Two sets down with a final set remaining, the noise turned up a notch ahead of the decisive end to the first round battle. Squid Academy opened up hot and thrashed Skolar, but the Ogres answered back in the following round staving off a possible Squid Academy comeback to even the score, and now as the two teams approach this set, the question on the minds of the spectators were whether the better team would come out on top or if there'd be a controversy. So far, Squid Academy looked like the better team considering they dominated in the first round and were surging in the second round as well, however the same could be said about Skolar who managed to turn around their woes almost instantly and display how well they were on the adjustments. The sidelines of both teams were highly invested with the coaches of both sides animated as they gave their orders, drilling home the reminder that the winner of this set would already have a significant advantage due to the amount of energy expended already-to lose would deal a massive blow to the loser's psyche and morale.

The final set prepared to commence shortly after, both teams kept the same squads to see this round through. Skolar's top squad had proven they were quick on the uptake and already had a general idea of how to neutralize the impact of Squid Academy's reliable chemistry that'd proven so effective in winning them so many close rally points. Likewise, Squid Academy figured out how Skolar were able to adjust so quickly and reap the benefits and now in this final round, it was all about cancelling out that factor to give themselves a fighting chance; after all, this was their favorite game mode in the tournament. The court is clear of any ink as well as the pristine jerseys donned by the players of both sides, though that would surely change very soon. The noise of the crowd echoing through the dome in anticipation of the first serve, a passionate "Booyah" follows as play begins-the first punch thrown from Skolar as they win the first point off an ace. High fives exchanged all around shortly after they count on Pierre to deliver once more and stretch it to a two point lead, but their hopes to convert on the opportunity of the newly acquired lead backfires as Mason threw his body in the way to start the rally, opening the path for Azule and the others to pounce. Right away everyone sprung to action. The back trio of Skolar tightened their formation to avoid any holes in their defense, and the frontal assault of Squid Academy charged. Todd leapt, then Zaneki, and finally it was Jory who smashed the ball delivered by Azule. Amber keeps it in play however and Carmichael rushes over to attack the chance ball; he meets a wall. Jean saves it but ends up inadvertently sending it behind towards the backline: but that's no problem for Miralem however as he's able to do enough to send it close to the net for Sigurd to get a last touch and steer the course of the ball.

"It's a diving save!" the play by play commentator shouts, watching Jory protect the rally point in the nick of time following the break through the wall.

An exchange of a rally that took everyone's breath away, they all held their breath to see how it would end. Who would be the one to snatch that rally point and make all this effort worth it? Enter stage left: Azule Royale. Almost as if he could smell the point, he analyzed the field and decided his net target. They were wary of Jory and Todd, and Zaneki would prove troublesome with his presence as well, and of course, they would expect a dump from him. That meant there was only one option left that he could trust…

"It's Evelyn!"

A surprise attacker who cloaked behind the regular trio, it was Evelyn who had her number called-her charger proving to carry more power than the others thanks to her precision technique. But Miralem's towerlike defense is enough to alter the trajectory and just like that, their attack was foiled. Jean got under the ball to send up high, and it was Pierre who smashed it. The Wall of Squid Academy however, proved sturdier and rejected his attack but he wasn't done at all. His reflexes kicking in, Pierre tried to save the ball and attack simultaneously now that the wall descended but in doing so he failed to establish enough control. It went over the net...but it landed just out of bounds. A massive breath exhaled along the Squid Academy sidelines, their supporters raved at the score getting tied. A psychological blow to Skolar who were trying so hard to go up by two and establish the same rhythm as the prior set, losing that one stung even more when considering they stood a decent chance to win that point had it been for Pierre having a bit more discipline with his reflexive actions.

"Don't mind that one, you did good." Jean pats him on the back.

"We'll get the next one, switch gears!" Amber added.

"Get ready for this next one!" Sigurd warned, noticing the next one to serve would be Zaneki.

Carmichael and Miralem both looked far from spent, but even that rally point got to them a little bit and it surely didn't help that this guy was gonna start the next attack. A rocket a serve sent towards Skolar, a massive print of pink covers their court as they failed to intercept his deadly strike. 2-1 to Squid Academy. Zaneki serves again, this time switching it up on Skolar and once more adding another point, soiling their green court with bursts of pink. At the rate it was going, it looked as though Squid Academy were right about to dictate the pace of the match all over again, which was something Skolar couldn't afford to do-the haunting gaze of Azule cast over them as he refrained from showing his fangs so far. The pressure of knowing that guy specifically could turn everything into a massacre is what had them uneasy. It'd only be a matter of time. Several serves and rally points later and the score manages to be close. After jumping to a 3-1 lead early on behind Zaneki's efforts, Squid Academy lost that advantage behind winning rally points from Carmichael and Jean, and shortly after followed a ruthless exchange for the lead. Skolar jumped ahead to a 3-4 lead behind Amber's serve, but then a couple points later it was Squid Academy back on top thanks to Mason and Todd. The closest of the three rounds played so far, by the seventeenth point tally it was a 8-9 score to Skolar after Sigurd swayed momentum his side's way with a pair of aces following Miralem's rally point win to stuff Squid Academy's-then lead of 8-6. The sparks were flying during the rallies and it sucked the audience into it as well with both fan bases fighting to be the louder side within the trapped space. Todd and Jory shined the brightest for Squid Academy in this set once again leading the charge in the points scored, making sure to offer a proper challenge to Carmichael and Miralem who'd been the spearheads for their side as well. Several lead changes occurred in this instance. With Jory and Todd poaching points during the rallies, the tempo shifted whenever Skolar slowed down that hot streak of the enemy with a defensive stop followed by a successful serve. The fearsome foursome of Carmichael, Miralem, Sigurd, and Jean were the ones who anchored the team's survival in the heated exchange.

Following a heated rally point that was won by Squid Academy, a crushing pressure covered the entire court. A score of 22 each, it was at this time that the worst possible person to have possession of the ball would command the floor and the fate of the match. Up to serve in this critical moment stood the captain of Squid Academy. The drums banged behind him as the Squid Academy supporters smelled victory closing, the intense look in his eyes resembling a beast as he focused on where to deliver this devastating strike. Their hearts pounding like the drums before them, Skolar could only clench their muscles tightly in anticipation of what punishment they'd receive from Azule. The supporters singing a theme song for him about how he was the second coming of the golden age, they screamed in adoration as he took to the back line, the swirling pink ball forming in his hand.

"The pulse of the school is felt as their main cannon takes the stage! How will Skolar respond to the pressure!?"

His hat creating a shadow over his sharp blue irises, Azule raised his chin and kept his attention locked on Carmichael, and then to Miralem. Sky and the other regulars all watched closely to see how it'd all play out; they knew this look all too well. He takes a deep breath, and then exhales, doing so three times with each getting greater and greater as though he sucked in the atmosphere itself and controlled the air in the dome. Finally, he strikes. Quicker than lightning itself, nobody moves a muscle. Even the referees who were paying extra close attention couldn't even process what happened; everyone stood still except for Azule, who was tightening his cap after it nearly fell off-his hair glowing just a bit.

D-did he…? Carmichael's eyes sharpened.

"THERE IT IS! He finally brings out the big one!"

"Even if it was just a tease, we just saw the monstrous power that earned the rookie captain his reputation in this tournament."

Cobalt and Sky especially wore frowns, knowing that for Azule to use midnight this early in the match meant things might get ugly. Their anxiousness to get on the turf increased, but Fuchsia wouldn't have any of it as she shook her head and told them simply to stay put. Her trust in her captain is unwavering as he gets serenaded by the supporters. Carmichael and Miralem looked at one another with caution, aware that the tapes they'd studied were finally a reality. The score 23-22, Azule lined up again to deliver another serve. This time Skolar was ready to fight the monster. The back trio tightening formation in preparation for his next lightning serve…

The whistle blew yet again.

24-22, Squid Academy were a single point away from victory in the first. Their supporters rocking the building with elation, all the noise targeted at Skolar's defeat led to a crushing weight placed on the shoulders of the team on the verge of defeat. Recording a double ace almost effortlessly, Azule stared down his opponents once again. His chest thumping and his head echoing that same pulse, the view of the end was in sight-but that also made it all the more nerve racking for the captain. Those first two serves he managed to empty his mind and let his body act on its own, but now that the end approached and it all laid in his hands-he felt the pressure.

This will be the one...Carmichael analyzed, noticing the change in the captain's demeanor.

The ball was sent with the same speed as the previous two, but this time it's intercepted by Carmichael much to Squid Academy's surprise. The battle begins. Skolar began the counter attack and threw everything behind their attack, leading to a quick Miralem spike that cut the lead to one. Though Squid Academy were still a point away from victory, Skolar were coming. Jean does the next serve. The rally starts off with a diving save from Azule, followed by Evelyn on the quick set towards Todd. Rejection. But Jory is there to save it and Azule is in the perfect position to launch it over Zaneki's way. This one breaks the wall. It reaches Amber however, who finds Pierre on the wing. Pierre's jumps, but he was a decoy. Behind Pierre was the true target. Carmichael. A devastating strike that rang in the ears of the six on the pink half of the court, the deuce rule would now go into effect. The dome went wild and the Skolar supporters were in a frenzy after seeing such a clutch turnaround when all seemed lost with the way it was looking for them. The next serve coming via Jean as well, Skolar looked rejuvenated during the rally while Squid Academy looked agitated. Every time Squid Academy tried to desperately win the point and reclaim the lead, Skolar stood in their way, almost purposefully extending the rally to tire out their opponents and push them on edge.

The ref blows the whistle, his arm pointed in the direction of the team who won that point.

"Point awarded: Skolar."

Match point on the line for Skolar, they just needed a winning serve and they'd pull off an impressive win. Squid Academy weren't out just yet however as they all wore determined looks to earn back that point lost and extend this match as long as they can until they take over. The serve coming from Jean once more, Squid Academy worked hard to keep the game alive with everyone working in unison to prevent the point from going to Skolar. Several times Mason, Zaneki, and Todd have to have their numbers called to attack and each time they are denied by Skolar, who weren't in any rush to end it now that they found themselves to be in the driver seat. Bodies flying back and forth to keep the ball in play, it ends when Jory makes a spectacular save that was with just enough precision to avoid Skolar attempting to return.

The score tied at 25, Squid Academy had the chance to end things if they could recapture the lead with the next pair of serves.

Evelyn attempts to deliver an ace but Sigurd is there to disrupt the opportunity, starting yet another rally. Skolar were automatic with their attacks. Carmichael, Miralem, Sigurd, and Jean, the four of them packed the lines. Every attack they delivered carried a heavier punch than the previous, but on the opposing side stood just as strong a resistance in Azule and his squad of fellow captains. Mason and Evelyn were active in defending with the attacking trio pulling their weight as well on the blocking ends, the attack power of Jory and Todd leading the way. The momentum swinging back and forth with every hopeful spike and defensive struggle, the breath of all who watch remain held in anticipation; who would be the one to snag the point and reach a step closer to victory? An emphatic stop answers the question.

"Point awarded: Skolar."

The reaction of the Skolar supporters was so loud it was borderline deafening following the announcement, the pressure of defeat growing heavier on the team trailing. After so much dedication and exertion of effort, it felt like a crime to know someone would have to lose. As the next one up for Skolar was revealed, the hearts of all those donning blue and pink sunk into the sea of despair as he stood with his shoulders squared and his chin raised; the next man up for Skolar was other than the gentle and silent ogre, the viking that carried the reputation as Skolar's strongest offensive weapon became the perfect person to seal their victory. Jean and Amber breathed a sigh of relief while Sigurd lowered his guard a bit, the three of them trusting in their best attacker to take care of things with an ace serve so they could take a much needed rest during break and prepare for the next round. Carmichael, however, thought differently. His gaze focused on the scariest name across the net, he didn't see that chilling glare of his subside one bit; Azule had no intentions of handing them an ace serve.

Miralem prepares to serve, the dome quieting down out of etiquette for the players. The swirling lime green taking form into a ball, it felt like the air around them was getting absorbed by the ball as well as Miralem's poker face remained present while coldly staring down the six targets before him. As everyone waited in anticipation, this thought crossed through the minds of Squid Academy's six fighters on the floor: "He'll try and break us before settling for the usual ace." is the conclusion they arrived at based on that look, aware that Miralem was indeed the type to let his actions do all the talk. No doubt after such a frustrating first round, he'd want to send a message and rub some salt in the wound.

The ball gets tossed up high.

His eyes sharp and his voice piercing, "Squid Academy!"

"FIGHT!" his five teammates responded, bracing themselves for the rocket coming their way.

An ace serve imminent at the pace it traveled, there was no chance to successfully defend against such a powerful shot. The sinking feeling intensifying by the millisecond as their hearts thump heavier, everyone paid attention to what seemed like the dying moments of the set. Despair. Envy. Fear. Those feelings that were supposed to run rampant among the Squid Academy sidelines and supporters were blocked by one reflexive play. An acrobatic dive attempted by Jory, he manages to barely clip enough of the ball to alter the trajectory and send it more inwards to where Azule is already in position to set. His target already decided, Azule passes it over to the one person who'd always manage to score. Todd took flight on the jump and reached an apex position when the ball came his way. As though time slowed down, Todd's eyes raced all over the net before deciding on a path that wasn't choked up by the wall or the obvious defender guarding the path, launching a high ball that cast a drop shadow just over the net into Skolar's section. An attempt at psychological warfare, he hoped this would force an error but it did the opposite as Skolar only set up an even stronger attack in response. Squid Academy stood their ground however, gritting their teeth and leaving everything on the line for one final attack. Their bodies were giving them the warning already that if this rally lasted any longer, they'd ultimately fail. They needed this point and hope for a pair of ace serves to close it out. A beautiful textbook play that'd proven effective all throughout the round, it was an all out attack with everyone rushing the net with Azule out to set. Mason jumped, then Zaneki, then Evelyn, and finally, Jory and Todd in synchronization. The wall of Skolar ready and their defenders already set in position to intercept, the battle of wills came to a head: Squid Academy's spearhead offense or Skolar's ironclad defense, who would prevail in this rally? The ball finding its target, Todd smashed it with the same precision he had all round. It missed the trio who failed to make the block, eluded the captain and the second defender who'd been hovering the area, and reached the surface. A massive burst of pink covering the section where it landed, the dome erupted in response-one half elated and the other devastated. Right away he fell to his knees, the sheer disbelief overcoming him as his shoulders dropped.

It was overshot.

A close call, an oh so very close call, Squid Academy were just a line away from keeping the set alive. Bittersweet, heartbreaking, frustrating. The commentators used every adjective in hopes to emphasize how Squid Academy had to be feeling after such an opportunity getting squashed by such an error.

27-25, Skolar are the winners of the first round.