But Zavier didn’t stop.
His mind scread the sa word over and over.
’Die die die die die die–’
The referee physically grabbed him, using S- rank strength to pull him off.
Only then did Zavier stop.
He stood slowly, ran his bloody hands across his face, saring the crimson, brought them to his nose.
And inhaled deeply!
Then he smiled – a creepy, unsettling smile that made Nobles across the stadium feel chills.
"Ah... the sll of disgusting Nobles."
"!!!"
The words carried across the silent arena, amplified by the stadium’s audio system.
BOOM!
The stadium exploded into cheerful roars that shook the barriers, commoners screaming themselves hoarse, the noise becoming physical pressure.
"STORMHOLD! STORMHOLD! STORMHOLD!"
****
[Broadcast Booth - Hosts Scrambling]
Noah and Sarah had been completely unprepared for what just happened.
Noah recovered first, his professional training kicking in.
"LADIES AND GENTLEN! WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! FIVE SECONDS! THE ENTIRE MATCH WAS OVER IN FIVE SECONDS!"
Sarah’s voice joined his, equally shocked.
"Stormhold Academy is NOT a weak team! Those weren’t just first-years! That was like a coordinated strike team executing with military precision!"
Noah pulled up holographic displays showing the replay in slow motion.
"Look at this! All five activating SS rank weapon arts simultaneously! The coordination! The tactics! Teleportation!
That Zavier fellow though... that level of violence at the end was extre. The referee had to physically restrain him. That creepy smile! And those words... there is clearly a story behind this!"
Sarah nodded.
"We’ve been asking around, getting information. These students are part of Damian Valcor’s Mafia organization! The Mafia that started at the Academy but has spread throughout Tranquil City!"
Noah’s voice beca more excited.
"We’ll have a special segnt about the Mafia on tonight’s show! But right now, one thing is absolutely clear – Damian’s policies are revolutionary! Look at all those weapon arts! All SS rank! Arts that commoners wouldn’t have been able to learn without his reforms!"
Sarah added breathlessly.
"And we’ve confird – Damian has been training these first-years in Beast-infested forests! Fighting actual beasts! You heard that right, everyone! These first-years are no ordinary talents!"
Noah stood, gesturing dramatically.
"Stormhold isn’t like other Academies where students are sheltered! They’re pioneers of boldness! They’re the ones who will be the shields of humanity!"
The stadium burst into chants.
"STORMHOLD! STORMHOLD! STORMHOLD!"
The sound was zealous, almost religious in its fervor.
****
[Federation Forums - Explosion of Activity]
@CommonerPride: "THIS IS IT! WE’RE NOT WEAK! WE CAN FIGHT NOBLES! IT’S JUST THAT OUR STARTING POINT IS LOW!"
@RevolutionNow: "STORMHOLD ACADEMY WILL BE THE BEST FOR COMMONERS! DAMIAN PROVED IT!"
@EqualityFighter: "EVERYONE CAN BE STRONG GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES! MAFIA IS LIVING PROOF!"
@DamianSupporter: "FIVE FIRST-YEARS JUST DESTROYED FIVE FOURTH-YEARS IN FIVE SECONDS! TELL AGAIN HOW NOBLES ARE SUPERIOR!"
@AcademyReform: "OTHER ACADEMIES NEED TO IMPLENT THESE REFORMS! LOOK AT THE RESULTS!"
The commoner sections of the internet had ignited with hope and vindication.
****
[Tranquil City - Viewing Room]
Gerard jumped to his feet, his massive fra shaking the floor, his first pumping the air.
"THIS IS IT! OUR CHILDREN ARE MONSTERS TOO NOW! THEY’RE JUST AS STRONG AS ANY NOBLE! DID YOU SEE THAT?!"
SMACK!
Mira’s hand connected with his head again, harder this ti.
"STOP CALLING EVERYONE MONSTERS!"
But she was smiling, tears in her eyes, pride overwhelming her irritation.
Marcus and Elaine Morwen held each other, crying openly.
"Are those really our kids? They’re so strong and so capable. I can’t believe–"
Takeshi and Yuki sat with perfect composure, but their hands were clasped tightly, their eyes showing pride they couldn’t quite hide.
Sakura was staring at the screen, her eyes wide.
"They were amazing. All of them. But especially..."
She looked at Damian’s figure standing outside the arena, completely calm, like he’d expected exactly this outco.
Jas Kael spoke quietly, his rough voice cutting through the celebration.
"I’m more worried about that Zavier kid. He lost his family only recently... look at him."
Everyone turned to the screen showing Zavier’s creepy smile, the blood on his face, the emptiness in his eyes.
"..."
Silence spread across the room.
Yuki spoke softly, her voice carrying motherly concern.
"We should give him so love as well. Invite him to family dinners. Show him he’s not alone. He’s just a kid who’s been through sothing no child should experience."
Heads nodded around the room, the celebration tempered by awareness of what violence cost.
****
[Arena One - Outside the Barrier]
Edrin and the others walked out of the arena, dical teams rushing past them to treat the defeated opponents.
Adrian stood with his mouth hanging open, his silly deanor completely gone, replaced by genuine shock.
’What the fuck! Are all of them monsters now?! Five seconds! They won in FIVE SECONDS!’
Victoria and Fiona looked at Zavier with obvious wariness, stepping back slightly as he approached.
But Zavier just smiled at them – that sa creepy smile.
"Don’t worry. I don’t eat all Nobles. Only the ones against us."
The reassurance sohow made it worse.
Seraphina and Elizabeth exchanged aningful glances, both thinking the sa thing.
’Headmaster told us about Damian’s training thods. But this is insane. These aren’t students anymore.’
The enemy Academy’s professor arrived, his face red with fury.
"Why were you so cruel with my students?! That level of violence was completely unnecessary! They’re going to be traumatized!"
He was a Noble too, his indignation carrying the weight of class offense.
Damian ignored him completely, turning to his team with a genuine smile.
"Good job. Even I’m surprised by how effortless that was. You’ve all grown incredibly strong."
His Mafia mbers practically glowed at the praise, their exhaustion disappearing.
"Let’s go back. No point watching the other matches. They’ll be slower and less interesting."
Under his lead, the Stormhold team began walking back toward their preparation area.
And as they walked, Damian felt sothing.
Attention... Focused and intense attention.
He turned his head slightly, looking toward Arena Two where Imperial Academy had just finished their own match.
Victor Cross stood there, his face pale, his hands clenched into fists so tight they shook.
Their eyes t across the distance.
Damian’s smile beca fierce – predatory, challenging and absolutely confident.
Then he looked away, dismissing Victor entirely, continuing to walk with his team.
Victor stood frozen, rage and fear mixing, unable to look away from Damian’s retreating back.
’Five seconds. They won in five seconds. And he wasn’t even fighting.
What happens when he actually enters the arena?’
The thought made his blood run cold.
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