One Heart Tournament: Relay Team Battle
One Heart Tournament. Or as it was better known, the relay team battle. Though it was an event-style competition replacing the main Mantis Hall tournament and not an official affair, it still drew massive interest from folks across Mantis Hall.
Especially since the Mantis Lord had thrown in a huge perk: selection for dispatch to Chung Hak Gwan.
Even those who usually ignored these kinds of events were turning their eyes toward it now.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Luke, your host for this One Heart Tournament."
"Hi there. I'm Matthew, handling commentary."
With the event vibe strong, two announcers were teamed up to cover the match progression and play-by-play.
"Whoa, looks like a ton of people showed up to watch today's matches!"
"Yeah, way more than last Mantis Hall tournament!"
The two announcers let out quiet gasps of admiration at the nearly packed stands, even before things got started.
"Guess we gotta step up our game for the broadcast!"
"You bet! We'll do our best to keep everyone entertained."
"Oh! Just in from the wire—the Mantis Lord and the elders have entered the VIP viewing room!"
"Heh, this event tournament's shaping up to rival the main one."
Elders rarely showed for Mantis Hall tournaments. Yet here they were, turning out in force for this one.
"Probably a backlash from that big mess at the last tournament, drawing even more people in."
"Spot on. And the participant lineup is stacked too. Even top clubs like Overlord and Royal have high turnout!"
"Man, just hearing about it gets the blood pumping. Can't wait to see what battles they bring!"
The announcers chattered excitedly. With so many skilled fighters joining, it was a commentator's dream.
"Alright! Matthew, commentator, could you walk us through the match order?"
"You got it. This One Heart Tournament is split into Maturity League, Growth League, and Infant-Juvenile League. We'll kick off with Infant-Juvenile, then Growth, saving Maturity for last."
"So Maturity wraps it up?"
"Exactly. Infant-Juvenile runs first over five days total, with Maturity—having fewer entrants—capped off on the final day."
"Noticed Maturity has super low turnout. Why's that?"
"Most Maturity folks are official Mantis Hall warriors now—out on missions or external duties, so participating's tough."
Thus, only four teams in Maturity League. Straight to the semis from the jump. And with no big names or titled fighters, it wasn't much to watch anyway.
"Plus, the Chung Hak Gwan dispatch perk only applies up to Growth League, so Maturity entrants don't see much upside!"
"Gotcha. Thanks for breaking it down!"
"Maturity fans might be bummed, but that just amps up Infant-Juvenile and Growth. Watch with high expectations!"
"Alright then, let the Infant-Juvenile prelims beeeegiiiiiin—!"
* * *
"Ugh, stepping into the arena's got me way more nervous all of a sudden."
We'd entered for the prelims, greeted by packed stands. The sight hit Kind hard, apparently.
"Kind, relax. No need to stress."
"Heh... yeah, hearing you say that, Bishier, melts it all away."
Bishier took Kind's hand and spoke softly, and he grinned like the tension was a joke, face fully relaxed.
That guy's... faking it, isn't he?
I stared at him with narrowed eyes, incredulous. Not just me—teammates Ruslan and Robed shot him the same what-the-hell look.
"Heh-heh!"
Kind didn't care, just gripped Bishier's hand tighter and beamed like an idiot.
They're cute together.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. Looked like those two were officially a thing.
Watching Kind like that makes my side ache.
Tsk. I smacked my lips watching him. Pre-reincarnation me? Zero luck with romance.
Couldn't be helped. Little mantis clan guys just weren't as appealing as other mantis males.
Mantis women never dated down in clan rank. Kind landing a higher-rank King Mantis like Bishier? Rare as hell.
That's why I felt that inferiority complex about my clan at first...
Looking back, it fueled my grind. And thanks to Limit Break kicking in during Growth Stage, I rocketed to Ultimate Form.
That's when I finally shook off that clan hang-up.
Once I hit Ultimate, girls started noticing.
But Mantis Hall was already toast, and I was deep in clashes with the Four Lords. No time for that.
Made watching Kind's lovey-dovey vibe stir a twinge of envy now.
Won't have romance chances this life either...
I was showing freakish talent unlike before, but still little mantis clan at core. Best bet was another little mantis girl, but none in warrior class anyway.
Couldn't slack growth for love. No dates till Ultimate Form.
A deeper bond just exposes weaknesses to the Four Lords.
Earth memories brought proverbs like "Love ignores time and place—even in war." But nah.
I shoved it from my mind. Romance wasn't in my fate.
"They make a cute couple, huh?"
Robed sidled up then. Glancing over, her eyes sparkled like they held starlight.
"Yeah, they do."
"Jealous. When do I get to try it?"
Her tone was sly.
"You? Anytime you want."
"Huh? Why think that?"
"Well..."
I swallowed my words, trailing off.
Cuz you're gorgeous...?
Saying it aloud felt embarrassing.
"What?"
She leaned in close—close enough to count her lashes. Her pale, flawless skin, tiny face framing perfect eyes, nose, lips like a painting.
Beauty-wise? Top of the continent, no doubt.
Damn, she really is stunning.
Facing her, I swallowed hard.
"Forget it. Asking me's pointless. Hit up Ruslan—he's got more fans than me."
I tossed it to Ruslan, pointing. Shield clan stud, future Ultimate hopeful—everyone's dream guy.
"I'd rather hear from you, Aleck."
"...?"
I tilted my head at her words.
"Why, though?"
"Hmm, well..."
"Well?"
"Secret~"
Her answer deflated me; I let out a hollow laugh. She covered her mouth, giggling softly.
"Ahem! Might've joined the wrong team..."
Ruslan muttered, eyeing us unpleasantly.
What's his deal?
"So lonely."
He mumbled again, sounding oddly forlorn.
* * *
Infant-Juvenile League had 271 teams total. Times five per team: 1,355 entrants.
With Mantis Hall at around 10,000 and Infant-Juvenile at 2,000, over half showed up.
That Chung Hak Gwan perk's a big draw.
Anyone half-decent scraped together a squad.
Even reincarnated me's gunning for it.
From 271 teams, 32 advanced from prelims. 32 groups, three straight wins to qualify.
No one eyed newbie Aleck's squad amid the heavy hitters.
"Group 19, Team 7."
Our assignment.
"Sweet! 7's a lucky number! Good vibes!"
Kind beamed, hyped on the digit.
"Teams assigned to prelim groups, head to your waiting room."
We filed into the room marked "Prelim Group 19."
"Hmph."
"..."
"Heh, the runts showed."
"Lucky us."
Other teams—mostly Juvenile—had claimed spots.
"Uh... these guys look tough..."
Kind's voice wavered, facing bigger builds.
Made sense. Group 19 Team 1? Coral Club heavies.
King Stag Beetle clan leads 'em.
King Stag Beetles—above regular Stag Beetles, rivals to King Mantises. Top-tier.
They won't reach me anyway.
We'd set rough order: Vanguard Kind, Second Bishier, Mid Ruslan, Vice Robed, Captain Aleck.
Flexible by situation, but our relay backbone.
At their level...
Ruslan shuts 'em down.
Three of their five were Juvenile. Odds on them, sure.
But trained by great warrior Norton? We weren't standard.
Kind hadn't gauged his strength yet, trembling. Others? Unfazed.
Robed and Ruslan knew their worth—no superiors here.
Easy.
No pep talk needed; relaxed me.
Then—
"Yo, Robed?"
"No way, it's those scrubs from before."
"Kek, tough luck running into us first match. Wait—Team 7? Against us opener?"
"Hahaha, you're screwed."
Uninvited crashes between us. Who? Memory jogged.
The jerks who failed recruiting Robed, spat insults, dipped?
Planned to cripple 'em later. Jackpot.
But... y'all ain't laughing long.
Robed's icy glare—unseen before. Even I held breath; she'd never dropped her smile.
These guys? Doomed. I pitied the sneering fools.