Chapter 608

At the Olympia Stadium Berlin, the preliminary round for the Europa 2054 was held ahead of the event scheduled for the following year.

After two rounds of matches, the main event, the Super Cup, finally arrived.

The audience hurriedly left their seats to visit the bathroom.

“I’m going to grab some churros.”

While Saetbyeol was also away, I sat back and enjoyed the players’ interviews.

Perhaps because we were seated in the general section, all the public’s attention focused on me.

“Name name name~ I am the strongest ten-year-old in the universe!”

“Ha ha, thank you.”

I nodded my head to the young people who had been singing my cheer song every chance they got since earlier.

Viewers behind the screen were likely watching with envy.

-How is it that I am sitting next to Noname Saetbyeol? LOL

-Those people are really sitting in a winning spot! LOL

-Going to the general section feels so unreal.

-How many times are they going to sing together? LOL

-Is this level of qualifying even real? My heart is racing.

-Really? I thought it was kind of fun. Hehe

-Ha… I’m so jealous of the champion’s fan meeting.

“Hey, name! How do you think today’s match went!”

A young man asked from a distance in Spanish.

In today’s qualifiers, the Spanish player had crushed Georgia.

“They fought really well! Next year, Spain should win once!”

“Whoa! Guys, name says we should win! But honestly, winning is a bit tough; we’ll reach the semifinals!”

-Yeah, Spain won’t make it next year either. LOL

-Can they even get through the last 64 with that skill?

-Anyway, nothing for noname to eat, let’s just change the name to Noname Cup.

-This year, it’s still Noname!

-I can’t even begin to guess how much stronger they’ll be next year.

Thump—

A sweet sugar stick found its way to my mouth.

“Wow, it’s super long! I specially got one for you, so be thankful.”

“Yum, thank you thank you.”

The moment I took a bite of the churro, a loud cheer erupted from the stadium.

Monica Rich and Aaron Krueger entered the training hall through the gate.

A transparent outer wall was erected between the training hall and the audience, and the players faced each other to shake hands.

“Ugh, look at this, big sister.”

“What is it?”

Saetbyeol leaned over to show me a community post.

[Analysis of Noname’s Expressions During Match Scenes by a Top Instructor]

(Expressionless Name.jpg)

This is their usual expression. It often appears when meaningless jabs are exchanged.

2. (Aah, my eyes Name.jpg)

When a terrible scene arises, Name rubs the inner corner of their eyes with their middle finger. Today, the Georgian player missed a crucial uppercut and fell over their own feet for a full three seconds while rubbing.

3. (Pouty Name.jpg)

I don’t know the details, but this is the behavior Name shows just before the game tilts to one side. Those pouted lips are just adorable.

4. (Contempt Name.jpg)

Unexpectedly, this isn’t a contemptuous expression. It appears when Name is deeply analyzing or when the battle is so close that the outcome can’t be predicted.

5. (Yawn Name.jpg)

Name yawns when there’s no chance for a comeback. You can see Name’s missing fang here.

(Let’s focus on Name’s expressions and enjoy the mage battles in various ways.)

“Hey, why are you analyzing my expressions and making a fuss… Ugh!”

I was about to shout but remembered my missing fang and pressed my lips tight.

-LMAO

-Now I’m going to be more conscious about it. LOL

-I knew about the yawn, but how did you figure out the pout?

-Doesn’t Noname still have their baby teeth even if they lose some corn?

-Please love Name! T_T

-I should let my friends know as soon as that expression shows that the game tilted.

“I don’t make those expressions. Don’t misunderstand.”

I definitely wouldn’t do what the viewers wanted.

I took out the bubble gum I had prepared earlier and popped it into my mouth.

The long-awaited countdown to 30 seconds began.

“Both players have strong instantaneous mana output, so the likelihood of a stamina battle seems extremely low. The key will be how hard they push in the early game. Let’s watch with that in mind.”

[3! 2! 1!]

Beeeeep-!

[The match has begun! As expected, we have plasma manipulation! Krueger is blocking magic head-on! Rich is also aiming at the rear with double casting! Now, a precarious balance of electrical magic is being maintained in the center! How long will this tense struggle last…?]

[Rich is slipping through! Oh! Hits the Ignis Chamber for 5%! A fantastic start by Rich!]

“Wowwwww!”

Krueger lowered his magic, allowing Monica Rich to score a valid hit.

The reaction time is quite sharp. One could say the match day condition is favorable.

Gnaw gnaw—

“Great start. But Krueger isn’t really going all out yet, so it’s still just a minor advantage… Eyebrow? Why is my eyebrow—”

-‘That expression’

-Was that real? LOL

-Please scold them more, oh champion.

-Scary Name. D: D: D:

-???: Is this all you can do, rookies?

[Monica Rich! Krueger was caught from behind!]

““Woooaahhh!””

The audience stood up together just thirty seconds into the match.

Boldly, Monica predicted Krueger’s barrier magic and dismantled it.

The magical circle wound around her right arm rotated quickly, emitting a golden glow.

‘I’ve got to push it now! Right now!’

[Cast: Self – Acceleration]

Quaaaaa-!

Concentrated magical power slammed down, causing the grass to sh**t up into the air.

But…

[Krueger narrowly dodges! Incredible reaction speed!]

Monica’s decision was half a beat slow.

‘Oh gosh, that foolish one.’

She was overly greedy.

Swiftly, I rubbed my itching eye with my pinky.

“Aah…!”

-Noname got caught again, LOL.

-Wow, science!

-This had to be a sure hit. LOL

-The champion seems to be frustrated!

-I can’t focus on the match… I can only see Name’s face…

“Could you all stop making a fuss and watch? Are you all not focusing on the match? Do you want to get hit?”

-^^7

-You think mage battles are a joke? For Name, this is war.

-Now, by her face, she’s making content out of being Number One.

-Getting hit by Name will end your life!!!

[07:35]

Krueger launched a serious counterattack.

The light barrier magic was spread out, trapping Monica’s plasma.

However, Monica skillfully enveloped the area outside the barrier with her mana.

[Cast: Interference Destruction]

Inside the barrier, accelerated plasma clouds ejected through a small gap.

Like a dancer wearing silk, the plasma cloud flowed smoothly over Monica’s skin, increasing its potency.

In an instant, 15 lances of lightning transformed from the plasma hammered relentlessly against Krueger’s defenses.

Boom—!

At that moment, the bubble gum I had been chewing popped, sticking my lips together.

Sliiurp—

With a small tongue, I desperately gathered the pieces of gum that had flown away back into my mouth.

“Eh, Monica did well, right? She momentarily covered her skin with barrier mana; by doing that, she could manage the magic circle more effectively than when handling it in the air.”

-So cute, so cute, so cute, so cute!

-Aah, I lost, Noname!

-Don’t just rely on your face for commentary!

-I’m just giving up on watching the match. LOL

I had bitten down so hard that all the flavor had long evaporated.

‘But still, Monica is doing her best.’

Krueger was clearly targeting Monica’s head.

Though he still tended to excessively concentrate on his barrier, startled by her moves.

Now, Monica had matured into a bold player who could counterattack.

[14:37]

Wooosh—

Krueger successfully created a long magical whip that wrapped around Monica’s neck.

However, there were only 23 seconds left until halftime.

‘No need to escape.’

Monica concluded rationally, according to my desires.

[Cast: Arc Discharge]

Bzzzzzzzt-!

“Grrrrr!”

“Uwaaaah!”

Heating, electrocution, and explosion.

A bright blue flash filled the training hall.

Through the thick smoke, the players knelt and rose.

Beeeeeeeep-!

[Time: 15:00]

[Monica Rich (Italy)] [68% | 49%]

[Aaron Krueger (Germany)] [80% | 37%]

“Haah. A 12% difference? At least today, it seems Monica is going to win.”

Though I couldn’t enjoy it properly due to wishing for one side’s victory.

It was still an exciting match for the second half to come.

*

The match concluded.

Monica Rich claimed victory in the first round with 23% of her barrier remaining.

Given Krueger’s decent performance, this result could be considered even more valuable.

[Super Cup Semifinal Round 1 – Monica Rich Defeats Aaron Krueger Despite 6-Week Injury]

[Monica Rich’s Smooth Victory! Is it due to the training camp of Noname?]

[Nine mages gathered at Rich Manor… Speculations about active information exchange.]

[Controversy arises over the assault on player Rich during live broadcast of Noname… Clarifying that it was a request made to foster competitiveness right before the match.]

Meanwhile, the players from Switzerland and Sweden on the opposite bracket faced harsh criticism from the public.

Reportedly, they engaged in a sleep-inducing match, leaving over 50% of their barriers intact until the 30-minute mark.

‘Did they fall asleep while fighting?’

Again, on the train route back to Italy.

“Kuuhuul. Hehehe…”

Saetbyeol, seemingly uninterested in that match, wore a sleep mask and quickly fell asleep first.

“It’s not easy to find a boring mage battle. Will we be watching the replay just among ourselves?”

Even second graders fighting is entertaining because it’s mage battles.

If their skills are somewhat close, countless memorable moments will occur.

-They’ll regret it later.

-Can they handle that power?

-From now on, my insomnia remedy is this.

[Oliver Larsson vs. Lukas Schmidt – Europe Super Cup Semifinal Round 1 Full]

I questioned my eyes.

The two players clashed with wands in the center early on.

After that, they showed no significant movement.

Occasionally, they would launch an Arc Discharge.

‘Could they have sprained their wrists? Both of them?’

That seemed to be the case.

The peaceful standoff continued until the audience erupted with boos.

When the first half ended and transitioned to the second half, the situation had not improved in the slightest.

“My eyes are itchy… It feels like my eyes are rotting in real-time…!”

-LMAO

-This is truly a legendary match.

-What sin did those who paid to watch this commit?

-It’s a match where it seems your eyes are rotting. (Somewhat misinterpreted)

-Isn’t it just saying it as it is? LOL

I tried my best to endure the itchiness but ended up rubbing my bloodshot eyes vigorously.

“Ugh, but why am I so tired today? I’m sorry, but I’ll just close my eyes for a bit. Please tell me when the match is over.”

I could analyze the match later after the second round ended.

“Cools… Yum…”

I tried to watch a few more minutes but ultimately couldn’t withstand it and leaned against Saetbyeol’s shoulder.

“Ugh, what’s going on…”

She seemed slightly disturbed by my movement and created a pillow with her arm.

It was ticklish yet comforting, and the warmth spread from the nape of my neck throughout my body.

[Right now, an intense psychological battle is unfolding. Who will draw the first weapon, Larsson or Schmidt! @#($@$&#$]

The commentary’s desperate attempt to wake me leaked faintly through the earphones.