The undercurrents of Rodova's dominant win in Group B rippled far beyond the cheering crowds and the celebratory atmosphere inside the Sky-God Arena.
Just as Rodova had quietly watched Group A's preliminary round early this morning, now it was Geneva, Clarence, and other top academies who sat with sharp focus, analyzing every move made by their competitors.
Gu Ramos, Geneva's captain, leaned forward slightly, arms crossed as his eyes locked onto the jumbotron replay of Rodova's performance. His expression was stoic, but the subtle tension in his jaw betrayed his unease.
"We knew Yu Shen was very strong, but those two first years are beyond our expectations.
I know Su Ran warned me about his younger brother potentially making it to the team, and that he was a real talent.
However, it's just absurd that he's so strong so fast.
And it's not just him alone…. That Leo Skyshard kid is a real menace too—" Ramos remarked, his voice quiet but firm.
Beside him, Geneva's academy strategist and instructor was already typing furiously into his terminal, pulling up whatever fragments of footage they had managed to gather.
"Don't worry, Ramos. I had someone tail all ten members of Rodova during the prelims. The forest map made clean footage hard to come by, but we still got enough to extract valuable data points. We'll have clippings ready for analysis by tonight," the instructor assured, as Ramos gave her a silent nod, his black eyes narrowing.
Yu Shen's Dominance was expected— everyone knew he was the backbone of Rodova, but Leo Skyshard? That wildcard replacement who wasn't even on their radar a month ago? That was alarming.
And more importantly, Leo wasn't just present, he was almost on par with Yu Shen in terms of performance, who was already one of their biggest nightmares this year.
"Bad…. I'm getting bad vibes from this—" Ramos commented, as he felt his stomach turn with unease.
—------
Meanwhile, within the upper offices of the Universal Government's Military Command Division, an old commander sat lazily behind his desk, smoke curling up from a thick cigar wedged between his fingers.
The commander's eyes were locked onto the TV screen in front of him as he watched this year's Preliminary Circuit unfold with a keen interest.
However, instead of listening to the commentators analyze and breakdown the previous match before the next one started, he chose to call an old junior instead, as he made a secure video call from his office phone.
"Alric, goddamn it," the commander chuckled the moment Principal Alric's hologram appeared.
"You've sent a team of roaring lions this year. Hahaha! What an early showing." he complimented, as Alric, the ever composed gentleman that he was, immediately responded with a military salute befitting of greeting a senior, before responding politely and in a professional tone.
"We were fortunate, sir. The students performed admirably."
"Fortunate? Cut the modesty," the commander waved dismissively, puffing out a cloud of smoke. "Yu Shen, that high born brat of the Yu Clan was born for this. We already knew his potential after last year. But that newcomer — Leo Skyshard — now that was a surprise."
The commander leaned closer to his console. "Tell me, what's his story?"
Alric exhaled slowly, as he knew what the commander's interest in one of his students meant.
The commander wanted his full history, right from his admission to his current power level and Alric gave it all without a hitch.
"Wiped memory, sir. We presume he's a Mu Clan descendant. As you're aware, the clan has a history of sending their young ones into the universe stripped of memory to temper their instincts.
Other than that he's a hard worker and a Monarch level talent. Breezed through to Grandmaster realm without a hitch–" Alric reported as the commander chuckled.
"Mu Clan, huh? Those sly bastards always produce the best warriors.
Central's got their eyes on him already, they want to take him in if he continues to perform well, which is why I pulled his academy records myself.
His physical stats are off the damn charts, Alric, I mean, what's up with his absurd reflexes?" The commander asked, as Alric's grin widened from the other end.
"His reflexes are the best in academy history. And his growth rate is absurd. If he's this strong as a first year, I'm feeling very confident that no-one will be able to scratch him at the circuit's next year if he continues on his current trajectory—" Alric responded, as the commander let out another giant ball of smoke.
"He's the type of talent that the Universal Army needs.
Recruitment staff have already started to take notice of him and while his offer letter is not guaranteed yet…. I presume that when the time comes for him to choose his future career options, you will do your best to drive him towards the universal army—" The commander said, raising an eyebrow, as Alric immediately responded with a salute.
"Of course sir, there's no better place than the universal army for a young recruit like him. I'll of course guide him to the best of my abilities—" Alric replied, as the commander began chuckling once again.
"Bahahaha—, good, very good… that's why I like you so much—" the commander said, as his eyes turned mirthful for one second before turning stone cold the next.
"Send me his psychological evaluation records…. And help me determine which branch of the Mu Clan he's from.
If he's from the main clan, we might face resistance recruiting him into our fold, given the standoff between the six great clans and the universal government.
However, as long as he's out of the race for the position of patriarch, he's fair game for the universal government to recruit—" The commander demanded, as Alric saluted and nodded once again.
"It will be done, sir!" Alric assured, as the call disconnected.
With just a brief display of his strength, Leo had already stirred the waters, drawing the attention of hungry wolves who now circled him like prey.
Yet, with the spotlight came inevitable scrutiny. And while everything seemed bright and promising for now, it was only a matter of time before someone started digging too deeply— and when they did, the buried skeletons of his past risked clawing their way back into the light.
Skeletons that Leo couldn't afford being exposed at this stage of his life.