Martial Arts Worlds-Chapter 275: Hoorah!

"And… we’re back!"

With excitement in tone, the host of the nationals, Chris, smiled at the camera, which was showing his face in millions of households across New Rakuya.

"Hello everyone!"

His co-host, Paul, shouted energetically from his seat right next to Chris.

They were sitting on a crescent-shaped desk, a wall of white behind them with a large screen showing a picture of a fist pumping the air.

While none of the matches were ongoing, these two were responsible for hosting the nationals show and keeping the audience entertained throughout the weekend.

"The last of the round of 32 matches ended, and only sixteen schools are remaining! However, before the start of round of 16, the chairman and the official board had chosen their five members to be part of New Rakuya’s Top Five Youth!"

Chris said.

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The screen at the back wall changed from the fist pumping the air to showing five shadowy faces that only showed outlines of their features.

"As the first member of the Top Five Youth, this is his second time achieving this honor, and despite not even fighting a single match yet in this nationals, it is clear that he still deserves this honor as he has worked tirelessly to reach this level of skill!"

The first of the shadowy faces disappeared and showed a familiar, handsome face with black hair, piercing gray eyes, and a tight-lipped look, which didn’t make him look necessarily cold but definitely serious and focused.

"Kiernan Hunter—the ace of Karuza High!"

Paul turned to look at the picture and then said.

"Meanwhile, his team member, Julian Noah, has shown promise and could’ve reached this honor as well, but since he is a foreigner and not New Rakuya born, it was decided that he was ineligible for it."

Then, next to Kiernan’s picture, a sweet-looking face appeared with bubbly-looking blond hair framing her pretty face.

It was a photo of a young woman that had become a crush of many young men across New Rakuya.

"Ariadne Baring—the ace of the Tiamut High!"

"While Tiamut High is having a weaker team than previous years, she has proudly carried the pride of her predecessors and shown incredible skills!"

On the screen, a third face appeared, and it showed a serious-looking young man with short-cut hair and dark eyes staring straight into the camera.

"Thorsten Reed—ace of the Kanyon High!"

At the screen, the fourth face showed. It was a face of a young man with large, unruly hair and a smile that was so wide that it looked like he could swallow a pineapple in one bite.

"Dietmar Dent—the ace of the Kurogami High!"

Then, the last shadow face disappeared, and the face of a serious, broad-shouldered young man appeared. It looked like his proportions were all over the place.

The head seemed slightly too small for someone with a body so muscular.

"And lastly, Zachary Lokiah—the ultimate ace of the Montclair High!"

"This young man had been quite… controversial, but one thing is sure—he is immensely strong, and his strength has caught the attention of millions of people all around the nation!"

Paul said, and then watched as those five faces disappeared from the back screen.

"The round of 16 shall begin shortly, but before that, we’ll announce the matchups, and since only sixteen schools are left, each matchup will be filled with top talent!"

"Maybe we will even get a match between two members of Top Five Youth!"

At the back wall, matches showed, and each one was more shocking than the last. There were even a few matches between schools that were in the top 10 rankings!

At that moment, the last match of the round of 16 appeared on the screen.

"And lastly, but certainly not least, the final match of the round of 16!"

[Karuza High vs. Baobab High]

"It will be between sixth seed Karuza High and tenth seed Baobab High! It will be a battle between two aces!"

"It will certainly be an amazing matchup!"

"Wearing Karuza High’s jersey, they have Julia Karuza and Dominic Raze as reserve fighters. Then, as the main fighters, Jonathan Ackers, Julian Noah, and Kiernan Hunter!

"Wearing Baobab High’s jerseys, they have Kajari Sumi and Shivakanta Choudhury as reserve fighters. As main fighters, Shri Jagadeesh Ahad, Harit Mimi, and lastly, their ace, Roy McHavellen!"

The back screen showed the faces of the two teams. From the first glance, it looked like quite an even matchup, as Baobab High has very consistently strong members.

"It will be quite interesting as Roy McHavellen has a reputation for being an undefeated fighter. I don’t know how true that is, but we will find out soon enough!

"Maybe we will finally see Kiernan in action as well. I know people all around the nation have been eagerly waiting for him to step back into the ring!"

Chris said.

"We’re now shifting back to the matches. The round of 16 is about to start!"

…

In the locker room, the television showed the two hosts talking before it shifted back to show the arena in its full glory.

"Roy McHavellen…"

Coach Jin rubbed his chin.

He didn’t sleep last night.

He spent the entire night studying the strongest fighters in the tournament, and Roy McHavellen left a strange impression on him with his unconventional style.

It was unclear whether he was actually strong.

’If I happened to see Roy in some random tournament, I would think that he is an amateur fighter, but he must be strong for a reason. There must be a reason why Baobab High made him their ace…’

…

"Listen to me, boys!"

Roy stood on top of a bench, making it wobble back and forth, looking like a captain of a ship.

"Karuza High! Tiamut High! Kurogami High!

"It does not matter who they are. I shall lead us to victory! After all, I don’t lose as I am Roy McHavellen. Say it with me, guys, Hoorah!"

"Hoorah!"

Shri and Harit shouted in excitement.

"Idiots… idiots, all of them."

Two girls stood by the corner, rolling their eyes at the scene before them. They thought that these three young men must be the stupidest people to ever exist.