YM778.TV Chapter 71: Quarter-Finals (3)
[Before the start of the match]
A surge of excitement coursed through me, I stood at the entrance to the main arena tunnel. Motivated to win for Valencia.
The roar of the crowd was reduced to nothing as the soundproof walls cancelled out all sound within the tunnel, First, however, came the routine inspection.
With a final glance at my smartwatch, I quickly tapped out a message to Valencia -
"Valenciaaa My match is about to start! Cheer me on heaps! (˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧"
Now that she\'s finally gonna watch my match there\'s no doubt In my head I was gonna lose. Not that I was gonna be losing anyway.
DING!
[Notification from Valencia]
[From Valencia <11:59 AM> Good luck.]
I smiled at the message she sent and checked the academy app of my opponent... I knew my opponent was Noah Davies, He was certainly huge for sure. He was about 7ft tall and he handled a large broadsword that was bigger than my Polearm here.
A guard stepped forward, looking nervous in his eyes. It was the usual reaction I got. "Identification, please. And uh... the polearm, sir- I meant Villerion, if you will."
I handed over both without hesitation. My weapon slid easily into his hands, drawing a surprising awe across his face. I couldn\'t help but grin slightly.
"Gotta make sure everything\'s in order," he spoke, as he ran the axe through a scanner. The machine beeped its approval. "All clear here. Now, if you could step through this sensor, Mr. Villerion." He gestured toward an archway of wires.
"Just standard procedure," I assured him. "Wouldn\'t want any cheaters ruining the fun."
The sensor tingled slightly as I passed through, and a moment later, another green light flashed. "You\'re good to go, Mr. Villerion!"
With a nod to the guard, I pushed through the massive gate into the roaring heart of the stadium. Screams, cheers, the chanting of my name – it was a wave of adoration, and I bathed in it.
Girls from all year groups waved and screamed, their eyes alight with favour.
"Louise, you\'re the best!"
"Marry me, Louise!"
The energy felt was almost intoxicating.
The roar of the crowd was a heady rush as I saw my opponent Noah step through the gates. But my eyes weren\'t entirely focused on Noah. As there was one person I wanted to see.
As my eyes swept over the stands, searching for a familiar face of my reason to fight I had finally spotted her: Valencia. An unfamiliar emotion of happiness surged through me. She was here, despite her words from earlier.
But my triumphant smirk was washed away as a student I didn\'t know was sitting beside her. It was a boy. Glasses, perpetually messy hair... the very definition of unremarkable.
A jolt of confusion rippled through me, quickly replaced by a surge of anger. Who was that nobody, and why was he sitting next to her? And wait – was her face flushed?
Forcing myself to focus, I tried to dredge up the boy\'s name. Ran? Ren? No... Rel.
"How dare he?" I muttered under my breath. "That… that lowlife has no business sitting next to someone like Valencia. It should be me."
A wave of emotions washed over me, stronger than I would ever care to admit. Forget about him. This match was where I would prove myself worthy. That seat beside her, it was mine and mine only for the taking.
The announcer\'s voice echoed around the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen! Prepare for an epic showdown! On this grand stage, we have the second-highest-ranked student in the competition, Louise Villerion! And facing him, the seventh-ranked student among the first years, Noah Davies!"
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP
With the crowd applauding for our match, I started taking steps forward, I crossed the distance to where Noah stood, who seemed ready. The cheers of the crowd faded subtly, allowing a short talk to settle between us.
"Thank you for being my opponent, Noah," I said, extending my hand. It was a gesture of respect, a touch of formality along the chaos. "For an amazing swordsman, you\'ve certainly shown your potential. I wish you nothing but luck."
A surprised smile flickered across Noah\'s face, momentarily softening his stance. He grasped my hand firmly.
"I always thought you were, well, a bit arrogant," he admitted, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. "Guess I was wrong. Apologies, Villerion. Right back at you – may the best man win."
We withdrew our hands, a silent acknowledgement passing between us. As we stepped back, creating the necessary distance for battle, a murmur swept through the crowd.
"He\'s of the Villerion blood, just like his father," one voice drifted towards us.
"Louise is so humble!" another exclaimed.
I soaked in their praise. Their admiration wasn\'t just for my power but for my conduct. This was what separated me from the rest. I needed to uphold the pride of the Villerion name, As I know my father was watching this very match in the stands.
Still, this match was little more than a formality. A stepping stone on my path to something greater - victory, recognition, the seat beside Valencia. It was also a step against one of the highest-ranking students amongst us first-years, a rival I needed to eliminate. My future, my ambition, my rise to become the guild leader of the Centurions... it all began here.
A hush fell over the stadium, a silence laced with anticipation. My heart was completely steady in my chest, yet my outward demeanour was one of calm focus.
"Are both our first-year stars ready?" The announcer\'s amplified voice echoed around the arena, building the tension. "Then raise your weapons!"
With a flourish, I held my polearm axe high. The weight was familiar, a comforting extension of myself. Across from me, Noah raised his broadsword, his stance mirroring my own.
"Good!" The announcer\'s voice boomed. "Now, let\'s get this fight started! Three... two... one..."
At the count of zero, a wicked grin split my face as my purest flame ignited around my Poolerarm. Simultaneously, I sensed Noah\'s mana surge, enveloping his blade in a shimmering glow.
"FIGHT!"
SHING!!!!
In a single, explosive motion, we lunged forward. Steel clashed against steel, a thunderclap that reverberated through the arena. The impact vibrated up my arms, sending a delicious shiver of adrenaline down my spine. We were locked, a whirlwind of energy and intent.
This was it. My moment. And I would savor every second.
____________
Authors Notes:
- Louise ignores the presence of Jan as long as he doesn\'t think about him.
- When it comes to battle Louise is very respectable towards his opponents, Unless his name starts with Jan then his personality changes otherwise.