill instead.
Then, they saw her.
She walked out looking like a carved ice statue from the legends. Her skin was pale and white but not looking sickly at all. She walked with elegance befitting her glacial temperament and beauty. Each step she took left ice flowers blooming, and she was accompanied by a hoarfrost that manifested as an elegant avian.
**
[Aurelia Valentine]
Age: 21
Home: M-City - Northwind Palace
Talent: Glacial Phoenix Physique (Epic)
Record: Stage 100 (3 hours, 45 minutes)
**
Like Darius, a short clip of Aurelia’s fight was played just as she sat on her throne.
She uses a double-ended spear that could be broken into twin swords whenever she pleases. When she fights, she doesn’t call for ice; ice comes to her instead.
Half of the sea was frozen because of her. She flew in with avian grace befitting of her awakened talent. Although she’s not as fast as Darius, she doesn’t need to, especially not when she could freeze threats before they could approach her instead.
She buried the flood dragons under thick ice, and she overpowered the Flood Dragon King’s sovereignty in the sea by using the superior element of ice and suppressing it through beastial bloodline supremacy.
"Following her is Kael Ashcroft!"
Kael Ashcroft appeared before everybody like a rugged knight who just returned from duty.
His gait was solid but also exhausted. Just the mere sight of him, though, made people instinctively wary. He also emits an invisible pressure that may or may not be on purpose. He looked unapproachable.
He was lugging a greatsword on his back, and that sword looked like it had definitely seen better days and hadn’t had maintenance in a while.
Kael stabbed that massive sword on the ground as he sat on his throne. He rested his back on his seat and went still as if he had fallen asleep already. Nobody could know since his facial features were hidden by his helmet.
**
[Kael Draven Ashcroft]
Age: 21
Home: O-City - Heaven’s Edge Sect
Talent: Moon Chasing Wolf Bloodline
Record: Stage 100 (2 hours, 43 minutes)
**
"And last, but most certainly not the least! From Central City, let’s all welcome, Soren Marek Vire!!!"
Ren walked out of the tunnel with an easy gait. He wore a small but charming smile. He’s wearing a sleeveless buttoned shirt with his hands in his pockets.
Many eyes certainly drifted to his arms filled with dense tattoos, making it seem like they’re black.
He dressed casually; not a single armor piece was attached to him, nor a weapon in sight either. He looked as if he just came here after walking around the neighborhood.
And unlike the other seeded participants, the others felt nothing from him; no pressure, no elemental manifestations, nothing. He looked just like a random thug who went the wrong way and ended up.
But he sat down on his throne like he owned it. And he most certainly did because once he was seated, the video clip of him clearing stage 100 played.
His face was unmistakable. But it’s his actions that left everybody speechless.
His video wasn’t edited. It was just a clip of him brutally beating up the Flood Dragon King.
Punch after punch, kick after kick...the audience, the finalists, and his fellow seeded champions watched as the Flood Dragon King wailed in helplessness as Ren juggled it in the air, barehanded.
What he wore in the clip couldn’t even be called armor; they looked like clothes.
What they saw looked unbelievable. Ren looked like an ant before the towering size of the monster before him, yet it was the monster who was afraid of him instead of the other way around.
And finally, with a sickening crunch, Ren ended the fight by punching the monster’s head, which cracked its skull and reduced its brain into meat paste.
When the clip ended and the camera shifted on him, he was wearing an amused smile at them. Then, his information was displayed.
**
[Soren Marek Vire]
Age: 20
Home: C-City - Banished Arms Clan
Talent: Common Grade 1, Banished Arsenal Martial Physique (Abberant)
Record: Stage 1-100 (Solo Clear), Stage 100 (1 hour, 35 minutes), SSS-Grade Achievement.
**
That was when the whole kingdom shook because of Ren’s name and achievements.
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