Chapter 70: Chains of man.
(A few days later)
The city buzzed with energy, streets overflowing with excited chatter as waves of people made their way toward the grand Colosseum. The air was thick with anticipation—the Kraft Tournament was about to begin.
Groups of students gathered in designated areas, each standing proudly beneath their school’s banner. Some looked eager, others tense. The tournament was a moment of truth—an opportunity to prove themselves.
Among them stood Amari and the Ocean brothers, alongside two other students from their school—the only ones who had signed up. Compared to the other schools, whose ranks numbered in the hundreds, their group was embarrassingly small.
Maverick crossed his arms, surveying the field of competitors. His eyes darted between the rival schools, watching the way their students boasted, tested their abilities, and hyped each other up. They were drowning in numbers.
Maverick scoffed. "Turnout’s worse than I thought," he muttered. "We’re eight against hundreds. This school has no chance at winning the Kraft Kup."
Despite his words, Amari remained calm, scanning the faces around him. Some competitors exuded confidence, others radiated nervous energy. But one thing was obvious—a lot of them were looking down on his team.
Whispers passed between students.
"They don’t even have enough people."
"That school always fails. They should’ve just stayed home."
"Look at them—smallest group here. What a joke."
Amari exhaled slowly, ignoring the murmurs. He had been underestimated before. And every single time, he proved them wrong.