After a few minutes, Kotel proceeded to fight . Stan was already waiting with his gigantic sword drawn.

“It looks like a kid vs a giant; however, Kotel has a significant advantage. Illuminated Blade allows Kotel to ignore the defensive aspect of Sword Body. His higher speed should allow him to dodge most of Stan’s attacks, lowering the effect of the offensive aspect.” Explained Hawk.

“In terms of skill alone, Stan should have a slight advantage, but the matchup is terrible. If you were Stan, what would be your countermeasure?” asked Zoe to Hawk.

“I would activate Sword Body to bait the attack, deactivate Sword Body before the attack hits, dodge, and counterattack.”

“You really like baiting, don’t you?”

“I’m a master baiter”

Kotel POV

As soon as the match began, I ran towards Stan who had already activated Sword Body. With my higher speed and Illuminated Blade, I should be able to outdamage him.

Stan blocked my strike and counterattacked, which I easily dodged and countered with my own, dealing 20% damage to his Health. He started counterattacking before my sword connected, but I knew he would do this so I barely evaded.

I readied myself to attack again when the words “VICTORY!” flashed before my eyes and cut my thought process.

Stan still had 80% Health which meant that…

Dove POV

“He forfeited…” said Hawk in a disappointed tone. I shared the same feeling of disappointment as well.

“Unlike you, Stan doesn’t seem to believe in miracles.” Said Zoe with a mix of disappointment and delight in her tone.

“Are you implying my beating Block was a miracle?” asked Hawk.

“No, but your being sent in the same city as Dove is. Didn’t you say so yourself?” answered Zoe.

Hawk face reddened with embarrassment as Zoe laughed at his reaction. Hawk looked at me and said, “That smile on your face only makes me feel more embarrassed…”

Kotel returned with joyful demeanor as Alcor took the center stage.

“Congratulations to the Players who made it to the Top 8. Now then, here are the Quarter-Final matches to be held tomorrow.” Announced Alcor as a huge bracket appeared.

1. Kin vs Fumes II. Rem vs Hawk         III. Razor vs Dove      IV. Kotel vs Blitz

            “Goodbye Fumes. And why am I seeded below Blitz?” stated Hawk.

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            “Seed?’ asked Fumes.

            “Well, Kin being the first seed is uncontested. Second and third should be Blitz and I. Fourth and fifth should be Dove and Razor. Rem, Kotel and you are bottom 3. Since you are facing Kin, it implies you are the last seed. Blitz being on the other end of the bracket, as far from Kin as possible, implies that he is the second seed. His opponent being Kotel meant that Kotel was the seventh seed. Since I am the third seed, Rem is the sixth seed. Whether Dove or Razor is seeded higher is irrelevant since they would face each other anyway being the central seeds.” Explained Hawk.

            “All the matches have pretty clear favorites except Dove vs Razor.” Stated Zoe.

            “As Leader of two of the Players who are significant underdogs, I think you shouldn’t be saying that.” I said.

            “I am setting realistic expectations for them. That is why you two must prove me wrong.”

            “Yes!” replied both Fumes and Kotel enthusiastically.

            Zoe then smiled towards us and said, “We’ll be on our way! Good luck on your matches as well.” The rest of the Cerulean Seas bid their farewells as well.

            The crowd dispersed and we went on our way too.

            It was already ten in the evening as I sat beside Hawk on the sofa after training for tomorrow’s matches. Kiwi and Canary were sound asleep upstairs last we checked.

            While drinking coffee and reviewing his notes for the last time, I laid the back of my head on his shoulder and asked, “Judging from the order our names were written, Razor is seeded higher than me, right?”

            “Yes. I didn’t mention it since it was irrelevant and majority would agree with your seeding. My being seeded below Blitz is far more stupid anyway.”

            “You don’t like the brackets?”

            “I don’t know. I’d prefer fighting Kin in the finals; however, being the second seed meant I would have to fight you in the semis, which I’d rather not.”

            “Scared of me?”

            “I’ve always been scared of you. You are both my worst enemy and best ally.”

            Despite his joking answer, I knew he truly meant what he said.

            “In all our matches, including those before Reality, your team would always get stomped by mine when we competed directly, regardless of our team strength, but we never lost and in fact dominated whenever we were on the same team. I hope the same is true in Reality as well.” I said.

            “You want to stomp me worse?”

            “I want to win with you more.”

            Hawk stayed silent without motion for a while. Since I was facing away from him, I could not see his facial expressions.

            After a while, we finally decided to turn in for the night. As I climbed the stairs, I looked back at Hawk and said, “Being in the same city as you is a miracle for me as well.”