Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Despite some minor conflicts, Qiuque and Anwei managed to register successfully. While waiting for the commencement of the military academy league at their accommodation, the official committee released the schedule and groupings for the events a few days later.

The format was the same as previous years, with individual events first, followed by team events. The Super Star Brain would automatically assign groups for those registered in individual events. Before the top 100 of the knockout stage, the genetic levels of the participants wouldn't be disclosed. Theoretically, unless deliberately investigated, no one would know the true strength of their opponents, eliminating the possibility of 'groups of death' or 'lucky groups.'

Such measures were designed to prevent any underhanded manipulation, ensuring relative fairness.

"The schedule is out, let me explain the details."

Anwei gathered the team in his room for a meeting.

"The competition officially begins in a week. At 10:30 a.m. Empire Time, the opening ceremony will be co-hosted by the second prince of the Empire, His Highness Duan Chenlin, and His Grace the Duke of Jaqueli, attended by numerous high-profile socialites," Anwei looked at the eager students, amused, "Of course, we'll be there in person, watching from the players' area."

"After the opening ceremony, at 2 p.m. Empire Time, the first day of the group stage matches will commence. All participant information has been randomized and divided into five groups: A, B, C, D, and E. Each group consists of about 25,000 participants, but only 200 from each group will advance, truly a selection of the elite."

"There are no revival matches in the group stage, nor round-robin matches; each game is 1V1. The rule is simple: winners advance, losers are out. To claim the ultimate victory, one must win continuously from start to finish, without a single loss."

Hearing this, the team members' faces fell.

He Mingri, showing his large teeth, said worriedly, "Oh man, only 200 out of 20,000 advance, meaning only a thousand out of several hundred thousand participants across all groups. As a B-grade Alpha, even if I fight with all I have, it won’t be enough."

Anwei replied, "Don't panic, the harder part is yet to come."

He continued, "The 1,000 participants who advance from the group stage will be divided into upper and lower halves for the knockout stage. Each half will fight for 50 advancement spots. This means, out of the empire's top 1,000, only a hundred will be selected for the final chase race, to compete for the ultimate victory."

"The knockout stage is a free-for-all, not based on wins or losses, but points. Participants are randomly drawn by the Super Star Brain for each match. Win a match, gain a point; lose, lose a point. There's no limit to the number of matches one can play. The first 50 participants from each half to accumulate 10 points advance to the chase race. While losing is allowed in the knockout stage, to advance swiftly and securely to the top 100, it’s best not to lose at all."

"Although Anwei knows it's a tough ask for the Alphas of Dark Star Military Academy, he still hopes these youngsters can successfully survive the elimination rounds."

"What about the top 100 chase race?" asked Figo.

Anwei replied, "The top 100, still divided into upper and lower halves, will compete in groups of five, with only one winner per group. This way, the final 20 winners from each half are determined; the process repeats until the last four remain. The two from the upper half and the two from the lower half will face off in the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the finals. The first, second, third, and fourth places will be decided among these four."

Now, not just He Mingri, but even A-grade Alpha Orfe didn't seem very confident, "Can we really make it through?"

Youbu bluntly told him, "Last edition's first 1,000 to pass the group stage included He Jie Xi, the weakest A-grade Alpha on paper, but now he's the deputy to General Duan Chen Sen of the First Army."

He Mingri grimaced, "Then aren't we doomed?"

Figo also looked grim, saying nothing.

Dole, being more experienced, tried to boost their morale, "It's okay. Even participants from higher-level planets fall in the group stage. Our strength may be relatively weaker, but this year's freshmen include two A-grade Alphas and an S-grade Omega in the combat class."

Hearing this and seeing Qiuque's unmoving presence, everyone felt somewhat reassured.

Li Congyan, stroking his chin, thought for a moment before asking Anwei, "Coach An, you said the match groups and schedules are completely random. Does that mean members of the same military school team could end up facing each other?"

Anwei nodded, "Yes, individual events, unlike team events, emphasize personal glory. Even teammates must compete against each other for the sole advancement spot. And the stronger the military school's team, the more likely its members will face each other in later rounds. For example, the Imperial First Military Academy, with evenly matched team members, often ends up with them battling each other in the final rounds. Some schools even have weaker members willingly forfeit to save strength for their stronger counterparts to fight for the championship."

"I hope you all have good luck, so you don’t face your teammates in the early rounds."

"Such a cruel format," Li Congyan sighed, "I'm glad I don't have to participate in individual events."

Anwei spoke indifferently, "The real battlefield is even crueler. In the arena, it's just about winning or losing, but on the battlefield, it's about life and death."

He paused, his silver eyes slowly scanning over each student, then added, "I really hope you can achieve good results in the military academy league. This isn't just about winning honor for Dark Star and the school, but also for yourselves. The military academy league is the most watched event in the empire, a perfect stage to showcase yourselves. Don't put too much pressure on yourselves; I don’t demand outstanding rankings. Making it to the top thousand is already a feat, a significant achievement in your records. And the top hundred are closely watched by the military; upon graduation, they can easily choose from major armies."

"You don’t have to strive for the championship or battle for the top hundred. I just need you to give your best, for the school, for Dark Star, for yourselves."

His words stirred the Alphas' blood. The team members, who were just worried about not making the elimination rounds, now seemed to see victory beckoning. Except for Youbu, who was indifferent to competing, and Qiuque, who was unenthusiastic about everything, everyone else was eager and ready.

Anwei opened his Star Brain and clicked a few times on the holographic keyboard, "The league's official committee has already released the groupings and schedule for the first round. I'm forwarding it to you, so check it out."

The room filled with the "ding ding" sound of system notifications. Everyone brought up their Star Brains, with He Mingri being the first to jump up, "I'm in Group E! My match is on the second day!"

Dole quickly followed up, "Like He Mingri, I'm also in Group E, competing on the second day."

Figo and Orfe said in unison, "I'm in Group C, competing in the afternoon of the second day."

Youbu glanced briefly and lazily stated, "I'm in Group A, like them, competing on the second day."

After speaking, everyone turned their gaze towards Qiuque.

Anwei was the first to ask, "What about you?"

Qiuque turned his screen for everyone to see, "Group A, Number 01, the very first match on the opening day."

Figo laughed, "Then we'll all head to Group A's area to watch you compete."

Orfe clenched his fist, encouraging Qiuque, "Go for it! We all believe in you!"

Youbu leaned in, bonelessly, "Don't worry, you're our unstoppable princess."

Dole, He Mingri, and Li Congyan also chorused, "Go princess! We'll all be cheering for you from the stands!"

Anwei looked at him, his tone distinctly softer compared to when he addressed the Alphas and Betas. Speaking gently to the little Omega, he reassured, "Don't be nervous, in the early stages, your opponents will mostly be B-grade Alphas or Betas. I believe you'll flawlessly perform in your debut at the military academy league."

To be honest, Qiuque had seen his fair share of blood, both in this world and on Earth. These athletic competitions, which were mere child’s play compared to real combat, were nothing to him.

But seeing his teammates take the competition more seriously than he did, cheering him on, Qiuque couldn't help but feel touched. He nodded gently and earnestly looked at everyone, "Thank you, everyone. I'll win the first match, the second... and keep winning right until the last."

"I will be the best player," his golden eyes shimmered brilliantly, his gaze resolute, "I will be the champion."

On the day of the competition—

Tens of thousands of participating teams gradually arrived at the capital star. After several days of adjustments, the eagerly anticipated Imperial Military Academy League finally kicked off with a grand opening ceremony.

The Yinla Sports Hall was packed to capacity, and even two days before the event started, the still-closed ticket checkpoints were already swamped with crowds. Spectators queued in endless lines, vying for a better viewing spot.

On the Star Web, every video and media platform's front page was dominated by the Military Academy League. The official committee's channel saw its live stream subscriptions skyrocket to an astonishing eleven digits.

Throughout the entire Empire, across all star systems, there was no one who wasn't looking forward to this grand event.

The opening ceremony took place at the main venue of the Yinla Sports Hall, where circular stands housed hundreds of thousands of spectators. Even with everyone sitting quietly, the collective breathing created a butterfly effect, strong enough to stir a fierce storm. And when the teams made their entrance, the applause was deafening, like thunder and lightning.

The audience, overcome with excitement, stood up, their cheers and whistles rising wave after wave, like a majestic sea, engulfing the entering teams, making each participant feel like a boat adrift on the ocean, immersed in this interstellar carnival.

Outside the venue, whether on the capital star, other planets, or even on the most remote and desolate Dark Star, countless viewers watched the live broadcast on projection screens.

Families gathered around for meals while watching; groups of Alpha friends met in bars, soaking in the enthusiastic atmosphere; military academies that sent teams watched together, faculty and students alike, eagerly searching the fleeting images for their representing teams.

On the Star Web, the League's official channel was flooded with comments at a rate of hundreds of thousands per second. The dense barrage of multicolored texts overlapped, obscuring the exciting visuals and forcing many viewers to turn off the comments to see the live feed clearly.

Brilliant and colorful fireworks were set off from the start of the opening ceremony countdown. Even during the brightest part of the day, radiation shields simulated nightfall, enhancing the beauty of the fireworks.

Multicolored sprays enveloped the entire main venue, painting everyone's faces in vibrant hues. With so many teams participating, individual entrances were impractical. Luckily, the venue was large enough, with ample live broadcast equipment and clear real-time holographic screens, allowing groups of a hundred teams to enter at a time.

The path to the players' seats for the military school teams was extraordinary. A suspended transparent walkway lit up with each step, displaying the corresponding participant information. Along the way, welcoming fireworks shot out cold, silver flames, lighting up every competitor's eyes, which were filled with an unquenchable thirst for victory and championship glory.

"Their youthful faces beamed with unwavering determination, their strides vigorous and powerful. They bore the hopes of the entire Empire, shouldering the grave responsibility of protecting their homeland."

"The main venue was enormous, and the path of victory that the contestants walked spanned several kilometers, winding like a giant dragon shimmering with silver light."

"Even elite military units flanked both sides of the path, escorting the participants."

"The Alphas in their impressive battle attire, tall and sharp-eyed with striking features, could make anyone's knees weak with just a glance. Wearing helmets and piloting hovercrafts, their tails trailing long, icy-blue flames, they instantly elicited screams from many Omega spectators."

"The pilots were Xiaoyue and He Jie Xi, one carefree and unruly, the other as cold as frost. When close-ups of their faces, waists, and hands appeared on the holographic screens, the screaming reached its peak."

"However, the next scene completely overshadowed these cheers, leaving the audience, both in the venue and watching the live broadcast, gasping in shock. For a moment, everyone's heart seemed to pause, finding it hard to believe that what they were seeing was real and not just a holographic effect."

"The camera was initially focused on Xiaoyue, but perhaps due to a slip by the director or the floating camera capturing it, suddenly, a golden shimmer appeared across the twenty-meter-high holographic screens encircling the audience."

"Then, a face of breathtaking beauty, so stunning it compelled one to hold their breath, appeared."

"Just then, a new round of fireworks burst into the sky, brilliantly lighting up the entire main venue. With the floating camera barely a meter away from Qiuque, the colorful mist slowly dispersed, revealing his stunning face right in the lens, striking straight into everyone's heart."

"The silver fireworks of Victory Path continued to bloom, reflecting in his crystal-clear, golden eyes, making them shine even brighter. The mist's paint lightly grazed half of his face in a diagonal line, adding a dash of whimsical and spirited charm."

"Initially unaware of the camera, Qiuque blinked slowly. Then, with the sound of dozens of cannons firing, colorful fireworks cascaded down like falling snow, the bright sequins settling reluctantly on his long, dense, curly golden eyelashes."

"He slightly lifted his head, his face as white as jade bathed in a dreamy luminescence from the fireworks. His eyes, brimming with gentle light, and the cool aloofness in his brow made him seem like a fragile piece of glaze."

"Suddenly, a spotlight hit Qiuque, making every strand of his hair gleam with a golden radiance."

"The world dimmed, and only a deity shone alone, radiantly."

"In that moment, all the grandeur of the universe seemed but a mere backdrop to his presence."

"The previously lively and continuously cheering venue fell into a stunning silence for several seconds, followed by a burst of screams loud enough to go hoarse and applause that seemed to flip the venue, interspersed with numerous piercing whistles."

"Until then, even though Qiuque had been a hot topic on the Star Web for two rounds, most people had no idea who he was, with many completely unaware of his existence."

"But after, those brief, serendipitous seconds were hailed as 'the six seconds that silenced the universe,' becoming the Empire's generations-long pinnacle of aesthetic interpretation."

"The applause and cheers for Qiuque lasted for several minutes, eclipsing even the most popular Imperial First Military Academy team, who couldn't compare in terms of attention and enthusiasm."

"By this time, the Dark Star representative team had already left Victory Path and taken their seats. They watched enviously as the First Military Academy, from their entrance to exit, remained the center of attention."

"But with an unparalleled gem like Qiuque leading them, their former attitude of mere admiration was no longer the same."

"Anwei, watching the other military school teams enter and wave their hands, mused, 'Who could have imagined, before today, that someone could overshadow the limelight of the Imperial First Military Academy with their sheer presence?'"

"Figo looked at Qiuque with pride and affection, resembling a doting father proud of his daughter's coming of age."

"When Qiuque stands there, no matter how many eyes are on him, everyone else seems to pale in comparison."

"In the face of the audience's frenzy and his peers' high praise, Qiuque himself didn't feel much. He was more interested in getting the competition started than in the grandiose opening ceremony."

"With Duan Chenlin's arrival in his ceremonial attire, the opening ceremony finally reached its climax."

"His beautiful peach blossom eyes swept over the main venue, briefly pausing on the quietly seated Qiuque. Catching sight of that striking golden hue, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile."

"Duan Chenlin withdrew his gaze and faced the camera directly in front. With a polite, warm smile and a resonant voice, he announced, 'Now, I declare the Imperial Military School Interstellar Tournament—officially open!'"

"As his words fell, brilliant fireworks once again lit up outside the Yinla Sports Hall, while inside, silver fireworks burst forth in unison, and streamers fluttered down, creating a relentless golden rain of dazzling lights and pyrotechnics."

"At that moment, the cheers were deafening, echoing throughout the entire sports hall."

"Long live Yinla Star!"

"Long live the Royal Family!"

"Long live the Empire!"

"After the opening ceremony, the Star Web, capable of handling a massive number of users, nearly crashed due to the surge in traffic. The hottest searches on major websites, apart from #MilitaryAcademyLeagueOpeningCeremony#, were centered around a previously unknown name, #Qiuque#."

"Following him were tags like #TheSixSecondsThatSilencedTheUniverse#, #TheGoldenSunGod#, among others. The scene that broke the internet reached over a hundred billion views in just an hour or two."

"This time, unlike previous minor buzz, Qiuque truly became known to the entire Empire."

"However, with his newfound fame came even more widespread bewilderment: How could such a delicate and beautiful little Omega, not be in the Healing class, but in Combat?"

"And furthermore, he had registered for the individual competition?"

"The Star Web was filled with both admiration and skepticism towards Qiuque. No one doubted his beauty, but many questioned whether such a delicate Omega was suited for such a dangerous competition."

"Many were worried for him, and others, holding onto mainstream views, believed Omegas should not engage in such risky endeavors."

"Apart from the audience, competitors in the Military Academy League also took notice of Qiuque."

"Admiring his beauty was one thing, but thinking his enrollment in the individual competition was frivolous was another."

"This attitude was akin to a bloodthirsty wolf pack suddenly encountering a delicious little lamb – they're bound to take a few licks. But amidst sharp fangs and beautiful but useless wool, the wolves naturally belittle the lamb due to the stark contrast in strength."

"After a brief rest, the Yinla Sports Hall finally welcomed its first match."

"With over a hundred thousand contestants in the individual competition, except for the opening match and the final few, multiple matches were held simultaneously to save time. Therefore, the League's official channel only broadcasted the most popular matches, and viewers had to search for specific players to watch other matches."

"Qiuque, coincidentally the number 01 of Group A, was drawn for the first match on the afternoon following the opening ceremony."

"At the peak of his popularity, even before his match, his attention had already surpassed that of any previous champions. The organizing committee, initially not planning to feature him prominently, had to revise their plans. The match schedule was like a dream come true for them, making them overjoyed."

"The audience was also very interested in this match, not just because it was the first in the individual competition of the Military Academy League, but more importantly, after this match, the beautiful little Omega would most likely have to go home, only to be seen again in the team event."

"Embracing the mindset of 'the first match might be the last, see one less with each match,' billions of viewers crowded into the organizing committee's main live stream room even before the match officially started, eager to savor every moment."

"Under immense anticipation and amid waves of skepticism, the first match of the Imperial Military Academy League's individual competition officially commenced."

Author's Note: