Felix’s interview went smoothly as well. Evangeline proficiently tried to be privy, but Felix had been used about it, so he answered without revealing much.

However, when he was asked about his sword art, including Krisha, if it came from his sword, he didn’t hide the truth.

After the interview, Evangeline thanked them again and again and didn’t bother taking their time more as she and her cameraman left. They still had their editor to edit the interview and broadcast them prior to the battle.

Felix and Krisha were left with Ben, chatting with him from time to time.

Eventually, their fan group arrived.

Felix and Krisha were startled, while Ben excitedly introduced the fan group to them.

To Felix’s restrained laughter and Krisha’s extreme upset countenance, they watched as Big Head Fans were being raised up high towards them, with placards written "Goodluck, Felix. Goodluck, Krisha", as though they were protesting.

Felix saw Krisha’s face on a stick and could barely control her laughter.

While Krisha were extremely displeased, seeing Felix’s face on a stick alleviate her mood somewhat.

The cameraman also pointed at the fan group, causing Felix’s amusement to be erased, replaced by immense embarrassment.

Krisha noticed his reaction and rolled her eyes.

"It’s embarrassing to think what your parents and friends will react after seeing your face being raised by a stick, right?" Krisha asked in a mischievous tone.

Felix, with reddened cheeks, remained outwardly composed. "I never thought we get to reach this point. Did you also expect this?"

"I do." Krisha shrugged. "As if you’ve already forgotten I have a fan group back in high school."

"But that was different, Krisha." Felix turned towards Krisha and smiled. "This time, they don’t only admire your beauty and brain, they admire your strength mostly. This is a dojo, not a highschool."

"That." Krisha said and paused.

"Is something I didn’t expect."

Felix laughed, followed by Krisha.

Afterwards, their fan group finally gathered their courage to walk towards Felix and Krisha to gain their signature. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Felix, to his utter surprise, saw the outer disciples, who loathed him deeply before and ganged up on him on his first participation in the Mist Courtyard Ramble, amidst the fan group of Krisha, stealing glances at him.

Felix dumbfounded. He didn’t know how to react.

Even more so, when they slowly, while lowering their head, walked towards him and asked for his signature.

While signing, he whispered, "You aren’t planning to invest on this, right?"

The outer disciples laughed awkwardly and denied in a stutter.

Felix rolled his eyes and did not pursue the matter anymore.

Finally, when there was only a quarter left before the duel commenced, there was a table set for three individuals.

Felix was taken aback when he discovered that Master Vey was among them.

Master Vey waved his hand enthusiastically when he saw Felix staring at him and began talking with Felix in a mile away while wearing a commentator headset.

Felix was dumbfounded. He was about to run towards him when Krisha held his arm, holding him back.

She said, "He’s busy commentating now. Talk to him after the duel."

Felix nodded. He watched Master Vey in the distance, talking with other commentators, facing a cameraman and bunch of equipments on the background.

I didn’t think that a duel against Top 1 will be this dramatic. Felix sighed.

Suddenly, in his peripheral vision, there was an inner disciple who arrived that caught everyone’s attention.

Silence descended from the fan group, causing Felix to glance at him.

He walked by himself, he has a sinewy physique, and his aura was oppressive.

Felix perceived even a crackling energy surrounding him. Instantly, he recognized the individual.

He must be Damian.

Felix narrowed his eyes. After a while, he sighed in relief.

At least, I look better than him.

He turned towards Krisha and noticed she was staring at Damian. He heaved a silent sigh of relief again after noticing her narrowed eyes.

She’s in the competitive mode. Felix thought.

Damian also noticed Krisha was staring at him and he beamed a smile. He thought he attracted Krisha, but the latter simply turned her gaze away from him and began talking with Felix.

He frowned and stared at Felix in exasperation.

Felix merely grinned in response as he replied to Krisha, "You can defeat him. Like, I always said, I won’t even let my guard down when we duel even though I have higher minor rank than you.

It’s because of your sword art. It’s dangerous."

Krisha nodded.

Felix could perceive Krisha’s anxiousness.

He patted her back and said, "Goodluck. You can do it."

Krisha rolled her eyes and shrugged.

She waited until the organizer gestured for her and Damian to finally stand at the Beast Sync Arena.

Felix moved to the edge of the perimeter and observed from above Krisha and Damian faced each other.

They were talking and he could barely hear what they were talking about. Of course, it was mostly Damian who kept talking with a wide smile on his face.

Felix then perceived that the one of the cameraman was pointing his camera at them. It was obvious that the battle was about to start.

But, where is Instructor Frank? Felix frowned.

Just as he wondered, a figure fell from the sky and landed smoothly without leaving a crater at the beast sync arena.

It was Master Shen. His soothing aura and gentle disposition induced the startled individuals to feel relieved after discovering that he had come to officiate the match.

Master Shen swept his gaze at them and smiled lightly. Damian and Krisha felt relieved that they could go all out without worrying of injuring one another.

Master Shen glanced at the director of the broadcasting network and received a response from him that they were finally ready.

He glanced at his watch and realized there was still five minutes left

Without hesitation, he stomped his feet and, using his energy, controlled the beast sync arena to change the modular terrain floor randomly.

The beast sync arena trembled. Damian and Krisha reacted to the changes to avoid complicating themselves before the duel began.

To their surprise, a thin layer of water began to seep out in the surface.

It only reached their ankles, but it was a very significant changes.

Especially when they both possessed an elemental affinity that could affect their duel due to their environment...

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A/N: Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to show your supports by giving golden tickets, powerstones, and reviews! It means a lot since this is participating for WSA.