Chapter 1253
Unfortunately for him, things did not go according to plan.
The internet wasn’t buying the spin.
Instead, the PR stunt only made the global audience endlessly more curious about Elyndor’s true capabilities.
Especially regarding that dominating captain, Serena.
If she was already this terrifying during a mere opening ceremony, what kind of monstrous performance was she going to deliver when the real competition began?
Consequently, the hype surrounding the Elyndor team didn’t die down; it exploded into a roaring inferno.
Even the traditional academic powerhouses like the United Realmon States and Caldoria were gripped by a profound sense of crisis.
They immediately convened emergency tactical meetings, frantically gathering every shred of data they could find on the Elyndor team and Serena.
Meanwhile, inside the tech center.
Following the conclusion of the opening ceremony, the next phase of the schedule was the venue familiarization segment.
Per the organizers’ itinerary, all participating delegations were granted half a day to access the competition zones to preemptively test the computers, servers, laboratory equipment, and competition interfaces.
This protocol was strictly implemented to ensure that once the actual matches began, no competitor’s performance would be hindered by technical difficulties.
Escorted by staff members, the international teams were guided to their respective zones within the sprawling tech center.
The Elyndor team, however, was personally escorted by top-tier Severian executives. Their attitude was a thousand times more respectful than before; they plastered obsequious smiles on their faces, spoke in painfully gentle tones, and even struggled through broken Elyndorian to explain the layout.
Serena walked forward at a leisurely pace, her hands casually tucked into her uniform pockets.
Her gaze drifted lazily over the pristine, high-tech workstations.
As she passed by the official assigned by the Prescotts, her eyelids fluttered up, and she let out a soft chuckle. “Nice hardware p>
She turned her head, shooting the groveling executives a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Should I expect Elyndor’s equipment to mysteriously ‘glitch’ again once the official matches start p>
The moment those words left her mouth.
Cold sweat instantly poured down the executives’ foreheads, their expressions freezing in absolute terror.
Especially with the opening
ceremony fiasco still trending
globally and the international
crosshairs firmly locked onto them,
that casual remark felt like a
poisoned dagger plunging into
most vulnerable spot.
their
They frantically mopped their brows, laughing nervously as they swore, “Captain
Serena, you must be joking! Of course not, absolutely not p>
Vel
“Every piece of hardware has undergone the most rigorous calibration and repetitive stress-testing. Moving forward, Severia will provide absolutely flawless service I assure your nothing of the sort will ever happen again p>
“Please, rest assured p>
The other staff members practically tripped over themselves nodding in agreement, looking terrified that she might suddenly drop another truth bomb that would shatter then fragile careers.
Watching this pathetic display, the Elyndor competitors felt an overwhelming rush of vindication.
Not long ago, these same officials were acting like untouchable gods, constantly using the rulebook to oppress them.
Now? A single sentence from their captain was enough to give these men permanent psychological trauma.
Serena simply let out a quiet scoff, ignoring their sickeningly sweet corporate PR spin.
Soon.
Under the guidance of the staff, the Elyndor team stepped into their designated competition arena.
The arenas this year were isolated, high-pressure, closed-circuit environments. Each nation was provided with a fully enclosed, independent zone.
The interior specs were top-of-the-line, featuring every piece of equipment they could possibly need.
The zone was heavily fortified with 360-degree, ultra-HD surveillance cameras, along with cutting-edge anti-cheat scanners guarding every inch of the room. The security specs were astronomical.
On the surface, it truly looked like the pinnacle of a fair and balanced playing field.