image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/dc/Pat_Samson_Profile.png]
"Ladies and gentlemen! And we are live here at the Athenaeum Games Meet and Greet Party! I am your host, Pat Samson! Make some NOISE!!!!!" Pat announced with booming energy, waving his arms wildly to hype up the crowd. His sleek black pompadour, dark brown skin, and round face adorned with a neatly groomed mustache paired with his vibrant yellow jacket over a black inner shirt and matching black pants made him hard to miss. The bold colors of his outfit mirrored his loud and attention-grabbing hosting style as the audience's cheers intensified under his control. "Are you all excited about the Athenaeum Games? I said, are you excited about the Athenaeum Games?!"
The crowd's volume surged as they fed off Pat's energy. He then raised a finger to his lips, gesturing for silence. "I know you're all pumped to see me, but this event wouldn't be fully immersive without my amazing co-host, who's ready to provide you with some epic play-by-play commentary! Let's give it up for Samantha White!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/39/Samantha_White_Profile.png]
At his cue, the crowd roared once more, even louder than before, as Samantha White, clad in a stylish green dress that highlighted her hourglass figure, walked gracefully onto the stage. Her long, flowing white hair cascaded in soft curls past her shoulders, her striking blue eyes and heart-shaped face glowing as she smiled and waved at the cheering fans.
"How's everybody doing tonight?" Samantha greeted, her voice smooth and elegant as the crowd continued to cheer, clearly fired up for what was to come.
"Samantha, how do you feel about this year's Athenaeum Games participants?" Pat asked, setting up a conversation with his co-host.
"I'm really excited about this year's lineup," Samantha responded enthusiastically, smiling at the crowd. "They are young, energetic, and ready to make a mark. And this year, the first prize is especially meaningful. It's not just the largest prize pool we've seen, but it's also incredibly generous, thanks to our sponsors." She paused, adding with emphasis, "The winner will get to choose a charity to receive a $1 million donation and will also be awarded a sponsored scholarship of their choice."
"That's amazing!" Pat exclaimed, before following up, "What about the runner-up? Any prizes for them?"
"Unfortunately, no," Samantha said with a shake of her head. "While there's only a grand prize, participants gain exposure, attracting sponsorships and advertising deals that can really boost their careers."
"I guess everyone will have to give it their all, then! Nobody wants to leave early and miss out on those opportunities," Pat added, chuckling. "Good luck to all the competitors! Now, Samantha, why don't you fill in the details of the tournament format?"
"Sure, Pat—always making me do the hard work," Samantha teased with a smile before diving into the explanation. "The Athenaeum Games follows a double-elimination format, which means that each participant has to lose twice before they are completely eliminated from the competition. All competitors begin in the upper bracket, and if they lose a match, they move to the lower bracket for another chance to stay in the tournament. However, if they lose again while in the lower bracket, they're out for good. The final match will see the last competitor from the lower bracket face off against the last one standing in the upper bracket in a single-round showdown to determine the ultimate champion."
"So, even if you lose once, you've got a second chance to redeem yourself," Pat said, acting impressed. "That's a nice safety net for the competitors."
"Exactly, Pat," Samantha agreed. "The tournament spans 16 days of fierce competition, with the final showdown on day 16."
"Without further ado, let's bring out our first competitor!" Pat announced with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, in the room behind the stage, the competitors watched the live broadcast on a TV, anticipation growing. One of the crew members signaled to one of the contestants, giving them the cue to step into the spotlight and introduce themselves to the world.
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"Let's all give a warm round of applause for Arjun Patel, our first competitor to introduce himself! Drumroll, please!" Pat encouraged the crowd, hyping up the energy in the room as they clapped and cheered. "Arjun Patel, age 17, a standout student from the Apex Institute of Sports Excellence, hailing from India. He represents Cricket in this year's Athenaeum Games. Arjun’s exceptional performance in the sport earned him a spot in the competition. He’s a firm believer in continuous learning, always seeking to acquire new skills and knowledge, viewing every experience as a stepping stone toward his ultimate goals." As Samantha provided the introduction, Arjun Patel, an Indian boy with a black combover undercut hairstyle and intense black eyes that reflected focus, stepped confidently onto the stage. His toffee-colored skin, a mark of his Indian heritage, contrasted with his formal blue suit, giving him a polished yet composed appearance.
"So, Arjun, this is your second time joining the tournament. How do you feel about your chances this year?" Pat asked, probing with a question designed to test Arjun’s adaptability. Arjun responded confidently with a smile, "I’m feeling pretty positive about my chances. I’ve worked hard throughout the year, and that’s why I was selected again to represent Cricket. I’m ready to give it my all!" The crowd responded with applause, appreciating Arjun’s optimism. Seeing that Arjun handled the first question with ease, Pat decided to challenge him further. "Among all the 16 competitors, is there anyone you personally view as a threat?"
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Arjun smiled and took a moment before answering. "I believe everyone has an equal chance this year. We’ve all grown, and I respect each competitor. However, I’d like to single out a friend—Jake Harada. I’m really excited to see how he performs. It’s his first time in this competition, and after meeting him during an exchange program at my school, I know his skills are something to watch for!" As Arjun mentioned Jake’s name, a ripple of curiosity spread through the crowd and online viewers, with many beginning to search for Jake Harada on the internet. Meanwhile, backstage, the other competitors started whispering amongst themselves, wondering who this new competitor was.
Carter turned to Jake in surprise. "Jake, he called you out! Do you know him?"
Jake nodded. "Yeah, he's the one I mentioned earlier—Arjun Patel. He came to our school for an exchange program."
"Everyone, let's give a final cheer for Arjun Patel and wish him all the best in the competition!" Samantha concluded the interview as the producer cued the next competitor to take the stage.
"And the next competitor to introduce herself... do I even need to say her name?" Pat teased the crowd, igniting a guessing game. The audience erupted into shouts, some yelling "Naomi West" while others screamed "Chloe Choi," each group trying to outdo the other in volume. Pat fueled the excitement, his voice rising to meet the chaotic energy. "Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you... CHLOE CHOI!" he declared dramatically, as the crowd's roar intensified, chants of "CHLOE! CHLOE! CHLOE!" filling the venue.
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Samantha took over, adding, "Chloe Choi Soo-Min, age 17, a rising star in the influencer world, making her first appearance in the Athenaeum Games. Hailing from Korea and currently studying at the prestigious Seoul Elite University, Chloe represents golf in this competition. Fun fact: Chloe recently hit 1 million followers on Instagram, with major brands clamoring for her endorsements. She’s sure to bring plenty of attention to the Athenaeum Games." As Chloe walked gracefully onto the stage, dressed in a stunning black off-shoulder gown, adorned with expensive jewelry and a watch worth thousands of dollars, her flawless skin and long black ponytail further amplified her charm. Even those who weren't initially fans found themselves captivated by her presence.
"Chloe, this is your first time competing in the Athenaeum Games! How do you feel?" Pat asked, barely able to hear himself over the deafening cheers of her fans.
"I feel great, Pat and Samantha," Chloe responded confidently. "I'm honored to be here and excited to show my fans what I can do. I hope to captivate everyone with my performance in the tournament." Her fans cheered even louder in response to her statement.
Pat, leaning into the crowd’s energy, asked, "As an influencer, you’ve surely dealt with both fans and haters. Do you have any words for them?"
Chloe's expression turned serious, though her confidence remained unshaken. "I want everyone to know that I’m not here just to gain more followers. I’m here to win! To all the competitors—don’t underestimate me. I’m definitely someone you need to watch out for!" Her bold declaration sent the crowd into another frenzy, chanting her name once more: "CHLOE! CHLOE! CHLOE!"
Samantha wrapped up the interview, "Everyone, give it up for Chloe Choi! We can’t wait to see what you bring to the competition. Best of luck!" As the fans continued cheering, Pat and Samantha prepared to introduce the next competitor.
"Carter Brooks! You're up next!" one of the staff called out, signaling Carter to prepare for his stage entrance. "Give your best introduction, bro!" Jake encouraged, giving his friend a boost of confidence. "You know I will!" Carter replied, grinning as he got ready to head on stage.
"The next contestant we're introducing is Carter Brooks, who also participated last year! Let's bring him on stage!" Pat announced, though the crowd's energy noticeably dipped compared to the excitement for Chloe Choi. Samantha followed up with, "Carter Brooks, 18 years old, one of the four students representing Starlight University in the Athenaeum Games. The sport he represents is Hockey. Carter embodies a strong sense of brotherhood and team spirit, whether in sports or everyday life, making him well-liked by his teammates!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f6/Carter_Brooks_Profile.png]
As Carter made his way onto the stage, wearing his usual outfit—a sleeveless grey hoodie and dark green pants—while carrying his hockey stick, the crowd started to chuckle and mock him for not being dressed formally like the rest. Pat, sensing the mockery, raised his hands to signal the audience to calm down. "So, Carter, why are you in your usual outfit today, and what's with the hockey stick? Are you always this prepared?" Pat asked, curious about Carter's casual attire.
"I didn’t check the invitation card properly, so I showed up without my formal wear," Carter answered honestly, which only made the crowd laugh louder, amused by his oversight. Pat, not missing a beat, asked, "As one of the four students from Starlight University, who do you think has the best chance of performing well in the competition?"
Carter, without hesitation, responded, "I'd like to get to know Chloe Choi, if possible." His reply sent the crowd into even more laughter, as Chloe wasn’t from Starlight University.
Pat, chuckling along with the audience, teased, "You do know this is a competition and not a matchmaking show, right?" The crowd erupted in laughter again. "Anyway, give it up for Carter Brooks, everyone! I think he might be a little nervous!" Pat said, wrapping up the interview quickly as the crowd continued to laugh at Carter’s innocent mistake.
"Hey, wait, I..." Carter tried to correct himself, realizing his blunder, but before he could fix his answer, the event staff had already ushered him off the stage. Back in the waiting room, Jake face-palmed, watching Carter's performance unfold, feeling a mix of secondhand embarrassment and amusement.
"The next competitors we're bringing on stage aren’t just one, but two! That’s right, they’re a pair of twins entering the competition together!" Pat, eager to boost the energy in the room after Carter's awkward interview, quickly moved to the next introduction. "Please give a warm round of applause for Eliza Hart and Veronica Hart!" he announced with enthusiasm.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/50/Eliza_in_a_simple_formal_blue_gown.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fb/Veronica_wearing_a_revealing_red_formal_gown.png]
Samantha chimed in with their details, "Eliza and Veronica Hart, hailing from Oxfordshire University in the United Kingdom. Eliza is an equestrian specializing in polo, while Veronica is a skilled croquet player. Fun fact: Eliza, the elder by just a few minutes, wears glasses, making it easier to tell them apart!"
As the twin sisters walked up on stage, it became clear just how identical they were. Both had long blonde hair styled in neat braids tied with red ribbons, light blue eyes, and fair skin. The main distinguishing feature was Eliza’s round black-framed glasses and her red drop earrings. Eliza was dressed in a simple formal blue dress, while Veronica opted for a more daring red gown with a V-front design, showcasing her more outgoing personality.
The crowd immediately responded, cheering and clapping for the striking duo as they took their places on stage.