(A couple hours later, Geneva Academy Locker Room, Sky-God Arena)
Following Rodova’s dominant 5–0 sweep in the first semi-final, Geneva Academy answered with a commanding performance of their own—dispatching Thumba Academy with a confident 5–1 victory to secure their place in the finals.
And yet—despite the scoreline—there was no eruption of celebration within the locker room.
No cheers.
No boasting.
Just a low hum of tension.
Because this year… Rodova was different.
In previous tournaments, a win over Rodova felt inevitable—an eventuality, not a gamble. But now? With Su Yang, Leo Skyshard, and Yu Shen in the lineup, there was no longer an easy path forward.
Five Grandmasters versus four.
On paper, Geneva still had the advantage. But when your opponents were warriors of caliber like Su Yang, Leo, and Yu Shen—three monsters who could each score multiple victories in a single round—the single Grandmaster advantage barely seemed to matter.
Hence, as the team sat down to discuss their plans for tomorrow, there was a visible tension within the locker room, as Captain Ramos sat with his arms crossed, and his eyes glued to a projection screen as he replayed highlights from Rodova’s latest match.
"That kid," Ramos muttered, pausing the feed on a frame of Leo’s [Full Counter] against Jessica. "This Leo Skyshard... he’s a problem."
"A first-year," added Damien Aroth, "And yet he’s already on par with Yu Shen. Hell, maybe even more dangerous. Did you see the calm in that counter?"
"He doesn’t panic," said Mikhail Serrin.
"He doesn’t hesitate. His whole style is precision. He doesn’t waste energy… and has the mentality of a veteran warrior despite his young age."
"Tch," Su Ran scoffed from the corner, clearly irritated by the direction of the conversation. "Stop drooling over the bastard. You lot praise him like he is the second coming of the Monarch Dupravel, when we have the actual second coming of the Monarch, his own flesh and blood in our team."
"Well, maybe he is, I mean, no offence to Darnell…. But I don’t think he could have taken on Jessica like Leo did.
Because, the last time he faced Jessica 5 months ago, Darnell was knocked out clean within 3 minutes—" Damien reminded, as he pointed out how their team had first hand experience on just how dangerous Jessica was and how hard it was to actually best her, despite how easy Leo made it seem today.
The room went still for a beat, everyone having flashbacks of their own practice fight against Clarence, as they once again realised just how terrifying Rodova were to beat that team 5-0.
"Forget about Leo…. What about Su Yang? That kid is no less impressive—" Mikhail said, as he drew attention to Su Yang, which immediately irritated Su Ran.
"Don’t worry about Su Yang, I’ll make sure that bastard regrets ever walking onto the field, because tomorrow, all the elders of the Su Clan, and our father will surely be watching our contest, which makes it the perfect stage for me to humiliate him—" Su Ran said with venom laced on his tongue, as Ramos scoffed sitting beside him.
"Oh? You sound awfully confident, like it’s child’s play to beat Su Yang.
But in case you’re thinking it’s going to be easy, I’ll tell you now, it’s not.
Su Yang is very powerful based on what he’s shown so far, and you won’t have an easy time against him." Ramos said dryly, as he reminded Su Ran to stay humble till he proved his competence over Su Yang.
"I sound awfully confident, because I am awfully confident!" Su Ran declared in retort, as he glared Ramos in the eyes.
"If there’s one person I hate more than anyone else in this universe… It’s him. And his smug whore of a mother who keeps flashing that ’legitimate wife’ tag like it’s holy. I was born stronger. I was born better. Even Though my mother was a commoner. And tomorrow—I’m going to prove it." Su Ran said, clenching his fists, however Ramos didn’t even flinch despite his declaration.
"Alright settle down—" he said, raising his palms as he tried to calm the room.
"We’re not winning this with emotion. We win this with planning and control," Ramos said firmly, his tone calm but resolute. "So here’s the final formation."
"I’ll open the match tomorrow—set the tone early and give us the momentum we need right out of the gate."
He glanced around the room, locking eyes with each team member to ensure they understood.
"I’ll take Su Yang," Su Ran said next, his voice confident, and without hesitation.
Ramos nodded. "Good. Damien, you’re in if Minerva shows."
"Perfect," Damien replied with a small smirk, raising a thumb. "She’s an archer. I’m a tank. She’s practically made for me."
Ramos patted him once on the shoulder before turning to the next. "Mikhail, that puts Leo in your hands."
"I’ve been studying his footwork all week," Mikhail answered with a quiet nod. "He’s fast—faster than most—but I think I’ve got the necessary speed and battle acumen to shut him down."
Finally, Ramos turned to the one person he didn’t need to give instructions to. "Darnell."
"I’m the finisher," Darnell Nuna said, flashing his signature grin. "If anyone slips, I pick up the kill. Wouldn’t have it any other way."
"Damn right—" Ramos said, patting him on the back, as the final plan seemed like a lock.
Tomorrow was sure to be a war.
And the pride of both academies were on the line.
—---------
(Meanwhile, in the Rodova Team Villa)
Meanwhile, in the Rodova Team Villa, the atmosphere was equally tense, as the team acknowledged the fact that they were in the end-game now.
"I’ll open the fighting, get the momentum in our favor from the start—" Yu Shen declared, as he began laying out the final plan.
"Su Yang, you will handle your brother Su Ran. And although I’m allowing you to settle all personal grudges, I expect results—" Yu Shen added, as Su Yang gave him a sharp nod in response.
"Skyshard, you go in when either Damien or Darnell comes in.
We need you to do your thing tomorrow—" Yu Shen instructed as Leo gave him a nonchalant thumbs up.
"And lastly, Minerva, you will take Mikhail—" Yu Shen said, as Minerva grinned ear to ear.
"Oh that boy is cooked if he faces me in battle—" Minerva said, as her confidence elevated the mood of the room.
"We are at a one man disadvantage here.
And realistically, we can’t expect Enzo to do much of anything. However, if it comes down to it…. We will need you to buy as much time as you humanly can, Enzo, because our victory or defeat may very well be decided by it—" Yu Shen said, as he looked into Enzo’s eyes, who gulped nervously in response.
It was clear from his face that he did not have the confidence to face any of the Geneva fighters at all, however, Yu Shen did not want to rotate anyone else from the roster into the team either.
"I’ll do my best—" He said eventually, as Yu Shen gave him a firm pat on the shoulder.
"We have already achieved what was expected of us by bringing Rodova to the finals.
Now, even if we lose, we won’t have shamed our academy, so there’s nothing for us to lose anymore.
That being said…. We have all worked like madmen this past year for this tournament, and since we are at the finals, we may as well go all the way and win it.
And I think we can.
Because honestly, we are the strongest Rodova team to enter the circuit in the past 22 years!" Yu Shen said in conclusion, as he reminded the team, that they had nothing to lose now but everything to gain—