Leo's performance against Khyaal left several of the VIP sponsors with mouths agape and eyes wide, as some even found themselves unconsciously wiping the drool gathering at the corners of their lips, for they finally saw in Leo what Major Hen and Principal Alric had known all along— that he was going to be the next universal sensation.
"What speed! What reaction time! That boy's nothing like a typical fighter—"
"Leo Skyshard? I've never heard of the Skyshard Clan. Which elite bloodline does this boy belong to?"
"Mu! He's got to be one of those hidden Mu Clan kids, sent out with a fake name like they always do.
That's got to be it. The Mu Clan will probably pull him back into the fold after the circuits—"
"He's marketable too! Tall but not overly bulky, fair-faced with those gray eyes—handsome, but not to the point where the common folk resent him. He's the perfect poster boy! Our armor would look perfect on him!"
"His speed will be the talk of the entire circuits! We need to snatch him up before someone else does.
Frankly, he should be a higher priority for our consortium than even Su Yang!"
The VIP lounge erupted in discussions, as excitement spiraled into thinly veiled desperation, as no one wanted to be the one watching Leo sign with a rival group.
Since they all shared the same observation deck, watching their competitors' eyes light up at Leo's performance only heightened the sense of urgency, as even the most composed sponsors felt the mounting pressure to act fast.
"Principal Alric—"
"Principal Alric, sir, if we could borrow a moment, I was actually thinking of making a generous donation to the academy—new floors, maybe even a new wing—"
"Principal Alric, would you happen to have a minute to discuss the sponsorship of Leo Skyshard and Su Yang? I mean… they'll need responsible sponsors, right? For the sake of their future."
"Principal Alric, about that smaller badge slot on the sleeve of the team jersey... What was the asking price again?"
One after another, they swarmed him like starved wolves circling fresh prey, as Alric, seated comfortably with a glass of champagne in hand, watched the chaos unfold with the satisfied smile of a man who had seen this coming all along.
"Gentlemen…. Gentlemen, today is not the right time for discussing business, today we are here to watch and cheer on the kids.
Please, for business inquiries, reach out to my office…. We respond Monday through Saturday" Alric said, as he strategically shot down any and all attempts for a back-channel deal, as he wanted them to sit on this chance anxiously, so that he could drive up the price on his terms.
—---------
"Winner of this match, Leo Skyshard, will replace Vice-Captain Khyaal on the team—" Major Hen declared a few minutes after the duel had ended, as the announcement echoed through the arena.
At first, the crowd erupted in cheers for Leo's victory, swept up by the sheer spectacle of his dominance.
But as their eyes slowly drifted toward Khyaal—still kneeling in the center of the arena, head bowed, staring silently at the dirt—the applause softened, growing quieter with every passing second.
For despite the thrill of the match, everyone present knew what kind of warrior Khyaal was.
Had Leo simply chosen another opponent, Khyaal might have easily retained his position.
But sometimes, life didn't care for effort or fairness.
Sometimes, it simply pitted you against an opponent you couldn't overcome.
Yet, what truly defined a warrior was how they stood in the face of such defeats.
And Khyaal, ever the gentleman, eventually rose to his feet, shaking off the dust from his armor as he turned toward the crowd.
With a calm smile and no trace of bitterness, he raised his hand and waved—accepting both the loss and the respect it had earned him.
For while he hadn't secured the victory he wanted, he had given everything he could.
He had trained harder than anyone.
He had fought without excuses.
And though today didn't go his way, he could still leave the arena without a lowered head, for there was no shame in giving your all.
"If there's anyone I'd be proud to hand my spot over to—it's Skyshard," Khyaal declared, standing tall despite the loss. "Best of luck to him. And I hope you don't let Rodova down."
With that, Khyaal turned and walked off the stage—not as a defeated man, but as a warrior who had earned the respect of all.
The crowd erupted, not in sorrow, but in admiration.
"Khyaal! Khyaal! Khyaal!"
The chants echoed throughout the arena, louder than even the cheers that had followed the earlier victories, as the students and guests honored him like a hero.
Even Leo, standing silently at the center of the ring, couldn't help but offer a few respectful claps, acknowledging the spirit Khyaal had shown.
And just like that, with no one left to challenge Yu Shen, the final Circuit Team roster was officially sealed.
Only two first-years had made it.
Leo Skyshard and Su Yang.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Major Hen announced, stepping forward as the noise began to settle, "it is my honor to present to you the ten warriors who will represent Rodova Military Academy in this year's Circuits—"
With a simple flick of his wrist, the massive display behind him lit up, showcasing the final roster of faces.
*Applause*
The first-years watched the newly crowned team with glittering eyes, each of them secretly imagining their own face up there next year.
The sight of Leo and Su Yang standing among the senior elites made the impossible suddenly feel within reach, as hope quietly bloomed across the junior class.
Yet, on the other side of the arena, the second-year seniors stood motionless, their hearts sinking as they stared at the team, as for them, there would be no next year, no third chance.
Some clenched their jaws.
Others lowered their heads.
But all of them knew—
For better or worse, this was the end of their circuit dream.