Thank You,
Knight Teir: "Rue Ryuzaki", and "Tyronter"
For Becoming A Member On My Pa'treon. The Emperor Protect.
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It wasn't just those gathered inside the rest hall. Outside, a sprawling square stretched into the distance, where thousands of contestants were projected as towering holograms. Each contestant's complete image shimmered in the center of the massive field, forming a dazzling panorama of anticipation.
At the very heart of the square stood a grand stage prepared for the lottery ceremony, a spectacle so large it dominated the entire scene. The audience gathered for this event was immense; every single one of the billion seats surrounding the square was filled to capacity.
From above, the view was breathtaking. The crowd was a black-and-gold sea of movement, dense and seemingly endless. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, anticipation thick in the air. Clifford and his companions were among the gathered masses.
This year, Hope's Peak Academy had two rising stars who had broken into the top 1,000 rankings: the Crown Prince and Sebastian. Their success brought with it an outpouring of support. The academy's section of the crowd was particularly large, swelling with proud students, school leaders, and esteemed faculty members, all of whom had traveled to witness this defining moment.
Prokopy and his entourage were naturally present, seated among the elite representatives of the academy. Leonard, along with the prince's attendants, occupied a separate section.
Unlike the calm and composed Prokopy, Leonard and his companions wore expressions of visible tension. Their unease was easy to understand: Sebastian's meteoric rise had been nothing short of shocking.
He had triumphed match after match, defying expectations and earning his way into the top 1000, a feat that placed him within striking distance of glory. Just one more victory, and Sebastian would secure his place in the Region. One more win, and he'd advance to the main stage of the Group Star Competition.
At this point, no one dared underestimate him anymore. Leonard's party had kept a close watch on Sebastian's previous matches, and every bout had further proven his astonishing growth. They knew full well the force he had become.
"This Sebastian…" murmured one teacher, awe softening his voice. "How has his strength grown so much? It's only been a few months since the last exchange tournament. How is this even possible?"
"The world of genius rarely follows common sense," another teacher sighed, shaking his head in reluctant admiration.
"Based on what we've seen, Sebastian should easily place in the top hundred," a third teacher remarked.
"Top hundred, without a doubt," a school leader confirmed with a firm nod. "Perhaps even higher. Honestly, I'd say his chances of advancing this round are extremely good."
"Not necessarily," Neville interjected, arms crossed and expression cautious. "It all depends on who he draws. Against most opponents, he's fine. But if luck pits him against one of the top thirty favorites…" He shook his head. "Then things could get dangerous."
"Top thirty… that's always a possibility," another teacher conceded gravely.
The competition's structure allowed no breathing room. With a separate loser's bracket, there was no distinction between seeded and unseeded contestants. Even two elite fighters could be drawn against each other in this crucial stage.
It wasn't surprising that over twenty contestants ranked in the top hundred had already been eliminated. Some had been conserving their strength, hiding their trump cards. Others had simply been unlucky, facing strong rivals far too early.
"Let's focus," Leonard said calmly, though his eyes betrayed his nerves. "We're here to support the Crown Prince first and foremost."
"He will be fine," Neville said with a faint smirk. "As long as he doesn't run into anyone from the Sky Empire or Princess Shia of the Empire, no one else here should be able to challenge him."
Inside the lounge, tension hung like a heavy mist. The lottery ceremony had begun, but unlike the earlier rounds, this was the decisive draw for the winners' bracket, a turning point that could make or break a contestant's journey.
This time, the matches were announced one by one, heightening the suspense. The order of selection was entirely random, and nobody knew when their name might appear. The uncertainty gnawed at everyone's composure. Hearts pounded faster with each passing second.
The first draw…
It wasn't Sebastian. Instead, the name "Hess" lit up the massive projection.
Hess, the famed contender from Giant Island, had gained renown after his fierce battle with Sebastian. Now, every gaze turned to him, amplifying the weight on his shoulders. Though he had appeared calm at first, even Hess felt a flicker of unease under the scrutiny.
"As long as I don't face someone too strong, I still have a shot," he told himself silently.
Hess was ranked just outside the top two hundred, stronger than most contestants here. With decent luck, he had every reason to believe he'd advance.
Then the results flashed across the screen: Hess versus Jeb Tonino.
"Jeb Tonino?" The name rippled through the crowd, many attendees unfamiliar with it.
"A Guardian from the Templar Order, the Federation's top organization," a contestant explained to those nearby. "Ranked somewhere in the top three hundred. He's strong, but the gap between him and Hess isn't too large."
Hess frowned, the faint crease between his brows betraying his calculation.
Many in the audience recognized the truth: aside from the top thirty, the rest of the competition was largely balanced. Matches now came down to battlefield decisions and carefully guarded trump cards.
The lottery ceremony continued seamlessly, names appearing in pairs as more matchups were revealed. Each draw sparked lively chatter, while the contestants themselves tried to maintain their composure.
Sebastian sat quietly, unmoved by the buzz surrounding him.
But outside, anticipation only grew. Over a billion spectators leaned forward in their seats, waiting breathlessly for his name to appear. Real-time ratings soared higher and higher. For countless viewers, this moment carried the same thrill as holding a winning lottery ticket.
Leonard and Clifford's groups were equally tense, their gazes locked on the towering projection screen, every muscle taut with expectation.
Suddenly, another name lit up. Gasps erupted from Hope's Peak Academy's section.
"It's not Sebastian," Clifford murmured, eyes widening. A moment later, he added with a small shake of his head, "It's the Crown Prince."
The Crown Prince stepped forward to draw his fate, and Leonard's group went completely silent. No one dared to breathe as the next matchup was unveiled, Theodore.
Confusion rippled at first, followed by recognition.
"A fighter from the Empire," someone identified quickly. "His name isn't widely known."
"Strength?" Neville demanded.
"Ranked in the top two hundred. Respectable, but not exceptional." Neville's expression eased into a grin. "Then this should be smooth sailing for the Crown Prince."
Moments later, Sebastian's name finally appeared on the towering screen, drawing every eye in the square.
Leonard's party straightened in their seats, while Clifford's group and Prokopy's delegation leaned forward, hearts pounding with anticipation. Leonard's faction secretly hoped Sebastian would have a difficult match. Clifford's camp, however, prayed for a favorable draw.
"Just don't let it be someone from the top thirty," Jane whispered nervously, fingers clasped tightly together.
"If we avoid the top thirty, Sebastian should face little resistance," he added with cautious optimism.
Terrell, who had always been calm and steady, also nodded in agreement. After the performances in the previous few matches, everyone had already formed an initial impression of Sebastian's strength.
"Give it a shot. It would be best if Sebastian could draw Imperial Princess Margaret Thatcher," Terrell remarked.
Neville added wistfully, "If not her, then anyone from the Sky Empire would be fine too!"
Inside the lounge, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Quite a few people were watching closely, waiting to see the results of Sebastian's draw. Among them were Hess and several contestants from Giant Island, all with equally serious expressions.
"This genius had better advance quickly," Hess thought grimly.
The opponent he had drawn earlier was incredibly strong, and he had no confidence in defeating them. He was already mentally prepared to fall into the loser's bracket. Now, more than ever, he hoped Sebastian would push forward and win. The last thing Hess wanted was to land in the loser's group… and risk crossing paths with Sebastian again.
Other opponents were manageable. But if it came down to Sebastian's musketeer and fighter plane, there wasn't a single move his black-flamed giant could use to stand a chance!
The power of origin activated again, the ritual lottery glowing bright. In just seconds, Sebastian's opponent was revealed. The matchups were announced: Sebastian versus Huo Kong.
"Huo Kong!?" The name rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.
Inside the rest hall, throughout the vast central square, and even among the viewers watching the live broadcast through massive projections outside…
An abrupt silence fell. Then, in an instant, the audience erupted in a deafening uproar!
"No way! Sebastian actually drew Huo Kong from the Sky Empire!?"
"Huo Kong might not be as infamous as monsters like others, but he's ranked in the top thirty… No, wait, he's eighth overall! His strength is terrifying!"
"Unbelievable! This is easily the strongest matchup in the entire lottery so far!"
"That's right! Sebastian's strength has been drawing attention. Many people now think he's at least top eighty, maybe even top fifty. Most expected him to advance directly. Nobody thought he'd run into a top-ten opponent this early!"
"If it had been someone ranked in the top thirty or lower, he might have had a real chance… but Huo Kong? That's a different story!"
"Huo Kong isn't as well-known as the Sky Empire's brightest stars, but I've seen his matches. His chosen race is terrifyingly well-optimized, his compatibility is sky-high, and his actual combat strength… far beyond what's on paper!"
The conversations overlapped, voices spilling into chaos as excitement and shock consumed the square. Billions of spectators buzzed with energy, the entire venue boiling over. This wasn't some throwaway match. This pairing, Sebastian versus Huo Kong, was the kind of clash people would talk about for years.
On one side was the only freshman to make it to the elimination rounds this year, hailed as the strongest freshman in history.
On the other hand was a top-ten powerhouse from the Long Sky Kingdom, a name whispered with both respect and dread.
This was a match made to ignite the stage. Sparks were guaranteed to fly.
"Exciting! This one's really exciting!" Anticipation lit up countless faces as people leaned forward in their seats, unable to contain their excitement.
"Hahahaha!" Leonard and his group couldn't help but laugh, their moods noticeably lighter.
"Even though I couldn't get those monster…" Neville's voice trembled with excitement, "Huo Kong is more than enough! Just earlier, I was hoping for a top-thirty opponent. Now… Now it's a top ten! Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"
Another instructor chuckled heartily. "This time, Sebastian's facing a real monster. He's as good as eliminated."
"Don't be so sure." Leonard's voice cut through the laughter. "Don't forget, you all said the same thing last time… and the time before that."
His reminder brought an awkward silence. Faces shifted uncomfortably. They had all believed Sebastian would fall in previous matches. And yet… He had flipped the script every time, each victory striking them across the face like a slap.
"This time's different," Neville said with a calm smile. "I've reviewed Sebastian's matches carefully. He might have a few hidden tricks left, but his strength has nearly peaked. And Huo Kong… Is far stronger."
Neville's smile brightened. "We might as well congratulate Sebastian on entering the loser's bracket now."
"Even making it there will be tough," Glen muttered, worry lacing his words.
"So what?" Neville shrugged. "Even if Sebastian qualifies in the end, losing this match will shatter his undefeated image. He won't even be comparable to the prince anymore."
Leonard quietly agreed. After all, since the Crown Prince became a Planetary Lord, he had never been defeated. That was why he was so highly regarded. Of course, team competitions were a different matter. In one such match, he had been forced to admit defeat, but it wasn't considered a true loss; he had been outnumbered and overrun.
Sebastian's record, however, was even more shocking. He was undefeated in the truest sense. He had never lost, not even in five-on-five team matches.
Whispers had begun spreading… Sebastian might become another "undefeated" legend in the Region, second only to the Lord himself. This was a title reserved for the truly exceptional, for those whose power seemed mythical.
It wasn't an official rank, but even the strongest Planetary Lords recognized it. It marked those who had surpassed the Great Myth tier yet hadn't quite reached the eternal level.
This year's Group Star Tournament was overflowing with powerful talents. Those who reached the top thousand were nearly all Great Myth level. But those who earned the title "undefeated"… were few and far between.
The first condition was absolute: never lose.
The crown prince no longer qualified; a loss was a loss, even in team play.
Sebastian, however, wasn't even in the top thirty… yet he had never been defeated. It was this unbroken streak that had many whispering that he might already surpass the crown prince in fame and influence.
Leonard and his peers felt a creeping unease.
"As long as Sebastian loses, it doesn't matter how," Neville said with a chuckle. "After we finish watching the prince's match, let's go watch Sebastian's and witness the fall of an undefeated legend."
Leonard's group smiled, visibly pleased with the thought.
But Clifford and a few others looked uneasy, their faces clouded. None of the four knew what to say. Their silence was filled with apprehension.
"Sebastian's luck this time…" Terrell broke the tension, his voice steady. "It's not ideal, but that's no reason to give up. Fight well. There's always hope. Don't forget, this is still the winner's bracket. Even if he loses, he'll get another chance."
"That's true." Clifford forced a smile. "Besides, it's hard to predict anything with him. Sebastian always finds a way to surprise us. Hopefully, this time will be no different."
Outside, the lottery ceremony wasn't even finished yet, but the spectators were already chanting. Everywhere, voices echoed the names "Sebastian" and "Huo Kong," roaring in anticipation of the clash to come.
The arena felt ready to explode, the atmosphere charged with energy. The entire world seemed to be waiting for this battle to unfold.