Chapter 52: Observations
Chapter 52: Observations
I exited Arena C, the roar of the crowd replaced by a steady hum. Back in the main hallway, students were scattered around some nursing bruises with stubborn pride, others practically bursting with victory.
That familiar post-match stress filled the air and I was wondering If I should go have lunch now or after the next match.
With the map displayed on my watch, the navigation here was straightforward as I left to go towards the IDS station at Arena C and found myself back at the central area where we had our meeting in the morning about the matches.
[Pinnacle Academy Main Stadium - Arena A Waiting Lobby]
Rows of screens lined the walls, broadcasting matches both ongoing and highlights from earlier rounds.
It wasn't just about the viewership, though as I saw a highlight of Louise blasting a poor extra away with his fists.
Looking around the lobby there were stalls lining the edges, not selling the typical junk food vendors offered in the arena, but rather sleekly packaged snacks that gave a boost for mana and endurance.
While my next match could pop up soon I checked the current battles going on in Arena C and some students are still fighting it out.
I was only here to relax up until my next match and before I settled down onto a lounge there was an enormous glowing board hung towards the back, listing names and their current standings.
I scanned the top few:
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[Time and Wins]
[*Note: Times are used to determine and distribute the rankings for the Round 50 tournament bracket.]
[Wins - Time]
[Group: A, Jan Ates: 3 Wins - 3.83 Seconds]
[Group: B, Louise Villerion 3 Wins - 3.92 Seconds]
[Group: F, Valencia Freya 3 Wins - 4.15 Seconds]
[Group: C, Alice Elizabeth 3 Wins - 4.45 Seconds]
[Group: D, Jae Yoona 3 Wins - 6.73 Seconds]
...
...
...
Jan, with his keen analysis, broke down some of his strategies for his potential opponents although he basically wins the battle per second, I mostly grunted and nodded to his yappanese, As I was more focused on getting the croissant down without choking.
He paused, tilting his head slightly. "Hey, I saw a replay of your takedown against that bruiser... You knocked him out, clean, in one punch! And here I thought you were a 'support' type."
"Eh, sometimes you gotta switch it up," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze.
Jan gave me a playful punch on the arm, "I knew you've been pulling your punches, haven't you?"
[-5 HP!]
That punch genuinely hurt. did he use divine conqueror on me? Impossible... It made me realise how much stronger Jan really was compared to his Original self in the novel. I rubbed my shoulder, wincing slightly...
We shared a few more lighthearted jabs and observations before another vibration echoed through the room. Both our watches were buzzing with the next notification.
"Looks like that's our cue," Jan said, flashing a smile.
We cleared our trays, leaving behind the remainder of our meal.
I glanced at my watch, checking who my next matchup was.
[Axel Saint Rel Laurence]
[Group E]
[Matches Completed: 2]
[Match number:6]
[Opponent: Jazmine Mockerick - [Arena B] ]
[Time: 1:30 PM]
*Arrive 15 Minutes Before The Battle For Inspection*
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Authors Notes:
- The central lobby has plenty of restaurants and lounge rooms that have tv's to watch the ongoing matches.
- Rel was genuinely happy when he saw that Allen's Cafe was inside the central lobby.
- Rel's Current Ranking: 45 - 2 Wins - Time: 9 Minutes, 32 Seconds.
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