Chapter 634: 628: Victory Without a Fight

“`

Rosewood City, Wood Arena.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

The lights in the arena, capable of holding tens of thousands of people, darkened in an instant. Splendid, brilliant fireworks burst above the venue, revealing the glowing Trainer Guild emblem, announcing that the National Competition was about to commence.

David Jones sat with his teammates backstage, watching the sea of people on the big screen, a mix of nervousness and anticipation in his eyes.

Participating in such a grand event for the first time, Sanne repeated the stress-relieving mantra taught by her senior, nervously telling herself, “Don’t be afraid, all these heads are just cabbages, all cabbages…”

Perhaps due to excessive nerves, Sanne let the words slip out loud, prompting laughter from everyone present.

On the other side, students from various Beast Taming Colleges like Peony, Phoenix, Glazewater, Blunt, along with others were watching the Rosewood College team’s area with solemn expressions.

Everyone knew that Rosewood College had produced an unprecedented in-school King Trainer, but now, before even starting the competition, they were already laughing heartily, as if the championship was already in their pocket, seemingly dismissive of everyone else.

However, the dissatisfied participating teams were only those from the fellow Five Greats colleges, the eight major academies, and other first-rate Beast Taming Colleges, all of whom shifted their gaze to their competitors.

There was no helping it, the top five rankings before the competition were sure to be occupied by the Flowery Kingdom’s Big Five. If they could knock any of the eight academies down a rank, that would already be an astonishingly dark horse!

Leaving aside the complex feelings of the competing teams, the audience in the arena was watching the highlights of past competitions on the big screen, until the screen went completely dark and a countdown appeared.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

Enthusiastic fans followed the screen’s numbers, waving their support sticks in hand, while high-tech cameras recorded this exciting scene surrounding them.

“Welcome to the live broadcast of the 1028th National Trainer Cooperation Competition. I am the host and referee, Elsa Hoyle.”

“This year’s competition sees the teams from various Beast Taming Colleges after undergoing personnel reorganizations and substitutions. This year’s hottest team from Rosewood College has unprecedentedly chosen a freshman student as their captain, none other than the youngest King Trainer in the Flowery Kingdom, David Jones, aiming straight for the championship!”

“But there is only one champion’s throne at the apex, and which team will ascend to be crowned king, please stay tuned!”

As the deputy head of Rosewood City’s Trainer Guild, Elsa Hoyle’s introduction during the opening ceremony naturally favored the home team. Coupled with her stunning beauty and formidable strength, she instantly captured much attention.

The next second, the big screen featured each participating team’s promotional footage, as per tradition.

“First to enter is the Blunt College team, which ranked fifth in last year’s National Trainer Cooperative Competition,” Hoyle introduced.

When the spotlight shone on Anders Roland dressed in his school uniform, his muscular physique prominent, the screen behind him echoed with determined words.

“Last year, Peony College performed brilliantly, but this year we firmly believe we can overcome all challenges and seize the championship.”

Then, the light shifted and seven tall and elegant beauties stepped onto the stage together.

“No one can change the belief that rivers flow into the sea, and so it is with the championship,” the grand animation of surging waves emerged on the big screen behind Glazewater College at this moment.

Next, the scene changed and, as the cry of a phoenix resounded, Bella Wanton, the lead of Phoenix College, stepped forward with the team.

“Glory is like a phoenix rising from Nirvana; the honor of the championship is right before our eyes.”

Then, seeing the assistant director gesturing, David Jones nodded slightly and led his nervous teammates slowly onto the stage.

Sure enough, he then heard a familiar voice on the big screen.

“I will prove in this National Trainer Guild Competition who is truly the number one prodigy.”

“`

“Well, folks, if everyone is talking trash so subtly, was my backstage flash of inspiration to learn from the foreman’s famous quotes too outrageous?”

David Jones blinked, quickly noticing the surrounding gazes filled with astonishment and envy.

The three teams opposite him showed solemn expressions.

On the online live streaming platform, the number of bullet comments skyrocketed to 9999+ in an instant, with many viewers starting to chatter.

Is it too arrogant for the first day?

Indeed it is, but as a King Trainer, David Jones has enough confidence to make such a statement.

After all, he’s currently the hottest and strongest championship contender on the field.

“Everything beneath a King is but ants” wasn’t just an empty claim.

Next, Peony College’s team, the nine-time reigning champions, took to the stage as the grand finale, and Rudolf Sherwood leading the way with confidence drew David Jones’s attention.

“Interesting, seems like this year’s National Trainer Competition won’t be too boring,” mused David Jones, hands in pockets, quietly listening to the deafening cheers of the stadium.

Many teams participated in the competition, but only the teams from the Five Greats were introduced onstage by the host.

To avoid a clash of titans, the Five Greats each led a group for round-robin matches, and the top three teams from each group would advance to the top sixteen.

The final spot in the sixteen was reserved for the team fighting its way out from the loser’s bracket.

Soon, under the host’s lottery, all participating teams were smoothly sorted into groups.

Rosewood College drew a slot for the second day, and after glancing at the schedule, David Jones left the main venue.

“Aren’t you going to watch Blunt College’s match?” Margaret Yule asked curiously.

“No need, amongst all the teams, only Peony College and Phoenix College are somewhat interesting to watch. There’s still a match tomorrow, so everyone should rest early tonight,” David Jones shook his head.

…

The next morning at nine o’clock, the Wood Arena’s sub-venue[Forest Zone] was packed and there wasn’t a single empty seat.

“So many spectators today!” Yolanda York wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“This is what it’s like to have home-field advantage,” said Sylvia Creek, envy in her eyes.

If possible, she too wished to be carried to success by the Guild President, like Margaret, but unfortunately, her acquaintance with the president was too shallow to catch that rocket ride.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Sunbeam College up against Rosewood College, I can’t even think how the former is going to win,” Yann York licked his lips, sensing a crushing game ahead.

“Other than brutal, I don’t know what to say,” mused Cecily Mansfield. “But I heard the Guild President is from Sunbeam Province, so he might go a little easy against Sunbeam College.”

Amid high expectations from the crowd, David Jones led his team members slowly onto the stage.

In contrast, the captain of Sunbeam College, Raphael Joe, had sweaty palms as he stared blankly at the opponent he was about to face, that top-grade prodigy renowned throughout Sunbeam Province!

“How do we even play this?”

Raphael Joe swallowed his saliva, glancing back at his teammates.

His teammates nodded in sequence, signaling “I’ve already voted, it’s your call.”

Seeing these six votes, Raphael Joe decisively raised his right hand and initiated a surrender.

“Referee, we concede!”