Camera flashes flickered, and the crowd surged toward the entrance. In the rush, a guest accidentally bumped into Carter, nearly knocking him over. "Hey, watch where you're going!" Carter warned, annoyed. The guest, however, was too excited and frantic to care. "Sorry, but Chloe Choi is coming soon!" he shouted over his shoulder as he continued to push his way to the front.
Carter's eyes widened at the mention of the name. "Did he say Chloe Choi?" he asked, looking at Jake for confirmation. Jake, also not fully recognizing the name, just nodded, signaling that it was indeed Chloe Choi causing the stir. Without another word, Carter rushed toward the entrance, acting like a frantic fan trying to get a glimpse of the celebrity. "Hey, wait for me! I need a good spot too!" he called out, leaving Jake and Maddie behind.
Maddie couldn't help but laugh at Carter's reaction. Jake turned to her, still puzzled. "Do you know who this Chloe Choi is? What's all the fuss about?"
"You don't know her? She's all over social media," Maddie explained, surprised that Jake was clueless about Chloe Choi.
"I'm not really into social media stuff," Jake admitted, realizing that's probably why he had no idea who Chloe Choi was.
Maddie teased him, "Oh, that explains it. You're such a laggard! Hahaha!" Jake shook his head, not agreeing with Maddie's playful jab.
"Let's just find a spot to watch, even if it's not as good as your bro's," Maddie suggested, as they walked together to find a spot where they could get a decent view of the commotion.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/16/Chloe_Choi_wearing_a_luxury_watch_and_an_off-shoulder_dress..png]
Suddenly, the crowd's cheers grew even louder as a woman appeared at the entrance. She was dressed in a stunning black off-shoulder dress, her hands and neck adorned with jewelry and a watch worth thousands of dollars, likely sponsored for the event. She moved with the grace of someone well-versed in the art of posing, ensuring the paparazzi captured the gleaming jewels in every shot. Her presence exuded elegance and intensity, drawing all eyes to her.
Her fair, flawless skin, long black ponytail that reached her waist, and hazel eyes captivated everyone around her. Her sharp, determined features combined with her lean yet curvy physique, perfectly balanced athleticism and femininity, making her impossible to ignore. "CHLOE, I LOVE YOU!" shouted a fan as she graced the entrance. This woman was Chloe Choi Soo-Min(최수민), an influential social media personality, which explained the excitement and frenzy surrounding her arrival.
Jake and Maddie managed to catch a small glimpse of Chloe from their spot, though their view was mostly obstructed by the throng of people pushing forward to get a better look at her. "That's Chloe Choi for you! So, are you as interested in her as Carter now?" Maddie teased Jake with a playful jab.
"Not really. Like I said, I'm not into social media stuff," Jake replied, reaffirming his disinterest.
"Your other friend doesn't seem interested either," Maddie noted, nodding toward another direction. Jake followed her gaze to see Preston leaning against a backdrop, sipping white wine, completely indifferent to the commotion.
"Preston, why are you standing here alone and not joining the crowd?" Jake asked as he and Maddie approached him.
"Do you think I'd stoop to such nonsensical, barbaric behavior, idolizing someone like that?" Preston replied, exuding his typical sophisticated and arrogant demeanor. He took a step back, maintaining his distance from Jake and Maddie, as if not wanting to be associated with them. "She's not the one you should be worried about," Preston added, his tone dismissive. "She's probably here just to hype up the media and sponsorship for the Athenaeum Games."
"She's also a participant? I thought she was just a guest! And who's the other person you're talking about?" Jake asked, his curiosity piqued by Preston's hints.
"You'll know when you see her. Just hope you don't match up with her until the finals—at least that way, you might have a chance," Preston said cryptically before taking his wine glass and moving away from them.
"Your friend sure doesn't seem to like us," Maddie remarked, sensing the tension between Preston and Jake.
"Nah, that's just how he is. Don't worry about him, Maddie. He treats everyone like that unless he feels they're on his intellectual and social level. But deep down, he's actually friendly and approachable," Jake explained, defending Preston's behavior.
"I don't see it that way," Maddie said, disagreeing with Jake.
"Anyway, let's not dwell on it. I wonder where Carter is, and who this other person Preston mentioned could be," Jake mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Before he could guess, the spotlight shifted back to the entrance, revealing the next arrival.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Naomi_wearing_a_formal_gown_prepare_for_the_gaia.png]
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please put your hands together to welcome last year's winner of the Athenaeum Games and the rising star of the tennis world! Please welcome Naomi Wessssssst!" The host's dramatic announcement filled the room, and everyone began clapping enthusiastically as Naomi West made her entrance. She wore a strapless evening gown with a deep neckline, adorned with sophisticated patterns and glittering accents that exuded luxury. The structured bodice highlighted her waist and upper body, creating a stunning silhouette. Her hazel-colored wavy hair and eyes complemented her vibrant personality, exuding confidence and poise. Naomi's powerful yet graceful presence made her the center of attention at the event.
Upon realizing Naomi West was in the competition, Jake understood what Preston meant about hoping not to match up with her until the finals. "You know Naomi West personally?" Maddie asked, noticing the familiarity in Jake's eyes.
"Preston, Carter, and I know her more as an acquaintance. She's also from Starlight University," Jake explained. "She's incredibly talented in sports and is a rising star in the tennis world. But with her athleticism, her fighting skills are equally impressive," Jake continued. "Last year, Carter and I weren't part of the Athenaeum Games, but we watched her matches, and we were all very impressed by her performance."
"Oh, so Preston's warning was legit. I hope I don't match up with her either—I don't want to go home early," Maddie said, hoping to stay longer in the tournament and enjoy herself.
Carter returned to the duo, bubbling with excitement after seeing Chloe and Naomi. "You guys, did you see Chloe Choi and Naomi West? They're part of the competition! I'm so pumped! I hope we can get to know them and become friends," Carter said, sounding like an excited fanboy.
"I know Naomi West, but not Chloe Choi. I hadn't heard of her before, so I don't get the excitement," Jake replied, puzzled by Carter's enthusiasm over Chloe Choi.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6d/Chloe_Choi_wearing_a_white_tube_top_and_posing_with_lipsticks.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/ed/Chloe_Choi_wearing_a_yellow_tank_top_and_posing_with_a_can_of_drink.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/19/Chloe_Choi_in_a_blue_swimsuit.png]
Carter pulled out his phone and showed Jake Chloe Choi's Instagram account. The social media influencer had over a million followers, with posts showcasing her collaborations with makeup brands, drink endorsements, and swimsuit brands—explaining Carter's fanboy behavior.
"So, what sport does she represent?" Maddie asked.
"She'll be representing golf, I believe. I can't wait to get to know her if I have the chance," Carter said excitedly.
"Attention to all participants of the Athenaeum Games," the host's voice boomed through the public address system, "We need you to gather near the stage for a debriefing for the next section of this meet and greet session. Please gather in the room behind the stage; our staff will usher you in and brief you on what to do."
"I guess it's the three of us!" Maddie said with a grin. "Hahaha! I wonder how everyone will react when they see your outfits again," she teased.
"Let's just go and see how it goes. What's done is done," Jake replied with a smile, showing his usual optimism. The trio followed the instructions and headed to the room behind the stage as directed.
Following the instructions, the trio made their way to the room behind the stage, weaving through the crowd that had gathered outside to catch a glimpse of Chloe and Naomi. "Excuse me! Coming through!" Jake, Carter, and Maddie called out as they pushed their way through the throng. A staff member stood guard, allowing only authorized personnel and participants to enter the room.
"We're participants in the Athenaeum Games!" Carter announced as they handed over their invitation cards to prove their status. The staff member checked their invitations and, satisfied with their credentials, allowed them to pass into the room.
Inside, another staff member was ushering participants into separate groups based on gender. "Hi, you three must be... Oh goodness, what are you two wearing?" The staff member's eyes widened as she noticed Jake and Carter’s casual attire. "This might be a problem. You’ll be appearing on national TV and live streams, and you’re definitely going to stand out," she said, her voice tinged with concern about the potential public relations issue.
"Ma'am, we’re really sorry," Jake said earnestly, with Carter nodding in agreement. "It was our mistake for missing the dress code on the invitation, but we promise not to do anything embarrassing on stage."
The staff member sighed, realizing there wasn’t much time left. "Alright, I guess there's nothing we can do about it now since the broadcast is going live in just 20 minutes. The guys should gather over here, and the girls over there," she instructed, separating them.
"I guess it’s goodbye for now!" Maddie said, waving to the boys as she headed toward the line of female participants.
"Bye, Maddie! We’ll see you around!" Jake replied.
"Yeah, fingers crossed we don’t meet in the arena!" Carter added, not wanting to compete against their new friend.
"Me too! It’s been fun hanging out with you two!" Maddie said with a smile as she joined the other girls.
With all the participants gathered, Jake and Carter finally had a chance to see who else would be competing in the Athenaeum Games. A total of 16 participants filled the room, with an even split of 8 boys and 8 girls. Since the tournament was open to all without gender restrictions, anyone in the room could end up as their opponent. Jake scanned the room, trying to spot any familiar faces. However, with most participants not carrying their weapons, it was hard to discern their specialties, except for the few he already knew—Preston, Naomi, Chloe, Maddie, Carter, and himself. There was also one more familiar face, but that person was standing at the front of the line, making it difficult for Jake to approach and say hello.
"Jake, do you see anyone else you know?" Carter asked, though his gaze was firmly fixed on the girls' line, particularly on Chloe and Naomi.
"Yeah, there's one more person up front. I'll catch up with him later," Jake replied, explaining why he hadn’t made a move yet.
Before they could say anything more, the producer's voice echoed through the room. "Okay, we’re going live in 60 seconds! All participants, please get ready! You’ll be asked some random questions about yourselves and your thoughts on the Athenaeum Games, so be prepared!"
Jake and Carter exchanged a quick glance, bracing themselves for the live broadcast. The tension in the room was intense as the countdown began. "And 3, 2, 1! We are live now!" The producer’s final cue marked the beginning of the broadcast, and all eyes were on the participants as they prepared to introduce themselves to the world.