Chapter 34

Renz's PoV

"Big Brother! Colin! Dinner is ready!" shouted a cute voice.

"We'll be right there!" I said as I turned off the T.V. and beckoned our youngest brother to eat.

As I walked into the dining room, the warm glow from the chandelier above cast a welcoming light on the polished wooden table. The table was set for three, a cozy sight in the vast room filled with family portraits and mementos from our childhood. The aroma of the home-cooked meal prepared by my ever-so-cutest little sister wafted in from the kitchen, a comforting blend of spices and herbs that made my mouth water.

Clarissa was already seated at the table, her soft brown eyes focused on the intricate patterns of the tablecloth. Her hair was neatly tied up in a loose bun, and she wore one of her favorite soft pink sweaters that made her look even more adorable.

As I took my seat across from her, I noticed her glancing up at me, a small smile playing on her lips. She was always more comfortable in small, intimate settings like this.

"The food smells great as usual," I said, complimenting her cooking.

"Yeah, and it tastes good too!" Colin happily said as he munched one of the cooked sausages.

"Sit first before you eat! Honestly, you're too impulsive, why can't you be a little more like your calm and kind sister?" I reprimanded him.

It was my job to act as their father figure as Mother and Father were always away from home due to the nature of their work.

It was a bit hard at first but we got used to it. It also helped us to become mature and reliable, especially Clarissa who always does the chores like cooking and cleaning. I always remind her to just leave the cleaning to the house cleaner who comes every other day, but she insists that she helps too. My little sister is just too kind!

As we started to eat, we talked about mundane things like school, and Colin's unfinished homework, where Clarissa volunteered again to help him. Honestly, we don't deserve such a cute and kind sister!

Amidst our meal, the topic switched to the qualifiers.

"Brother, your match is tomorrow right?"

"Brig mbro hat a mach?"

"Yes your big brother does, and Colin, don't talk when your mouth is full, or I'll eat all your food," I tried to intimidate him.

For his part, he went silent and doubled his focus on eating, determined not to share a single morsel of the food on his plate with anyone.

"On that note. Clarissa, could you wake me up early?"

"Sure! But you don't want to just set an alarm?"

"I want it to be you who wakes me up, I have a feeling that we would have good luck if you're the one to do it."

"R-really?"

"Yeah so don't forget to wake me up tomorrow, ok?"

"Yeah! It is a 4v4 right? Are your teammates as strong as you too?"

"Oh, since when did you know the rules of the tournament your brother is joining?" I asked curiously.

Clarissa never was one for gaming so it got me curious about how she knew the rules.

"I, uhm, heard you talk about it a while back..."

Hmm, I probably did as I always blabber whenever I'm around her. I mean how could I not? She's just too cute and kind!

"Hmm, I see. On your question earlier, yeah you got that right, your brother has very dependable teammates! They are all so good that we'll have no trouble breezing through the qualifiers... but of course, your brother is still the strongest in our team!" I said confidently while thumping my chest.

"Wow! Brother is so strong."

"Big bro is so cool!"

They don't play CoA anyway so they don't need to know that I was just exaggerating my skills. A little white lie won't hurt, specifically if it makes them look up to their big brother more.

"Of course I am! And with our combined skills, we could even win the whole thing! Your brother will be all over the news! We'll be famous with how many interviewers and reporters we will have knocking at our front door! So I'll be counting on you guys to cheer us on!"

"Wow!" "Whoaah!"

My siblings exclaimed in unison as their eyes sparkled in their amazement.

"Don't worry, Brother, I will support you. I will take care of Colin and the house tomorrow so you can focus on your matches!" She determinedly declared.

So cute! My little sister is just the cutest!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chu's PoV

As I sit at our dining table, the warm, honey-colored wood beneath my fingertips exudes a sense of familiarity and comfort. The table is of modest size but accommodates more than enough space for a family of two like ours. 

Its surface bears the subtle marks of daily life—tiny scratches and faint stains, reminders of shared meals.

The centerpiece is a simple vase filled with fresh flowers, a touch of nature that adds a burst of color to the scene. The aroma of dinner wafts through the air, a delightful blend of spices and homemade food. The table is set with matching, sturdy dinnerware, each piece worn by years of use but still cherished for its role in family dinners.

In the center, there's a platter of a home-cooked dish, steam rising as it awaits eager hands. Bowls of rice sit patiently, ready to complement the main course. A jug of water with glasses beside it completes the ensemble—practical and unpretentious.

The chairs surrounding the table are worn but inviting, each with a unique pattern on the cushion that reflects the eclectic taste of our family. My mother and I continue to eat in silence, giving proper respect to the food that fills our stomachs as our tradition dictates.

After a short while of eating, I cut the silence.

"Mother, I have to go somewhere tomorrow early in the morning."

"Where?" She stared at me skeptically. "Don't tell me you're going to play that 'Bee Are' game of yours again. I told you to focus on your studies or you won't get anywhere in life," she admonished.

"I am doing a project with a friend. We agreed to meet early," I lied smoothly.

"Fine, just be sure to finish all your chores before you go. And study hard at your project, we can't afford your tuition if you lose your scholarship."

"Understood, Mother," I said as I picked up my dishes and washed them.

After doing so, I went to my room.

As I stepped into my room, my very own private space, the feeling of tranquility washed over me. It is small, but it has a certain charm to it. The walls are painted a soothing pastel color, and there's a single window that lets in a soft, warm light, casting long shadows on the floor.

The bed is modest, tucked into one corner of the room. It's covered with a quilt that's seen better days but still holds vibrant patches of color. A small, wooden nightstand sits next to it, holding a well-used lamp, a stack of books, and my laptop and school-issued tablet.

On the opposite wall, there's a dresser that's clearly been handed down through generations. It's a bit worn, but it's sturdy and holds a lot of character. A mirror hangs above it, reflecting the simplicity of the room.

In the corner, there's a small chair with a knit blanket thrown over it, perfect for curling up with a good book. There's not much room for anything else, but the essentials are there, and everything has its place.

As I sat on my bed, I contemplated the current state of things.

It is unfortunate that I don't have a VR at home. It would save me a lot of time, so much so that I would not have to be late for our regular scrim matches. Mother doesn't want to buy one as it is too expensive and I think she knows that I would be using it to mostly play games. I can't complain though as I already have a laptop for schoolwork.

No, I have no right to complain. Father is not with us so we only have each other and she is doing her best for our livelihood.

That is why I need to win the tournament; the prize money will help us greatly. The title is just an added bonus for me, though trivial compared to the cash prize. It does help me further my goals if I perform well in the tournament though, if we somehow manage to pass the qualifiers that is.

Statistically speaking, our chances should be slim. Yet I cannot help to feel optimistic about our chances with a teammate as good as our current captain and ace. Someone who specializes in team matches but could beat me in a duel is not someone to be trifled with. The other member, the irritating one, is passable. He is good, but not on the same level as me and our captain. The one who baffles me the most though, is the slippery one. I can't seem to get a grasp on her skill level no matter how many scrims we have with other players. She might be weaker than any of us three, or she is on a different level altogether. The surefire way to know her true potential is to challenge her to a one-on-one.

The only thing is, challenging a healer, and a low-level player at that to a one-on-one is extremely unethical and humiliating. It is a mockery of my pride as a duelist. Not only do I have a huge stats advantage due to my level and gear, but she also has a huge disadvantage in play style due to needing to chant. In a one-versus-one scenario, that would be paramount to suicide. Challenging her to a duel is not an option I would be willing to do just to quench my curiosity.

Ring* ring* 

The sound of my alarm broke me out of my contemplation.

I glanced at the time. It is getting late. I need to sleep now if I want to get up early in the morning to finish all my chores just in time for the qualifiers.

I also have to commute to the nearest VR cafe. No that won't do. It is a qualifiers match so I have to be at a higher class one to ensure that there will be no connection problems. I just hope I won't be too late for the match.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Elizabeth's PoV

I am currently in a circular expanse, surrounded by towering stone walls adorned with ancient symbols. The sandy floor beneath my feet feels coarse and unforgiving. A single, harsh spotlight overhead casts stark shadows across the arena, emphasizing the solitary nature of the last clash. A clash that I had just won.

Lisbeth

HP: 18%

Tranks

HP: 0%

"GG, that was a good fight!" My opponent voiced out before disappearing into blue motes of light.

Congratulations! You won the Ranked 1v1 Duel!

"Phew that was close," I sighed in relief as I teleported back to the lobby.

Marcy12: wow that was a good match.

Rain4: That last play was clutch!

Kalin32: GG!

Simpguy99: My heart falls ever so much more with your captivating plays milady!

RockHard69: That was a good fight! I can't wait for the stream on tomorrow's qualifiers!

Im12btwxoxo: I'll use my dad's credit card again to donate if you guys win!

I glanced at my stream window and saw that most of my viewers were excited about my stream tomorrow. Sadly, streaming for the qualifiers is not allowed so I would have to disappoint them.

"Sorry guys but the rules don't allow streaming. You can only watch at the CoA official website," I said regretfully.

HardcoreViewer: Aww, I want to watch it from your perspective :(

Gregory864: It is only against the rules if you get caught.

im12btwxoxo: I'll use my dad's influence to cancel that rule!

Simpguy99: "In the garden of our shared moments, my love, the cruel hands of time threaten to pluck us from the same branch of existence. But fear not, for even as destiny orchestrates a temporary parting, the roots of our affection run deep, and the blossoms of our connection shall endure, awaiting the season of reunion."

"That's it for today guys! I need to rest early. The first part of the qualifiers will start in the morning and will continue for a total of 10 matches throughout the whole day! Assuming that we win of course, but I'm fairly sure we can!"

NebulaNoodle: Good luck with the qualifiers! I'll be rooting for ya!

CelestialSnipe: Good luck!

QuantumGamerX: Go beat them up!

VelocityVortex87: Go Team Paradigm!

MysticPixelMaster: Good Luck to your team!

I logged out after seeing their words of encouragement. Although it does little to assuage the turmoil in my mind.

A whole lot rests on my shoulders, I have a burden to bear as the guild leader of the Concord of Heroes where I currently am in a shaky position. A lot of my guildmates expect me to win.

Most importantly, as the captain of Team Paradigm, I can't fail my teammates. I need to do all I can for us to win the important matches tomorrow.

My heart beats louder and dread overcomes my very being as I think of the consequences of losing on the first day of the qualifiers.

I cannot fail.

I cannot let them down.