Julian's solo victainst Modu Academy, by defeating even ae-level Samence, instantly became the number orending topi Drakoria. Even the sed and third spots orending list were reted to this event.

  On ptforms like TikTok, tless videos of Metagross battling the Modu Academy were cirg. Almost every video had over half a million likes.

  "Julian" and "Metagross" quickly became the most-searched terms in this year's Hundred Schools League.

  The fame of Julian's uy, Imperial Capital Uy, skyrocketed, even surpassing that of their long-standing rival, Shu Uy.

  This made the president of Imperial Uy almost wake up ughing from a dream.

  inally, with Dyn, ae-level Trainer, representing them, Modu Academy oised to secure the championship as long as other schools cked trainers of the same caliber.

  But no one expected Julian, a wildcard with unreasorength, to appear and crush their dreams of victory, single-handedly blog their path to the championship.

  Not only that, but they even lost their position among the "Top Five" elite colleges.

  The Modu Academy was so frustrated they could practically cough up blood.

  The higher their hopes had been, the harder their fall.

  By the end of the fifth round of matches that day, five uies advao the semifinals:

  - Imperial Uy

  - Shu Uy

  - First Military Academy

  - Pearl Uy

  - Seilitary Academy

  The Seilitary Academy owed its spot in the semifinals rgely to Imperial Uy's victainst Modu Academy, along with a stroke of good luck, as their group cked any of the Top Five elite uies.

  Thus, this year, the Seilitary Academy repced Modu Academy as one of the Top Five.

  Few viewed their inclusion as a fluke, as the Seilitary Academy had long been close to breaking into the Top Five.

  In fact, in the history of the Hundred Schools League, the Seilitary Academy had occasionally cimed a spot among the Top Five.

  It's just that pared to long-standing dominators like Imperial, Shu, and the First Military Academy, their appearances were signifitly fewer.

  The semifinals were determined by drawing lots.

  The First Military Academy got lucky and received a bye, advang directly.

  The remaining matchups were:

  - Imperial Uy vs. Shu Uy

  - Pearl Uy vs. Seilitary Academy

  Imperial Uy was set to face their long-time rival, Shu Uy, as expected.

  Thanks to Julian's monstrous performance, most spectators believed Shu Uy stood little ce against Imperial. Still, given the decades-long rivalry betweewo schools, the match retained high anticipation.

  The m matchup would be Imperial vs. Shu.

  The afternoon would see Pearl vs. Seilitary.

  The matches were set to take pce at the main arena of the Haitian City Grand ference Hall.

  As the semifinals approached, the event included a host and two special guest entators.

  The host, Ben, hailed from the Haitian City Television Station. While not widely known nationally, he was a household name in Haitian City.

  Two special guests were: Jose, the president of the Haitian City Trainers Association and ae-level Trainer, and Lisa, a rising star who also hailed from Haitian City.

  The m match was scheduled for 8:00 a.m., and the time was now 7:40.

  The spectator stands were already packed, and the live broadcast had begun.

  At the main stage, host Ben was chatting with the two guests. Thanks to his excellent moderation, the three shared a rexed and friendly atmosphere.

  Ben, in his early thirties, ur host known for his excellent appearance, which earned him more female fans than male.

  "So, Lisa, who are you supp, Imperial Uy or Shu Uy?" Ben asked with a smile.

  "Of course, I'm supp Shu Uy," Lisa replied cheerfully.

  Lisa, iwenties, was one of the try's most promi young stars. Known for her ag skills and stunning looks, her following on oforms had exceeded 200 million.

  "Oh? Why not Imperial Uy?"

  Ben raised an eyebrow, surprised by her answer, sidering the massive hype surrounding Imperial Uy as the likely champion.

  "Because I graduated from Shu Uy, of course! I have to support my alma mater"

  Lisa said with a pyful smile. She ched her fist and stru encing pose.

  "Go, Shu Uy! Beat Imperial Capital! Only Shu reigns supreme!"

  Her spirited words, paired with her endeariure, immediately sent her fans in the live chat into a frenzy.

  "Beat Imperial Capital! Only Shu reigns supreme!"

  "Beat Imperial Capital! Only Shu reigns supreme!"

  "Beat Imperial Capital! Only Shu reigns supreme!"

  The phrase flooded the chat, showg just how terrifyingly popur Lisa was across Drakoria.

  "Oh, so you're a Shu alum, Lisa! In that case, I'll support Shu too," Ben said with a wink.

  "Huh? Why?"

  Lisa blinked, momentarily fused.

  "Because I'm your fan. As a fan, I have to support you, don't I?" Ben replied with a grin.

  With both the host and a guest openly rooting for Shu, the students from Shu Uy instantly felt invigorated, casting smug g their rivals from Imperial Uy.

  'Sure, you've got Julian, but does that mean you're actually well-liked? Think again!'

  'Beat Imperial Capital! Only Shu reigns supreme!'

  Imperial Uy students: 'Seriously? You think having more suppuarantees a win? Keep dreaming.'

  "President Jose, are you also rooting for Shu Uy like us?"

  Lisa, determio support her alma mater, turo Jose.

  "How could Shu, the eternal runner-up, possibly pete with Imperial Uy?" Jose smirked.

  He paused for a sed, then added, "Oh, by the way, I'm an Imperial Uy graduate, Css of '85. Shu? Heh, they're nothing."

  The president of the Haitian City Trainers Association, Jose, wasted no time firing shots at Shu Uy, showing absolutely no mercy.

  "President Jose, it's Imperial Capital that's nothing!" Lisa retorted, angrily.

  Jose: "Eternal sed pce."

  "Shu is number one!"

  Jose: "Eternal sed pce."

  "Shu is definitely going to beat Imperial Capital this time!"

  Jose: "Eternal sed pce."

  Lisa: Shaking with anger and frustration

  "'t you say something else for once?"

  " you eve Julian?" Jose replied with a smirk.

  Lisa: 'Is it illegal to hit an old man? Wait—he's ae-level Trainer... never mind.(╥﹏╥)(╥﹏╥)(╥﹏╥)'

  Watg Lisa's teary, bullied expression, the live audience burst out ughing.

  At that moment, they realized that whether it erstar or a high-and-mighty Elite Traihey were just like them—with quirks and tempers.

  And holy, their banter skills? Not even close to what the audience could pull off.

  Thanks to the duo's pyful jabs, the temosphere in the live chat—where Shu and Imperial supporters had been bickering fiercely—suddenly lightened.

  "Alright, you two, let's pause for now; the match is about to start"

  Host Ben interjected quickly. He even thoughtfully opened a water bottle for Lisa, handing it to her so she could soothe her throat.

  Jose: "Simp. Simp. In the end, you'll have nothing."

  Ben: |(￣Д￣)ノ

  "It's 'in the end, you'll have everything'"

  Lisa quipped, clearly used to bickering with Jose. Without missing a beat, she tered his words.

  Ben: 'So, opening a water bottle makes me a simp now?'

  "Is that so? Then, little Ben, keep simping—success is just around the er," Jose said with a grin.

  Lisa: "He's not my type, though."

  Ben: ?(T﹏T)?