"Karuza! Karuza! Karuza!"
"Tiamut! Tiamut! Tiamut!"
"Kurogami! Kurogami! Kurogami!"
Trumpets played, and drums echoed throughout the stadium, creating a deafening roar of excitement.
It was finally time for the opening ceremony!
From Gaul’s boarding school, the Karuza High students came to watch the nationals with the teachers and principal, Azer. They occupied the front row seats in the western section of the bleachers.
The large TV cameras were set up and moved smoothly to capture every moment of the event. The number of viewers was rapidly increasing.
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It was prime time on TV, and the opening ceremony was showing on the most famous TV channel in New Rakuya. Everyone in the country was tuned in to watch.
…
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Clicking the mouse, Bella opened a live stream of the ceremony on her laptop. She then cupped her hands and rested her chin on her hands, a small smile playing on her lips.
Knock! Knock!
After double knocking, Nevaeh entered her sister’s room, giving her a soft smile. She then noticed that she was watching something.
"Is that the opening ceremony?"
She remembered her little sister mentioning it. It was something Kiernan mentioned to her via letter.
"Yes~"
Bella replied with a grin and then looked at her sister before saying.
"Take a chair."
Nevaeh went to fetch a chair, dragged it over to the desk, and then sat down beside her little sister.
She looked at the screen and thought that the nationals seemed surprisingly popular in New Rakuya, but in the end, it was a small nation.
It had some professional martial arts fighting leagues going on, but surprisingly enough, the nationals received greater viewership.
It was because the youth was really important for small nations such as themselves. If they make a name for themselves overseas, their country could rise in tiers.
They had been hard stuck in tier 4, but if they rise to tier 3, they could receive more funding and support for their martial arts programs.
It had other benefits as well, but one thing was sure: increasing the tiers was extremely important.
It was what every nation focused on in order to improve their standing on the global stage.
…
Tiamut, the stadium’s locker room.
Ten aces of the ten powerhouse schools were gathered in the locker room. They were sitting alone and in silence while wearing their school jerseys and carrying their school flags.
It was a very tense atmosphere as they mentally prepared for the most important moment of their life—the upcoming nationals.
The door of the locker room then opened, and an official, who was in charge of the event planning, entered the locker room.
"Alright, it is about time. You’ll enter the arena in order."
The aces nodded.
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"First of all, Baobab High, as the tenth-ranked school in the nation, will enter first."
Roy nodded while fixing his grip on the flagpole. It was pretty nerve-wracking to head out first in front of the entire nation.
However, it was also something to be proud of.
"Second, Drakensfjord High. You’re heading out second as your school is ninth-ranked in the nation."
Kenneth nodded.
He was in perfect condition as even his leg injury that happened in Punch Ball had healed.
"Third, Valderose High, the eighth-ranked school in the nation."
Mirin nodded with her red hair cascading over her shoulders. She had put some beautiful makeup over her face that complemented her dark eyes perfectly.
"Then, Rensho High, the seventh-ranked school in the nation."
Crack…
Lionel cracked his knuckles and nodded. He could barely sit still out of the nervousness of knowing that millions of people would be watching every movement of his.
"Then, Karuza High, the sixth-ranked school in the nation."
Kiernan leaned his head against the flagpole and nodded briefly.
If he were alone, he would’ve probably headed to the bathroom to vomit, but since he was here with his competitors, he didn’t want to show any weakness.
"Fifth-ranked school in the nation, Foxfire High."
Miroslav nodded.
He didn’t show any change in his expression as if he wasn’t feeling any nervousness about knowing that he would be watched by millions of people.
"Fourth-ranked school in the nation, Azura Academy."
"Yeah…"
Willa nervously said and nodded.
She was trembling in excitement, but she was at least happy that she didn’t have to be among the first to enter the arena.
"Third-ranked school in the nation, Kurogami High."
Dietmar calmly nodded.
"Second-ranked school in the nation, Kanyon High."
Crack!
Thorsten cracked his knuckles and then twisted his neck muscles with a satisfied grin on his face.
"And, the first-ranked school in the nation, Tiamut High."
Ariadne took a deep breath and looked at the flag of her school. She was carrying the pride of many champions before her, and she was determined to continue their legacy of success.
’It looks like Montclair High isn’t part of the top ten. I think this is the very first year when they’re actually competitive, so their nation ranking mustn’t be too high.’
Kiernan thought to himself.
At that moment, the official pressed his earpiece closer to his ear, and after receiving some instructions, he nodded and said.
"It is time. Baobab High!"
Roy stood up with the flagpole in hand and headed out of the locker room.
They all heard the roar of applause seeping through the solid concrete walls. It felt thunderous.
After receiving the word that Roy had already reached the stage, the official said.
"Next one, Drakensfjord High!"
Kenneth stood up with a slight shake in his legs and then headed out. The thunderous roars greeted him as soon as he stepped out of the door.
"Next one, Valderose High."
Mirin did the final fixes to her hair and then showed a very unfamiliar smile as she walked out of the door.
Valderose High was a school with the highest number of students enrolled. Thus, the applause she received was deafening.
"Next one, Rensho High!"
Lionel gulped, picked up his flagpole, and headed out.
The thunderous applause showered him as he made his way to the center of the stage.
"Next one, Karuza High."
The official turned his attention over to Kiernan.
With a deep sigh, Kiernan stood up and picked up his beautiful flag that had black flowers embroidered against a white background.
He then headed out.