Vol.2 Chapter 28

Vol.2 Chapter 28

Clarissa’s PoV

As I was currently waiting for the event to officially start, I surveyed my entire surroundings.

The venue was a hive of activity, buzzing with the energy and excitement of hundreds of participants and spectators. Despite the crowd, the space never felt cramped or confined, thanks to the thoughtful design and layout of the venue.

High ceilings towered overhead, adding to the sense of spaciousness. Many aesthetic lights with proper ventilation and airflow keep the whole place comfortable even for so many people. The venue was a perfect blend of modern architecture and cutting-edge technology, designed to provide an immersive e-sports experience.

In the center of the venue, a massive stage was set up, complete with state-of-the-art VR gaming equipment and large screens for spectators to watch the action. The stage was surrounded by rows of comfortable seating, providing ample space for spectators to settle in and enjoy the matches.

Around the perimeter of the venue, various booths and stations were set up, offering everything from gaming merchandise to food and beverages. Despite the number of people, movement around the venue was easy, with wide aisles and clear signage directing the flow of traffic. Even though it is already my second day here, I can’t seem to get used to the novelty of the place.

"Hello folks, good morning! Raze here! I'm with my co-panelist Landslide to bring you the best analysis of the games we have in store for you today!" An energetic voice resounded throughout the venue, bringing me out of my survey of the large place.

On the large screen in the middle of the entire stadium, one of the panel members who introduced himself as Raze was featured on display along with his partner. I’m not alone as most of the audience also seemed to notice the official start of the event. An instant cheer with a deafening roar coupled with a round of applause rang out through the venue at the panelist’s voice which sent a shiver down my spine, causing my skin hair to stand out.

I’ve already experienced this contagious excitement on the first day, but seeing as my brother’s team is the one who will play today, I’m excited more than ever.

"That is right guys! On top of that, we also have a special guest here as our expert panelist! Please give it up for Mr. Bogdan Călugăru, better known in-game as Vlad with the moniker of ‘The Impaler’!" one of the panelists, Mr. Landslide exclaimed.

Another round of applause filled the air as the moderator introduced the e-sports expert coupled with a more deafening roar from the audience this time.

The expert panelist, Mr. Bogdan, a tall, athletic man with an imposing presence, gave the audience a polite wave and a small smile, before taking his seat next to the other panelists on the raised dais.

"It is an honor for one of the strongest players in the first Andartha Cup to join us here, no? And we have him all for ourselves, right guys!!" the panelist named Mr. Raze said excitedly.

"It is good to be here," Mr. Bogdan replied calmly, giving both his co-panelist a serene smile.

"Indeed! And without further ado, let us get the show on the road, shall we?" the panelist, Mr. Landslide, said before the crowd cheered once again, eager for the games to begin.

With that, the lights dimmed, and the screens around the venue lit up with the first game on the schedule.

The bracket of the game was featured in the match. Seeing Novo and my brother’s team name in the bracket for all to see made me even more excited with a hint of nervousness for the upcoming matches.

“As you can see folks, the first match for the day will be Paradigm vs Sakura e-sports! Keep in mind that the arrangement was random for the 1v1 tournament. However, the standings for the 1v1 matches will determine the main tournament's progression and who will fall into the lower bracket. Therefore, winning the matches in the 1v1 stage remains crucial. Also, the winner of the one-versus-one tournament will also receive a cash prize of a whopping 50,000$!” Mr. Raze exclaimed excitedly.

“That is right Raze. Therefore, I highly doubt the participants will not take the matches seriously with that much money on the line! Regarding the first match, what are your thoughts on this, Mr. Bogdan?” Mr. Landslide queried their guest guest.

Mr. Bogdan pondered for a bit before answering, "While the team Paradigm may seem like an underdog in this match, I think they stand a chance against Sakura.”

Hearing his words instantly brought me much joy and hope. I knew someone would see how great a team my brother has. All the more coming from an expert such as Mr. Bogdan.

“Oh, might you explain why this is so? I want to hear firsthand your thoughts on this,” Mr. Landslide expressed his genuine curiosity, asking for an explanation of the reasoning behind the advantage Paradigm holds in the matchup.

"I'm also interested in understanding the reason, especially since the odds for the match are 87%-13%, according to both the fans and the AI algorithm combined. This overwhelmingly favors the Sakura e-sports team," Mr. Raze added, echoing the sentiment.

Mr. Bogdan seemed to compose himself before responding “...While team Sakura will surely send their ace, Hana as a representative for the fight, the Paradigm has three talented players to choose from that they could send in one-on-one. The Paradigm team holds an advantage in terms of a favorable matchup due to their unpredictability and the wider range of options they possess. The outcome of the match will now hinge on whether Paradigm can effectively utilize this advantage or not.”

"I see, that could indeed be an advantage. Well articulated, Mr. Bogdan! An expert's perspective is truly enlightening. We can only anticipate how events will unfold. But speaking of team Sakura, their star player has arrived!"

The attention of the crowd shifted towards the entrance, where a stunning lady of unmistakable Asian heritage made her appearance. As she approached their side of the VR pod, the audience erupted into a thunderous cheer. It was evident that she was highly regarded and well-liked by the people in attendance, as favorable comments filled the air around me.

“Isn’t that Murasame’s sister?!”

“Yes, she is! I heard that she learned specifically from her sister how to play the game.”

“We almost forgot to mention that the whole stadium’s cheers will be heard by the participants in our new tournament feature that will be implemented in the one-on-one tournament! Of course, it only applies to the cheers, not the caster’s analysis, as it would be too unfair. Therefore, LA fans, make some noise!”

Another eruption of cheers resounded in the arena, making my ears hurt. These guys sure are good at their jobs, huh?

“Now that everything is ready. Let the first match begin!” Both of them declared in unison.

As the casters said the word, the screen turned to the VR arena where the participants would battle. It resembles a Roman colosseum, making the ambiance much more spartan. Surrounding the arena, rows upon rows of virtual spectators filled the stands, their cheers and applause echoing through the virtual space. The crowd's excitement was palpable, their energy fueling the atmosphere and adding to the intensity of the battles.

The lighting within the arena was carefully crafted to enhance the dramatic effect. Soft beams of sunlight streamed through the openings in the stone walls, casting long shadows across the arena floor. The interplay of light and shadow added depth and dimension to the virtual environment, creating a visually stunning spectacle.

The view before me left me pleasantly surprised. It was evident that no expenses were spared in the creation and construction of the custom arena. The attention to detail and craftsmanship was remarkable, showcasing the dedication and commitment put into making it a truly exceptional venue for the matches.

On both sides, the participants teleported inside the arena. They locked eyes, each displaying a look of both cautiousness and determination.

The staring contest continued, drawing out the anticipation that filled the entire stadium. The atmosphere was thick with excitement, as the crowd eagerly awaited the moment when the countdown finally began.

Then it finally happened at last.

3...

2...

1...

Match Start!

Renz

HP: 100%

Yatsufusa

HP: 100%

As the timer signaled the start of the match, Murasame's sister wasted no time and swiftly made her first move to close in the gap. Her quick dash was undeniably impressive. However, what truly stood out was the immediate change in stance by the boy. The transition was incredibly smooth, highlighting the immense dedication and hard work he had put into his practice. It was a testament to his commitment and the countless hours he had invested in honing his skills.

His stance was familiar, and it was also quite deadly as he countered Murasame’s sister with a quick, precise attack that should have been almost impossible in his skill bracket.

The attack landed successfully, striking the girl's body and forcing her to recoil and abandon her charge. Instantly, she backed off, while the boy wisely chose not to pursue. It was a smart move on his part, as he should always leverage the advantage of his superior reach in the battle.

Yatsufusa

HP: 81%

The entire stadium went silent. No one expected that the first one to land the hit was the boy.

"Wow! It appears that Renz is the one who drew first blood against Yatsufusa, ladies and gentlemen! Who could have anticipated this outcome?! It seems like we have a nail-biter fight here!"

The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo, and it was no surprise. After all, nobody wants to witness a one-sided match where the outcome is already predetermined. Based on all the information available, it seemed that everyone believed Murasame's sister would emerge as the clear victor. However, the unpredictability of the outcome added an extra layer of excitement and made the match even more enticing to watch.

Not only that, it seems that the pressure is now on the girl. It's understandable considering the influence of her sibling and the expectations from the crowd. I can only imagine the immense pressure she must be feeling. On the other hand, the boy, being the underdog, has nothing left to lose and can play without restraint. Making the psychological advantage so much skewed in favor of the boy even though he might be outmatched in terms of skills.

It seems like this match will be more interesting than I initially thought it would be.