(Sky-God Arena – Rodova VIP Villa, Morning of the Rest Day)
The morning sun had barely risen over the grand lotus shaped spire's of the Sky-God Arena when a line of black hover-cars began parking outside Team Rodova's private villa.
Each vehicle gleamed with the logos of major sponsors—Horizon Dominion, Emerald Arms Consortium, Crimson Phoenix, and more—spilling out teams of stylists, PR reps, branding advisors, and media consultants.
Their movements were crisp, professional, and entirely without mercy for the sleepy fighters within, as they stormed the villa without any regard for the team's privacy.
—--------
Inside the villa, silence lingered.
Until it didn't.
*BANG—*
The door to Leo's room swung open without warning as a flurry of Horizon Dominion stylists and handlers barged in.
Leo was asleep in bed when they entered, however, he was up and alert within a split second, looking like he was ready for war.
Thankfully, it wasn't enemies that had ambushed him, as after looking at the Horizon Dominion logos on the chest of people entering his room, he simply looked up once and nodded.
"Good. You're up. That makes things easier," said one of the lead stylists, snapping her fingers as two others moved in behind her with kits in hand.
"Take this, Mr Skyshard," another added, handing Leo a small pill and a glowing vial.
"It's a rapid skin detox combo. You'll sweat a lot—for about ten minutes, but it will cleanse every pore in your body and you will be left with a clear, glowing skin"
Leo took them both without a word, swallowed them dry, and closed his eyes.
A minute later, the effects hit.
Sweat began pouring from his body like a waterfall. His shirt clung to him, drenched within seconds, as every pore opened up and heat radiated from his core.
Ten minutes passed in silence, the room filled only with the sounds of his slow, steady breathing and the quiet notes of the stylists reviewing his schedule, but once the ten minutes were over–
"Shower. Warm water only. Five minutes max," a voice instructed from the doorway, handing him a bathrobe as Leo nodded and walked into the bathroom.
By the time he emerged, towel wrapped around his waist, steam trailing behind him—his skin had taken on a clean, polished glow, hair damp and slicked back slightly from the heat.
As the stylists wasted no time.
One began blow-drying his hair into the approved shape for the day's events. Another rubbed a light serum into his jawline, enhancing the sharpness of his features, while the third held up several outfit options, each tailored precisely to Leo's physique—dark, elegant, and broadcast-friendly.
Meanwhile, the media consultants moved in with their datapads.
"The media today may ask you about the brutality with which you fight," one began. "You need to come off as measured. Not cocky. Try something like: 'The stakes are high. I don't hold back, because I can't afford to.'"
"Another likely question," added the second consultant, "is about your presence on the main roster as a first year. Especially your dynamic with Su Yang.
Our goal for this question is to project a humble, brotherly image of you. So it's recommended you reply with something like: 'I'm just trying to help the team as best as I can— and, Su Yang's like a brother to me'."
"If they ask about the Button Academy comeback," the first consultant added, "say something like: 'It looked tough, but I had faith in my fighting skills. I just focused on the next opponent. One at a time. Kept myself grounded and focused till the end'."
The consultants bombarded him with PR training, to which Leo replied nothing.
He just nodded patiently after each note being read to him as he knew that there was no point behind telling these corporate clowns that he wasn't going to follow their script, so he just pretended to be co-operative.
He had never attended a media or fan event before today, nor had he seen one play over the television, so he had no idea about what to expect from it.
However, if there was one thing that he was certain of— it was the fact that he wasn't going to pretend to be something he was actually not, just because there was a camera on him.
Whatever the event turned out to be, he'd face it the only way he knew how—which was by showing up as his genuine self.
—-----------
20 minutes before the event was scheduled to begin, Leo and every other sponsored fighter on the team looked dressed and ready for the ordeal, as Leo felt quite surprised on how good some of these guys looked.
Compared to their usual fighting gear, the aura of the team members changed drastically when they wore formal suits and custom accessories, as Yu Shen and Su Yang in particular looked like male supermodels.
"What do you think eh? Skyshard? Think I'll meet my future wife at this event today?" Su Yang asked, as Leo scoffed and began to fake-cough.
"With that muscular body of yours, the only fangirls chasing you are going to be orcs, Yang…. So unless you plan to take-in an Orc wife, don't get your hopes too high," Leo replied as Su Yang snorted in disbelief.
"Don't forget the Demon-Kind…. I think those dig Su Yang too!" Minerva added from the background, as Su Yang turned and raised his arms in protest.
"I'm popular amongst human girls too… you guys are just too jealous to admit it–" He said, as Leo just shook his head in disbelief.
This was the exact kind of pointless banter that made him feel like his time was better utilised training or doing combat drills, however, the contents of his contract with Horizon were clear.
Attending Media Events was a must!
—------
Soon, the Rodova team arrived at the event venue in a sleek private bus, its sides adorned with the academy's crest.
As the doors hissed open, the first thing they saw was Principal Alric standing just outside the barricades, waiting with his usual flamboyance.
He looked freshly arrived himself—his coat still buttoned from the shuttle ride, his silver hair untouched by the wind.
"Yu Shen, my boy!" he called out, stepping forward with open arms, as Yu Shen who was first to disembark from the shuttle, eagerly embraced the principal, with a few minor photographers excitedly snapping shots of the two embracing for the cameras.
Meanwhile, the rest of the team began disembarking behind him, each adjusting their jackets or brushing off lint as the flashes continued to spark around them.
And then—
"Skyshard, my BOYYY—!" Alric suddenly bellowed with exaggerated warmth, his voice drawing curious looks from reporters and fans alike.
As Leo paused for the slightest second, feeling unsure about why Alric was summoning him with such theatrical energy—before deciding to finally play along.
"Principal–" Leo said curtly before stepping forward, as Alric immediately swept him into a half-embrace, his grip surprisingly firm.
"Smile for the cameras," he whispered quickly into Leo's ear—his tone low and business-like.
As Leo obeyed, slipping on a faint, controlled smile just as the shutters clicked around them.
They separated a moment later, with Alric gripping Leo's hand in a firm handshake, as he squeezed just hard enough to make a point before moving on to greet the others.
He gave Minerva a nod, clapped Su Yang on the shoulder, and even gave Enzo a brief handshake.
Before finally throwing his arms around Professors David and Hen, as he pulled both men close for a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha—"
The sound filled the air, as Leo blinked in confusion.
For a moment, it was hard for him to believe what he was seeing—Principal Alric and Professor David standing side by side, laughing like old friends despite their well-known differences.
But apparently, this was what media attention did to people.
Whatever disputes they had behind closed doors did not exist here.
As in front of the cameras, the Rodova faculty presented a united front, acting as a one big, happy family, for the rest of the universe to see.