The other Quarterfinal matchups proved just as entertaining as Rodova’s clash, with the rising level of competition turning every battle into a spectacle of grit and skill.
However, despite the intensity, there were no major upsets this time around.
Clarence Academy, Geneva Academy, and Thumba Academy all secured their victories, resulting in a highly anticipated—yet predictable—semi-final lineup.
Rodova would now face Clarence in a long-awaited showdown, while Geneva prepared to clash with Thumba in the other bracket.
"And that’s it from our end today folks— Stay Tuned for the after-match analysis with Matt and Tommy, and see you all tomorrow for the Semi-finals" Derek said, as he signed off for the night, bringing an official close to today’s fighting.
—----------
(Inside the Rodova Team Villa)
Minerva lay resting in one of the villa’s spacious lounges, her breathing steady yet shallow as Rodova’s private medical team moved quietly around her, working with practiced precision.
Though the Sky-God Arena’s emergency staff had stabilized her immediately after the match, Orion’s final strike had left damage deeper than what could be treated on-site, as now, it was up to the academy’s elite doctors to oversee her full recovery—though even with their expertise, time did not seem to be on their side.
Standing nearby with his arms crossed and his brows furrowed, Yu Shen finally asked what had been weighing on him the whole time.
"What’s the verdict? Will she be back at full strength tomorrow? Or should we sit her out?"
The question caused everyone in the living room to turn dead silent, as the lead doctor glanced up, his expression apologetic.
"She’ll recover to about 80% by morning. But there will be faint pain while moving.
She can push past it and still put up a good performance, but that will delay her healing speed significantly.
It’s best if you let her rest tomorrow, so that she can be back to her best for the finals—" The doctor suggested, as Yu Shen let out a slow sigh and shook his head in dismay.
"No. We can’t let her fight if she’s not at 100%.
We definitely need her fully fit for the finals—" He muttered to himself, before turning towards Su Yang and Leo, as he locked eyes with both of them.
"It’s on us now, boys, we don’t let Minerva step in tomorrow unless it’s absolutely necessary." Yu Shen instructed, as Su Yang leaned back with a casual grin, raising his hand for a dramatic stretch.
"Aye. Always ready to solo the enemy team if you’d just let me. I mean, I’ve had one damn appearance so far." He said, registering his protest, as Leo let out a quiet chuckle beside him.
Su Yang had been whining for the past hour, jealous that Leo got to fight while he sat idle, as he felt itching for a fight.
Hence when presented with a chance to fire shots at Yu Shen’s lack of fighter rotation, Su Yang took it with both arms.
"Oh you’ll get your turn to fight tomorrow, Yang," Yu Shen said with a faint smirk. "You’re opening for us—"
"Yes! About damn time I see some actual action!" Su Yang said, perking up instantly, as he flashed a victorious ’V’ sign.
But the moment of joy did not last long for him, as Yu Shen followed that announcement with a cold warning—
"But remember... if we win tomorrow, your next match will probably be against Su Ran and Geneva."
As listening to those words, Su Yang’s expression changed immediately— as all the happiness was wiped off his face.
"So unless you want to fight him like Minerva—running at 80%—keep yourself in one piece tomorrow." Yu Shen warned, as Su Yang scoffed at his remarks.
If there was one person Su Yang despised more than anyone in the universe, it was Su Ran.
And for him, defeating that man wasn’t just a professional courtesy.
It was personal.
"Don’t worry…. I’ll fight Su Ran at 120%, even if I had both my legs chopped off.
That lowborn’s only purpose for existence is to be stomped down by me when the situation calls for it–" Su Yang said, as he sat back down with his arms crossed and seemed to be all charged up for tomorrow’s fight.
’This idiot is surprisingly easy to manipulate—’ Leo thought at this moment, as while Su Yang was an excellent fighter, who was undoubtedly street smart and not a dumb fool, when the topic of conversation was about his nobility, or genetic superiority, he responded like a spoilt child.
It was a topic he could just not walk away from, and that made it very easy to manipulate his emotions or fire him up, which Yu Shen did beautifully right now.
By mentioning his brother and their impending fight should they win tomorrow, he had now ensured that Su Yang would not only win tomorrow, but also be mindful to preserve his body, as his real clash was against Su Ran the day after.
’Yep, Yu Shen is a good captain—’ Leo concluded, as he gave the Captain a small nod of acknowledgement, the next time their eyes met.
—----------
(Meanwhile, at an undisclosed military base)
With every performance Leo delivered on the battlefield, Commander Jackson’s desire to recruit him into the Universal Army grew stronger.
But the deeper he dug into Leo’s past… the less any of it made sense.
"So let me get this straight," Jackson said, his voice sharp with disbelief. "The Department of Transportation claims the payment to Leo Skyshard came through a training incentive—supposedly on behalf of the local government of Terra Nova?"
His assistant nodded grimly.
"But when you contacted the Terra Nova officials directly, they said they’re actually suing Leo Skyshard for fraud and for disclosing classified information?"
Another nod.
"And the photo in his government file doesn’t match his face?"
"Correct, sir."
"No record of the case being registered in the Universal Court system?"
"None, sir. It’s like it never existed."
Jackson’s jaw clenched.
"And the investigating officer who filed the original report—he just happened to die yesterday during a standard patrol?"
"Yes. Routine incident, or so they claim."
Jackson leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.
"This is ridiculous. We’re going in circles. Nothing lines up. Not the records. Not the photo. Not even the damn charges. And now the one guy who might’ve cleared it up is conveniently dead?"
He scoffed, eyes narrowing as he stared at the scrambled report in front of him.
"What even is this convoluted garbage?"
Jackson said, as he massaged his brows, trying to make sense of this massive mess.
"The most likely explanation is that, someone powerful has gone to great lengths to try and hide Leo’s past.
This can either be work of the main branch of the Mu Clan. Where they picked up the identity of ’Leo Skyshard’ from an actual living person on the planet of Terra Nova, who might be a fugitive needing to start a new life, so he just sold his identity and name to the Mu Clan, for their help in starting new.
Or this can be work of the Evil Cult trying to plant a sleeper agent within our fold.
However, considering how he cleared the background check for both Rodova Military Academy and Horizon Dominion Group, it’s unlikely that the boy has any ties to the Evil Cult.
Then again, his memory loss might’ve helped him slip past the psychological evaluations…"—-" Jackson said, as he clicked his tongue.
"This dead officers report….. He mentions here that a woman named ’Muiyan Faye’ helped Leo Skyshard evade the authorities and escape the planet before his arrest.
Go look into her…..
Who is this Muiyan Faye?
I feel like if we find who she works for, we will know who exactly facilitated Leo’s identity cover-up" Jackson instructed, as the assistant saluted him once before leaving the room curtly.