Chapter 315: Chapter 315 - Capital Arrival
This marked my first journey to Capital City.
Once I returned home, I tossed and turned through a restless night, my feelings tangled and complicated.
Thrill, worry, and hope all merged into an intense sense of anticipation.
The following day.
After completing all required arrangements, I quietly waited for tomorrow’s arrival.
When Victor Green learned about my Capital City trip, he eagerly volunteered, "Let me come along!"
Initially, I didn’t want Victor tagging along, but I realized this could offer him a chance to expand his experience, so I consented.
Early the following morning, Victor Green and I arrived promptly at the Chuzzle Battle Zone.
The eighteen team members were already assembled on the training field.
Commander Wood personally supervised the team, demonstrating his commitment to this mission.
When I appeared, all team members called out together, "Hello, Coach Mason!"
I gave a slight nod in response to their greeting.
"Mason Raymond, are you prepared?" Commander Wood inquired.
I grinned and answered, "Yes, we can depart now."
"Excellent!" Commander Wood swept his hand dramatically and announced, "Let’s move out!"
Everyone climbed into the vehicles. As head coach and assistant coach, Bennett Maxwayne and I naturally had to accompany the numerous team members.
Since I had implemented the training program, the team members held deep respect for me, even surpassing their feelings toward Bennett Maxwayne.
During this trip, I devoted most of the journey to conversations with different team members.
When we reached the airport, everyone began the voyage to Capital City.
...
By midday, my team and I finally reached the Capital City Battle Zone.
I positioned myself at the battle zone entrance, inhaling Capital City’s atmosphere, and whispered, "So this is Capital City."
"Mason Raymond, as head coach, you must guide the team, let’s move quickly inside," Commander Wood urged.
I nodded. Just as I prepared to guide the team into the training facility, Commander Wood suddenly spoke, "Mason Raymond, remember what I cautioned you about."
"I got it," I replied.
Then, Bennett Maxwayne and I led everyone into the training facility.
——
Commander Wood headed to the spectator area.
"Harry, you won’t finish dead last again this time, will you?" As soon as he settled down, a middle-aged man beside him joked playfully.
This middle-aged man represented the Central Plains Theater Command. Throughout the years, the Chuzzle Battle Zone consistently finished last, while the Central Plains region always came second to last.
So whenever these two leaders encountered each other, they would mock one another.
"Stewart, I’m afraid we’ll need to reserve the bottom spot for you this year," Commander Wood replied nonchalantly.
Stewart, the named man, erupted in boisterous laughter, "You’ve been saying that to me for at least five years!"
Commander Wood’s cheeks flushed as he shot back, "This time, our Chuzzle Battle Zone has discovered a prodigy who’s assumed the coaching position. We have a shot at reaching the top three."
"Ha ha, a prodigy? Does Chuzzle breed prodigies? What’s his identity? Is it Conrad Schroeder?" Stewart questioned with a smirk.
Commander Wood adopted a boastful manner and calmly replied, "His identity is Mason Raymond, known as the King of Chuzzle!"
"The King of Chuzzle? I’ve never encountered that name," Stewart responded with a grin.
Then, he gestured toward his own team, continuing, "Our head coach for this contest is an authentic Grandmaster, celebrated as a Central Plains region prodigy! Honestly, our objective is cracking the top five!"
"As for last place, you’d better reserve it for yourself," Stewart added with robust laughter.
Commander Wood grunted without responding.
Two hours remained before the official contest.
During this time, numerous commanders occupied the stands and engaged in small talk.
——
As head coach, I naturally bore responsibility for addressing the team.
"Mason Raymond, do you notice that team?" At this point, Bennett Maxwayne indicated a small group nearby and questioned.
I nodded, asking, "What’s special about them?"
Bennett Maxwayne explained, "They represent the Central Plains Theater Command, our primary competition. For years, we’ve battled over the second-to-last position, but we’ve never succeeded."
"Competing for second-to-last place? Even achieving that hardly seems impressive, right?" I responded somewhat hopelessly.
Bennett Maxwayne rolled his eyes and stated, "You don’t understand. In this world nobody recalls second place, but everyone recalls last place."
"Perhaps," I touched my nose and mumbled softly.
"Incidentally, will Ignacio Richard attend today?" I suddenly remembered something.
Bennett Maxwayne nodded, "Typically, he would come to observe."
I felt filled with excitement.
What sort of individual was Ignacio Richard, who commanded god-like reverence?
During our discussion, the Central Plains Theater Command’s head coach suddenly approached me.
He walked directly to me, smiling coldly, "So, you’re the head coach from the Chuzzle Battle Zone?"
I nodded and responded courteously, "I’m honored that Commander Wood values me so highly, allowing me to guide the team."
The young man examined me and sneered, "An Inner Strength Greatmaster? Has the Chuzzle Battle Zone exhausted its personnel?"
I replied with a gentle smile, "Commander Wood mentioned that handling characters like you, an Inner Strength Master like me would suffice."
Upon hearing this, the young man couldn’t suppress his frigid laughter, "Such conceit."
"Pretty standard," I said.
The young man narrowed his eyes and stated, "But I must deliver disappointing news to you. We incorporated an additional event in this year’s contest."
"Besides the matches among players, the head coaches must also compete."
"Oh?" I lifted an eyebrow and smirked, "This genuinely surprises me."
The young man replied indifferently, "Seems like your Commander Wood lacks current information. With an Inner Strength Master leading the team, the Chuzzle Battle Zone will finish last again this year."
I curved my lips, "Is this your inaugural time leading a team?"
The young man nodded, "Yes, why?"
I sighed, "Well then, you’re unlucky. The Central Plains Theater Command has finished second-to-last these past years, and for your debut, you’ll deliver last place."
"I suppose your commander won’t forgive you easily, right?" I smiled.
The young man’s expression grew icy.
"I hope you remain as calm during the contest," the young man replied coldly.
After delivering these words, the young man pivoted and departed.
When he distanced himself sufficiently, Bennett Maxwayne said, "This young man is a Grandmaster, his identity is Ralph Morris. He joined the Central Plains Theater Command two years back. They supposedly value him greatly."
I didn’t concern myself with it, having long evaluated Ralph Morris’s capability - at best a Third Rank Grandmaster.
For my current self, a simple Third Rank Grandmaster wasn’t worth concern.
"Ignacio Richard has arrived!" At this moment, Bennett Maxwayne suddenly pointed to the grandstand ahead of us and declared.
