The Arena was under the warm gaze of the sun, and standing on the opposite side were Two Teams.
Solace was currently sitting with teammates in the provided room, and since the room had a TV, the match commencing outside was broadcast directly, giving Solace a clear view of what was happening.
The First match was between Teams 1 and 12
Solace had been anxious looking at Team 1 espescailly because it had Love. She singlehandedly had more points than his entire team.
Love was a anomly, Solace thought. Just like he was himself. Then another thought surfaced. Maybe she is also a transmigrator?
'No, maybe I am overthinking.' Despite saying that, he made a subconscious note.
He continued watching the TV. Following, as Members of the Teams assumed their stances and positions.
Team 1 had love in the front. And the rest were following her lead.
Team 2 had a similar formation.
They took out their weapons and readied themselves.
Then a loud voice rang out. The familiar host came on the holographic screens.
"So, now that all of us are ready, I will explain how this will work."
He coughed, bringing his hands forward.
The stadium quieted in layers.
It didn't happen all at once. First, the scattered conversations dulled. Then the cheers softened into a restless murmur. Finally, even the upper tiers settled, thousands of people leaning forward in anticipation.
The host stood alone at the center platform, the polished stone beneath his feet reflecting the afternoon sun. He waited. He always waited. He understood crowds the way predators understood herds.
When silence was complete, he smiled.
The smile was wide, practiced, and just a little cruel.
"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice boomed, amplified until it rolled through the stadium like thunder, "welcome to Phase Two of the Weave Academy Re-evaluation Tournament."
A ripple of cheers erupted. Banners fluttered. Somewhere, fireworks cracked faintly in the distance.
"These forty-eight students have been divided into twelve teams, four students per team."
The sigils shifted, rearranging themselves into pairs.
"And now," he said, voice dropping slightly, "we enter a phase designed not just to test strength… but judgment."
The word lingered.
"Phase Two is called the Hunter–Prey Elimination Format."
The name alone drew a fresh wave of excitement.
The host lifted his hand, and the holograms changed again. Six sigils glowed red. Six glowed blue.
"For each match," he explained, "one team will be designated Hunters. The other… Prey."
A red sigil pulsed ominously.
"The Hunters' objective is simple," he said. "Eliminate every member of the opposing team."
The blue sigils flickered.
"The Prey's objective is even simpler," he continued. "Survive."
He smiled again, sharper this time.
"All you get… is time."
A massive clock appeared above the arena, its digits glowing bright white.
"Each match lasts fifteen minutes," the host said. "If the Hunters fail to eliminate every Prey before the timer runs out…"
The clock ticked once.
"They lose."
A murmur spread through the stands.
"And here's where things get interesting," the host added lightly, as if discussing a game over drinks.
He snapped his fingers.
The hologram zoomed in on a student's bracelet, cracking and shattering in slow motion.
"Any student whose bracelet is destroyed," he said, "is eliminated immediately."
The crowd quieted again.
"That student will be removed from the arena… and from the tournament."
Gasps rippled outward.
"Yes," the host said, nodding as if acknowledging their reaction. "You heard that right."
He turned, looking up toward the royal seating, then toward the corporate boxes, then finally toward the section where the Church sat.
"An eliminated student does not participate in their team's second match."
A beat.
"Which means," he continued pleasantly, "if you lose teammates early…"
The hologram showed a team shrinking from four figures to two.
"You fight later at a disadvantage."
The implication settled heavily.
"Now, let's talk about points," the host said, his tone brightening again.
A new display appeared.
"Eliminating an opponent earns you one thousand points. These points are awarded individually."
A second line appeared beneath it.
"If the Hunter team successfully eliminates all Prey members within the time limit," he went on, "an additional two thousand points will be awarded and split among the surviving Hunters."
The crowd roared.
"And if the Prey survive?" he asked rhetorically.
Another line lit up.
"Two thousand points, split among the surviving Prey."
He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming.
"Dead teammates earn nothing."
The stadium fell quiet again. This time, the silence was heavier.
"Each team will fight twice," the host said. "Once as Hunter. Once as Prey."
"Now," the host said, straightening, his voice ringing with practiced excitement, "that you all understand the rules…"
He swept an arm toward the arena.
"Let Phase Two begin."
The stadium exploded.