THIRD PERSON'S POV
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True to Ivy's words, their fans acted as if they didn't recognize them. Only authorized media took pictures—from a distance—careful not to interfere with their time.
After exploring the capital's main attractions, they returned early to rest for the tournament.
Ivy stepped out of the bathroom in a bathrobe, towel in hand as she dried her hair
—
Then froze.
Chains snapped into existence in her hands, blades glinting at the ends as she dropped into a fighting stance.
Nathan stood by the door.
She relaxed instantly. The chains vanished.
Nathan raised a brow, gaze lingering where the weapons had been.
"So… you can summon weapons too," he said slowly. "Exact copies of Donald's."
"Why are you here?"
"Roommates," he replied. "Last-minute change. Zoe chose George—but he's with Donald. So now she's with Lily. Fiona's with Albert." A pause. "Sorry you weren't informed."
Ivy nodded once and walked toward the closet.
Nathan turned and left without another word, giving her space.
She paused briefly—
Thinking of Donald.
Then continued changing.
The long-awaited day arrived.
The group waited in the living room while Renzo got ready. His voice carried from his room—complaining loudly about the uniform.
Eventually, they left through a portal Zoe created.
The stadium was massive—easily twice the size of Country H's.
They were led into a waiting hall where two other groups stood.
All from Country H.
Selections had to be made.
Renzo sat off to the side, uninterested, while the other mentors discussed and finalized their choices.
When they were done, they turned to him.
He didn't even look up.
"Albert. Lily. Zoe."
The three stepped forward.
The rest moved to the stands, taking seats among other candidates.
Sarah sat beside George. She glanced toward Ivy, hesitation flickering in her eyes—but one look from George made her look away.
The arena roared to life.
After the MC's usual jokes and introductions, the first round began.
"If this is the lineup…" Ivy muttered under her breath, watching closely, "weren't all three teams supposed to train together? I'll just go solo at this point."
No one argued.
They were all thinking the same thing.
But it wasn't their decision to make.
The barrier lifted.
Country Y vs Country H.
Richard cracked his knuckles beside Lily—
But before anything could be said—
Albert moved.
Too fast.
His opponent ducked under his strike and drove a knee into his ribs. Albert staggered, barely managing to block the follow-up.
Lily rushed in—
Only to be forced back by a wall of fire that scorched her sleeves.
Zoe clicked her tongue.
This wasn't going as planned...there was no plan at all.
The opposing team moved like a machine.
One distracted. One restrained. One attacked.
Clean.
Precise.
Relentless.
The crowd began to murmur.
From the stands, Ivy leaned forward slightly, chewing her gum slower than usual.
Albert hit the ground hard.
"Get up," Richard snapped, narrowly avoiding a blade that sliced past his face.
Zoe launched her web—
It dispersed mid-air.
The opposing captain smiled.
"Country H's best?" he mocked. "Disappointing."
Lily froze.
Just for a second.
Richard's jaw tightened.
In that moment, they all shared the same thought—
Defeat was not an option.
Albert laughed.
Low.
Rough.
Unimpressed.
"Yeah…" he muttered, pushing himself up. "That's on us."
Zoe glanced at him.
Albert wiped blood from his lip and looked at all of them.
"Stop fighting like idiots with no proper training."
Silence.
Then Lily exhaled.
The shift was instant.
Zoe stopped attacking—she repositioned.
Lily stopped rushing—she waited.
Richard moved first.
The others followed—defensive.
Albert moved last.
The opponent lunged for Zoe—
And hit nothing.
Lily struck from the blind spot.
Albert followed immediately—pinning the captain before he could recover.
The formation broke.
The crowd gasped.
Panic replaced confidence.
Every move was countered.
Every attack anticipated.
Within seconds—
The battlefield flipped.
The opposing captain hit the ground.
Restrained.
Defeated.
The barrier dropped.
Victory.
For the first time since the match began—
Renzo smiled.
From the stands, Ivy popped her gum.
Once.
"Took them long enough."