(Sky-God Arena – Red Carpet Entrance)
Leo did not expect to see a long red carpet leading into the actual event hall once he stepped inside the main building.
Apparently, the media waiting outside were the small-fry—because the real frenzy began here.
Dozens of flashing lights exploded all at once as the Rodova team entered the hallway, flanked by golden pillars and a wide ceremonial carpet that stretched nearly fifty meters.
Holographic banners hovered overhead, displaying the logos of the top academies participating in today's event, and the universal government.
"Sir! Sir! Leo Skyshard, please smile for us—!"
"Su Yang, could you flex your biceps for the fans?! Just one pose, please!"
"Minerva! Gorgeous, absolutely stunning—can we get a shot with your thigh slit and a dreamy look?"
The crowd of photographers, digital streamers, and independent reporters didn't even attempt to maintain decorum when the Rodova team entered, as they yelled, begged, barked, and praised, their voices clashing into a chaotic wave of desperation.
The Rodova team advanced painfully slowly along the carpet, as Yu Shen was repeatedly pulled away by some fan or reporter for an autograph.
However, while he, Su Yang and Minerva played nice, Leo continued to remain silent and unbothered.
No matter how much the reporters around him begged.
No matter how hard some of his fans yelled for an autograph, Leo just prodded along unbothered, as if he had suddenly turned deaf.
"Leo! Just a smile—!"
"Leo Skyshard! Is it true that you follow a vegetarian diet?!"
"Skyshard! What's your secret training method?! Are you single?!"
The press yelled, however Leo ignored all of them.
Unfazed, unflinching, eyes forward—until a firm push came from the side, pushing him towards one of the biggest media houses in the room.
"Go," Alric whispered beside him, shoving him lightly in the direction of a polished reporter in a silver dress, holding a mic with the Universal Government insignia.
Her eyes lit up the moment Leo stepped forward, as she couldn't believe that she snagged the popular Leo Skyshard for her exclusive.
"Mr. Skyshard! So glad to finally meet you. Just a few questions, if you don't mind…" she began, as Leo turned slightly, his expression unreadable, as the cameras swiveled to focus entirely on him.
Leo looked around to see if he could somehow bail out of this one, however, all of his team members seemed to be involved in an interview of their own, as Leo sighed and submitted to his fate.
"Sure, Go Ahead—" He replied dryly, as he stared into the eyes of the reporter with his usual cold gaze.
"Mr. Skyshard, as you must be aware, you've become quite the universal sensation after your stunning performance against Button Academy," the reporter beamed, mic in hand, her posture picture-perfect. "How does it feel? To gain such popularity so quickly—and have thousands of fan pages pop up to support you across the GalaxyNet?"
Leo blinked once. "I'm not on GalaxyNet. Nor do I care about any fan pages."
*Cough.*
*Cough.*
The reporter let out a tense laugh, clearly caught off guard by the blunt response.
"Haha… so cold," she said, flashing a forced smile toward the camera as she frantically tapped her data slate, skipping to the next question.
"Well then! Let's try this—making it to the starting lineup of a prestigious team like Rodova as a first-year student… that must be a proud moment! You and your parents must be thrilled.
Was this always your dream growing up?" She asked, as Leo's expression didn't change at all.
He only gave a slight shrug to the camera before saying– "Who doesn't dream of becoming strong?"
"My goal was always to grow stronger—for myself. I never aimed to join any team.
But while chasing that goal, I ended up becoming strong enough to earn a spot on Rodova's roster… so I took it.
But would I have lost sleep if I hadn't made it?"
He paused for a beat.
"Nah."
The reporter's professional smile faltered ever so slightly, a thin crack appearing beneath the pressure of Leo's deadpan responses.
She tapped a few notes into her slate, already realizing this wasn't going to be the warm, promotional soundbite her producers were hoping for.
Still, she pressed on—her voice just a touch tighter, though still composed.
"Well then," she said with a strained chuckle. "Let's talk about something a little lighter."
She cleared her throat, eyes flicking to the next question.
"Su Yang publicly posted on the GalaxyNet following your comeback victory a few days ago—calling you 'A brother to him' and congratulating you for a stellar performance. The post's already viral, with millions of shares."
She turned to the camera with a polished smile. "So tell our audience—what kind of dynamic do the two of you share?"
This was supposed to be a feel good question, one where Leo replied that Su Yang was his best friend and that the bond they shared was like actual siblings.
However, Leo did not reply with what he had been trained for, as instead he spoke his truth.
"He's annoying at times," he said flatly as the reporter's smile froze.
"But I acknowledge him as a warrior," Leo continued, voice steady. "He's got grit. Perseverance. And he can eat a hundred Su Ran's for breakfast."
There was a slight pause before he added, "His speed needs work. Hopefully he trains that more in the future."
The reporter blinked, unsure whether to laugh or wince.
"And as far as him being my brother…Well I wouldn't call him that. But he's for sure my only friend in Rodova."
The camera lingered on Leo's face— as he looked calm, unreadable, yet somehow unshakably sincere.
And as awkward silence threatened to settle, the reporter quickly forced a laugh, her practiced smile sliding back into place.
"Well… you heard it here first, folks," she said, shifting on her heels. "Rodova's team chemistry seems as raw as their combat strength!"
She gestured toward the camera with a flourish. "We'll be back with more coverage from the red carpet in just a moment—don't go anywhere!"
The moment the camera blinked off, the reporter let out a long, quiet exhale, muttering to herself in distress as Leo already began walking away.
"Stars help me, I'm never interviewing that man again…" She whispered under her breath, as she thought of a dozen silent curses while staring at Leo's back.
—------
Meanwhile, unlike Leo—Su Yang, Minerva, and Yu Shen handled the media frenzy like seasoned professionals.
Su Yang was practically glowing under the spotlight, flashing his trademark grin as he flexed when requested, striking poses with dramatic flair that sent some of the younger reporters squealing with delight.
"Yes, yes, Leo's comeback against Button was amazing," he said, winking at a holo-cam. "Leo did all the heavy lifting. I'm just lucky to call the guy my teammate… and maybe his better-looking twin."
He laughed at his own joke and then gave the camera a confident thumbs-up, completely at ease.
Minerva, meanwhile, fielded questions coming her way with grace, offering measured answers about team strategy, her training routine, and how proud she was to be part of such a talented group.
When asked about Leo, she smiled softly and said, "He's a mystery—but one I'm grateful to fight beside."
She let the reporters draw their own conclusions from that and moved on like a practiced diplomat.
Yu Shen was the last to pass through the media gauntlet, exuding quiet authority in his sharp suit.
His responses were calm, articulate, and impossible to pick apart. He praised Su Yang's growth, Minerva's work ethic, and even gave Leo a nod of approval when asked about him.
"He doesn't speak much," Yu Shen said. "But Leo's one of the best first-years I've seen. Probably the most talented of us all.
I trust him a lot. And for now that's all that matters."
It was the perfect quote—firm, loyal, and PR-approved.
And just like that, the Rodova trio danced through the flashing lights and recording drones with ease—projecting the image of a polished, united front.
Smiling. Laughing. Praising each other.
Just as the universe expected them to.
Meanwhile, Leo stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching them work the red carpet like it was a battlefield of its own.
And in his own quiet way, he respected it.
He wasn't built for this game.
But they were.
And right now, they were playing it flawlessly.