Chapter 112: A war call
As the final match concluded, the victorious Rodova Military Team reveled in their win, celebrating in front of the roaring home crowd. Meanwhile, the injured fighters from the Nature Military Academy were swiftly escorted off the field for medical treatment.
"Well… like him or not, you have to admit—Yu Shen is a damn monster in the ring," Su Yang muttered, stretching as he stood from his seat.
Leo stood up as well, his expression unreadable. "Yeah? Well, I still plan on kicking his ass before he graduates… at least once."
Su Yang scoffed, shaking his head. "Good luck with that."
They had just started making their way toward the exit when, unexpectedly, a familiar voice rang out from the arena floor.
"SKYSHARD! YANG! Come join the team in the dressing room—we have something to discuss," Yu Shen called out, his voice carrying effortlessly through the lingering buzz of the stadium.
Leo froze mid-step.
'Did Yu Shen just—call us over?'
His brow furrowed slightly as he turned, finding the Circuit Captain looking directly at him, waving them down with a casual yet expectant expression.
Su Yang grinned, patting Leo's shoulder.
"When the devil summons, you go–" he said, as letting out a slow sigh, Leo nodded, still somewhat puzzled by the sudden invitation.
However, curious to find out why exactly they had been invited to a team only meeting, Leo and Su Yang did respond to Yu Shen's call, following him into the changing rooms.
—-----------
(Rodova Military Academy, Circuit Team Changing Rooms)
The atmosphere inside the Circuit Team Changing Room was absolutely electric following their dominant victory over the Nature Military Academy.
Laughter, cheers, and the clinking of potion bottles filled the space as the team reveled in their near-perfect performance.
At the center of it all, Major Hen stood with a proud smile, his arms crossed as he overlooked the team. Despite his satisfaction, his voice remained firm as he broke down each fight, highlighting the good, the bad, and the ugly from every round.
"The Nature Military Academy is ranked 16th in the Universal Circuit Rankings," Hen began, his gaze sweeping over the fighters.
"They're no powerhouse, so this win was expected of you."
The rowdy atmosphere settled slightly at his words, his tone serving as a reminder not to get too comfortable.
"That being said—coming out of this bout without a single team member sustaining major injuries is a damn good sign. It speaks volumes about how strong the Rodova Circuits Team is this year."
At that, the team erupted into cheers once more, clashing potion bottles together in celebration, spilling hydration drinks across the floor in their excitement.
Seated off to the side, Leo and Su Yang remained quiet, watching the scene unfold.
They had been invited to this meeting—yet so far, no one had acknowledged them directly.
And though they felt out of place, something about the energy in the room—the camaraderie, the sense of belonging—struck a chord within them.
A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at their lips, as someday, they definitely wanted to be a part of this.
*Clap*
*Clap*
"Alright," Yu Shen's voice rang out, cutting through the noise.
The moment he spoke, the team settled down, all eyes shifting toward their captain as he stepped forward, taking center stage.
"Since Major Hen is done with his speech, let me take over."
His tone was serious—more serious than usual.
"I have a very important announcement to make. Not just for the team, but for the two observers in the room as well."
Leo and Su Yang exchanged a glance, as Yu Shen's gaze swept across the team before landing on them, his expression unreadable.
"Because what I'm about to say will determine everything. Whether we can achieve the goal I'm about to set… will decide whether we become Circuits Champions this year or not."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Everyone listened.
And Leo sat up just a little straighter—knowing that whatever Yu Shen was about to say next was definitely important.
"Good strategy is crucial in the Circuits.
I think by now, all of us understand that." Yu Shen began, his voice carrying the weight of experience as the team members nodded in acknowledgment.
"The type of opponent you face, the tactics you use—these factors can often decide the difference between victory and defeat.
However—" he raised a single finger, his expression sharpening.
"That only applies when the power difference between two fighters is negligible."
His words sank in, a quiet realization settling over the room.
"Today, I showed you the difference between a 'Grandmaster' and a 'Master.'
He let that statement hang in the air before continuing.
"In my fight against the Nature Academy captain—
Even without my weapon.
Even when I let him recover and attack at full strength.
Even when I toyed with him…
He still couldn't land a hit on me."
A few of the team members cheered instinctively—only to fall silent when Yu Shen's sharp gaze cut through them.
His next words were heavier, laced with unmistakable urgency.
"Right now, I am the only Rodova fighter who has reached the 'Grandmaster' realm.
And that… is simply not enough."
His eyes flickered toward Leo and Su Yang for a brief moment before sweeping across the rest of the team.
"Last year, Geneva Military Academy had seven Grandmasters in their ranks."
A hush fell over the room.
"If my estimations are correct, they'll have at least five to seven Grandmasters this year as well."
He let that sink in before his voice hardened.
"And let me be very clear—
It won't matter how well you strategize against a Grandmaster… if you're still a Master yourself."
The weight of his words pressed into every team member present.
"That's why I'm telling you all, right here, right now—
If you want to win the Circuits, if you want to stand a chance at fighting Geneva, you MUST start pushing toward the next realm.
No more complacency. No more comfort. No more thinking 'Master' is enough."
He exhaled, his gaze sweeping across the room, his next words carrying a quiet warning.
"Today, you're celebrating. You're happy. But I promise you—
If you don't push yourselves beyond this level, then when the Circuits arrive…
Because at the circuits, it won't be Nature Academy getting their asses kicked.
It will be YOU.
It will be YOU who will be the butt off the joke, and on that day, the humiliation you will feel will become a scar you can't forget for a lifetime—" Yu Shen said, as he pointed towards each individual team member.
"We are all seniors here except the two kids.
And for us there is no redemption if we lose this year.
For us there is no second chance. So if we get our ass kicked by some opponent, it's going to be a regret we might carry till our graves—" Yu Shen said, as his voice softened and started to convey real pain.
"Year after year after year. Rodova Military Academy has dreamed of the day where we regain the top-spot in the circuit's and defeat Geneva.
And year after year, our dreams and hopes get crushed.
Well I say no more!
I SAY WE DEFEAT THEM THIS YEAR, AND TO DO THAT, I NEED ALL TEN MEMBERS OF THIS TEAM TO BE FUCKING GRANDMASTERS" Yu Shen screamed as he seemed ready to pop a neck vein.
"LISTEN TO ME TODAY, AND LISTEN WELL—"
Yu Shen's voice thundered through the room, raw authority laced in every word.
"I'VE LOST MY DAMN SANITY FOR THIS YEAR'S CIRCUITS—AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE DEFEAT!"
His glare swept across the team, his presence like a storm ready to consume anyone not strong enough to weather it.
"IT WILL EITHER BE YOU SENIORS WHO BREAK INTO THE GRANDMASTER REALM AND KEEP YOUR PLACE IN THIS TEAM—"
His hand shot out, fingers pointed like a blade toward Leo and Su Yang.
"OR THESE TWO MONARCH-LEVEL JUNIORS WILL REACH IT FIRST AND REPLACE YOU!"
A suffocating silence followed.
Then, with a sharp exhale, Yu Shen turned his focus solely to Leo and Su Yang.
"You heard me. Want in? Then reach Grandmaster before selection season—do that, and I'll take you in. No trials. No questions."
The challenge wasn't up for debate. It wasn't an offer.
It was a declaration.
Leo and Su Yang didn't respond—not because they doubted themselves, but because in that moment, the sheer weight of Yu Shen's words sank in like a call to war.
From the sidelines, Major Hen watched with an approving smirk.
'Well played, boy… well played.'
The Circuit Captain knew exactly what he was doing.
This wasn't just about pushing the seniors—it was a calculated move to pit them against the rising juniors in a race to the Grandmaster realm. A competition where everyone would come out stronger.
Despite the whispers that Yu Shen wanted Leo and Su Yang off his team, Hen knew the truth.
Yu Shen had been tracking their progress for weeks, keeping tabs on their improvements through their supervisors.
And now, having seen enough—he had strategically brought them here today to set this challenge in motion.
'With a captain like him… maybe, just maybe—this is the year Rodova finally dethrones Geneva.' Hen thought as his smirk widened.
As for the first time in years, he believed it might actually be possible for Rodova to finally lift the circuits cup.
Tomorrow is Sunday.
I'll be only uploading a single chapter tomorrow to rest and recuperate, as informed prior.