Chapter 101: The Night Before

Chapter 101: The Night BeforeThe Greenridge League finals were the talk of the region, reaching every corner.

Streets bustled with tournament chatter; shopkeepers discussed matchups with customers. Posters of the competing fighters covered walls, especially those of the favorites like Sia and Gabriel.

Excitement spilled into cafes, parks, and even family dinners. Everyone had an opinion, a favorite, and a hope for who would triumph.

The thrill extended beyond any single town, it was a regional celebration. Fans from every place eagerly counted down the days, and televisions across the region displayed clips of the tournament's location, adding to the hype.

The finals would take place in a spectacular arena perched along the edge of lush, green cliffs, a breathtaking view overlooking a vast ocean that sparkled in the sunlight.

Stone pathways lined with exotic flowers wove through the stands and walkways. The arena featured a lush, grassy terrain that extended across the field, giving fighters a serene starting point.

Its beauty and challenge left viewers in awe, and anyone watching the unveiling could feel the prestige of competing there.

In Genova, the tension was thicker. Students and teachers alike gathered in common areas to watch coverage of the tournament preparations.

Kenny sat alone, arms crossed, scowling as the arena and lineup of competitors appeared on- screen. It seemed the whole academy was watching, drawn by the grandeur of the tournament.

Lisa sat beside Clara, who kept an encouraging hand on her shoulder, but Lisa's expression remained distant, her thoughts elsewhere.

In the director's office, she sat with Rowan, both watching the pre-tournament coverage on the wide-screen monitor mounted on the wall.

The tournament's grandeur filled the room with an anticipation for a great event, but Rowan's thoughts were fixed on a mission he'd carried with him for too long.

"Director," Rowan began, tone laced with determination, "I need to talk to you about proving Eratz's innocence. It's time to clear his name and bring Kenny down for what he did. We can't let this stay buried if we're going to uphold what Genova Academy stands for." The director studied him closely, her hands steepled in front of her as she observed the intensity in his eyes. She let a silence settle before speaking, her gaze steady.

"Rowan, I've watched your dedication to this cause. It's commendable, truly. But..." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully, "you seem almost too eager to sacrifice Kenny. Does Eratz's redemption need to rhyme with a student's demise?"

Rowan blinked, caught off guard by her response. He opened his mouth to reply, but her words held him in place. After a moment's thought, he took a deep breath, though his expression remained firm.

"It's not just about Kenny," he insisted. "It's about righting a wrong and showing that Genova stands for integrity. We failed Eratz terribly. We owe it to him and to our academy's values to set this right. I'm committed to that." His voice trembled with emotion, a mixture of frustration and resolve.

A slight smile played at the corner of the director's lips, as though she understood but was far from moved.

"Well, Rowan, Eliza's already investigating something promising. We'll see her at the finals." She paused, her voice turning softer, almost reflective. "But in the meantime, I hope you'll take this opportunity to find some peace with Eratz, one way or another. We need to link his name to Genova indirectly."

Rowan frowned.

"Indirectly?" he repeated, confusion evident. "I thought the goal here was to make him our student again, to bring him back to Genova. Isn't that why we're doing all of this?"

The director's gaze softened slightly.

"That, Rowan, is an unlikely outcome. Eratz has left Genova far behind and become a successful beast master on his own. Our academy has a long tradition of nurturing talent that eventually moves on to bigger agencies. That's normal, even expected, in this world. But when they leave, they leave as Genova graduates, on our terms, with contracts that reflect their start here. Eratz, however, left as a first-year, without our seal, without the academy standing behind him."

Rowan clenched his jaw, his eyes clouded with frustration and disappointment.

"Director," he began, voice tense with barely restrained anger, "are you saying you only care about his fame? You want to make amends with him just so Genova can gain some of the credit? This isn't about the academy's image, it's about Eratz's life, his career, everything he's achieved despite us."

The director met his gaze with a calm expression, not a flicker of shame crossing her face. "Our academy's purpose is to shape top beast masters, Rowan, and by failing Eratz, we've missed out on the very fame we strive to build. It's a disaster, yes, that his success isn't associated with our name. But if we show him that Genova has changed, that we've learned from our mistakes, there's potential to forge a connection. Even if he isn't our student, his achievements could still reflect positively on us."

Rowan's hands tightened into fists at his sides, his jaw clenched as he struggled to keep his composure. This was far from the reconciliation he had imagined.

He had hoped the academy, like him, was ready to make a genuine effort to seek forgiveness, not for appearances, but because it was the right thing to do.

"And what about Eratz?" Rowan asked, voice barely above a whisper, his eyes dark with frustration. "What about the fact that he was betrayed, thrown out, left to fend for himself? We should be focusing on clearing his name, not trying to ride on his success."

The director sighed, her tone cold but measured.

"Rowan, you're too close to this. What is there even to clear? Who even talks about his wrongs anymore? It doesn't matter. Yes, Eratz deserves justice, but the academy needs to survive, and aligning ourselves with his success is a way to ensure that. Whether he forgives us or not is his choice. But if he sees that Genova has changed, that we're ready to acknowledge his

achievements, that may be enough."

Rowan shook his head slowly, a mixture of disillusionment and sadness.

"I thought we were better than this, Director," he murmured, voice heavy. "I thought you understood how much damage was done, not just to Eratz, but to all of us who watched it happen. This isn't about making Genova look good. It's about doing right by someone who

deserves it."

The director raised an eyebrow, her tone almost dismissive.

"Rowan, sometimes doing what's right and doing what's best aren't the same. I'm asking you to think beyond personal grievances and focus on the academy's future. I want Eratz, Kenny, and, if possible, the Raging Wave linked to our names."

Rowan felt his last shred of patience slipping. He rose from his seat, a storm of emotions swirling within him.

"Fine," he said, voice barely concealing his disappointment. "I'll do what I can to help Eratz, but not for Genova's reputation. If he decides to have anything to do with this academy again, it'll be because we've shown him genuine respect, not because we're looking to benefit from

his name."

The director gave him a polite, indifferent nod.

"Suit yourself, Rowan. Just remember, this isn't personal. At this point, it's about the

academy's legacy."

Without another word, Rowan turned and left the room, the weight of her words pressing heavily on him.

As night fell, excitement over the finals settled into every corner of Eratz's apartment. Bags were packed, and everyone prepared for the journey in their own way. Milo had already snuck into Eratz's room, his belongings scattered across the floor as he made himself comfortable. Colin was supposed to be sharing her room with Mercury, but neither Eratz nor Mercury were

in their assigned spaces.

Instead, they found themselves in the bathroom, standing side by side in comfortable silence,

brushing their teeth.

Mercury broke the silence, her tone thoughtful.

"It's crazy, really, how we're here. Feels like just yesterday we were struggling to scrape together enough wins for the agency. And now... it's like we've made it."

Eratz, mouth half-foamy with toothpaste, gave her a sideways glance. He quickly rinsed and

chuckled.

"Yeah, it's been a wild ride. Though, if I'd had a few extra days, I probably would've squeezed

in some aquatic beast hunting."

Mercury shook her head, laughing softly, though her gaze softened.

"Still thinking about beasts? You need to learn to relax, Eratz."

He smirked, shrugging.

"Maybe so, but roses are roses, spices are spices..."

Mercury froze mid-brush, her gaze narrowing as she caught the sly grin he was trying to hide.

"You did not just bring that up."

"Hey, just appreciating your words of wisdom," he replied, tapping his toothbrush on the

sink with a grin. "Guess I'll hold off until after we win."

She rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "You'd better. Got a tournament to win,

after all. You're going to need your own place."

He chuckled.

"Why do I feel like my single apartment would need two bedrooms?"

She looked away, resuming brushing her teeth, her voice a little softer.

"One bedroom, obviously... and one for just us. Because... well, sometimes it's nice to have a

little space, right?"

Eratz observed her, amused.

"Rock the world?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, shut up."

They fell into a comfortable

silence, each reflecting on the day to come. Sёarᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

The tournament wasn't just a competition; it was a step toward everything they'd fought for.

The next morning, the apartment bustled with activity as everyone prepared for the journey. Colin packed her bags with determination, while Milo tried his best to keep up, his energy boundless. Cassie triple-checked everyone's belongings, ensuring nothing was left behind. Across town, Ryder, Kaida, and Catarina prepared in their own ways, each focused and ready for the challenges ahead. At Crescent Moon, Zara gathered the last of the team's gear, her expression calm but focused.

This was the culmination of their hard work, and they weren't about to let it slip by.

As they all set out, the energy was almost electric.

Each fighter knew the finals awaited, and with it, the chance to make history in the Greenridge

League.