(A couple hours later, Geneva Academy Locker Room, Sky-God Arena)
Following Rodova's dominant 5–0 sweep in the first semi-final, Geneva Academy answered with a commanding performance of their own—dispatching Thumba Academy with a confident 5–1 victory to secure their place in the finals.
And yet—despite the scoreline—there was no eruption of celebration within the locker room.
No cheers.
No boasting.
Just a low hum of tension.
Because this year… Rodova was different.
In previous tournaments, a win over Rodova felt inevitable—an eventuality, not a gamble. But now? With Su Yang, Leo Skyshard, and Yu Shen in the lineup, there was no longer an easy path forward.
Five Grandmasters versus four.
On paper, Geneva still had the advantage. But when your opponents were warriors of caliber like Su Yang, Leo, and Yu Shen—three monsters who could each score multiple victories in a single round—the single Grandmaster advantage barely seemed to matter.
