The stands were packed, the announcers were breathless, and even the referees had swapped out for higher-ranked substitutes.
It was the Top 8.
Unlike the early phases of the tournament—where weak schools could slip through cracks—the current bracket was airtight. Every school left had clawed their way here, with at least five victories and no lack of pressure from their schools and classmates to make it to the final rounds. After all, each College's final ranking will determine the amount of resources they are entitled to in the coming year.
In Phase 2, Each match was a king-of-the-hill 1v1 format. No healing. No switching back in. Once a fighter stepped off the stage—win or lose—they were done.
And stepping onto the arena now, wearing a relaxed but unmistakably focused expression, was Kain Newman.
Second-year. Five-stars. Blue-grade spiritual creatures. And one of the most famous names in the tournament.
