After chatting with Bronya for a while, Valerius finally picked up the microphone again.
"Ahem… Next up is the final event: Hot-Blooded Soccer."
"Since many teams can't field a full eleven players, everyone who has participated before is eligible to play."
The moment she heard that, Raiden Shogun folded her arms and glanced at Yae Miko beside her.
"Watch carefully, Miko. If I personally take the field, victory is guaranteed."
"Heh."
Yae Miko rolled her eyes.
What an idiot.
Even if Inazuma won now, what would it matter? Their points still wouldn't be enough. Rather than wasting effort, it would make more sense to let the other two Teyvat teams have a shot at the championship.
"Please watch the VCR."
The giant screen lit up for the final time.
This event looked much more normal.
At first, it was just a standard soccer match. Two teams passed the ball around peacefully.
Then one player received the ball near the edge of the penalty area, flicked it into the air, and unleashed a powerful kick.
Everyone froze.
The soccer ball began glowing.
It shot toward the goal at terrifying speed. Any player who tried to block it was blasted away instantly—including the goalkeeper.
"…This is soccer?"
"It somehow looks even more dangerous than basketball."
The audience stared in shock.
No matter how they looked at it, this had very little to do with normal soccer.
How was the ball itself attacking people?
Even the goalkeeper was sent flying.
"This is the special move system of Hot-Blooded Soccer," Valerius explained helpfully. "You'll all be able to use special moves as well."
"And every player's special move is different."
"Please look forward to it."
"Everyone has one?"
"So we can all kick shots like that?"
"That's actually pretty awesome."
The crowd relaxed immediately.
As long as they had their own super shots, they could fight back.
If someone kicked at them, they'd just return the favor.
"However…"
Valerius raised a finger.
"Using special moves consumes stamina."
He looked around meaningfully.
"So don't spam them, or you'll be too exhausted to run."
The rules of soccer were simple enough.
Get the ball into the opponent's goal by any means necessary.
The screen faded.
"System, implant the basic rules of soccer into everyone's minds."
Valerius had learned his lesson from basketball.
To avoid another "carrying the ball and running like rugby" incident, he simply had the system upload the rules directly into everyone's heads.
Of course, these were the rules of Hot-Blooded Soccer.
That way, no one could claim ignorance.
[Understood.]
In an instant, the rules appeared in every player's mind.
"So as long as the ball isn't out of play, anything goes."
"Wait… there's no offside rule?"
"Does that mean I can just camp in front of the enemy goal?"
Many players' eyes lit up.
If there was no offside, they could simply stay near the opponent's goal and wait for a pass.
One through-ball, and they'd have a clear shot.
The more they thought about it, the more promising it seemed.
Requests to participate poured in.
After another round of discussion, all eight teams finalized their lineups and sent representatives to draw lots.
There was no need to change the venue this time.
Valerius immediately led the two A1 teams to the field.
Holding a coin, he looked at Bronya and Jean.
"Heads or tails?"
"Heads."
"Then I'll take tails."
Valerius flicked the coin high into the air, caught it, and slapped it onto the back of his hand.
Tails.
He turned to Jean.
"Ball or side?"
"The ball."
Jean saw no point in choosing sides.
Naturally, possession was more important.
"Alright."
Valerius nodded, then looked at Bronya.
"You get to choose sides."
"Either is fine."
Bronya casually picked one.
Honestly, both sides looked exactly the same to her.
"Good. Return to your positions. We're ready to kick off."
Valerius placed the ball at midfield and waved Bronya away.
Everyone took their places.
Then Valerius blew the whistle.
The final match had begun.
"Thud."
Jean tapped the ball backward to Kaeya and immediately sprinted forward.
This was Mondstadt's pre-planned tactic.
Launch a surprise attack from the very beginning.
Since there was no offside rule, Jean could run into open space freely.
The moment she received the ball, she would shoot.
Kaeya dribbled forward.
"I'll defend."
Gepard rushed up and blocked his path.
Kaeya smirked.
He shielded the ball, then spun like a top.
Gepard was instantly sent flying three meters.
"Heh. Amateur."
Kaeya was feeling fantastic.
His special move let him spin while protecting the ball.
As long as he kept rotating, he was practically invincible.
Soon, he reached the attacking third.
Seeing Jean in position, he threaded a perfect through pass.
"Great! My turn!"
The pass split the defense beautifully.
Jean charged forward.
"No, no, no! Don't let her shoot!"
In goal, Sampo panicked.
He had seen the VCR.
A special move shot looked terrifying.
He had no desire to be hit by one.
"I'll block!"
"Me too!"
Serval and Natasha both rushed toward Jean.
Valerius nearly spat out blood.
What were they doing?
They had abandoned their own marks completely.
"Heh. Just as I expected."
Jean smiled.
With a delicate touch, she lofted the ball high toward Diluc.
"Perfect. Watch this."
To activate a special move, players needed to strike the ball in midair.
Jean's high pass was exactly what Diluc needed.
He leaped.
Controlled the ball.
Then narrowed his eyes at the goal.
"Special Move Shot!"
With a powerful kick, he sent the glowing soccer ball hurtling forward.
Then, three meters into its flight—
The ball hit the ground.
And transformed.
"Gusha!!!"
A torch-wielding Hilichurl sprang into existence and charged toward the goal.
It waved its flaming torch wildly as it sprinted, moving so fast it left afterimages.
"What the hell is that?!"
The spectators exploded in shock.
Wasn't this supposed to be soccer?
How had Diluc kicked out an actual Hilichurl?
So this was what a special move looked like?
On the field, Belobog's defenders were equally stunned.
How had a soccer ball turned into this?
As the Hilichurl charged straight for the goal, Luka stepped in front of it.
"Watch me knock you back into a soccer ball."
He clenched his fist.
It was just a Hilichurl, wasn't it?
He'd smash it right back into shape.
Boom!
The moment they collided, Luka felt a terrifying force surge through his body.
Then the Hilichurl smashed its torch straight into his face.
Luka was sent flying.
"Holy crap!"
"That's insane!"
"How is that a Hilichurl?!"
The entire audience erupted in disbelief.
Since when were Hilichurls this overpowered?
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