Morning sunlight washed over Soren Town.
For the first time since the arena incident, the streets felt alive again.
Shops reopened.
Training grounds echoed with shouts.
And on the central notice board, a single announcement had gathered a crowd.
📢 OFFICIAL NOTICE
All tournament-qualified participants are hereby invited for the National Selection Phase.
Final representatives will be chosen through team-based matches.
Location: Soren Town – Central Combat Ring
Riku stood reading it, arms crossed.
"So… it's official," Toma said beside him.
"They're really sending us."
Mira adjusted the strap of her bag.
"Not yet," she said calmly.
"First, they decide who actually represents this region."
Riku glanced at her.
"…Teams are already formed though."
"Yes," Mira replied.
"But regions send only one team forward."
That made things clear.
This wasn't the world stage yet.
This was the gate.
🚀 The Tournament Vessel
High above the clouds—
A massive silhouette drifted silently.
Not a blimp.
Not a jet.
A floating battleship, layered with steel rings and glowing Core-lines.
Inside it—
A multi-tier arena, capable of shifting terrain.
Deserts.
Mountains.
Urban ruins.
Even zero-gravity zones.
This was the World Core Tournament Vessel.
And it was already attracting teams from—
Japan.
Korea.
China.
Indonesia.
Europe.
And beyond.
Soon… Nepal.
🏟️ Scene – Soren Town Mini Tournament
The local combat ring was packed.
Not just students—
But families.
Shopkeepers.
Old fighters who hadn't seen real combat in years.
Teams stood on opposite sides.
Three members per team.
No substitutions.
Riku's team stood together:
Riku — lightning core, gauntlet user
Mira — precision-type spirit core
Toma — support-core strategist
Toma swallowed.
"…Why does this feel scarier than the big tournament?"
Riku smirked.
"Because everyone here knows us."
Mira looked around the arena.
"This is where reputations are made," she said.
"And broken."
⚔️ The Announcement
An official stepped forward, voice amplified.
"Today's matches will decide which team represents Soren Region in the National Phase."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Remember," the official continued,
"This is not about raw power."
He paused.
"It's about teamwork."
Riku clenched his fist.
Bolt stirred inside the Core.
"This one matters."
Riku nodded subtly.
"Yeah," he whispered.
"It does."
🌍 Looking Ahead
As the first teams stepped into the ring—
Riku glanced up at the sky.
Far beyond the clouds, the tournament vessel waited.
A battlefield where the whole world would watch.
But before that—
He had to win here.
With them.
⚡ End of Chapter 19
Next:
Chapter 20 – "Only One Team Moves Forward"
Friends become rivals.
Crowds choose sides.
And Soren Town holds its breath.