"This isn't how it was supposed to go."
Skyler muttered, his eyes narrowing as he stood face-to-face with Yuris Yu—the very same student who had defeated Elena and then Austin in the first round of the finals.
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
Deafening, relentless, and divided. Many cheered for him, but just as many roared for Yuris Yu—the tall, striking man in a uniform, exuding calm, with scars etched across his hands like trophies from countless battles.
Yet, beneath the thunderous cheers, many in the crowd groaned and wept—mourning the star coins they had wagered and lost.
Why? Because right now, Skyler and Yuris Yu stood on the golden stage—waiting to fight the Last Battle of the Annual Gala.
Max Hales—yes, the supposed protagonist—had already been eliminated, knocked out before he even set foot on the golden stage.
No, not because he was defeated.
He was eliminated because he suddenly fainted during the first round of the finals!
