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Chapter 173: Playoff draw

Chapter 173: Playoff draw

---<VICTORY>---

BOOM!

The stadium in London erupted.

Phoenix Rising fans across the stadium exploded, roaring at the top of their lungs as they celebrated their team’s victory.

Coming to their city rival’s home stadium, Phoenix Rising fans came with outmost confidence in their ability to win. More of their attention was focused on Scarlet Rose’s result, but looking down on Cyber Squad almost bit them in the end.

Cyber Squad played its best game of the season, stunning the reigning champions. They almost secured the greatest upset of the season, and yet, Gabriel’s disciplined and drilled team ended up edging them.

[Cyber Squad: 2 points]

[Phoenix Rising: 8 points]

It was a massive difference in points but even as their city rivals taunted and celebrated in their home stadium, the Cyber Squad didn’t feel ashamed.

Rather, they felt proud.

For the first time all season, they felt proud in defeat. This was because they noticed something in this defeat; they noticed fire, they noticed determination, and the willingness to go the extra mile in their players.

To Cyber Squad fans, that was enough for them.

They were satisfied.

With the end of the game, the English Pro Alliance table was finally finalized as the season came to an end and yet, there was no league champion yet.

After matchday 38, Scarlet Rose and Phoenix Rising were still tied in points.

(English Warstar RPG Pro Alliance Table:)

Phoenix Rising- 91 points) Scarlet Rose- 91 points) Juggernaut- 79 points) Imperium Tyrannus- 77 points) Nightfall- 76 points) Oblivion Knights- 70 points)

Just like expected, there was drama in the final matchday of the season.

Apart from the drama of relegation, and the drama between the top 2 clubs for the league title, another drama was the top 6 battle.

After matchday 37 of the English Pro Alliance, after a grueling season where they punched above their weight all season, Midnight Revenants were the 6th-placed club for a while, a position that sent their whole fanbase reeling in excitement.

Securing a spot in the playoffs was something that every club in the English Pro Alliance strived for, but it was only limited to the 6 most successful clubs.

Midnight Revenant fans dreamed of a spot in the playoffs, but after having such an amazing season throughout, on the final matchday of the season, their team finally stumbled.

The pressure got to them.

Midnight Revenant didn’t play against a top 6 club, rather, it was a club that was rated far lower than them, Avalon Sovereign.

To add insult to injury, their final game of the season was played in their home stadium. And yet, all those advantages stacked still wasn’t enough.

On their final game of the season, Midnight Revenant lost.

Below them in 7th position in the league table after matchday 37 was Oblivion Knights, another club that was embroiled in the top 6 battle.

Before matchday 38, Midnight Revenant led them by just 2 points.

After the final matchday of the season where Midnight Revenants lost, Oblivion Knights didn’t make the same mistake.

When the occasion came, they embraced it like champions.

They fought and won like champions.

And just like that, the top 6 clubs this season in the English Pro Alliance was decided and with it, the regular season officially came to an end.

Off to the playoffs...

...

2 days later after matchday 38, the playoffs draw was broadcasted.

England, London...

Club Echelon’s building.

Weeks had passed since Noah’s return, yet the novelty didn’t wear off yet.

If anything, his presence had settled like gravity in the center of Club Echelon, a force that pulled everything into focus. The war room, once cold and utilitarian, now buzzed with a quiet tension and restrained anticipation.

The large digital display covered nearly an entire wall.

The familiar blue and gold logo of the English Pro Alliance shimmered on the screen. Beneath it, six logos waited in orbit, rotating slowly like planets before their alignment: Phoenix Rising, Scarlet Rose, Juggernaut, Imperium Tyrannus, Nightfall, and Oblivion Knights.

The Pro Alliance playoff draw was about to begin.

Everyone was gathered. Noah leaned on the edge of the war table, arms folded, face unreadable. Genevieve sat beside him, calm as ever, sipping warm tea.

Caleb was pacing behind them, his nerves translating into constant motion as he flicked a pen between his fingers.

It seemed weird. Echelon was not even part of the playoff nor even the pro scene this season, but as a seasoned Warstar fan, Caleb and the others were used to following the pro scene, most especially the playoffs.

Afterall, that was where the main excitement was.

The playoffs was the Warstar RPG Champions League.

And so, despite the fact that their club was nowhere in the competition, Caleb could not help his rising nerves as he tried to predict the draw.

On the side, Aria lounged on the armrest of a nearby chair, legs crossed, watching the screen with a smirk that promised blood.

Benjamin was unlike the others though. Maybe he felt tensed too, but he didn’t show it. He had a tub of popcorn he’d stolen from the break room, munching dramatically with every new transition.

Nightingale stood by the windows, bathed in dim afternoon light, silent, observing quietly.

Spending weeks with these guys already changed Nightingale’s perception of the video game, Warstar, and his interest in it grew even more and hence his first time watching the playoff draw.

"Here we go," Caleb muttered. The draw had started.

A holographic AI host appeared on-screen, its voice smooth and artificial.

"Welcome to the 2037 English Pro Alliance Playoff Draw".

"The top six have clashed through months of intense battles, and now, only one will lift the Champion’s Crown".

The first matchup was pulled.

"Quarterfinal One: Nightfall vs Oblivion Knights".

Benjamin whistled. "That’s going to be a murder scene. In the playoffs, Nightfall doesn’t pull punches".

"Their fans call them the virtual Real Madrid". Aria added with a smirk.

The A.I voice continued.

"Quarterfinal Two: Juggernaut vs Imperium Tyrannus".

Aria clicked her tongue. "I guess that bastard do have a chance of making it to the semifinal after all". She chuckled. "But just imagine making it to the semifinal only to run into Gabriel’s team and lose".

She rubbed her chin as if in thought. "Just imagine it, losing not just the RPG Champions League to that unruly junior, but also the league title".

She chuckled. "I think he may just run mad if that happens".

Noah also chuckled. "I’ll actually pay to see that".

"Semifinal Seed One Three: Phoenix Rising".

"Semifinal Seed Two: Scarlet Rose".

A murmur went around the room.

Genevieve leaned forward. "Phoenix Rising is currently the best club in the English Pro Alliance, but the rest are no push overs".

"Scarlet Rose are solid challengers this season. Besides, that guy from Juggernaut, Gord, that guy won’t give up without a fight. I mean a proper fight".

Aria scoffed. "Let them go clash and explode for all I care".

Noah’s eyes never left the screen. It was already a few weeks since he returned to the real world, and yet, it still felt weird to live outside the game.

He sighed. ’It’s crazy how the human mind can adapt to any situation’.

He silently looked around. ’If I didn’t know better, I’d think this is the fake reality and living in the game is actually my reality’.

Placing those thoughts aside, quietly, he spoke. "It doesn’t matter who wins. What matters is what they show us".

He reached to tap the interface, bringing up historical data, key matchups, last-season performances and internal roster changes on each club.

"Every team here is predictable. Juggernaut’s the fortress. Scarlet Rose is reactive, while Nightfall is all burst. Imperium Tyrannus relies on midgame tempo, while Oblivion Knights is a momentum-based club".

"As for Phoenix Rising?" Noah shrugged. "You all know and remember, they’re offensive monsters".

Noah leaned back on his chair. "I don’t know about you guys but I don’t just want to return to the English Pro Alliance".

"I want to return and reclaim our throne as Kings". He paused for a few seconds. "I want to return and win it all". Noah’s eyes gleamed.

"And to do that, we have to do everything we can".

"Next season may seem far but it’s just the mind playing tricks on us. Before we know it, the new season will be upon us already so I say we begin preparations now while we still have the luxury".

"This playoff round, it’s not just an avenue of entertainment for us".

"Let’s learn as much as we can about our future rivals".

Caleb nodded slowly. "The winner of this becomes the benchmark for the next year. But more importantly," he looked toward Noah. "They’re the ones we take down first".

Noah grinned. "You’re damn right".

Genevieve glanced at her watch. "Three months till the next season. Enough time to scout, train, prepare..."

Aria grinned. "And sharpen the blade".

The screen faded to black, leaving only the playoff bracken glowing on the wall.

Silence lingered in the room.

Until Nightingale finally spoke, his voice quiet but resolute.

"Let the world watch. Let them crown a new king, because next season..."

He turned to face them; his expression sharp as steel. "Echelon is coming for the throne".

There was silence for a few seconds, then a cough.

Benjamin grimaced. "That was so... cringy".

"Ahem...," Nightingale cleared his throat and looked away.

Noah chuckled and looked at their boss. He thought he noticed a slight shade of pink appearing on his chubby cheeks.

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