"No way, he lost? He's a top ten contender in the entire Region, responsible for creating two powerful super species, the Flame Ostrich and the Phoenix, both on land and in the air. Especially the Phoenix, the pinnacle of Supernatural civilization! So many... yet he still lost!?" Beside Leonard, a school leader said in a tone filled with shock and disbelief.
Although some time had passed since the game ended, Leonard and his group still couldn't believe it. When the Prince had easily defeated his opponent, securing his spot to continue, they had all been elated, smiling widely and brimming with excitement.
In the next moment, they immediately focused on the match between Sebastian and Huo Kong, eager to witness with their own eyes how Sebastian was ruthlessly crushed by Huo Kong, hoping to add another reason for joy. But what they saw instead turned their joy into sorrow.
Huo Kong unleashed his full strength. His Phoenix was revealed, designed to overwhelm Sebastian with crushing power. Yet, in an instant, Sebastian turned the tide of the battle! His speed was so incredible that many couldn't react, Leonard and the others included, faces twisted with a mix of confusion and astonishment.
"Damn it! Huo Kong is useless. He can't even handle a freshman," Neville spat hatefully. "What a joke of a reputation, being called the strongest in strength?!"
"Is Sebastian really that monstrous? Even Huo Kong can't handle him?" Glen asked, incredulous.
The initial rounds had gone smoothly; Sebastian's opponents weren't particularly formidable. The toughest was Hess from Giant Island, ranked around two hundred, so few took him seriously.
But the last match with Huo Kong, after revealing his trump card, the Phoenix, was considered by many Level 6 Planetary Lords across the Region to be the strongest. And now even Huo Kong had fallen to Sebastian?
"This is still just the qualifiers. It's nothing remarkable to get through this round," Neville reassured himself. "Only an outstanding performance in the main event of the Group Star Tournament will truly matter."
Several leaders and teachers exchanged glances. No words were needed now; they all understood what Sebastian's victory over Huo Kong signified. In terms of true strength, he had likely surpassed the Crown Prince.
In other words, the Crown Prince's once-secure position as the successor of Hope's Peak Academy... was now uncertain. The crowd felt both shocked and amused. How could a freshman who only awakened his planet less than a year ago have grown so much?!
In the void, the Level 6 Planetary Lords were congratulating the blue-clothed elder from Hope's Peak Academy. During the qualifiers, Hope's Peak had emerged as the biggest winner among the super-class academies. Two students made it into the top 500 of the winners' bracket: the Crown Prince and Sebastian.
"A fluke," the blue-clad old man said with a gentle smile.
"Hahaha," chuckled the Planetary Lord of Immortal Academy across from him. "It's been a long time since I've seen you so happy."
"Can you blame him?" another Planetary Lord quipped. "If my academy had such talent, I'd probably be laughing too."
"The Crown Prince and Sebastian," the old man next to the blue-clad figure said thoughtfully. "That's quite a dilemma. Both are outstanding, but only one can be the successor."
"You're going to have a headache," another teased with a grin.
"What's there to worry about?" the Planetary Lord replied with confidence. "It all depends on the results of the main event at the Stars Contest. The one who performs best will earn the title. By the way, who are you all betting on?"
"Given the current situation," one said, "Sebastian defeated Huo Kong, who was considered the strongest. That should put him ahead of the prince."
"It's still uncertain," another objected. "Huo Kong was restrained by his Phoenix's abilities this time. Remember, the Crown Prince is also a top ten prodigy, and the gap among the top ten isn't that big."
"You're still underestimating Sebastian because he's a freshman," the old man in green chuckled. "Sebastian has shattered our expectations repeatedly. It shows how extraordinary he is. Unless something unforeseen happens, the Crown Prince won't be able to keep up with Sebastian."
"I'll reserve judgment," another Planetary Lord said. "Races with such distinct strengths and weaknesses rarely go too far."
Inside the rest hall, Sebastian, just teleported back, drew everyone's full attention. Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Sebastian from Hope's Peak Academy? The strongest freshman this year? Is he really that monstrous? Even Huo Kong was defeated by him!"
"I watched the match, Sebastian's special weapon completely overwhelmed Huo Kong!"
"Plus, the pilot Sebastian created is terrifying. It must have the highest long-range attack in this qualifier, right?"
"Definitely. Among the top 30, no other race displays such devastating firepower."
"This strength is definitely top ten material. Maybe Huo Kong was just overrated."
...many whispered in awe. A freshman reaching this stage was hard to believe.
"He's the one Elu keeps talking about, the strongest freshman this year, Sebastian!" Nearby, a long-skirted woman with noble and elegant demeanor watched him calmly, her gaze sharp yet composed.
Everyone recognized her instantly. She was the famed Imperial Princess, the only contestant from the Imperium ranked in the top ten. Her strength was considered capable of rivaling the strongest across the region.
"I didn't expect that, besides Huo Kong, I'd have another opponent," Shia thought to herself, observing Sebastian.
After the tournament, the losers' bracket would follow. The crowd still had to remain in the rest hall until all matches concluded; only then could they leave.
The losers' bracket soon kicked off. By this final round, the strength of each contestant was clear, who was strong, who was weak; there were no surprises. No unexpected outcomes.
The stronger competitors made their way into the next round, especially Huo Kong, whose defeat by Sebastian seemed like a fire smothered but still burning beneath the ashes. Within less than a minute, he took out his opponent.
After an hour, all matches concluded. The Group Star Competition Long Sky Star Area Qualifier had officially ended. The outgoing representatives were announced, with the Level 2 Planetary Lords set to represent the region at the Star Council's headquarters for the main event.
"Sebastian, at the Group Star Competition, let's have another match!" Huo Kong approached, eyes burning with fighting spirit. The defeat earlier didn't dampen him, instead, it fueled his desire to fight again!
"Good idea," Sebastian replied with a faint smile.
"Next time..." Huo Kong hesitated briefly, then declared, "I won't be careless again!"
They exchanged nods and words of encouragement.
Once all matches were finished, everyone was teleported back to their respective places.
Back at the villa, Sebastian exhaled slowly. Outside, a light shimmered in the sky, and countless stars twinkled brilliantly and mesmerizingly above the vast expanse.
Suddenly, an old voice echoed in everyone's mind: "Congratulations to our school's two players, Sebastian and the Crown Prince, who have secured spots in the qualifiers. Good luck in the main competition of the Group Star Tournament... Make us proud."
"Sebastian and the Crown Prince?" Hearing those names, a ripple of surprise spread through the crowd.
In a nearby villa, Leonard and others looked somewhat uneasy. In front of them stood the Crown Prince, who had just teleported back.
As soon as the match ended, Leonard hurried to the Prince's villa, preparing to discuss countermeasures. But unexpectedly, the Spirit of the Planet had already made a preliminary decision: Sebastian's name ranked ahead of the Crown Prince's.
"No harm," the Crown Prince remained calm. "No matter how Sebastian performs, as long as I rank higher in the main event..."
"But..." Leonard hesitated, "There are rumors saying Sebastian's strength is at least five times yours, while you're only in the fifth to tenth place."
"I know those rumors," the Crown Prince replied with a slight smile. "Don't worry. I haven't shown my true power yet."
"No. 1?" The Crown Prince shook his head, a trace of disdain flickering in his eyes. "My goal is the entire Endless Star Territory. People like the Imperial Princess Shia, Huo Kong, and Sebastian aren't my true opponents."
Hearing this, Leonard and the others widened their eyes in surprise, a hint of joy flashing through them. If the usually calm Prince was speaking so confidently, then this matter was in hand.
After the qualifiers, only seven days of rest remained before they set out for the headquarters of the Star Council, where the main event awaited. But the true countdown, until the start of the main competition, was just one day for all the thousand qualifiers.
Days later, it was time to depart. Since the regional representative was selected, the Lord of the area would host a five-day temporary training session. It wasn't mandatory, but no one refused to attend, especially not Sebastian.
From Hope's Peak Academy to the kingdom, the journey was long. This time, it was personally led by a Level 6 Planetary Lord. The ship the old man took was among the most advanced, almost like traveling through space itself.
After bidding farewell to Prokopy, Clifford, and others, Sebastian stepped aboard the airship. Though modest in size, the interior was a different world, idyllic, beautiful, and serene.
Sebastian couldn't help but glance around multiple times, fascinated. Though he didn't know the ship's market value, he could roughly judge: such a vessel with its own space was comparable to an ordinary university.
Beside a tranquil lake, a small cabin stood. Inside, an old man in blue sat peacefully, no other than the formidable elder from Hope's Peak Academy.
"Here you are. Come and sit," the blue-clad elder beckoned to Sebastian and the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince moved first, taking a seat across from the elder. Sebastian, with a faint smile, casually approached and sat down as well.
"Hope's Peak is a long way," the elder chuckled. "Even this airship will take several hours to reach. You two, wait comfortably and enjoy some tea."
The Crown Prince remained silent. Sebastian, however, poured himself a cup and took a sip.
"It tastes good," Sebastian said, eyes brightening. He could tell it was high-quality tea.
On the way, the elder in blue spoke little, sharing only some basic information about the journey and the region.