Everyone who had any understanding of Aetherium Wars fell silent. In all these years of matches, there had never been a case where the opponent was completely wiped out in a single turn.
"I declare the winner of this match to be… Belobog's heroes! The Trailblazers!!"
The host received feedback from the technical inspection team. According to them, the Trailblazers' actions were entirely within the rules, with no anomalies in stats: it was purely a perfect use of mechanics and traits.
In that moment, the stadium erupted in excitement.
"Trailblazers! Trailblazers!"
"Holy crap! That was insane!"
"How did they do that?"
"What just happened? I only saw that Frigid Prowler take a gulp, and then—BOOM!!!"
Other Aetherium Wars players started discussing fervently. Upon seeing Luka's lineup, many players participating in the final championship had felt how tough he would be to deal with—only for him to get one-rounded?
Even Luka on the field was a bit stunned. He'd lost before in recent matches, but even his defeats had always been close. To be wiped out so completely like this… was just too awesome!
"That was refreshing! Congratulations, you won. Whether in real life or in-game, facing you guys feels like standing before an unscalable mountain. But I'm not giving up: I'll keep striving toward your level! With your momentum, winning the championship this time should be a breeze."
March 7th grinned, "Hehe~ Thanks! It's mostly 'cause our Ah Guang's amazing."
Just then, a new announcement came over the broadcast: "The next match is about to begin~ Contestants, please enter the arena~"
Luka relaxed at this point. "Looks like my journey to the championship ends here. You two, give it your all! If you win, all of Belobog will be fired up."
As Pei Guang's team claimed victory, the most jubilant voices in the stadium came from Belobog's citizens. Some were even holding up symbols of Belobog's pride, waving Trailblazer merchandise and cheering with passion.
Thanks to the Trailblazers' overwhelming win in the first round, Belobog-related Trailblazer merch also started selling like crazy. Although outsiders couldn't understand why a trash can figurine became Trailblazer merchandise, since it was official, fans were all in.
While players were heatedly discussing the match, one person's expression had turned grim. Watching from the stands, Bronya's face froze the moment she heard the lines spoken by the Aether Spirits.
"Those lines… sound like something I—"
Bronya tried to recall, and Seele beside her chuckled, "That's totally you. Back when we were fighting together, you used to say stuff like, 'Please lend me your strength' all the time~ Pfft—never thought Ah Guang would include that here. And coming from the Vagrant? Hahaha! You became the Vagrant, I'm dying!"
Bronya's expression turned serious as she tried to recover her composure. "Ahem! The Vagrant using my lines means Ah Guang wants all of us in Belobog to unite as one. Whether it's me, the Supreme Guardian, or the ordinary citizens, no matter our status, we're all working hard for Belobog's future. That's something to be proud of, something to hold our heads high for."
Seele: "Huh?"
Seele hadn't expected Bronya to go off on such a speech and was a bit stunned.
Bronya, noticing the returning Pei Guang and his team through the side entrance, pointed, "Look! Ah Guang and the others are back~"
She waved to them with a smile. March 7th spotted Bronya waving and enthusiastically waved back.
A few minutes later, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th walked over to Bronya and Seele.
Pei Guang: "Didn't think you'd show up too?"
Bronya: "Mhm~ This kind of grand event in Belobog wouldn't have been possible without your help. This marks the beginning of a strong partnership between the company and Belobog. I came to see what I could do to show our hospitality. And since I'm here, getting to watch your match is a bonus. I don't really get the mechanics, but seeing you win made me so happy."
Looking at Pei Guang, Bronya was genuinely delighted. As Belobog's Supreme Guardian, she'd received so much help from the Trailblazers. She had no real way to repay Pei Guang or the Trailblazers, so the least she could do was show up, cheer from the stands, and express her gratitude.
Seele joined in, "Ah Guang, not bad! Just like when we fought side by side: clean, decisive wins, even in a game. With that kind of momentum, just bulldoze through the rest of the tournament."
Pei Guang: "Of course. Don't worry~ we've got what it takes to crush this whole thing."
Seele: "Exactly! That's the spirit. Now let me hear more 'Please lend me your strength' lines, haha~~"
Seeing her best friend getting teased, Bronya also chuckled, "Yeah yeah, laugh it up! Ah Guang! Can you add in Seele's catchphrase during battle? The one that goes…"
Pei Guang: "'Disappear among the sea of butterflies'? No problem, already got it in. And you know what, with Seele's lines, there's actually a full team comp that works really well. If the next match fits, I'll bring it out. Neither of you will be left out."
Seele: "Wait, are you serious?"
Bronya stepped in front of her: "Use it! Go ahead and boldly use it: I totally approve!"
Pei Guang: "No problem! Ah—our next match is starting soon. Ahem, we're off then! Seele, just wait and see."
Stelle: "You're using Seele's voice lines? Is it the one that goes—"
March 7th: "Don't say it! It won't be a surprise if you spoil it!"
Seele snarked, "Surprise? More like a shock, right? Well then, let me see what you did with my catchphrases."
Soon enough, Seele saw exactly what Pei Guang had done with the battle lines she often shouted during combat. The second-round match was starting, and the Trailblazers, being first to take the stage, stepped onto the arena.
This time, their opponent was Guinaifen, the Fire-type Champion. After performing a few flashy tricks to hype up the crowd, she exchanged some words with Pei Guang and his team—seemingly to strike a deal of sorts—then both sides brought out their Ether Coins to begin the match.
Guinaifen used a lineup of Blaze Out of Space + Entranced Ingenium: Illumination Dragonfish (nicknamed Goldfish) + Incineration Shadewalker (nicknamed Flamekin) + Abundance Sprite: Wooden Lupus… clearly a DoT team.
The monsters in front stacked debuffs, while the Abundant Sprite, nicknamed "Mini Kafka," triggered instant detonation of those debuffs to deal massive damage and finish the job.
At a glance, the lineup seemed simple, but many players had lost to this setup before.
Pei Guang's lineup, on the other hand, was completely different from the previous "nuke" setup. He brought in Silvermane Lieutenant, Silvermane Cannoneer, Voidranger: Reaver, and Piggy Hero.