[Television Studio - Late Night Coverage]
Noah Montague and Sarah Lin sat in their studio, the breaking news displayed behind them in bold letters.
[ELIZABETH MURDOCK BANNED FROM TOURNANT]
[NEW B RANK LIMIT ANNOUNCED]
[STORMHOLD ACADEMY’S CHANCES NOW ZERO]
Noah’s voice carried genuine shock.
"In an unprecedented move, ACC President Eleanor has announced a new rule limiting tournant participation to students B rank and below. This effectively bans Stormhold’s President Elizabeth Murdock, their strongest mber."
Sarah shook her head, her expression grim.
"Combined with the earlier Council resignations, Stormhold is now fielding an entirely first-year team against the best fourth-years from across the Federation. Most analysts are calling this the greatest mismatch in tournant history."
Noah pulled up betting odds.
"Current odds have Stormhold at 500-to-1 against winning. Most bookmakers aren’t even accepting bets on them anymore. It’s considered a guaranteed loss."
"Let’s look at who the favorites are now," Sarah said, pulling up team profiles.
****
[Imperial Academy Interview - Pre-Recorded]
The screen showed a tall, handso young man with distinctive features – Cassius Eckhart, President of Imperial Academy, heir to one of the thirteen Imperial families.
His black hair was styled perfectly, his grey eyes showing absolute confidence bordering on arrogance.
"I didn’t bother attending the ball tonight. Waste of ti when the outco is already decided."
The interviewer pressed him.
"But what about Elizabeth Murdock? If she’d been allowed to compete–"
Cassius waved his hand dismissively.
"Even if she competed, we would still have had strong chances to win. Imperial Academy has five fourth-years, all B rank and all from Imperial families. We have resources and training Stormhold can’t match."
His smile beca condescending.
"Now that she’s completely out? We don’t even consider them competition anymore."
The interviewer brought up Damian.
"There are confird reports that Damian Valcor has developed a ntal Domain. Doesn’t that concern you even slightly?"
Cassius’s expression showed he found the question almost offensive.
"A Domain at C rank is impressive, yes. But he’s still just C rank. All of us are geniuses as well. We’re prepared for everything, including ntal attacks."
His arrogance was palpable.
"That commoner might be talented. But talent without experience is just potential. We have both. The tournant will prove which matters more."
****
[Republic Academy Interview - Live]
The scene shifted to a different interview – William Greene, President of Republic Academy, a commoner who’d risen to leadership through pure capability.
His face showed genuine concern rather than Cassius’s arrogance.
"We just arrived at the Capitol a few hours ago. Hearing this news is deeply disappointing."
He looked directly at the cara.
"The ACC is deliberately suppressing Stormhold Academy. It’s clear for everyone to see. This isn’t about fairness or balance. This is politics."
His voice beca more passionate.
"Also, Damian Valcor is a genius and an inspiration for commoner students across the entire Federation. I don’t know why everyone is underestimating him so severely, but it’s the typical arrogance of Nobles."
He paused for emphasis.
"My team won’t make that mistake. We’ll treat Stormhold as a serious threat. And don’t forget – all their mbers are first-years. Even if they don’t reach top three, it will still be embarrassing for any of us to lose to juniors."
His respect for Damian was obvious and genuine.
****
[Federation-Wide Reactions]
The news spread across every platform, opinions dividing sharply.
Commoner forums exploded with outrage:
@CommonerVoice: "This is going too far! If there was a rank limit, why wasn’t it announced beforehand?! Since when is ’you’re too strong’ a reason to ban soone?!"
@FairPlay: "They’re so scared of Stormhold they’re changing rules mid-competition. Proves our point about Noble corruption perfectly."
@DamianSupporter: "Everyone writing off Damian hasn’t been paying attention. He’s done impossible things before. Why assu he can’t do it again?"
Noble forums showed different reactions:
@ImperialPride: "Finally so sense. Elizabeth at A- rank made the tournant unfair for everyone else. This levels the playing field."
@NobleScholar: "Stormhold brought this on themselves by promoting that criminal to Vice President. Consequences of poor leadership."
But even the Stormhold Academy forum – usually divided between Nobles and commoners – showed unified anger:
@StormholdStudent: "Gareth and the others SABOTAGED us! If we lose funding because we rank lower, it affects EVERYONE! Noble and commoner alike!"
@AcademyPride: "I’m a Noble student and I’m FURIOUS. Those traitors put family politics above Academy welfare. Unforgivable."
@CommonerFighter: "At least now we know who our real enemies are. Not each other. But the system that pits us against each other."
The sabotage had created unexpected unity at Stormhold – everyone angry at the sa targets for the sa reasons.
****
[Stormhold Suite - Team eting Room]
Damian stood in front of Ariana, Edrin, Zavier, Lysa, and Ronan, all of whom were sitting in ditation postures.
The breakthrough process had been completed – all five had successfully advanced from D to C- rank with Damian’s Will guiding them through the final stages, ensuring no hidden problems developed.
He’d spent hours carefully monitoring each breakthrough, using his exceptional Willpower to stabilize their foundations, prevent any damage from the forced advancent.
Now they were consolidating their new strength, getting used to the increased power flowing through their bodies.
Finally, they opened their eyes.
BOOM.
Ronan’s fist smashed into the floor, cracking the reinforced tile, his face showing pure rage.
"Boss! This is complete bullshit! They sabotaged us with the resignations, and now they even removed President Elizabeth! How is this fair?!"
The others wore similar expressions – anger, frustration and helplessness.
Damian just looked at them silently, waiting for them to vent and calm down.
After several monts, his voice cut through their complaints.
"Isn’t this an opportunity as well?"
They looked at him with confusion, unable to see how any of this could be positive.
Damian smiled, his eyes becoming cold and calculating.
"Everyone in the Federation already knows we’ve been sabotaged by Nobles. The whole world is watching this tournant. Everything is broadcast live to millions of viewers."
His smile widened.
"Everyone will see how the Nobles suppress commoners and how the politics overrides rit."
He looked at each of them directly.
"And we have nothing to lose. They already think we can’t win and they have already written us off completely. Zero expectations ans zero pressure."
His voice beca sharper.
"So... show them what the Mafia is capable of. Make proud."
He paused, his voice rising.
"Rember my words? When the world suppresses us–"
"WE BITE BACK!"
All five shouted the Mafia motto simultaneously, their voices overlapping with perfect timing.
They looked at each other, predatory smiles spreading across their faces.
’The world expects us to roll over?
Fuck that!
We’re going to tear through this tournant and make everyone suffer!’
Damian watched them transform from discouraged students into hungry predators, satisfaction showing on his face.
’They want to crush us. Let’s show them what happens when they try.’
The Mafia was going to appear in front of everyone.
And the whole Federation was about to watch.
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