Hello and I hope whoever is reading this is in good health and having a good start to the new year! I'm writing this out since I'm going to be very busy for quite a while and I sincerely apologize if I don't upload on time regularly. I'll still do my best to upload every week but I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it every tuesday or wednesday like I've been doing for the last few months. Regardless I thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you'll look forward to what is ahead with this story. Thank you for reading and do have a lovely day.


Bright lime green. Black. White. A color combination that exudes aggression and energy, those were the foundations of which Skolar built this rendition of a monster-filled team. Considered by many to be the strongest team in the entire tournament with their unmatched raw power that commanded the attention of the other slayers, they were primarily known for their two pillars regarded by many as among the best in the world, and arguably the best duo. "Green Viking" Carmichael, a player who was on par with the likes of the Emperor of Rukovna, Street Queen of Hugh-Napri, and the Greatest from the Bluerings, he was a clinical finisher—a slayer personified. When he stepped on the turf, witnesses who watched from the stands and those that faced him claimed that he carried the aura of an ogre wielding a giant club roaming the forest seeking carnage with those who stood in his way and to others, he resembled a demon searching for another victim to devour. His intensity only matched by the other monstrous talent who stood by his side, the twin disaster that many referred to as the "Gentle Giant" despite his presence being even scarier than Carmichael was none other than Miralem. As polite as they came and a true gentleman in every sense of the word, that all disappeared once the whistle blew to start a match. He wreaked havoc. If such a devastating pair wasn't enough to showcase the greatness of Skolar's potential as champions, they also had a magnificent roster of specialists. Jean, Sigurd, Amber, and Pierre, the rest of the starters of Skolar were a unique group as well with Jean considered to be a borderline danger like the twin disasters with a profile as a critical asset who had that special something that could sway the momentum of a match instantaneously. Then there's Sigurd, a slayer who could even outshine Carmichael and Miralem at times with how ferocious he got and often played a pivotal role in critical moments. Amber and Pierre were the unsung heroes on the team, often working the hardest and doing most of the grimy tasks that allowed the others to shine so brightly-criminally underrated as lethal weapons in crunch time. A staggered front six, this is Skolar! And now, they'll be advancing onto the round of 32.

A match that wasn't even close from the opening whistle back in the first, the current fourth round of clam blitz was a practical slaughter as Skolar left their opponents broken both physically and mentally. Facing Delta 1st to kickoff their campaign in the knockouts, Skolar didn't hesitate in stomping on their throats early on. In the first round tower control battle they rushed them with vicious attacks and pulled off the amazing feat of winning by knockout without letting Delta so much as even touch the tower. In the second round rainmaker battle, Delta tried to put up a bit more of a fight but that effort meant nothing in the face of Jean and Sigurd, who took the opportunity to crush their spirits without Carmichael and Miralem having to even get involved. In the third round of hide ink seek where Delta had a chance to at least create some hope to make things competitive, Amber and Pierre denied them and extended the lead to a 3-0 hole. And then in the fourth where they were simply playing for pride as a team that survived the group stage, they were finally facing the wrath of Carmichael and Miralem who weren't so merciful to let a team avoid a complete thrashing; cognizant of the many surprises that already occurred during the tournament and especially today. Showing no remorse in obliterating the last shred of pride their opponents possessed, the green viking and gentle giant piled on the points early and made it a one-sided contest yet again. A crushing performance that gutted Delta halfway through the match, it was an easy knockout for Skolar as they swept Delta into elimination and advanced to the next round.

"Another victory, another day of survival." Pierre sighed wiping off the sweat on his face and neck as he and the others returned to their locker rooms.

"I believe that was a bit excessive but we can't show mercy at this tournament." Amber said with a somber look remembering the defeated faces of Delta who forced themselves to show some sportsmanship despite getting eviscerated.

"You can never tell nowadays. I heard Vulerby got upset by those giant slayers too, and then there was that other team from the same country that shocked the Blazers as well. Those upsets can happen to anyone at any time; we couldn't afford the risk." Sigurd said massaging his neck, feeling a dull pain around there likely due from the buildup of stress.

"You're definitely correct about us showing no mercy, but this match was more a statement than anything." Jean smirks overhearing the trio; "After all, our potential opponents for the next round will be quite the interesting match wouldn't you say, Carmichael?"

Carmichael didn't say anything but when he looked back at them with those sharp eyes followed by a massive grin, they knew his answer right way; He was more than fired up for who he would be awaiting since it was a match he never dreamed would come so early, especially a particular target. The opponents they were referring to were the winner of the Wobblegongs-Bluerings match where a pair of ranked teams battled it out in the early knockout stages. The fifth round of booyah ball serving as an elimination game for the Wobblegongs that was a must win for them, they took a page out of Squid Academy's performance from the tapes they studied in preparation of the Bluerings and found something they could exploit in this particular round. For the Bluerings, this was an ugly reminder of that bitter defeat where they crossed paths with a monster on par with their captain; not only were they going up against a difficult opponent, but also themselves and the ceiling on their progress. A chance for them to beat the ghost of their last performance, they tightened their resolve. The Wobbleys elevated their intensity and showed urgency. On each rally, the powder blues scrambled for every ball and prioritized getting those defensive stops looking to shut out the attack of the Bluerings that in turn translated to points on the board for them. Halfway into the first set and the Wobblegongs were looking like they would make this a competitive match after all as they led 15-10, but C.C. had other plans. Whether it was due to the scarring of that previous defeat that triggered some sort of emotion or a sheer determination to never let such a feeling ever fester, C.C. went ballistic. Recording 10 points scored-8 kills and a pair of aces, C.C. followed up on defense by helping deny the Wobbleys points in the late part of the first round and in turn not only overtake them but secure the victory 25-20. Appearing to have learned from their prior mistakes and correct them tenfold, the Bluerings looked far stronger than they ever did but even so, it meant nothing if they still allowed the Wobbleys to get back into it in the second set. C.C. was well aware of that.

One after another, C.C. kept scoring and scoring and scoring. From the serve, on the attack, and even as a defender. He looked possessed as he raced all over the turf following wherever the ball headed, on a mission to connect no matter what and to those watching it was either a thing of beauty to see a brilliant talent finally blossom and reach their true potential, or one of utter horror as the realization that their talent was limitless and they could only get better and better becoming a reality difficult to process. He was only a second year and yet he played like he was born for this, truly resembling a prodigy among prodigies. His heightened performance lifting the massive burden off the shoulders of his comrades, the Bluerings truly looked every bit the claim as one of the favorites in the tournament. With C.C. essentially awakening to a new evolution and the likes of Frazzy, Ellis and the others all showing just how great they were, it proved to be more than what the Wobblegongs could handle. The killing blow delivered to their hopes for a comeback, the Wobblegongs were defeated in a gentleman's sweep of five, losing the second set 25-22. Their ticket punched into the round of 32, the Bluerings soaked in the praise they received after toppling the 20th ranked team in the tournament. But that feeling of joy didn't last long as C.C.'s intense glare spoke volumes about he felt. They couldn't rest at all, not when the next opponent standing in their way happened to be a team ranked just above them. A match between two heavyweights who were considered championship contenders, the round of 32 was set to be a blockbuster with the rawest team facing the most technically gifted team, the roughest and grimiest of competitors against the flashiest of teams. The "Green Viking" and "Gentle Giant" meeting "The Greatest" and his squad of alphas. 5th ranked Skolar versus 6th ranked Bluerings. As the preview was already laid out, social media buzzed about a match that might become an instant classic. Finally, the spirit of the nationals was showing itself. One of these two worthy teams would be cruelly denied entrance into the hallowed sweet 16.