Isabella was arranging the papers on the table when she looked up and noticed Klaus' presence, then a slight smile appeared on her lips.
"Klaus, anything on your mind?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.
"Actually, yes," Klaus began, hesitating for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "I wanted to talk about the Rise Online tournament that's taking place at the end of this month. It's a partnership between Hongué Holdings and NIST, right? I'm thinking of taking part and I wanted to ask you how I can register."
Isabella's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's wonderful, Klaus! I knew you'd give in eventually. But are you sure you really want to take part?"
Klaus nodded, feeling a weight being lifted from his shoulders. "Yes, I'm sure. I've been thinking about it a lot and I think I'm ready to get back into competitive play, I think a semi-professional championship could be useful for me."
Isabella put her hand on Klaus' shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "That's incredible, Klaus. You have my full support, and I'm sure the whole school will be thrilled to hear that you're taking part. Don't worry about your application, just in case, I left a form with all your details at the bottom of this drawer." She tapped the deepest drawer of her desk.
Klaus smiled, feeling a surge of confidence and determination. "Thank you, Isabella. I promise to do my best."
Isabella nodded, clearly pleased. "I'm sure you will. Now get some rest. You have a long journey ahead of you."
Klaus left the meeting room, feeling lighter and more energized. He walked across campus, his legs moving automatically while his mind was occupied with thoughts of the tournament. The thought of competing again filled him with a mixture of excitement and fear, but he knew he was making the right decision, both for his future and for his family.
When he reached his dormitory, Klaus took out his cell phone and dialed Emma's number. After a few rings, she answered, her warm voice filling his ears.
"Klaus! How nice to hear your voice. How are you?" Emma asked.
"Hi, Emma. I'm fine, how are you?"
"Um... I don't know. I've been thinking all day about Og'tharoz. Is he really going to be okay there?"
"Good night, Klaus. Sleep well," she replied before hanging up.
Klaus put his cell phone away and lay down on the bed, feeling more confident and determined than ever. He knew that the journey ahead of him would be challenging, but he was ready to face it head on. With the support of Isabella, Emma and the others, he felt that nothing could stop him.
The next few days were filled with meticulous preparation. Klaus returned to exercising more frequently in real life. Every day, he spent at least two hours training. This would help him develop his PR. He also began to test his skills more in joint training sessions with Alina.
Alina's training room was a special place, located in her private library. Built with reinforced materials to withstand large impacts, the room was equipped with arcane magical barriers that absorbed and neutralized energy blasts, allowing for safe and efficient training.
As Klaus began his training and prepared for the tournament, rumors of the return of Legendary Player Kaizen began to spread through the Rise Online forums and videos.
Kaizen, known for his exceptional skills and for having been a prominent figure in the Myth2 competitive scene, had stepped out of the spotlight after a traumatic event in the past. Now, his name was in the spotlight again, and the gaming community was buzzing about a possible return.
On the forums, threads about Kaizen multiplied rapidly as the rumors spread. Some players and fans expressed enthusiasm and admiration, while others questioned whether he still possessed the same ability as before.
"Kaizen is back! I can't wait to see him compete again!" read one of the most popular posts.
"Does Kaizen still have what it takes to be the best?" wondered a skeptical streamer on his live chat. "I understand that he became powerful in Rise Online, but he has a good Class, great equipment and must have played the beta-test. It's only natural that, like others, he has become an Evolved."
YouTube videos also began to gain views quickly.
Vloggers and streamers discussed Kaizen's return, analyzing his old games and speculating on his chances in the tournament.
"Kaizen was always one of my favorite players. He had an incredible ability to predict his opponents' moves and counter-attack with surgical precision." said one of the vloggers on his channel. "If he can regain that form, he'll be a formidable opponent."
"I don't know if he's that useful for a competitive team these days. We've never seen him fight as a team."