["WHAT A SPECTACULAR CONCLUSION TO THE OPENING ROUND!"] Commentator Ken’s voice echoed through the stadium.

The holographic scoreboard in the sky slowly transitioned from the qualifying text to a peaceful, rotating montage of the day’s most explosive clashes.

["We have seen royal blood spilled, magnificent magic unveiled, and a sudden-death tiebreaker that will – without a doubt – be talked about for generations to come!"]

He then turned his head toward his royal co-host and offered a tired smile.

["Princess Faye, before we wrap up our broadcast and hand the keys of the stadium over to the academy administration for the closing remarks... I think it’s only fair that we indulge the audience in a classic tradition.

["Let’s talk about our personal choices for the day. If you had to name one student who completely embodied the spirit, the power, and the sheer spectacle of Day One... who is your VIP?"]

Faye closely watched the floating particles of pink sakura petals that were still gently drifting across the ruined stone pit below. She let out a slow breath and shifted her features into a thoughtful expression.

["That is quite the difficult question you threw at me, Ken."] Faye murmured as a teasing smirk played at the corner of her lips.

["Especially considering my own little brother decided to casually shock the entire continental hierarchy by flaring divine mana out of nowhere. But... if I have to cast aside my obvious familial bias, I would have to say my VIP for Day One is the Captain of Riverton, Nichole Firestar."]

["Nichole Firestar? I mean, she put up an amazing performance in that final triple threat, but she did ultimately end up taking a one-way flight through the enhanced protective barrier courtesy of Myria’s finest. You’re picking someone who technically lost the sudden-death match?"]

["It’s precisely because of how she lost. Nichole entered that arena with nothing but a giant slab of iron, raw human determination, and a near-flawless mastery over Mana Coating and Mana Infusion. She forced Izumi Ayako – a literal prodigy, said to be the second coming of Myria’s hero, Layla Wright – to be on the back foot. She showed the entire world what it means to never give up. That is why she, like Izumi said, has earned my respect."]

["That’s some high praise coming from you, Your Highness,"] Commentator Ken nodded his head in agreement before a bright grin returned to his face.

["But I’m a man who appreciates a good old-fashioned dominant showstopper! So, for my personal VIP... even though her methods were borderline traumatizing for the medical staff, I have to give it to Eldoria’s own Amber Strongwill!"]

["Haha, of course you would.]

["Hey, you cannot argue with the results! Match Ten was supposed to be a tactical battle for points. Instead, Amber stepped onto that arena floor and completely bent her opponents over. She used an opponent’s own weapon to knock him out, slammed her opposition to the ground like a nail, and literally stomped her way to victory!

["It was brutal and unhinged... but my goodness, it was the single most entertaining display of pure, unadulterated power I have ever witnessed in my entire broadcasting career!"]

His expression then softened as he looked out over the fractured arena floor.

["But as incredible as today was... it was merely the prologue. Tomorrow, the remaining survivors of Team Eldoria and Team Myria will face off in an entirely different beast. Day Two: The Gauntlet."]

["Indeed,"] Faye’s eyes narrowed with anticipation. ["Tomorrow’s battle will be nothing short of a war-torn blood bath. But for now, audience of the world... it is time to officially close the curtains on Day One. Let’s pass the mic over to the Principal of Future Academy, Diana Valentine!"]

Down at the lower VIP seats, Diana smoothly stood up and brushed an imaginary speck of dust from her blazer. She glanced down at Kurt’s relaxed profile and smiled softly.

"Well, Rosie. Duty calls. I’ll probably be quite busy over the next few hours dealing with... well, a lot. No need to wait for me and try not to get into any ridiculous trouble on my campus while I am away."

"Ha, no promises. Don’t overwork yourself. I’ll see you later."

"Mmhm. Later."

SHWOOSH

Teleporting into the shattered stone arena, Diana began to give her speech.

"Greetings to you all once again. Today, we have witnessed the definition of excellence. To the representatives of Tricea and Riverton – though your journey in this tournament concludes here today, let it be known that your effort was nothing short of magnificent.

"You pushed our host nation to the absolute brink, you demonstrated the pinnacle of technological innovation and a warrior’s resilience, and you have left an honorable mark upon the history of this academy.

"True strength is not merely defined by victory, but by the courage to stand unyielding against overwhelming odds. You have earned our highest respect."

The coliseum erupted into a respectful wave of applause towards the Riverton and Tricean representatives.

Diana then turned her gaze toward the southern and eastern stands, flashing her eyes with expectant brilliance.

"And to our qualifiers – Team Eldoria and Team Myria – congratulations. You have survived the first crucible. But do not allow the sweet taste of today’s victories to make you complacent. Tomorrow, the rules of engagement will change drastically. The arena will transform, strategy will deepen and the pressure will multiply.

"Prepare your minds, hone your strategies, and brace yourselves for a war of attrition. For now... Day One is officially dismissed! You are all free to explore the Future Academy campus. Our plazas, international marketplaces, and exclusive cultural exhibitions brought from every corner of the world will remain open through the night. Enjoy the hospitality of Eldoria, and let us look forward to the dawn of tomorrow!"

Two sides of the coliseum ruptured into a beautiful chaos of thunderous applause, flying banners, and roaring cheers. The other two, not so much.

With the formal constraints of the tournament dissolved, the seventy thousand spectators slowly began to stand up from their seats, laughing, chatting, and filing toward the exit archways.

"Mmmm~! Aaahh... Man! My legs feel like jelly." Sadie stood up to stretch and nudged Kurt’s shoulder playfully. "Alright Bossman, what’s the plan now?"

"Yeah, I was just thinking about taking a stroll around. See what kind of merchandise the international crews brought over. See what their culture is like and all that."

"I hope you don’t mind if I join you on that excursion, Kurt," a cool and composed voice suddenly chimed in from behind them.

The group turned their heads in unison.

"Miss Emelie!" Hope hopped forward and waved her tiny hands enthusiastically. "You looked so super cool and strong out there!"

Emelie knelt down slightly and adjusted her little maid’s headband. "Thanks, Hope. I appreciate the compliment."

Meanwhile, Sadie completely froze up. Her usual loudmouthed demeanor vanished into thin air, replaced by a comical expression of geeked-out reverence. She desperately scrambled backward and hid her entire body directly behind Kurt’s torso. Only her wide, starstruck eyes peeked out over his shoulder as she squealed in a cute whisper.

"Oh shit oh shit oh shit! It’s Emelie... this is the second time I’m seeing her so close... U-Uhm! C-Congrats on the match, Emelie! You were so super c-cool!"

From the side Christy and her stern-faced guardian, Gloria, approached the group.

The Saintess clapped her dainty hands together, her blue eyes sparkling with genuine admiration as she offered Emelie a warm nod.

"Yes, congratulations on a splendid victory, Miss Emelie! Eldoria is very fortunate to have you representing them tomorrow."

"Thank you, Saintess Christy, and thank you, Sadie. Though, truth be told, I did not actually do much out there today."

"Say, Emy," Kurt asked. "You say you want to join us, but shouldn’t you be back with the rest of your team? Tomorrow’s a pretty important day. I figured you guys would be locked in a strategy room somewhere, mapping out the entire blueprint for The Gauntlet."

"Nah. I’ll meet up with the others later tonight. Besides, both Kiana and Junior are currently occupying the medical bays being treated. So I have plenty of free time until the evening, when everyone is present."

"Ooh! In that case, I want to join the stroll too!" Christy’s eyes lit up as she eagerly took a step toward Kurt. "Let’s all explore together!"

"Absolutely not, Your Holiness," Gloria stateded sharply in a tone that brooked zero arguments.

"We must depart immediately. We have a confidential meeting with the Pope. Furthermore, as the Saintess of the Church, it is your duty to accompany the priests to the medical bays and oversee the final recovery blessings for the injured students. Your schedule is locked for the rest of the afternoon."

Christy’s entire face comically collapsed into a sad pout at the news. She slumped her shoulders forward and let out a miserable groan. "Boo Granny. You... are a literal anti-fun warden. A true dream-crusher if you will."

Knowing she couldn’t escape her duty, the young Saintess turned around slowly and quivered her lower lip playfully as she raised a sad hand to wave goodbye to Kurt, Sadie, Emelie and Hope.

"Have fun without me, guys... eat a skewer in my honor... bye-bye..." She was practically dragged away by the back of her robes by an unbothered Gloria, disappearing down the main walkway.

Kurt chuckled while shaking his head as he watched them leave. "Well, that leaves the four of–"

"Excuse me," a soft voice suddenly cutting through the ambient noise of the crowd. "If you happen to have one more open spot in your little traveling party... I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to join you as well."

’Uh-oh. That way of speaking is...’

The group all turned their heads toward the source of the eloquent voice.

"Izumi-san..."

"Hehehe~ Good afternoon, Rossana-sama."