The noise of the stadium hadn't settled since the announcement. Teams were moving, preparing, observing each other, calculating silently. The tension in the air kept rising with every passing second.
Igna stood still, taking everything in.
Emily stepped beside him, stretching lightly as if this was just another normal day.
Emily: "We need five wins."
Igna looked at her.
Igna: "Five?"
Emily nodded.
Emily: "Win five matches… and we take the tournament."
A small pause.
Emily: "Lose once… and things get complicated."
Igna's focus sharpened.
Before he could ask more, another announcement echoed through the stadium.
The first match was about to begin.
The large screen above the arena lit up, displaying the match format.
3 vs 3
The crowd roared again.
Emily smiled.
Emily: "Looks like we're starting early."
Yash didn't say anything.
But his eyes moved toward the field.
Then toward them.
That was enough.
Sele stepped forward.
May followed.
Emily walked ahead casually, like she had been waiting for this moment.
Igna took a step forward too.
Igna: "I'll go."
Yash stopped him without even looking.
Yash: "No."
Igna froze.
Igna: "Why?"
Yash's voice stayed calm.
Yash: "Watch."
A small pause.
Yash: "Learn from the first match."
Igna clenched his fist slightly.
He wanted to fight.
But he didn't argue.
He stepped back.
His eyes fixed on the arena.
The three of them walked onto the battlefield.
Sele—silent and sharp.
May—focused and steady.
Emily—relaxed, almost smiling.
From the opposite side—
The enemy team entered.
The moment they stepped in, the atmosphere changed.
Fast.
Light.
Sharp.
Three figures.
All of them carried the same presence.
Speed.
Igna felt it instantly.
(They're fast…)
Then—
One of them stepped forward.
The crowd reacted immediately.
Loud.
Excited.
Whispers spread quickly.
Igna narrowed his eyes.
Igna: "Who is that…?"
Someone nearby answered.
"Mike… Destroyer rank 6."
Igna's eyes widened.
Top 6.
In the world.
His attention locked completely.
The opponent team stood ready.
Their stance made it clear.
They weren't here to test.
They were here to dominate.
Their movements were light, almost effortless, like they could disappear at any moment.
Igna felt it again.
Pressure.
Not just strength.
Speed.
Danger.
Back on the field, Emily looked at them with interest.
Emily: "This might be fun."
May adjusted her stance.
Sele's grip tightened slightly.
No one spoke.
The signal was given.
And in the next instant—
The battle started.
The opponent team vanished.
Not moved.
Vanished.
Igna's eyes widened as he tried to follow them.
(I can't see them…)
The fight had begun—
At a level he hadn't reached yet.