By the third day of the National Championship, the illusion of gradual escalation had completely vanished.
There were no longer any tentative matches designed to ease competitors into the rhythm of the tournament. The early rounds, with their mismatched pairings and uneven displays of strength, had been stripped away like a temporary disguise. What remained was something far more honest, far more unforgiving—a battlefield where only those capable of sustained excellence could continue to advance.
The arena no longer tolerated hesitation.
It no longer entertained unpredictability born from inexperience.
It demanded clarity.
It demanded strength.
And above all else, it demanded consistency.
Only contenders remained.
Among them, Skygate Academy had become impossible to ignore.
