Day 3 of the Athenaeum Games brought the Maxwell Coliseum back to full capacity, with 50,000 spectators eagerly filling the stands. While the main attraction of the day was the continuation of the matches, a large portion of the audience had gathered for the much-anticipated draw that would determine the matchups for Winner's Round 2 and Loser's Round 1.

The organizers had split the seating, distinguishing between those who had advanced to the winner's bracket and those now in the loser's bracket.

In the winner's round seating were some of the most prominent competitors: Naomi West, Olivier Leclerc, Carter Brooks, Veronica Hart, Javier Morales, and Eliza Hart. Each of them sat with a sense of pride, awaiting the announcement of who their next challenge would be.

On the opposite side, in the loser's bracket section, were those who had experienced defeat but still held hope of redemption: Jake Harada, Natalia Ivanova, Madison Thompson, Lin Xiaoyun, Chloe Choi Soo-Min, and Preston Montgomery. Their faces showed a mix of determination and frustration, knowing that their next match could either give them a chance to fight their way back or end their run in the competition.

As the audience buzzed with anticipation, the air was electric. The stakes were higher than ever, with each competitor eager to learn who they'd be facing in the upcoming rounds.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Day 3 of the Athenaeum Games at Maxwell Coliseum! We've got a full house today!" Pat proudly announced, his voice booming through the stadium as the crowd erupted into cheers.

Samantha, equally enthusiastic, chimed in. "Yes, Pat! The coliseum is packed, and today we've got two incredible matches lined up. And don't forget, after the matches, we'll have the draw to decide the matchups for Winner's Round 2 and Loser's Round 1, so make sure to stay until the end! This is going to be an exciting day!"

Pat, feeding off the crowd's energy, added, "Let's not keep the audience waiting any longer! Without further ado, let the first match begin!" The crowd roared in approval.

Samantha continued with her introduction, "Introducing, at the age of 17, from the Apex Institute of Sports Excellence, representing the sport of cricket. His personality is that of a continuous learner, and his fighting style combines innovation with a positive approach. Please put your hands together for Arjun Patel!"

As Samantha finished her announcement, Arjun walked out confidently. His combover undercut hairstyle complemented his toffee-colored skin tone, a nod to his Indian heritage. He wore a sky-blue long-sleeve jersey paired with matching blue sweatpants, along with blue gloves and a cricket leg guard. With his cricket bat in hand, he waved to the cheering crowd.

"Go Arjun!" Jake shouted, lending his voice in support of his friend from their school exchange program. Though the crowd's roaring cheers drowned out Jake's words, Arjun caught sight of Jake waving at him from the stands. With a smile, he waved back, acknowledging the support, knowing Jake was cheering him on, even if he couldn't hear it clearly amidst the noise.

Samantha, seeing that Arjun had settled in, proceeded with her introduction for the next competitor. "His opponent, from Empire State University, at the age of 18, representing the sport of lacrosse, Taylor is known for her 'Tough Cookie' personality. Her fighting style combines athletic prowess, a strategic mind, and boundless enthusiasm. Please put your hands together and welcome Taylor Hudson!" As Samantha finished, the crowd cheered for Taylor. Taylor came out with her light brown hair tied at the top, with the sides flowing freely. She wore an orange sleeveless jersey paired with light blue shorts, holding her weapon of choice—a yellow lacrosse stick—looking confident and ready to win.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/8f/Arjun_Patel_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f8/Taylor_Hudson_Profile.png]

The screen above lit up, signaling the match was about to begin, displaying Arjun Patel versus Taylor Hudson’s faces with their names below. Though neither competitor was among the most popular, they both had their own supporters cheering them on.

"Alright, Samantha, as usual, can you give us an introduction and analysis of the competitors' weapons?" Pat requested.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/09/Cricket_bat.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/df/Lacrosse_stick.png]

"Of course, Pat. That’s my job, after all!" Samantha responded as she continued with her analysis. "Arjun wields a traditional cricket bat, symbolic of his identity as a cricketer. It’s made from high-quality English willow wood, known for its durability and lightweight feel, allowing Arjun to deliver powerful swings with ease. Measuring about 33 inches, the cricket bat offers an ideal balance between reach and maneuverability, giving Arjun the ability to strike from mid-range while maintaining control in close quarters." She then shifted to Taylor's weapon. "Taylor’s lacrosse stick is a specialized piece of equipment adapted for both sport and combat. It’s made from high-quality composite materials, ensuring it is both lightweight and durable. This construction allows Taylor to wield the stick with speed and precision while maintaining strength during intense use. The stick is approximately 42 inches long, providing a good balance between reach and control, allowing Taylor to execute a wide range of maneuvers. The head of the stick has a wide scoop and a deep pocket, perfect for catching, carrying, and throwing, and is reinforced to withstand both sports and combat."

"Thanks, Samantha, for the detailed introduction of the weapons. I believe both the spectators and competitors are anxious to see this match begin! Referee, please do the honors!" Pat concluded as the referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the fierce battle. The 40-foot circular arena, with its mix of grassy patches, sandy ground, and concrete areas, was scattered with sports balls, crates, and obstacles, offering plenty of opportunities for creative strategies.

The whistle’s sharp blast echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the clash between Arjun Patel and Taylor Hudson. The crowd leaned in, eager to see how this unique battle would unfold on the obstacle-laden battlefield.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0b/Innings_Inspiration.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/aa/Taylor_performs_Quick_Pass%2C_using_her_lacrosse_stick_to_quickly_scoop_up_any_foreign_object_or_weapon%2C_either_passing_it_to_an_ally_or_launching_it_at_opponents_as_a_surprise_missile.png]

Arjun quickly activated Innings Inspiration, harnessing his inner strength and positive mindset to boost his stamina and resilience, allowing him to outlast opponents in prolonged engagements—a reflection of the endurance required in cricket. On the offensive, Taylor wasted no time, using Quick Pass, scooping up a tennis ball with her lacrosse stick and launching it at Arjun as a surprise missile.

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image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a3/Boundary_Blast.png]

However, Arjun, no stranger to projectiles, immediately countered with Boundary Blast, channeling his strength into a powerful, overhead swing with his cricket bat. The ball flew far beyond his immediate vicinity, much like hitting a boundary in cricket. The crowd erupted with a collective "wow!"

"What an impressive counter by Arjun, handling that projectile attack with ease!" Pat exclaimed, praising Arjun's quick thinking.

"Taylor's Quick Pass aimed to surprise Arjun, but she might have forgotten—he's a master at dealing with projectiles in his sport. His Boundary Blast was the perfect response, sending it far away!" Samantha added, providing a detailed analysis of the exchange.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a7/Net_Netter.png]

After Taylor's initial projectile attack failed, she quickly adjusted her strategy, realizing that Arjun had greater stamina due to his Innings Inspiration. Determined to make quick work of him, she darted forward, launching her Net Netter—a move aimed at throwing her lacrosse net over Arjun's head to temporarily blind and disorient him, creating an opening for a follow-up attack.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1e/Crease_Counter.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/05/Spinner%27s_Strike.png]

However, Arjun was already thinking several steps ahead. He implemented his Crease Counter before Taylor could strike, using his cricket bat to establish a defensive zone, effectively managing his "crease" against her attack. With a well-timed counter, Arjun went on the offensive, executing his Spinner's Strike. Inspired by spin bowling, the move added a deceptive twist to his swing, making it difficult for Taylor to predict. The spinning motion of his bat landed directly on Taylor, sending her tumbling onto the grass patch. The crowd roared in approval as Arjun quickly became a fan favorite.

"Arjun landed the first hit! The crowd's definitely on his side now!" Pat exclaimed, acknowledging the shift in momentum.

Samantha, ever the detailed analyst, added, "Taylor's strategy wasn't flawed—her aggressive approach aimed to counteract Arjun's Innings Inspiration, which boosts his stamina. If the match lasted too long, Taylor would be at a disadvantage. Her Net Netter move, designed to blind Arjun, was a smart attempt. But Arjun was well-prepared, applying his Crease Counter to create a defensive zone, then following up with his unpredictable Spinner's Strike, which ultimately landed a clean hit on Taylor."

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/6a/Lacrosse_Strike.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/bc/Bouncer_Block.png]

Taylor picked herself up, refusing to give in despite the impact of Arjun’s first hit. She remained focused on her strategy, ready to launch a more direct attack. She delivered her Lacrosse Strike, a sweeping motion with her lacrosse stick that utilized its full length to maximize the force. Arjun, however, reacted swiftly with his Bouncer Block, using his cricket bat to deflect the attack. The high-speed defense confused Taylor with its unexpected angles, but her attack still had an effect. Though blocked, the strike’s force sent Arjun skidding backward, proving that Taylor’s efforts were far from ineffective.

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This time around, Arjun went on the offensive, deciding to execute his Sweep Shot Surge. Using his cricket bat, he performed a sweeping motion reminiscent of a cricket sweep shot but with a tactical twist, striking at low angles to target Taylor’s legs and destabilize her. Taylor, with her sharp sense of awareness, used her lacrosse stick to push off the ground in a move called Distance Dodge, executing a quick backward jump to create distance between her and Arjun.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/47/Wicket_Whirlwind.png]

Arjun, not wasting a moment, went for a move, Wicket Whirlwind. Combining agility with his cricket bat, he performed a rapid spinning attack, extending the bat outward to strike in all directions. The hit connected with Taylor, sending her crashing into nearby crates, her lacrosse stick flying out of her hand.

The referee, observing the situation closely, blew the whistle. “Beeeeep! Match end!” the referee announced, declaring Arjun the winner. The crowd erupted in cheers, showing their support. Arjun, however, did not bask in his victory. Instead, he ran toward Taylor and helped her up. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned after the hard hit that sent her flying into the crates.

Taylor, gracious in her defeat, held no ill feelings towards Arjun. She accepted his help as the crowd cheered for both of them, and together they waved back to the audience.

"What great sportsmanship! Arjun didn’t let his victory make him arrogant—he showed real empathy!" Pat commented. "Yes, Pat! It was Arjun's stronger strategy that led him to win the match!" Samantha added. "To be honest, I was rooting for Taylor! Her tenacity really inspires me." Samantha continued her analysis: "Arjun’s Sweep Shot Surge, a sweeping attack, didn’t land because Taylor was able to avoid it with her Distance Dodge, creating distance between her and Arjun. But this gave Arjun another opening, allowing him to use his agile move, Wicket Whirlwind, which strikes in all directions, making it nearly impossible for Taylor to evade, ultimately ending the match."

Pat proceeded to the next segment, heading to the loser's bracket section to interview Jake Harada about the match that had just taken place. "Jake Harada, how's it going?" Pat began with a casual question.

"I'm doing great, Pat!" Jake replied with a smile.

"I know Arjun is a good friend of yours from the exchange program," Pat continued, drawing on facts he knew. "After watching Arjun's match against Taylor, any thoughts?" he asked.

"I think Arjun did great. His strength really lies in his commitment to continuous learning. He’s adaptable and resilient," Jake responded thoughtfully. He then added, "This is also Arjun’s second time in the tournament. His experience definitely contributed to his victory."

Pat decided to challenge Jake with a tricky question. "Jake, if you were to face Arjun, who do you think would win?"

"It's hard to say," Jake answered humbly. "Arjun is someone who keeps learning from his mistakes. Right now, he's in the winner's round, and I'm in the loser's round. If we were to go head-to-head, Arjun might have a higher chance of winning. We've had a friendly match before, and he learned a lot about my moves then."

Jake's honest and humble response surprised Pat. "Well, there you have it, folks—Jake Harada!" Pat said, wrapping up the interview. "Samantha, let's get ready for the last match of the day before we move on to round two of the winner’s bracket and round one of the loser's bracket draw. Stay tuned, everyone!"

With that, Pat returned to the commentary table where Samantha was waiting, both preparing for the upcoming match. The crowd, full of anticipation, buzzed with excitement as the next fight was about to begin.