Inside the stadium the cheers were loud. Novis could see his brother and friends while Scarlett and the others could see their parents in the stand. Even Daiki had managed to come as well who was held up a big sign saying "I love you, Ashley!" and on the back of the sign was an advert of the dojo.

The stadium also had a special section for all the reporters who were currently doing live streams are writing up reviews for their websites. Tick was one of the very few who were actually live streaming the game to the world. This was the niche target audience after all at this level.

While the over reporters would just watch the game and write a report up later. Most of them were interns at an even bigger company hoping to one day get promoted to be able to write a report on the pro players.

Just then a tall girl came into the stands wearing round classes. It was Claire from the orphanage and behind her was also a bunch of kids who had come to support Dan as well.

"Look there he is!" A little girl said, "Dan, win the game for us!"

As Dan turned around to look behind him, he was surprised to see who had come, he didn't even mention to Claire that today was the quarter-finals and they had all decided to come today to surprise him.

Dan smiled and gave a wave back.

"Your family?" Noivs asked.

"Yeah, I have a big family to look after," Dan said.

The Montem VSW team continued to be led by the man in the suit until they had eventually reached the five capsules. The capsules being used were the same that Novis had in his room. Each player stood by one capsule and was to wait for the Woo Woo team.

That's when they could suddenly hear cheers far louder than Montems. The Woo Woo teams five players had entered and immediately the Woo Woo school started to go into a chant. They had about three times the number of supporters of Montem and quickly the cheers for Montem were being drowned out.

Woo Woo were regulars in these stages so they had gotten a following from people outside their school as well.

That's when Novis noticed something, most of the people in the Woo Woo stadium stands were girls. Novis found this strange because the information they had been told, was that Woo Woo was an all boy's school.

Just then though as the Woo Woo boys came closer, he could understand. Each of the boys had long legs and a muscular build. They wore the latest fashion and the hair was all done up neatly.

They looked like a newly formed K pop group. The Woo Woo boys waved to the crowd as they entered the stadium floor, their actions felt natural as if they had done this 100 of times before.

Novis didn't know why but he suddenly had the urge to win the game even more. Even the boy's on the Montem team started cheering louder.

"Take them out!"

"Scratch out their eyes!"

"Jealousy is truly a strong feeling." George thought.

Dan started to laugh at the Montem boys.

"I guess they really want us to win."

When Novis looked at Dan he thought right now Dan suited more to be on the Woo Woo team. His looks definitely suited them.

Finally, both teams had reached the stage and each player was standing by their capsule. The field in the centre started to light up. Then slowly wireframes started to be built and the map from the game was slowly emerging in front of their eyes.

"It looks just like the game," Ashley said.

It really did look like the game, the two castles, the forest, everything had been generated, all that's was left now were the NPC knights and the warriors themselves.

"This is no time to get distracted." Frank said, "This game is like any other, we have to win this game."

"WAIT!" A boy shouted at the top of his lungs. Usually, the chatter between the people in the crowds would be too hard for the others to be heard but for some reason, that voice had gotten through to his team.

Because this whole time the team were waiting for him. As the group turned, they could see Alex in the stands at the lowest level. In his hand, he held a piece of paper. They were the new notes he had written the day before.

Right now, they were crunched up in his hands as he knew it was already too late. Alex thought of all the things he wanted to say to his team. He wanted to help win this game, no not only that but he wanted to be in this game.

Maybe if he hadn't hesitated, maybe if he had left a little earlier, he could have been there and given them advice but right now there was nothing he could do.

Alex looked at the ground and scrunched up the piece of paper in his hand even more.

"Kick their asses for me!!! And we'll get to the final together, I promise!" Alex yelled while tears came out through his eyes.

The Montem team members then turned around looking at the arena with their back towards Alex.

"I guess you can't forgive me after all, I don't blame you," Alex said to himself.

"It looks like he came," Novis said.

"I didn't doubt he would for a second," Scarlett replied.

"Yeah but he's too late, what's the use of coming now." Frank said, "Oh well, I guess I can keep your spot comfy for one game."

Just then the whole Montem team lifted their hands, and gave a thumbs up. Showing them that they had managed to hear Alex's words loud and clear.

"Each player then headed into their capsule. Their minds were synced into the game and their warriors selected.

The display on the big screens above was turned on and the countdown had begun.

"The match will start in 3…2….1…Let's go!!"

****

Special thanks to _Kaitlin_ just, AsuraNineThoughts, and side_ace for the gifts, they really help me out of my journey to becoming an author.