"Next."
The single word echoed through the stadium like a death knell.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they witnessed the aftermath of what could barely be called a battle. The arena floor had split completely in two, massive cracks spreading outward like a spider web from the epicenter. A muscular figure stood triumphant on the far side, his powerful frame radiating the aura of an unstoppable force.
"This is Peking University," Oliver muttered from the stands, his voice carrying a mixture of admiration and wariness. "A truly prestigious institution indeed."
"It's over," Azrael declared with clinical detachment.
He wasn't particularly surprised that Velkairos University, where his old friend Michael studied, had fallen to Peking University. This wasn't the first time he'd observed that muscular student's card in action. Setting aside other considerations, the card's raw power was undeniably top-tier.
From Azrael's careful observations, it appeared to be a complex fusion of Hercules, various djinn, and several other strength-related deities, a weakened but still formidable combination. Since Velkairos University's overall strength remained modest, Azrael couldn't discern the card's specific limitations or hidden capabilities.
With Peking University's remaining students serving as competent support, it wouldn't prove difficult for their powerhouse to sweep through Velkairos University's remaining members systematically.
"Next up is Northern University of Science and Technology versus Excelsior University," Oliver noted, consulting the tournament bracket with practiced efficiency.
"Do you think Northern University can pull off another upset?" he asked, turning to Azrael with genuine curiosity.
Azrael began reflecting on his impressions of the Northern University students from their previous encounters. After a long, contemplative pause, he frowned slightly and shook his head. "It's difficult to say with certainty. Excelsior University doesn't appear to be weak either."
Kevaugn, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject with his own assessment, "Excelsior University shouldn't be underestimated, right? I feel like Jinghua University's performance level dropped significantly, which directly led to their upset defeat."
As a Silver-level Lore Cardian himself, Kevaugn couldn't observe the students on both sides as closely as Azrael, but he sensed a distinctly strong aura of threat emanating from Excelsior University's assembled team.
"Let's see what unfolds," Azrael said simply, settling back to observe.
As the match commenced, the members of Pixar University's Battle Club received their first clear glimpse of the dark horse's true capabilities.
Northern University's first player wasn't their troublesome captain, but simply an ordinary Battle Club member. His card was indeed a technological construct, precisely as the circulating rumors had suggested, a sleek, silver-white robot materialized before the expectant crowd.
"It doesn't seem... particularly exceptional," Oliver said with obvious uncertainty.
While the robot was certainly innovative in design, it didn't appear capable of pulling off the kind of dramatic upset everyone had come to expect from this team.
"Unless their captain's card possesses incredible hidden power," Azrael voiced what everyone around him was thinking.
The subsequent developments unfolded exactly as Azrael had anticipated with methodical precision. Although Northern University's first four players managed to defeat three of Excelsior University's Battle Club members through determination and tactical coordination, their unknown captain still needed to overcome two formidable opponents alone to advance to the next round.
The audience was already cheering enthusiastically for Northern University's remarkable progress. A genuine dark horse story is always a favorite spectacle for eager spectators.
Azrael watched intently as the captain smiled warmly and patted his slightly dejected teammate's shoulder, whispering words of comfort and encouragement before stepping to the edge of the arena with a visibly determined expression.
Azrael leaned forward in his seat, genuinely eager to see what cards the opposing captain would strategically deploy.
As three distinct cards materialized on the field simultaneously, his expression shifted from keen curiosity to mild disappointment.
In his experienced perception, while these cards were certainly powerful by most standards, they weren't particularly impressive by his own elevated benchmarks.
"Is that truly all?" Azrael thought privately, though he quickly suppressed his initially dismissive attitude. "Experienced fighters often keep their most potent trump cards carefully hidden. We still need to observe them with proper attention."
Northern University of Science and Technology struggled valiantly through the next two challenging matches and ultimately emerged victorious through sheer determination.
Azrael still hadn't witnessed the hidden potential he'd suspected might exist within their strategy.
By then, however, the entire stadium was already echoing with deafening cheers of approval.
The dark horse had defeated yet another formidable opponent and marched confidently into the next competitive round. Everyone present was eager to see precisely how far these relatively unknown young fighters would advance.
Looking at the humble young captain, who smiled warmly at his loyal companions, Azrael stood up decisively. "Let's go! It's our turn next."
"Coral University? I remember they didn't even make it to round sixteen in last year's team competition," one informed spectator remarked as the match information flashed prominently on the big screen.
"Yeah, who would have thought a historically prestigious school like that would see such a dramatic decline? But I heard they recruited a genuine super genius this year."
"Don't worry about it. The match videos of that genius are already circulating widely. He's insanely strong. Beating Pixar University in the team competition shouldn't present a real problem."
Azrael, after his dramatic and memorable match with Crowley, wasn't exactly a household name, but for those following the national tournament closely, he was definitely a player worth watching carefully.
"Greenridge Province has finally produced a genuinely great talent," someone commented approvingly.
"Actually, it's Hucheng, not Greenridge Province," a spectator from Hucheng couldn't help but correct with local pride.
"Isn't Hucheng part of Greenridge Province anyway?"
"Hey, Greenridge Province is an entire province. Understand the administrative difference."
"But isn't Coral University actually located in Pixar? He's not competing for your Hucheng University."
"..."
At that precise moment, Azrael, standing calmly at the sidelines, remained unaware that a Hucheng resident's heart was quietly breaking. He watched a diligent senior from the civil engineering department carefully repair the damaged arena floor with his specialized construction-type cards.
A moment later, seeing that the field had been restored to completely normal condition, Azrael turned to Oliver and the other three members with tactical consideration. "Should I handle this match alone?"
Since they had fortunately drawn Coral University, whom they had scouted thoroughly the previous day, Azrael understood their opponent's capabilities well enough to prepare for some strategic misdirection.
While Oliver and the others' cards were undoubtedly inferior to his own impressive arsenal, keeping them hidden might prove tactically beneficial in the upcoming team matches.
The four nodded in complete agreement at Azrael's sensible suggestion, naturally grasping the strategic implications immediately.
For all the universities watching carefully, Azrael was like a card player in a game who had already revealed his hand completely. Everyone had seen his most powerful cards and knew exactly what to expect.
However, the other schools remained completely unaware of his [Silver Arm] and [Sasuke]; these were genuine surprises Azrael had prepared specifically for them.
Having decided definitively on his approach, Azrael calmly walked to the battle platform with confident composure.
Bright spotlights illuminated him dramatically, making his naturally fair skin seem to glow with an almost ethereal, otherworldly radiance.
"Azrael, you may be very strong, but we at Coral University won't be bullied easily," declared an unknown student from Coral University, though his voice clearly lacked genuine confidence.
Azrael was momentarily confused by this declaration. He hadn't said anything particularly threatening, yet he somehow felt like he was being unfairly cast as the villain. "Well then, please do your absolute best."
With that simple, courteous response, he summoned Unohana Retsu and Fubuki onto the prepared field.
These two powerful cards would be more than sufficient to face Coral University's assembled students.
Sailors clad in the traditional uniforms of the ancient Aetherlight navy materialized on the opposite side of the arena. The distinctive sound of crashing waves gradually filled everyone's ears, creating an immersive naval battlefield atmosphere.
But in the very next moment, a pitch-black coffin rose ominously from the ground, completely enveloping the frightened and bewildered sailors in its darkly ominous embrace.
"Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi."
As an acknowledged master of Kidō, Unohana Retsu could naturally perform high-level spells without lengthy incantation, much like Aizen. While her spiritual pressure might not match that of a monster like Aizen, her technical mastery remained extraordinary.
As the black coffin shattered into harmlessly dissipating fragments, the deadly silence that immediately followed spoke volumes about the unfortunate sailors' inevitable fate.
"Instantly defeated?"
A dreamlike murmur rippled through the packed stands.
On the sidelines, Azrael didn't appear smug or particularly satisfied. Instead, he calmly addressed the referee with professional courtesy.
"Next."
The referee finally snapped back to full awareness. He discretely swallowed hard and cast his uncertain gaze toward the remaining Coral University students.
He saw a complex mixture of shock, confusion, and disbelief painted clearly across their youthful faces. Although they had anticipated a high probability of defeat against Pixar University's formidable team, they hadn't expected their teammate to fall without landing even a single blow against Azrael.
The referee could understand their previous confidence, however. This particular match represented arguably the most unequal disparity in strength since the start of the main tournament. The overwhelming power gap between Pixar University's captain and his opponents was as stark as that between a Silver-level veteran and a Bronze-level amateur.
Not long after, at the referee's gentle urging, another member of Coral University's Battle Club took his position in the arena with a visibly bitter expression.
He possessed a clear understanding of his own limited capabilities. Aside from their respected club president, the other four members of Coral University's Battle Club were remarkably similar in overall strength.
Since their formidable opponent had instantly eliminated the first member, basic logic dictated that the remaining three would inevitably meet the same fate.
"Next."
The same cold, efficiently delivered voice echoed again throughout the arena.
The expressions of the Coral University students gradually shifted from initial fear and anger to growing unease and mounting doubt.
"Next."
Azrael's voice carried through the arena once more, and only the last member of Coral University remained standing defiantly.
This was the same student Azrael had encountered the previous day, the one capable of deploying the impressive destroyer-class warship card.
He stepped onto the battle platform with a heavy, resigned expression, resembling a condemned man walking to his execution.
Seeing this dramatic reaction, Azrael was genuinely puzzled by the response. "Am I really that intimidating?"
He carefully reflected on his recent actions and behavior. While he certainly felt somewhat villainous, he hadn't said anything particularly offensive, had he?
The blame really lay with the referee, who seemed perpetually stunned and required constant prompting to perform his basic duties.
As the last member of Coral University took a deep, steadying breath, the massive destroyer reappeared before everyone's expectant eyes.
Without hesitation, responding to urgent orders from [Three Treasures Eunuch Zheng He], pitch-black artillery shells rained down on Azrael's two cards like deadly, concentrated hail.
Sky-darkening smoke obscured everyone's vision completely, and intense flames threatened to consume the very air itself.
However, upon seeing Azrael's completely expressionless face, the Coral University students felt an distinctly ominous premonition settling heavily in their hearts.
"That can't be right, can it?"
With pleading eyes, they looked desperately toward the smoke-filled battlefield.
The next moment, as if responding to their desperate prayers, a blazing bolt of lightning shot toward the destroyer with crackling, electric intensity.
A blue-glowing energy shield materialized around the warship, successfully deflecting the electrical attack.
"You have defensive measures like that?"
Azrael wasn't surprised that the opposing destroyer possessed such advanced defenses. After all, for a Silver-class combatant, dismantling an ordinary destroyer would be as simple as breathing.
As the lightning shattered the obscuring smoke completely, everyone finally saw the true state of the battlefield.
In countless watching eyes, the area around Fubuki and Unohana Retsu appeared completely untouched, a jarring contrast to the smoke-filled devastation surrounding them on all sides.
"Completely unharmed?!"
The Coral University student's expression froze in absolute disbelief.
If their most powerful artillery barrage couldn't even scratch the enemy's defenses, what realistic hope did they have?
Seeing this development, their captain gritted his teeth and made a desperate, final decision.
As the audience watched in stunned amazement, the massive destroyer lifted into the air, its spherical energy shield completely enveloping the hull as it pressed down toward Unohana Retsu and Fubuki with crushing, overwhelming force.
"Damn it, I'm going to crush you!"
The Coral University students roared with desperate, final excitement.
Everyone watched as the massive steel behemoth descended upon the two seemingly fragile women below.
Azrael was momentarily taken aback. He hadn't expected his opponent to resort to such a reckless ramming attack, even though they could have maintained their defensive position for an extended period.
Even with Fubuki's powerful telekinetic barriers, even after they had exhausted all their available ammunition, the destroyer couldn't have penetrated her defenses. But while Azrael admired their courage, such tactics were ultimately futile against overwhelming power.
In the arena, Unohana Retsu quietly observed the shadow that had completely engulfed her position.
With a soft, almost melancholy sigh, she drew her Zanpakutō, Minazuki.
An invisible spiritual pressure began permeating the vast arena, and sensitive spectators detected the faint, metallic scent of blood in the air.
When they returned their attention to the battle, the scene that emerged was absolutely breathtaking.
A female figure, seemingly dwarfed by the massive destroyer, had pressed her sword against the blue energy shield with unwavering determination.
Violent energy waves rippled across the ground, carving deep furrows in the arena surface.
For a long, tense moment, it appeared as though neither side could overcome the other in this test of raw power.
After what felt like an eternity of stalemate, Unohana Retsu was the first to step back, apparently abandoning the direct confrontation.
Everyone assumed she was attempting to avoid the crushing assault.
But how could the battle-hungry spirit of Yachiru simply give up?
Under countless puzzled gazes, Unohana Retsu calmly struck the destroyer's shield again with surgical precision.
The supposedly impenetrable energy barrier shattered like delicate crystal.
"Crack... crack..."
A subtle fracturing sound reached the audience's ears.
In an instant, dense spider web cracks appeared across the blue energy shield's entire surface.
Then, like fragile glass, it gradually crumbled away, leaving only glimmering fragments that caught the arena lights.
Without the protection of its shield, the massive destroyer was instantly cleaved in two.
The enormous warship split down the middle, the resulting explosion tearing through the air and disheveling Unohana Retsu's previously neat black hair.
This was the pinnacle of swordsmanship, a technique that transcended mere cutting to achieve true severance of bonds themselves.
Quietly resheathing her blade, Unohana Retsu returned to her gentle, motherly demeanor.
Seeing this transformation, some spectators in the stands rubbed their eyes in disbelief, unable to reconcile this gentle older sister with the cold, merciless executioner they had witnessed moments before.
"Mr. Referee, it's time to announce the results," Azrael gently reminded the referee, who still hadn't recovered from his shock.
The referee startled, then quickly announced, "Team tournament round of thirty-two to sixteen, match five, Pixar University wins!"
The Coral University students remained silent for a long time after hearing the official result.
Azrael could only offer a sincere apology. In his assessment, their cards weren't well-suited for individual combat, they were better designed for group engagements and sustained bombardment.
Furthermore, their tactical system clearly wasn't fully developed yet.
He possessed several Shinigami-type cards working in perfect coordination, while the five Coral University students could only manage a single warship between them.
If they had deployed multiple vessels, Azrael wouldn't have been able to handle the situation so easily.
With this in mind, he approached his still-dazed opponent and said sincerely, "You fought well. Your tactics show real promise."
But unexpectedly, the student shuddered upon hearing these words, immediately snapping back to awareness and backing away from Azrael with obvious fear.
Azrael felt genuinely embarrassed. "Am I really coming across as the villain here?"
Well, I suppose being associated with the Crimson Oath Society does give me a certain reputation, he thought with dark humor.
Of course, the Coral University students had no knowledge of Azrael's secret organizational affiliations. Their retreat was simply due to the psychological impact of his card's unsettling contrast between gentle appearance and ruthless efficiency.
Additionally, Azrael's repeated utterances of "next" had lodged themselves in their minds like a recurring nightmare.
"Genius and madness are often separated by the thinnest of lines," one spectator muttered, perfectly capturing the crowd's sentiment.