Vol.2 Chapter 76

Clarissa’s PoV

"Come on, Dad! We're going to miss the finals!" I exclaimed, my voice full of enthusiasm while I pulled him towards the venue.

My dad chuckled warmly, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. "You really are excited, huh?"

"Of course!" I exclaimed, my voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Novo and Big Brother are in the finals! This is huge!"

“No need to rush, princess. They said it would start at one after the lunch break, and it’s only twelve-fifty,” my dad countered.

He is right, though, as the semi-finals have just finished earlier before the break. Still, I wanted to be there as early as possible to show support to Novo and my brother’s team, so I ignored him and continued to push through the crowd of people who seemed to be also heading towards the stadium.

After a short walk, we finally reached the front of the entrance. As I surveyed my surroundings, I could feel the buzz of anticipation in the air. People were everywhere, their faces lit up with excitement. The energy radiating from the crowd was palpable and contagious.

“Looks like there are a lot more people here than there were earlier,” Dad observed.

"Of course! It's the finals!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing with excitement. "It's going to be epic!"

Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "You're really fired up about this, aren't you?"

"I can't help it!" I said, my eyes sparkling. "I mean, it’s Novo and Brother playing there, after all, in front of this huge crowd!"

We joined the crowd, making our way towards the entrance. The energy of the crowd was pushing us forward. I could feel the anticipation building, a tangible force that pulsed through the air.

"I wonder if Mom and Colin are here yet?" I asked, my gaze scanning the crowd.

"They'll be here soon," Dad said, his voice calm and reassuring. "They wouldn't miss your brother’s big match for the world."

I nodded, my gaze returning to the entrance. My anticipation was building with each passing second.

As we stepped through the entrance after showing our tickets, the arena was a whirlwind of activity, a vibrant tapestry of color and sound. Cosplayers in elaborate costumes mingled with fans, their faces painted with intricate designs. Even players who seemed to be famous streamers, judging by the conversation of the people around me, signed autographs for eager admirers.

The air was thick with the buzz of anticipation, a palpable energy that crackled in the air. I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I looked around the venue.

Noticing my eagerness, Dad chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're like a kid in a candy store," he said, his voice laced with affection.

After a short walk towards the main stadium, we found our seats. The arena slowly filled up with eager fans.

The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and the atmosphere shifted. A wave of anticipation washed over the crowd as the familiar tournament theme song blasted through the speakers. The stage lights flickered, illuminating the arena in a dazzling display of colors.

"It's starting! Where are Mom and Colin? They're going to miss the big match!" I protested, my voice laced with anxiety.

Dad chuckled, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder. "Calm down there, princess. Isn't the panelist going to talk about the game first? It will be a bit later before it starts, so don't get too worked up."

"Oh, I almost forgot about that," I murmured, my shoulders slumping in relief.

Just as Dad said, the casters appeared on the big screen at the center of the stadium. But something didn't seem right. Instead of the two familiar faces, a woman and a man replaced them.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. I could hear murmurs of surprise and excitement.

"Oh! Why are those two here?"

"Isn't that Murasame, along with Tactical? Whoa! Two bigshot pros are here!"

"Wow! I didn't expect Murasame to be here, along with the retired legend Tactical!"

"Murasame never participates in this kind of stuff! Is it because her sister is playing?"

"Are they going to join the All-Star match? I would love for Murasame to participate one time in it!"

"Tactical and Murasame, huh? Isn't Murasame the reason Tactical is out of the AC? I expect some drama here!"

Judging from the voices around me, it seemed that these two were quite popular professional players of CoA, especially the one called Murasame. I could hear a lot of loud cheers towards her. The other one, Tactical, seemed like he was also a famous veteran player. Also, now that I think about it, that guy seemed familiar. Have I met him before? No, probably not. Someone like me has nothing to do with someone as famous as him; I probably just saw him on TV or something.

"Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! I'm sure most of you already know these two, but for our newer viewers, allow me to introduce these legends! First, we have the one and only captain of the first Andartha Cup winner, the retired legend, Tactical!" Mr. Raze exclaimed.

The screen then focused on Mr. Tactical. Seemingly in his late twenties, he possessed a calm demeanor and a sharp intellect, evident in his piercing blue eyes. His features were sharp and defined, his jawline strong, and his brow furrowed in a thoughtful expression. He radiated an aura of quiet authority, a sense of wisdom that probably came from years of experience.

"Thank you, it's good to be here," Mr. Tactical replied smoothly.

The crowd erupted in thunderous applause, the stadium shaking with the force of their cheers at his statement.

"Next, we have the current undisputed strongest female player of the entire CoA, Murasame, from the pro-Team Atelier!" the lead panelist, Mr. Raze, introduced once again.

The screen then focused on Ms. Murasame, who stood tall and graceful, her presence commanding attention. Her long, black hair flowed like a silken waterfall, framing a face that was both delicate and striking. Her eyes, a piercing red, seemed to gleam with an inner fire, their gaze sharp and penetrating, as if they could see right through you.

Upon hearing the introduction, Ms. Murasame nodded briefly in acknowledgment before taking her seat once again.

The crowd went even wilder than they did with Mr. Tactical. Their cheers reached a deafening crescendo. The stadium seemed to vibrate with energy, the air thick with excitement. Fans screamed, whistled, and stomped their feet, their enthusiasm reaching a fever pitch. Some male fans even proposed with a loud shout for Ms. Murasame to marry them… which seems weird.

Nevertheless, it was incredible to see these two legends, whose names were synonymous with CoA. And with them as the panelist of brother’s final match at that!

"I know you guys are wondering why these two legends are here. Well, to answer your question, these two will be participating in the all-star match against the winner of this tournament!" the panelist revealed, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

All-star match, huh? I hope Novo’s team wins so that they can participate in the all-star game! I know Novo won’t lose even against professional players like them!

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Tactical’s PoV

Surveying my surroundings, the panelist room was a haven of calm amidst the storm of excitement raging outside. It was a spacious room, bathed in soft, warm light, with large windows that offered a panoramic view of the bustling arena. I could see the sea of faces, their energy palpable even from this distance.

A large mahogany table dominated the center of the room, its surface polished to a gleam. Comfortable leather chairs were positioned around the table, inviting conversation and contemplation.

A whiteboard hung on one wall, covered in intricate diagrams and scribbled notes, evidence of the intense analysis that had taken place within these walls. A coffee machine hummed in the corner, its aroma filling the air with a comforting scent.

Since we are participating in the all-star, we are also invited as panelists.

While Calah expressed interest in joining, only Murasame and I are present since it is customary to limit the number of panelists to three for a better flow of the conversation. The lead panelist is here as the third one to ensure a seamless transition during the analysis, which he's doing quite well, I must say.

"What do you guys think of the new Paragons?" Raze asked casually, his voice warm and inviting.

His skills as a lead panelist really show. He knows that to discuss our insights better, it would be best to speak in casual terms among the three of us.

"They're more team-oriented than us when we were the Paragons, I suppose," I said, leaning back in my chair. "They're all good, with huge future prospects in the eSports scene. Maybe I'm a bit biased, but whether they could be as good as our team back then remains to be seen. However, seeing their performance so far in the tournament, I'm more than hopeful about that." I tried to sound casual, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride as I spoke about the team I'd founded.

"That is a nice insight, coming from the captain of the OG Paragons himself," Raze chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "How about you, Ms. Aoi? What are your thoughts?"

"…They are strong, especially their ace," Murasame replied succinctly.

I sighed mentally. Directly to the point, as always. Well, she was always like that, though.

"I completely agree with that, especially after seeing their last match," Raze said, nodding in agreement.

“So, out of curiosity, how does it feel? To be here instead of participating?” Raze asked jovially, his gaze flitting between Aoi and me.

I answered easily, and my years of experience with interviews as team captain gave me practiced ease. "It's a change of pace, for sure. However, I enjoy observing and analyzing from a different perspective. It's a different kind of challenge, but one I find stimulating."

“That’s good to hear; how about you, Miss Aoi?” Raze queried curiously.

"I prefer to be one of the participants," Murasame replied curtly.

I couldn't help but sigh inwardly. I'm already retired from the pro scene, and if the team I'm building doesn't work out, I need to at least land a job as a panelist. That's where most retired pros end up! You already have a future in the pro scene, but I don't, so please don't sabotage my chance of becoming a panelist with your aloof behavior!

Raze chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Well, I'm sure you do, given your competitiveness, Ms. Aoi. But let's address the elephant in the room. What do you guys think about Novo? Not even Max leveled; she also beat Lua. Fluke or not?"

I considered his question, my gaze fixed on the bustling arena beyond the window. "It's hard to say whether it's a fluke or not. There are those who show promise at the start of their career only to fall off in their consequent matches. Conversely, there are those who don't stand out at first but improve throughout their careers. I have high expectations for the girl, though; I think she shows quite the promise."

"Yeah, I agree," Raze chimed in. "It's not every day you can see a support player play like that. She might even become a well-known female player in the CoA community, and we all know how popular and well-sought-out professional female players are."

Oh, if you only knew her real account, I thought to myself, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

"How about you, Miss Aoi? What are your thoughts on her?" Raze asked, turning to Murasame.

Aoi's red eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on the lead panelist, Raze. "…She is incredibly skilled. I want to have a proper duel with her."

"O-oh, I-I see. Ms. Aoi also seems to see promise in the rising star Novo if you're this much interested in her, ha-ha," Raze gave a forced laugh.

This girl! Can you at least give some valuable insights and not think about fighting for once? I think I know now why the entire Atelier organization seldom makes her do interviews. She is a real battle maniac.

The pattern continued, with me doing my best to analyze the match while Murasame offered only the bare minimum of commentary. Just as I was in the middle of sharing my insights on the game, Raze uncharacteristically interrupted me.

"Oh, hold that thought; it seems like the finalists are ready!" he said cheerfully, his voice brimming with excitement.

I glanced at the stage, and the crowd erupted in a thunderous roar. The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, welcoming the finalists onto the stage.

Both teams seemed determined, their faces set in expressions of focused intensity. The Paragons, in particular, radiated an almost palpable energy, their movements sharp and precise. They seemed to have come here to prove something, their eyes burning with a fierce determination. Did something happen for them to be this driven, perhaps?

Whatever the reason is, this game would certainly be interesting.