Chapter 301: The Reigning Champion Takes the Stage!

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the first half of Zone A and A1 took the lead, and after 32 games, 32 teams had gotten eliminated. Eastern Institute, which was in Zone A and A1, had an absolute advantage, taking down DL Polytechnics 6-0 to move on to the next round.

The host for the competition, Eastern Institute, also consisted of eight second-year students and three first-year students.

According to the Ministry of Education’s new regulations, each university could have an additional substitute student, but the substitute must be a first-year student.

In the recently ended first round, the three first-year students they had sent shone brilliantly. It made others feel their brilliance. With the defending champion’s first appearance, gambling rings again adjusted the odds of Dongfang. It was now 1 to 1.45.

Gavin looked at the beautiful replay on the screen and raised his eyebrows. He said with a thoughtful expression, “Dongfang Institute seems well prepared this year. DL Polytechnics weren’t weaker since their overall strength is also at the top 70. They even shaved their heads!”

Bishop was beside Gavin. He sipped his coffee and said indifferently, “Their first to fourth members haven’t appeared yet. Moreover, their three rookies don’t seem to have used their full strength. It’ll be a tough battle if we meet them in the semi-finals.”

He seemed to have thought of something and patted Moss’s shoulder, saying, “We’ll meet the opponent’s first-year member later, so remember to reserve your strength. You don’t have to fight for victory if you meet a second-year student.

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“You must also believe in Nat’s strength. It’ll be enough if you two can score at least one point.”

Moss nodded smilingly and did not say anything. He had been watching the replay on the screen alongside his captain. When he heard Bishop and Gavin’s conversation, he was not worried—instead, he became even more excited.

That was because his combat experience had significantly increased when he previously practiced with Bishop, Gavin, and the other second-year students. Moss already felt he was close to becoming level 37.

In addition, his spiritual power had again sublimated while constantly polishing the effect of fusing Absolute Defense with his spiritual power. Simultaneously, his 1,000 Defenses had reached 80%.

‘I can awaken Unharmed Domain if I can increase my 1,000 Defenses to 100% before the finals!’ Moss was full of confidence when he thought of Unharmed Domain.

However, he was confident he could help defend Kyoto’s title with his current level of Absolute Defense and spiritual power fusion, even if he did not awaken Unharmed Domain.

Sofia pushed open the door and entered. Her signature smile hung on her face as she waved at her team and waved her arms, saying, “Let’s go, students! It’s time to take the stage!”

…

The Shenlu Martial Arts Arena was lively as the participants took the stage.

Four teams were at the arena’s center. The participants performed wonderfully in the special alloy fighting rings, attracting the audience’s cheers and chants.

“Excellent!”

“The first round is going swimmingly!”

…

The match between Hanai Institute and Great Wall International University ended in the fourth round. At that moment, Aurora’s voice sounded again, “Next, let’s give warm applause and cheers to welcome the defending champion, Kyoto Institute!”

Although this was the 128th match out of 256, it was between Kyoto and Taiwu, whose overall strength ranked in the top 30.

The two ranked close to each other and were well-known universities, so it was rare for them to meet in the first round.

For this reason, the competition’s organizing committee had deliberately postponed the other three matches that were supposed to occur in unison until the end of this match.

“Whoa!”

Before she finished speaking, thunderous applause and warm cheers immediately sounded in the arena. Simultaneously, a large group of Kyoto’s fans rhythmically shouted “Kyoto,” stirring the arena’s atmosphere.

A moment later, Kyoto’s name reverberated throughout the arena.

Although Kyoto was no longer a hot favorite to win this year’s competition, it was still the five-time champion. The audience was still full of anticipation for the number-one university in the country.

Meanwhile, a cute girl beside Mill blinked her big eyes and mischievously said while sticking out her tongue, “Mill, will your old classmate represent Kyoto?”

Mill focused on the first ring at the arena’s center as she muttered affirmatively, “He will since Kyoto selected him as their reserve team member. Also, Kyoto pays great attention to training its new students. Moss will appear in the ring soon enough.”

Mill paid most of her attention to Kyoto’s match as it had already surpassed her alma mater, Eastern Institute. It was mainly because of Moss. She even rejected being a cheerleader to watch the match.

After all, she did not want to miss a minute of Moss’s match. After not seeing him for a while, she knew how hard Moss was training for the competition and that he must have put in a lot of effort.

Although every time she called, Moss would always say he was doing well. She understood Moss well and that he always thought of improving himself. In that aspect, Moss was like an omnipotent God in Mill’s heart.

However, Moss was more casual in real life. He never cared much about what he ate or wore. Sometimes, he would even forget to eat. Mill and her teachers would even have to remind Moss to do so when they were in high school.

Still, Moss was utterly different in university. There were no teachers to supervise him, and he relied wholly on himself. So, that was what Mill was worried about the most.

She initially wanted to visit Moss when Kyoto’s team arrived, but Kyoto’s management was strict. It was not open to outsiders, and the team’s management was also closed.

Regarding this, Mill understood and admired Kyoto’s management for its excellence.

Because of that, she could only avoid unnecessary troubles, and there would not be incidents of students accidentally ingesting stimulants, which would result in suspension or cancellation of the competition results.

Therefore, Mill was very eager to see Moss’s current appearance.

Mia, still standing beside Mill, tilted her head as her big eyes flickered. She asked in surprise, “Hm? Is that a girl?”

Just as Nat appeared in ring 1, the arena was in an uproar before Aurora could even introduce her.

“Wow!”

“What a beauty!”

“Kyoto is too unkind to women. How can they let a beauty like her participate in the competition?!”

…

Amidst the audience’s discussions, Aurora’s voice sounded again, “The next match will be between Kyoto’s first-year student, Nat, and Taiwu’s first-year student, Vanessa!”

Mill snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Aurora’s introductions. She was shocked when she looked closer at Nat’s appearance. “She’s so beautiful! I bet she’s the school belle!”

Although others also acknowledged Mill as a great beauty who had become Eastern Institute’s school belle, she could not help but feel attracted to Nat and praise Nat when she saw her refined appearance.

What impressed Mill even more, was that a beauty like Nat was a straight-A student. A first-year student could represent Kyoto in such a significant competition.

Beep!

The whistle sounded, and the match began.