Chapter 99: Draw

Chapter 99: DrawThe anticipation for the Greenridge League finals was palpable throughout the city. Newscasters filled the airwaves with excited chatter about the upcoming event.

It promised to be one of the most competitive finals in years, with speculation running wild about who would emerge victorious.

Today marked a crucial moment, the official draw for the tournament. Fighters and their supporters would soon know their matchups, and everywhere, people gathered, glued to their

screens.

From Cassie and Roger's apartment to Genova's academy hotel, tension filled the air.

In the Crescent Moon Agency, Victoria, Mercury, and Zara sat around the conference table, eyes fixed on the large screen.

The room was still, every breath held in anticipation of the first name to be revealed.

In the gym, Ryder and Kaida had paused their training, surrounded by other fighters, all intently watching the screen.

Ryder paced back and forth, while Kaida remained calm, her eyes sharp, waiting for the results.

In one of the most unconventional places, Catarina sat in a bathroom stall, phone balanced on her knees as she munched on a snack.

Despite the odd setting, her attention was completely on the draw, eyes wide and focused.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Eratz sat on a log, his beasts quietly gathered around him. The moonlight barely illuminated his phone, its glow cutting through the peaceful night as he listened closely to the unfolding event.

The draw began, and the atmosphere was electric. The presenter stood on a grand stage, reminiscent of a major sporting event, with dramatic lighting and visuals. His voice echoed through the large conference hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Greenridge League finals draw! Thirty-two of the strongest fighters have qualified for this prestigious tournament. Today, we will determine who faces whom in the first knockout round."

The camera shifted to the large screen behind him, where the names of the competitors appeared.

"We have 32 fighters who will compete in this year's finals. The tournament will be structured in traditional knockout rounds. In the first round, we will have 32 fighters. Then 16 fighters will progress to the round of 16, followed by the quarter-finals with 8, the semi-finals with 4, and, of course, the grand final to determine Greenridge champion."

As the crowd applauded, the fighters, scattered across the region, waited in silence. Nerves built with each passing second.

"As you know, the draw is completely random," the host continued, gesturing to a large electronic wheel that would determine the matchups. "And without further ado, let's begin with the first name."

The virtual wheel began to spin, flashing through the names as the first matchup was about to be revealed.

"'The Mage,' Jaden!"

Jaden, the one who humiliated Milo at the selections, was known for his mastery over fairies and spirits, using a soft and mystic field spell that lulled opponents into a false sense of security before unleashing monsters, most of them still a mystery for the fans.

"And Jaden will face... 'The Explosive Fist,' Ellis!"

Ellis, a brute known for his electrified strikes, was a powerhouse of raw strength. His attacks were capable of bringing down even the sturdiest beasts. But Jaden's smirk remained as the name was called, there was a glint of excitement in his eyes. He relished a challenge, especially when facing someone who relied purely on physical power.

The wheel spun again.

"'The Blazing Tempest,' Kaida!"

Kaida's eyes narrowed as her name appeared. Her focus sharpened.

"And Kaida will face... Iris, 'The Wild Vine!""

Iris was known for her nature-based beasts, controlling vines and plants with ruthless efficiency.

Iris was renowned for her control over nature-based beasts, manipulating vines and plants with ruthless efficiency. But against Kaida, it felt like a death sentence.

Ryder, watching Kaida chuckled softly.

"Looks like it's fire against grass. Go easy on her," he teased.

Kaida cracked her knuckles with a smile.

"Everything is easier in the infirmary."

The wheel spun once more, and the crowd's excitement grew as another popular name was revealed.

"'The Beast Whisperer,' Gabriel!"

Gabriel was a rising star, feared for his incredible bond with his beasts.

His creatures seemed to move as if they shared a single mind with him, reacting instinctively

to his every command.

"And Gabriel will face... 'The Iron Fortress,' Cassius!"

Cassius was known for his impenetrable defenses and devastating counterattacks. His

nickname, "The Iron Fortress," was no exaggeration.

But Gabriel, one of the most respected names in the finals, left no room for doubt, this was going to be a tough battle.

The draw continued, and the next name that appeared sent a ripple through the audience.

"'The Frost Empress,' Sia Verizion!"

Sia, a field spell specialist who commanded ice beasts, had quickly made a name for herself in the selections among Eratz and Jaden.

Her control over ice beasts and her ability to freeze entire battlefields made her a formidable

opponent.

"And Sia will face... 'The Crimson Reaper,' Nyx!"

Nyx was known for her chaotic style and feared for her unpredi lity.

Her volatile style promised an explosive clash with Sia's calculated and controlled ice

techniques.

This would be a battle of fire against ice in more ways than one.

The draw continued, revealing more pairings.

Matchups that could have shifted the balance of the tournament were announced, but the

next name that caught the audience's attention was a Crescent Moon favorite.

"'The Furry Gentleman,' Ryder Crow!"

Ryder grinned, leaning forward as his name was announced.

"And Ryder will face... 'The Phantom Blade,' Raya!"

Raya, notorious for a very special beastification and mystical presence on the battlefield,

would be a challenge even for Ryder's attributes.

He scratched his head, grinning at Kaida.

"Guess I'm gonna have to be extra careful with this one."

Kaida smirked.

"Try not to get humiliated, Crow."

Then came another familiar name from Crescent Moon.

"'The Feline Phantom,' Catarina!"

From her bathroom perch, Catarina grinned, licking her fingers as her name flashed across the

screen.

"And Catarina will face... 'The Earthquake,' Flint!"

Flint's earth-shattering blows were renowned throughout the region, but Catarina just

yawned, popping the last bit of her snack into her mouth.

"Miewm..." she muttered with a smirk.

The next name was one of the most anticipated of the night.

"'The Raging Wave,' Mercury Banks!"

Mercury smiled, her eyes glinting as she awaited her opponent's name.

"And Mercury will face... 'The Thunder Strike,' Zera!"

Zera's reputation for her lightning monsters sent a ripple of murmurs through the audience.

A formidable opponent, especially considering electricity was a natural counter to Mercury's

water-based abilities.

In the Crescent Moon Agency, Zara frowned, leaning forward slightly.

"Thunder versus water... that's not ideal."

Victoria, seated beside her, crossed her arms and remained silent, but her expression betrayed

a hint of concern.

She knew Mercury's abilities were exceptional, but the match-up against someone like Zera

was always risky.

In the forest, Eratz's eyes narrowed as he watched the draw.

Meanwhile, in the apartment, Milo was with Cassie, Roger, and Colin, all huddled around the

television, watching the draw unfold.

The air in the room grew tense as Zera's name flashed on the screen.

"Thunder and water don't mix well..." Cassie muttered, a hint of concern in her voice as she

looked at Roger. "She's got a hard battle from the beginning."

Roger nodded slowly.

"Mercury's tough. But yeah, this isn't an easy fight."

Milo shifted nervously, glancing at Roger and Cassie.

Mercury, however, was as composed as ever. She leaned back in her chair, catching Zara and

Victoria's concerned looks.

"It's your natural counter," Zara reminded her. "Be careful."

Mercury shrugged lightly, her tone steady.

"Zera's strong, no doubt, but she's not the first... nor the worst lightning user I've dealt

with."

Victoria gave her a quiet, approving nod.

"Just be smart about it, dear." Mercury's confidence was palpable. She wasn't just calm, she was ready. The tension around

the agency lingered, but Mercury's calm demeanor eased the tension, even if just a little.

"Don't worry," Mercury added, her eyes gleaming. "I needed this challenge."

Finally, the last and perhaps the most expected name flashed on the screen. "'The Apex Predator,' Eratz Pandora! and he will face... 'The Crimson Claw,' Darian!"

Darian, a savage fighter known for his ferocious claw-based attacks, was one of the most

feared challengers in the region.

Yet, on his side, his confidence faltered slightly at the sight of Eratz's name. Facing the Apex Predator and his undefeated streak was a task no one wanted.

As the draw came to an end, the matchups were set. Thirty-two fighters, all hungry for Sёarch* The Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

victory, knew the tournament was about to begin.

But in every corner of the region, those watching understood: the true challenge would come

when facing the favorites, those like Eratz, Sia, and Gabriel, whose reputations alone were breaking the records.

In the Crescent Moon Agency, Zara leaned back with a sigh of relief.

"At least none of you are up against each other... for now."

Mercury smirked, her gaze still on the screen.

"That's good for a starter. Let's see who can make it to the final."

The Greenridge League finals were set. The true battle was about to begin.