The air in the room was thick with a mixture of relief, tension, and excitement. The announcement had shaken everyone, but now the players were left to process what was to come next. The future was still uncertain, and the road ahead would be vastly different from what they had imagined.
Noah stood at the front, his eyes sweeping across the players, still adjusting to the weight of what had just happened.
Noah (in a soft voice):
"Take your time, everyone. This has been a long journey to get here. But remember, this is just the beginning."
There was a moment of silence as the players exchanged glances. Some were still in shock, others held their heads high, already starting to plan for the next phase.
---
Adrian stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room, a knowing smile forming on his lips.
Adrian (calmly):
"Now that the player roster is final, we need to prepare for what comes next. And I'm not talking about training. We have to focus on the U-20 Supernova. The real challenge begins now."
A murmur of whispers spread through the room. U-20 Supernova. A concept that felt distant, yet it was now closer than ever. Armin tilted his head, clearly curious.
Armin:
"What exactly does the U-20 Supernova mean? We've been selected, right?"
Adrian (slightly widening his eyes):
"You're right. You've made it through the first selection. But the competition doesn't stop here. The U-20 Supernova is like the World Cup, but a little different. And this Supernova... you could say it's just the beginning."
---
Ash stepped forward, his tone serious.
Ash:
"Wait, so... does this mean the real battles are still ahead?"
Adrian (nodding):
"Exactly. For U-20 Supernova, YOU WILL BE TESTED—MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY. This is the Nova Block. In Nova Block, you will need to shine. It's about how you think, how you adapt, and how you handle pressure. You'll be tested in ways you never imagined. And you'll need the spirit of camaraderie. Sounds funny, right? But you'll need it when you meet the five new players."
---
Leon suddenly asked.
Leon:
"Can we test the five of them all at once?"
Ricardo chuckled from the back of the room.
Ricardo:
"You're always ready for a challenge, huh?"
Leon (with a small grin):
"A little bit, yeah."
---
Wonbin leaned toward Nike, whispering.
Wonbin:
"Five new players, huh? Let's hope they don't make things more complicated."
Nike (smiling):
"Relax, they'll be fine. We can handle this."
Samuel stepped in, hugging both of them.
Samuel:
"No matter what, we're in this together, okay?"
---
Eric stood tall, still riding the wave of excitement after being selected. But there was a slight unease in his eyes.
Eric (smiling nervously):
"Okay, okay. So, more people. Fine. But are we ready for this? I mean... it's getting more serious, right?"
Adrian (stepping forward, his eyes sharp):
"Oh, you'll be ready. Whether you want to be or not. Now, take some time to rest, because tomorrow… we begin."
---
As Noah moved to leave the room, his voice echoed once more, each word carrying the weight that was felt by everyone present.
Noah (seriously):
"You were chosen for a reason. But remember, this is just the beginning. If you think it's been tough so far… the real tests start tomorrow."
---
The players stood in silence for a moment, processing the gravity of those words. Then, as if a gate had been opened, conversations began to rise like a tidal wave. Some were excited, others still in shock, but they all knew one thing for sure.
The next phase would be unlike anything they had ever experienced.
---
Luca stood in the corner, his heart still heavy. He had come this far, but the reality of not being part of the final 19 still gnawed at him.
Luca (whispering to himself, his voice barely audible):
"I'm not worthy of this spot..."
He turned to look at Lucas, who stood beside him, watching the chaos unfold with an unreadable expression.
Lucas (sensing his younger brother's doubt, gently placing a hand on his shoulder):
"You've done your best. You were chosen. So make the most of it, little brother."
Luca (softly):
"I'll keep trying. I won't stop."
---
The atmosphere in the room was suddenly disturbed by a new voice—calm but heavy, echoing softly from the shadows.
?? (softly, almost like a whisper):
"So… this is just the beginning."
A figure cloaked in mystery stepped into view, their presence almost too profound to ignore. The room suddenly felt colder.
?? (with a small smile):
"I've come for you, Kelena Warriors. All of you."
The sound of their footsteps echoed down the quiet corridor as the scene shifted to black.
THE END...
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End of Volume 1.
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SEE YOU IN VOLUME 2!!