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  Part- 334:

  The others sat down to rest, reviewing what they had observed in the earlier matches. James stayed quiet, repying the moments of his fight in his mind. Despite his calm demeanor, the thrill of the throw still coursed through him. He wasn’t just fighting for the team’s victory—he was fighting for something much bigger, something the others couldn’t see.

  With their first match of the day successfully behind them, the Banani High Judo team advao the semifinals. The arena buzzed with excitement as the phase of the petition drew closer. Spectators began to gather in rger numbers, the cheers and chatter building with each passing miheir sates iands waved banners and shouted words of encement, boosting the team’s morale.

  James gnced up at the crowd, instinctively sing for a familiar face. His gaze nded on his sister, **Lily**, seated in the middle of a lively group. Though she wasn’t the type to cheer loudly or wave banners, she gave him a brief nod. Her expression softened, just a little—a rare sign of approval. For James, that simple nod was enough. It was as close to a “good job” as he would get from her.

  Standing by the sidelihe team gathered for a quick strategy discussion before the semifinals. The atmosphere was more serious now. Everyone khat the matches from here on would only get harder. Ryan and Abbas exged ideas on their oppos, while Sourov silently reviewed his tactics, mentally preparing for his heavyweight match.

  James stayed focused, his mind already locked oh ahead. As they strategized, a system message appeared at the edge of his vision again, floating in faint gold text for nth time:

  **[Mission 26: If you defeat the oppo in the final match, you will receive an Ultimate Skill.]**

  James’s eyes flicked over the words, and his heart rate quied with excitement each time he sees it, because Sloth View already OP Ultimate Skill. An Ultimate Skill wasn’t just a trophy—it was something beyond ordinary abilities, a tool that could ge everything for him. Winning the eour would mean more than just the title; it would unlock a new level of strength.

  He ched his fists, feeling the weight of the message settle in his mind. His path was being clearer with every fight. But to reach that prize, he had to take down every oppo in his way, one by one.

  Coach Gin’s voice broke through James’s thoughts. “James, stay sharp. Remember, these guys won’t go down easy. Trust your training, and don’t let up.”

  James gave a firm nod, the griurning to his face. “I’m ready.”

  Ryan nudged him with a mischievous smirk. “Don’t get too cocky, champ. You’ve still gotta carry us to the finals.”

  “Yeah,” Abbas chimed in with a grin. “We’re ting on you to make us look good.”

  James rolled his eyes but smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

  As the announcer called for the semifinals to begin, the team gathered their gear and headed toward the mat. James could feel the energy of the crowd buzzing around him, but his mind stayed calm. There was no room for nerves—not when victory was so close.