Chapter 127: Gold Division
As the final sounds of raucous laughter died down and the psychic wreckage of the Divine Cognitive Order was slowly swept offstage, the entire stadium shifted in mood.
Lights dimmed once more, but this time, when they rose again, it was with a golden hue that seemed to radiate power and drive.
A new emblem shimmered overhead, being the insignia of the Gold Division.
Lysandra’s voice returned, now carrying a little bit of reverence.
"Ladies and gentlemen... the time has come to welcome the Gold Division! Where seasoned warriors clash, where reputation is forged, and where the line between student and soldier begins to blur!"
The crowd clapped with anticipation as the arena reshaped itself again, this time adopting the form of a vast floating platform hovering above a projected abyss. Platforms spiraled out in complex terrain formations, giving a vertical edge to the fights to come, known to most gamers as: hazard stages!
Above, the screen flickered to display over fifty names, each one with more than a few recorded feats, tournament placements from previous years, or Esper Commission mission achievements.
"These are not hopefuls, they are the proven. These are the survivors of live missions, bearers of B and C-ranked esper abilities, and the ones already sponsored by factions, mercenary corps, or family empires." Lysandra continued.
Hector Dais and Lisa sauntered onto the stage in tandem with the rest of the Gold Division fellows, both of them standing with full confidence as camera drones immediately focused on them, especially given their affiliation with Kaizer.
Lisa flicked her curly orange hair and struck a provocative pose, her red-trimmed battle jacket flowing behind her, while Hector lazily waved at a few admirers with his signature pink Hawaiian shirt open and untucked.
"They really let fashion criminals into Gold Division now?" Rina muttered with a grin.