Chapter 1239
The lobby quieted down significantly.
Mr. Ashwell stood exactly where he was, watching the backs of the young men and women as they hurried off with their uniforms.
He then glanced at Serena, who still looked so composed, as if everything she had just done was a mere afterthought. The complex mix of emotions swirling inside him was indescribable.
He had led teams in the past.
But never once had he felt this way-they hadn’t even stepped onto the competition grounds yet, but the absolute security of knowing someone had their backs made his chest run hot.
He finally understood where Mr. Harrison’s unwavering confidence came from.
His blood was starting to pump.
He was now a firm believer.
With Serena on their side, the Elyndor team would be absolutely unstoppable in this tournament!
Severia, Global Med-Tech Center.
Under the massive domed roof of the grand hall, the noise was deafening.
Elite university teams from all over the world were steadily gathering, proudly wearing their respective national uniforms.
Stage lights swept across the room, broadcast cameras rolled, and tournament staff moved with practiced efficiency.
Up on the VIP balcony on the second floor, several high-ranking Severian tournament officials stood with champagne flutes in hand, looking down at the entrance corridor.
Among them was Desmond Prescott.
He wore a vicious, highly calculated smirk, his eyes locked onto the gathering zone.
He was eagerly waiting for the Elyndor team to step onto the world stage wearing those special tracksuits he had so thoughtfully prepared for them.
He had already tipped off his contacts in the international media.
He heavily implied that Elyndor’s uniforms would be the first major embarrassment and the biggest viral joke of the tournament.
Right now, hundreds of top-tier international reporters had their cameras pointed at the staging area.
Many of them had their lenses fixed directly on the corridor doors where the Elyndor team was set to emerge.
They were all waiting for a spectacular show.
Down in the competitor zone.
As the host nation, the Severian team had naturally arrived early.
Phelps Prescott, acting as the Severian captain, stood at the very front of his group.
He kept glancing toward the Elyndor entrance. Though he maintained a facade of composure the malicious anticipation in his eyes was O impossible to hide. fo
He was waiting too.
Waiting to see Elyndor become a laughingstock.
In his mind, since Elyndor’s original uniforms were destroyed, there was zero chance they could procure an acceptable backup in such a short. Window
Their only option was to swallow their pride and wear the cheap tracksuits the Prescott family had graciously provided.
Today, the Elyndor team was destined to lose every shred of dignity in front of the global press.
The thought finally lifted the bitter frustration Phelps had been harboring. A gloating smirk crept onto his lips.
A few other Severian competitors clearly knew the inside scoop, and they were getting impatient.
“Why isn’t the Elyndor team here yet p>
“You don’t think they’re too scared to show up in those uniforms, do you p>
“Hah, even better. If they show up to the opening ceremony without matching uniforms, I’d love to hear their excuse p>
“They’re probably running around their hotel room in a panic right now p>
They murmured among themselves, their tones dripping with contempt and eager anticipation.
Not far away, the teams from the United Realmon States and Caldoria had also gathered.
While they might not have known
the specific dirty details, they sensed
that the Severians were waiting to
Watch Elyndor make a fool of themselves. Consequently, their eyes also drifted toward the entrance.
Just then, a noticeable commotion rippled through the Elyndor staging corridor.
“They’re here p>
someone whispered loudly.
Almost instantaneously, every eye in the room snapped toward the doors.