Vol.2 Chapter 83

Clarissa's PoV

The stadium exploded with confetti everywhere as Novo lifted the cup, making for a memorable sight that I'm sure I would never forget for the rest of my life. My heart is still pounding, and I can barely contain my excitement. The giant screens flash with a close-up view of Novo and her teammates, Big Brother included; the crowd is roaring with a celebratory mood as we get to witness this spectacle, and I'm right in the thick of it. I can’t believe I got to witness something this spectacular firsthand!

"Yes! They did it! Go Paradigm!" I cheered as hard as I could, even though I knew my voice would be lost in the cacophony of the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, what an incredible tournament we've witnessed today! Your energy has been phenomenal, and it's time to interview our tournament champions! Please give a warm welcome to our winning team, who, contrary to expectations, have proved time and time again that they are the strongest in the tournament! Give it up for TEEEEAAAAM PARADIGM!” The announcer's yell cut through the noise, his voice booming through the arena.

I can barely hear myself think over the deafening cheers. Looking around, Mom, Dad, and Colin are also cheering, their faces beaming with pride at Big Brother’s achievement.

The interviewer, a woman who seemed to be in her 30s, held a microphone in hand. She went over to Miss Lizbeth first to start the interview.

"Congratulations on your team's victory! As the captain of the team, what was your strategy going into the tournament?" the interviewer asked, his voice amplified through the arena.

"Hmm… Strategy, you say? Well, Kat mostly handled that stuff. I'm more of our team’s cheerleader than a strategist, he-he," she said, a hint of shyness creeping into her voice as she scratched her cheek, unsure how to fully answer the question.

"I'm sure your teammates are playing more than a hundred percent with such a beautiful cheerleader on their team," the interviewer responded smoothly, her voice laced with a playful charm that deflected any potential awkwardness.

That act alone made me in awe of her professionalism in handling these kinds of interviews.

After hearing the answer, the interviewer then moved the microphone towards my big brother. For another question.

"It feels amazing to be the strongest in the world! Wahaha! Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, Your Big Brother's the strongest!" he declared, his voice booming with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Please stop it, Big Brother! You're embarrassing us all!

"I-I see; I'm sure they're proud of you right now," the interviewer stammered, clearly caught off guard by my brother's boisterous enthusiasm.

After hearing my brother’s response, the interviewer then moved towards Mr. Chu.

"Do you have any message to say to your fans? I've heard you made many from this tournament alone," the interviewer asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity.

A group of girls of Asian ethnicity, who I presumed to be his fans, seemed to have been waiting for this moment. "Notice us, Senior Chu!" they screamed, their voices echoing through the stadium.

Hearing the girls' cheers, I noticed my brother glaring at Chu.

"Really now, bother, please temper your jealousy a bit," I muttered under my breath, feeling a pang of shame and second-hand embarrassment at my brother's reaction.

"…None at all,” Chu answered curtly, his voice devoid of warmth.

Uhmm, isn't he a bit cold-hearted? I hope those girls won't be too disappointed with his reply.

"Kyaaa! He's so cool!" they shouted in unison, their voices a wave of adoration.

Uh, never mind then.

"Hehe, to be young again! Then how about loved ones? Any message to them?" the interviewer chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"…" He paused, his gaze distant, before speaking in a low, almost hesitant tone. "…Mother, I've done it. I hope you're proud of me now…”

The interviewer appeared to be caught off guard by his heartfelt confession but opted not to pry too much.

"Oh! I'm sure your mother would be very proud of your achievement!" she said, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

She then moved over to the last remaining member, Novo, who was still holding onto the trophy that she had lifted prior to the interview.

"The tally just came in, and you have been voted MVP of the tournament by our esteemed staff, online voters, and the fans here in the stadium! What do you say to that?" the interviewer asked enthusiastically.

“…We won the tournament through team effort, so I don't think I solely deserve that title,” Novo replied politely, which was received favorably by the crowd.

"Wow, Novo really is good at interviews. Her answers are short but direct to the point! She's so calm and composed, too—how mature!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with admiration.

Hearing my praise, Mom asked, "Isn't she just shy?"

"No! She's also that unflappable when we play together!" I insisted, my eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "She's always collected, even under pressure."

"I see. You really look up to her, huh?" Mom responded, a smile playing on her lips. "It's good to have someone you admire."

“Oh, what's this? It seems like our daughter has her first crush. They sure do grow up so fast,” Dad teased, appearing out of nowhere with a mischievous grin.

I froze, feeling my cheeks heat up like a furnace.

“Dad! It's not like that! Besides, she’s a girl, you know!” I protested, weakly pounding his shoulder with both fists, my efforts completely ineffective.

“Ouch, ouch!” he mocked, pretending to be hurt. “Alright, alright! I’ll stop teasing now. Spare your dear old dad!” He laughed heartily, clearly unaffected by my nonexistent beating.

Mom chuckled at our antics. Dad had always been the clown of our family, and his playful spirit never failed to amuse her.

The interview continued with various questions, each of the team Paradigm taking turns answering.

After the interview concluded, the announcer smoothly transitioned to a new topic regarding the last event of the tournament to keep the momentum going.

"And now, for the special event you've all been waiting for! A match between the veterans and the new blood, the All-Stars match!" the announcer hyped, his voice echoing through the stadium.

The crowd's anticipation peaked as the announcer began to introduce the All-Star team, one by one.

"First up, you know him as our panelist for the past week, expertly sharing his intuitive analysis and wisdom of the game, but some of you don’t know that he was once known as 'Vlad the Impaler' during the early years of the CoA pro scene with his merciless spear strikes! Give it up for Vlad!"

The crowd erupted in cheers; their excitement was palpable as Mr. Bogdan, the panelist I had come to know through his insightful remarks throughout the tournament, was introduced on the screen.

“Oh, so he was also a pro player?” I heard someone near to me remark.

“I'm finally going to see him play again!”

“It’s been a while! Show those newbies the strength of the feared veteran ‘Vlad the Impaler’!”

"Next, someone who will shock you all by playing again. The leader of the Paragon's Guild, the first AC champion, and the legendary Team Paragon's support, Celeste!" the announcer continued as the cheers died down.

The audience's cheers intensified as a large, muscled man—no, I mean a woman—was shown on the screen.

"Whoa! That's Yuusha's partner from the OG Paragons!"

"Why is she here?"

"Maybe she wanted to cheer for the next-gen Paragons."

"I'd love to see her play once more!"

"And now, stepping into his element on center stage, known for his strategic genius and rumored to read his opponents' minds—he led the first Paragon to win the first AC. Give it up for Tactical!"

The crowd roared again, louder and more enthusiastic, as a cool, suave-looking guy was featured on the large screen at the center stage.

"Go Tactical! Show those kids the strength of a veteran player!"

"Whoa, Celeste and Tactical are playing together. How nostalgic!"

"If only Zetta and Yuusha were here, then we'd have the legendary team."

"I know, right?! I'd give the world to see them all in action once more!"

"And last but certainly not least, someone you all know and love! The current holder of the title 'Strongest Female Player,' the ace of the pro team Atelier, Murasame, 'The Unseen Blade'!" the announcer yelled, his excitement matching the crowd.

The stadium erupted into the loudest cheer ever, a deafening celebration as the face of Ms. Murasame was zoomed in. I can’t help but admit that she was indeed breathtakingly beautiful as I saw a full view of her face on the gigantic screen.

"Kyaa! Notice me, Senpai!"

“Holy! It's Murasame in the flesh!”

"She's much more beautiful in person than on TV and in videos!"

"I know, right?! She's not in the renowned Atelier org for nothing since she also has the looks to back it up!"

"Finally! The strongest player is here!"

"I kinda feel bad for the champions. They won the entire tournament just to get owned by Murasame!"

I reflexively gulped.

Judging from the voices around me, my brother's team seems to have no chance against her. Is she really that strong?

No, Novo won't lose to anyone! I believe in her!

-----------------------------------------------------

The air inside our booth was thick with anticipation and adrenaline. My teammates and I were huddled together, the sounds of the roaring crowd just outside our glass enclosure filling the space with a vibrant buzz. The stadium lights blazed brightly, illuminating the center stage where everything was about to go down.

I could see the opposing team's All-Star lineup through the glass in their booth directly across from us. They looked so focused and ready. Celeste’s carefree attitude and Tactical’s usual calm expression before a match were quite nostalgic. However, seeing them in the flesh was a new sight for me since our past battle preparations were done with our in-game avatars, so it has a different feel to it.

I glanced around at my teammates, each one embodying a mixture of nerves and fierce determination. I couldn't blame them. We were up against pros this time. It was especially apparent with Liz, who was about to face her idols in a match.

“W-what do we do, Kat? We’re severely outmatched here! Any good tactics to turn things around?” Liz asked nervously.

“Calm down. Let's just play the standard 1-2-1 rotation and face them head-on,” I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Are you sure? Won’t we get destroyed in a head-on fight?” Clarence asked skeptically while Chu seemed content to let the three of us handle the battle plan.

“Probably, but it doesn’t matter too much. This match has no stakes, so take it as an opportunity to gain experience fighting against pros. You guys will need it.”

“Our reputation is at stake, though! What if we get crushed? And this is Tactical, along with Miss Aoi that we're talking about! Those two working together can easily dismantle our team!” Liz countered, her worry evident.

“I don’t think that’s going to happen; they would likely hold back to make the match more entertaining since this is just an event match. A game so one-sided would disappoint the viewers,” I pointed out.

From what I know of Tactical’s personality, I don't expect him to target our weaknesses in a show match like this; otherwise, our team would be easily destroyed with all the weak points he could exploit, considering he’s already watched our games a few times. Well, three years have passed, and time can change people, but I’m still banking on him showing us some leniency.

“So we're beating them with pure skill, huh? I like that idea! Let's show those old-timers the strength of the new generation of champions! Right, Chu?" Clarence said confidently, a spark of determination in his eyes.

“…I don’t mind either way,” Chu replied curtly, shrugging his shoulders.

“Ren! I won’t tolerate you disrespecting two of my idols like that! If you trash-talk when you face them, I'll be furious,” Liz admonished, her eyes narrowing.

Before Clarence could reply, a staff member interrupted.

“Team Paradigm, the match is starting. Please proceed to your VR pods,” the staff member, a girl in her 20s, respectfully reminded us.

“Also, I’m rooting for you guys! Good luck!” she added with a cheerful smile before leaving our booth.

“It seems like we made another fan,” Liz said happily, her spirits lifted.

“I guess,” I replied noncommittally as I headed towards my designated VR pod.

------------------------------------

Chu’s PoV

As the blinding light from the teleportation faded, I found myself standing in an expansive open field. The sky overhead was a brilliant azure, with the sun casting a golden hue across the landscape. The gentle rustle of the grass in the breeze was the only sound, a stark contrast to the roaring crowd in the stadium from the real world we previously were in.

An open-field map, huh? This means ambush plays are less likely. It looks like the tournament organizers want this event to be a head-on battle since, unlike the randomized maps during the tournament, they are the ones to handpick the battlefield map this time.

“Let’s go with what Kat suggested earlier; let's face them head-on and enjoy the last match of this tournament, guys! Is that alright with everyone?” our captain asked, her voice full of excitement.

“Sure, I won’t lose either way!” my irritating teammate said confidently, flashing a grin.

“What about you, Chu? Are you okay with the battle plan?” our captain turned her attention to me.

“…I don’t mind,” I shrugged.

“Alright then! Let’s go, Paradigm!” she said enthusiastically, her energy infectious.

With a determined nod, she signaled for us to proceed to our designated capture points just as the match's timer officially started.

With a deep breath, I broke away from my team and started my journey towards the bottom orb capture point. The open-field terrain stretched out before me, a vast expanse of rolling hills and scattered boulders. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows and making the field feel even more expansive. The gentle rustle of the grass underfoot was almost calming, a sharp contrast to the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

As I traversed the landscape, I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of the enemy team. Even though our strategist said that ambush is highly unlikely, it won’t hurt to be vigilant.

Finally, I arrived at the bottom orb capture point, the glowing sphere hovering ominously above the ground. But I wasn't alone. Standing opposite me was a mature looking girl with crimson eyes that seemed to stare right through my soul.

“…Murasame,” I muttered under my breath.

It seems I’m in luck. I had always dreamed of testing my strength against one of the strongest player in the pro scene, and now, that wish is coming true. The legendary Murasame, known by many as ‘The Unseen Blade,’ Her reputation as the top female player preceded her, and now I had the chance to face her in a proper duel.

Murasame, with her striking blue hair flowing behind her and piercing red eyes, moved with a fluid grace that was almost mesmerizing. She offered a respectful bow, a gesture steeped in tradition and honor. She wore a jet-black samurai set armor that seemed to gleamed under the sunlight.

I bowed in return, mirroring her gesture. If I remember correctly, in her Japanese culture, bowing before a duel was a profound sign of respect for one's opponent. I understood the gravity of this act well enough to reciprocate it.

The open field around us was bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun. The grass beneath our feet whispered softly as the wind passed through it, adding to the surreal stillness of the moment.

We both remained silent, content to let our skills do the talking. The anticipation built as we took our stances, ready to engage.

Time seemed to stand still as Murasame and I stared each other down, our eyes locked in a silent challenge. I didn’t know how long we stared at each other, gauging each other for any openings, until she instantly broke the status quo.

With a sudden burst of speed, Murasame moved. Her katana flashed in the sunlight, slicing through the air with deadly precision.

She was fast—blindingly fast—but I had trained for this. I could still keep up with her movements, my body reacting instinctively. I raised my twin butterfly swords, their weight familiar and comforting in my hands.

I reacted instinctively, my own twin butterfly swords meeting hers in a clash of steel with a perfect parry.

Ting*

She didn’t let up; with a fluid motion, Murasame sheathed her blade and prepared an Iai slash, her every movement precise and deliberate. I watched as her katana gleamed in the sunlight, the moment stretching into an eternity as she aimed for my torso.

I calculated the trajectory for a perfect block, my mind racing to anticipate her next move. My twin butterfly swords were poised to intercept her strike. But to my shock, Murasame was one step ahead.

She redirected her slash mid-swing in the split second before our blades met. She altered her attack with an almost unnatural fluidity, avoiding my parry entirely and angling her blade towards my head.

Wha—! Is that even possible with the momentum of her swing? She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever fought before. What a monster!

The shock of her maneuver froze me for a fraction of a second, my mind struggling to comprehend the absurdity of what I had just witnessed. In that brief moment of hesitation, I failed to dodge nor even react to her attack. Her katana struck with brutal accuracy, landing a full-force critical hit without me having a chance to dampen the blow.

Kachack*

ZiJi

HP: 42%

Wha-!” I exclaimed in shock

I was completely caught off guard. The heavy slash broke my stance, causing me to receive another precise follow-up attack from her.

Kachack*

ZiJi

HP: 0%

"Ack!" I gasped in horror.

What?! I know both of her attacks were perfect critical hits, but to die in only two slashes? Her damage stats are unbelievably high! It seems that accounts sponsored by professional organizations are on a whole new level compared to us, a stark reminder of the gap between pros and non-pros.

“…You rely too much on your parries, even in dire situations, making your movements too predictable. I recommend you brush up on your dodging skills,” she advised, her voice steady and composed.

"…" I nodded, taking in her words. "I'll keep that in mind," I said respectfully, acknowledging the truth in her critique.

She had completely exploited my glaring weaknesses without any mercy, and her mastery of the blade and overwhelming skills left me unable to refute her. But beyond the sharp critique, I could feel her genuine intentions to impart knowledge and experience to help me improve. Like her katana, her words were sharp but fair, cutting through my stubbornness harder than any physical blow.

Unlike what our strategist predicted, she didn’t hold back at all. She was completely serious in our duel. I couldn’t help but admire her for that; she showed true warrior spirit, respecting me enough to give her all. It would have been a massive blow to my pride if she had taken it easy on me or even toyed with me in our fight.

So, this is the strongest female player among the pro players right now. I guess I still have a long way to go compared to the top players, I thought to myself as my virtual form disintegrated into blue motes of light.