Pat, with his signature grin, kept the energy high as he continued his interview with the Hart sisters. "The Hart sisters! I understand this is your first time in the Athenaeum Games. Is there anything you're hoping to gain from the experience?" he asked. Eliza, ever the poised and graceful one, was the first to speak, her British accent crisp and refined. "It's an honor to be invited here. I believe I can learn from all the participants, striving to do my best to win. Understanding different sports and fighting styles will help me grow," she answered, her voice filled with sophistication and modesty.
Veronica, however, was shaking her head in disagreement before chiming in with her more boorish and self-assured tone, also laced with a British accent. "I don't agree with my sister. Honestly, I feel bad for the other participants because I'm in the tournament. Whoever faces me, well, you're just unlucky—sorry, not sorry," she said, brimming with confidence.
Pat, a bit taken aback by Veronica's boldness, couldn't help but admire her confidence. He pressed on with another tough question. "So, if the two of you were to face each other, who do you think has the better chance of winning?" Eliza responded first, as calmly as ever. "We have different styles, so it would depend on the situation. I believe we have equal chances," she said, delivering a politically neutral answer.
Veronica, however, wasn't having it. "Sorry, sister, but I disagree. I'll always come out on top because, let's face it, I'm just better than you," she remarked, casting a confident glance at Eliza, who simply smiled warmly, unfazed by her sister's bravado.
"And there you have it, the Hart sisters!" Samantha chimed in, wrapping up the interview. "We'll see how they fare in the tournament and, who knows, maybe we'll get to see the sisters face off to see who truly reigns supreme!" With that, they prepared to introduce the next participant, leaving the audience buzzing with anticipation.
Pat, full of energy, continued to rally the crowd. "Our next participant came all the way from Sweden! He embodies fearlessness and cool! Put your hands together for ERIK ANDERSSON!" he called out, hyping up the audience.
Samantha took over, adding to the excitement. "At just 17 years old, Erik is a daredevil who thrives on big thrills! The sport he represents is skiing, and he's known for never shying away from risky moves to entertain. Hailing from Nordvik University in Sweden, let's welcome the unorthodox daredevil, ERIK ANDERSSON!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/2a/Erik_in_a_blue_suit_with_his_white_ski_goggles_on_top_of_his_head.png]
Erik strode onto the stage with an air of cool confidence. His medium-length, curly orange hair and matching orange eyes gave him a striking appearance. He wore white ski goggles perched on top of his head, adding to his adventurous persona, all while looking sharp in a tailored blue suit. The crowd cheered, eager to see what this daring skier would bring to the competition.
Pat, always quick with a witty question, asked Erik, "So, between skiing and competing in the Athenaeum Games, which one do you think has a higher risk?"
Erik, cool as ever, replied with a calm smile, "That's a good question. It's my first time in the tournament, so I'm going to see what kind of risks the competitors will push me to take." His confident demeanor captivated the crowd.
Pat, sensing the audience's curiosity, followed up, "Speaking of competitors, has anyone caught your attention so far?"
Erik paused, then answered thoughtfully, "Not really sure yet, but I'm curious about last year's champion, Naomi West, and I also heard someone mention the name Jake Harada. I'm really curious what they can do if I face them." Both Naomi and Jake, watching from backstage, exchanged glances, intrigued by Erik's words.
Samantha wrapped up the interview, "Give it up for Erik Andersson! We can't wait to see what kind of risks and daredevil stunts he'll pull off to entertain us!" The crowd cheered as Erik coolly stepped off the stage, making way for the next participant to take the spotlight.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d6/Lin_Xiaoyun_in_a_formal_yellow_dress.png]
"Our next participant hails from the Land of the Dragon! Please put your hands together for Lin Xiaoyun!" Pat announced with enthusiasm, and the crowd clapped along as Lin Xiaoyun made her way onto the stage. "Lin Xiaoyun, age 17, from the prestigious Imperial Dragon Sports Academy in China. She stands as the only representative of China in this tournament, carrying the hopes of an entire nation," Samantha added, highlighting the significance of Xiaoyun's participation.
Dressed in a yellow formal gown, Xiaoyun's dark brown hair and hazel eyes stood out as she walked confidently to the stage, accompanied by a translator. Pat wasted no time, asking, "So, as the only Asian participant in this competition, do you feel the pressure, knowing you're not just representing China, but all of Asia?"
With poise, Xiaoyun replied in her native language, "我感到很荣幸能受邀到这个比赛。压力会有的但我会进我的全力来赢这个比赛," which the translator conveyed to the hosts, "She says she feels very honored to be invited to this competition. There is pressure, but she will give her best to win."
Pat, easing the tension with a more lighthearted question, asked, "As a guest here in the U.S., is there anything you’d like to see or do in your free time?"
Xiaoyun smiled and responded, "如果有时间的化，我是希望能去一趟迪斯尼乐园，但希望能认识这里的参赛者，比赛第二，友情第一." The translator followed up, "She says if time permits, she would love to visit Disneyland, but more importantly, she hopes to make friends with the other competitors. To her, competition comes second; friendship comes first."
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Samantha closed the introduction with grace, "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big round of applause to Lin Xiaoyun, the sole representative of Asia! We wish her all the best in the competition!" As the crowd applauded, Xiaoyun left the stage, paving the way for the next competitor to be introduced.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/2c/Lukas_wearing_a_red_suit_showcases_his_sophisticated_and_modern_appearance_.png]
"Our next contestant comes from the beautiful Alps and represents a sport many of you may not have heard of. Please welcome Lukas Müller!" Pat announced with enthusiasm, building anticipation for the crowd. "Lukas Müller, 17, hailing from Switzerland's Alpine Crest University. He represents the sport of Hornussen, which might not be well-known, but Lukas is here to change that. Aside from his passion for the sport, he's also a farmer and a lover of country music." Samantha added as Lukas made his way onto the stage, dressed smartly in a red suit. His short brown hair was neat, and his azure eyes gleamed with youth and determination.
"So Lukas, I believe our audience might not be familiar with Hornussen. Could you do us the honor of introducing it to them?" Pat asked.
"Of course, Pat. That’s actually one of my missions here—to introduce the world to Switzerland and Hornussen," Lukas replied with a confident smile. "Hornussen is a traditional Swiss sport, often described as a mix between baseball and golf. It’s played with two teams of 18 players. One team hits the ‘Nouss,’ a puck named after hornets because of the buzzing sound it makes as it flies through the air. The opposing team stands in a designated field and tries to stop the Nouss from hitting the ground using large wooden paddles. The goal is to hit the Nouss as far as possible while the other team works to stop it from scoring points."
"Wow! Sounds both fun and a little dangerous," Pat remarked, clearly intrigued. "Do you think your opponents in the Athenaeum Games should be worried about facing you—like in your sport?"
Lukas chuckled, "Well, I think I’ll bring a bit of unpredictability since most people don’t know the sport or the kind of equipment I’ll be using. They'll have to see for themselves!"
"Alright Lukas, thanks for the introduction! You’re definitely someone we’ll all be watching closely. Best of luck in the competition!" Samantha concluded, wrapping up the interview with Lukas as they prepared to introduce the next contestant.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/52/Maddie_in_a_red_formal_dress_with_heart-shaped_earrings_and_her_long_blonde_hair_cascading_down_her_back.png]
"The next participant is a girl with lots of energy and fun, please put your hands together again to welcome Madison Thompson from Canada!" Pat, maintaining his high energy, continued to introduce the next contestant. "Madison Thompson, but she prefers to be called Maddie, age 17, from Northern Maple University in Canada. She represents the sport of ringette and describes herself as someone fun to hang out with," Samantha shared as Maddie made her way onto the stage, her long blonde layered hair cascading down her back, wearing a red formal dress. She hopped onto the stage playfully, instantly showcasing her energetic personality.
"Whoa, young lady, cool down! I can feel your energy as you hop up here instead of walking gracefully. So, for the competition, is there any anticipation from your side?" Pat asked, trying to keep up with her vibe. "No real anticipation—let's just have fun and make a lot of friends!" Maddie replied with a carefree tone, drawing applause from the crowd, who were warming up to her playful spirit.
"You don't seem too serious. Aren't you afraid you might get knocked out of the competition early with that kind of attitude?" Pat asked with a sarcastic edge, earning boos from the crowd for his harsh question. Maddie, unfazed, responded with confidence. "I'll try my best, out of respect for both my opponent and myself. But the most important thing is enjoying the experience and making friends! Shoutout to Jake Harada and Carter Brooks—I just met them, and they're a fun duo!" Maddie said with a playful grin. Jake and Carter, watching from the sidelines, did a collective facepalm, clearly embarrassed by the unexpected attention.
"Thank you, Maddie! We hope you have fun and make lots of friends here at the Athenaeum Games. Best of luck to you!" Samantha wrapped up the interview as the crowd cheered for Maddie, and the next participant prepared to take the stage.
"Jake Harada, you’re up next!" one of the staff members called out. Jake took a deep breath. "Here goes nothing," he muttered, ready to step into the spotlight as a participant in the Athenaeum Games. "Our next participant has already garnered some attention, even though it’s his first time in this tournament. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Jake Harada!" The audience waited in anticipation, while back at the Harada household, Jake’s parents and Luna cheered as they awaited his appearance on screen.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/eb/Jake_Harada%2C_Athenaeum_Games_profile.png]
"Jake Harada, 18 years old, also one of the four students representing Starlight University in the Athenaeum Games. He represents Baseball. Fun fact: he’s half-Japanese and half-American, which you can tell from his surname. He’s known for his optimistic and cheerful personality," Samantha provided some background as Jake made his way up to the stage.
"Hold on a second," Pat said with a grin. "Why are you not in formal wear, just like Carter? Did you two plan this to get attention?" he asked, surprised to see Jake dressed casually in brown cargo pants, a white oversized tee, and a light blue hoodie jacket, carrying his baseball bat.
Jake laughed and answered sincerely, "Carter and I are really close, almost like brothers. We both just didn’t check the invitation card properly, it was an honest mistake. We apologize for it." The audience, sensing Jake's sincerity, didn’t mock him as they had with Carter, instead offering a warmer reaction.
"Alright, moving on," Pat continued. "Since your name’s been mentioned by a few participants already, do you feel any pressure now that you’re seen as a target to watch out for?"
"I don’t feel any pressure," Jake replied with a smile. "I’m actually honored. But honestly, there are others who should be watched more closely—especially Naomi West, our ex-champion and my schoolmate. She’s a natural talent and definitely someone to keep an eye on more than me."
The audience let out a collective "Woah" at Jake's humble yet confident answer, clearly agreeing that Naomi was a force to be reckoned with.
"Thank you, Jake, for your honesty," Samantha said as the interview wrapped up. "We have high hopes for you, just like the other participants who’ve mentioned your name. We can’t wait to see how you perform." Jake was then ushered down the stage, where he joined the other competitors.
As he approached the group, Jake spotted a familiar face. "Arjun! How are you?" Jake greeted warmly, giving Arjun a hug. It had been a while since they had seen each other after Arjun returned to India following his exchange program.
"Jake, it’s great to see you again," Arjun replied with a grin, patting Jake on the arm. "You’ve definitely gotten fitter!"
Jake laughed, feeling the connection between old friends, and introduced Carter and Maddie to Arjun as they all caught up and chatted about old times.