Flashy Adventurer System : Show Off to Get Stronger!

Expansive windows allow natural sunlight to illuminate the vast canteen during the daytime, accentuating the simple yet classy decorations littered on the sides of the canteen.

Neat rows of chic wooden tables and plush seats were scattered in the entire canteen as if inviting everyone who dared enter to drown in the cardinal sin of gluttony.

However, the luxurious decorations, seats, and tables weren\'t the best part for Shye and the others.

The best part for them was the diverse array of unique dishes stretched for as far as their eyes could see, each section manned by a disciplined staff member tasked to give them the portions they ordered and collect their payment.

After admiring the lavish canteen for a while, the seven of them temporarily dispersed, each one checking different food stations excitedly.

\'This isn\'t so bad…\' Shye thought as he enthusiastically checked each dish.

A few minutes later, the seven of them converged on a fairly huge table in the middle of the canteen and ate their meals happily.

"Hey, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"About the three dark horses."

"Psh…There you go again, dark horses this, dark horses that, when have these so-called dark horses dethroned the three kings?"

"They haven\'t…But! There\'s a high chance this year that the three dark horses would throw the rankings into chaos. People said that the strength of these three dark horses is possibly on par with the regular top 16 finishers, possibly even grabbing one of the top 8 spots from the veterans!"

"Hmmph! You say this every year but haven\'t the top 16 academies remained the same? it\'s only their rankings that differ each year…"

"Yes…But you\'ve got to believe me on this one! There are rumors that quite a few people bet their entire fortune on these three dark horses making it to the top 8! If they win, they\'ll be rich as heck!"

"Oh? If it\'s like this then there must be some information others know and we don\'t…right? Tell me then, who are these three dark horses?"

Hearing the conversation of the two men at the table behind them, Shye and the others\' interests were piqued, prompting them to eavesdrop while eating.

Except for Wendy of course, who was way too focused on eating her meal.

"The first dark horse is Grumblethorne Academy, who easily defeated a regular championship stage academy like they were some sort of trash!"

"Oh? Then you\'re right! They might indeed have the ability to contend against the top 16!"

"Didn\'t I tell you already?! The next one is Poiper Academy, which usually only finishes around the top 128 or top 64, your usual mediocre academy I would say."

"What did they do for them to be regarded as a dark horse?"

"They…defeated Belfort Academy, an academy that has been a regular championship stage academy, and had once stood proud in the top 16!"

"Holy shit!! Then is this Poiper Academy the biggest dark horse then?"

"Well…It\'s hard to tell…because…the third dark horse is the most mysterious…"

"Oh? Which academy? And what did they do?"

"Well it\'s…Colzen Academy, all their wins from the first day until now were all quick 3-0s and that includes a battle against a gatekeeper Orion Academy."

"Hmm? Well, that is indeed impressive but not on the level as the other two, no?"

"I agree but there\'s one more thing which makes this academy the most mysterious…"

"Aiih! Why are you being mysterious?! Just tell me in full you little shit!!"

"Shut up! It\'s my story so wait for me to say it!! As I was saying, the thing that made them mysterious are the bets…"

"Bets? Why?"

"A friend of my friend heard from his friend that around a few hundred people bet their entire fortune on Colzen making it to the top 8!"

"What?! They\'re crazy!"

Shye and the other representatives chuckled after hearing the conversation between the two and they couldn\'t help but feel proud after knowing that they were considered a dark horse.

\'Well, those few hundred people aside from us are indeed crazy for thinking that we would actually make it into the top 8 without knowing everything about us…\' Shye pondered.

After a few more minutes, the Colzen representatives were done eating so they stood up with satisfied smiles on their faces and walked towards the exit of the canteen.

Their next match was coming up soon so they had to return or they might be disqualified.

While walking, the two men having a conversation behind them noticed the pristine white and blue uniform along with the proud insignia of Colzen Academy.

"S-Shit! That\'s Colzen! They were in front of us all this time?! D-Do you think they heard our conversation?"

"Who cares?! Let\'s follow them and watch their matches!"

"H-Hey! Wait for me!"

***

After a strength-restoring and peaceful lunch break, all the representatives from the academies who weren\'t eliminated yet were pumped up and ready to fight again.

With determined looks and confident smiles plastered on their faces, they valiantly walk towards the arena of their next match, hungry to prove that their academies were better.

Naturally, Shye and the others were among the people who wanted to prove themselves the most. Especially now that he learned of the few hundred people who bet their entire fortune on them.

He wasn\'t too concerned if they lost their money or not since they were the ones who decided to bet but he was sure that it would feel damn good if he managed to make these guys rich simply because they trusted him and his team.

Finally, after a few more minutes, the staff member whispered something in the ears of the two deans.

It was time for the third round of matches.