UGC

Sy had a more appreciative stance toward Laira after the view. The entrance and exit of the plaza were the three tips, directly pointing at each tower. The duo entered the second gate which their tower supported.

A wall of glasses secured the perimeters of the plaza, and also provided a great view of the city. Stalls selling distinct goods - adorned the outer parts, and further inside was a huge expanse of unoccupied grounds, with trees and grasses made from plastics. A painful sight for Sy, but nonetheless, provided a natural scenery for the people.

At the center of the plaza was a huge stadium in which the mech tournament will be held.

Sy noticed a few stalls selling books that piqued his interest. He took in mind to buy some when the tournament was over. Halfway across toward the stadium following the Runerie and a cluster of people, his eyes began to falter with drowsiness. Working 125 hours in his virtual workshop, and then making a new design for the city had worn-out his mind.

Dozens of securities uniformed in Logria's iconic colour, strutted in every entrance of the stadium. After confirming the duo's identification, they swept to the next person in line.

The amphitheatre was huge, accomodating almost a hundred thousand people. Rising rows of seat were installed with VR headsets. Sy suspected that the tournament will not occur in real time. At the very center, within a plenty of space, were chairs similarly equipped with headsets, designated for the competitors.

Sy noticed that Laira had become silent. He observed the teenager and saw that she was not tense, she was just more focused than before.

'Good!'

As they made their way to the center, a man, just the same age as Sy, intercepted them. He spoke in a desperate voice, "Ms. Runerie.. do you still remember me?"

Laira gave the man a glance and put a hand on her waist, "Theon Canter, mech specialist and top graduate of Gelia."

The person had been bugging her since she was registering in the tournament. He wanted to join her team. Laira glanced at Sy and pouted when she saw him yawning.

"Two mech specialist are assign to each pilot. Maybe you could give me the chance on your free slot, Ms. Runerie." Theon suggested, a hopeful look on his face. His blue eyes shone in anticipation as he brushed his black hair while the Runerie scrutinized him.

Scoffing, Laira made a quick decision, "Since you've come a long way to join this competition, fine!"

Theon ecstatically joined the duo as they made their way to their designated position.

[Oh, my goodness! Why am I seeing you on the news again?]

Sy chuckled at Tiff's message. It was a good way to drown away the drowsiness.

[I got dragged into it.] He replied.

[Well, my gaming center is in full reserve. People all over Logria are flocking to see the tournament.]

As Sy suspected, the tournament will be virtually executed.

The mayor of the city, did not missed this opportunity to gain the approval of the masses, and sponsored the event. The honor was given to him for the opening speech as the tournament commenced.

"..we shall endure. Logria will rise up!"

After the speech, the announcer began to take over.

"Pretty speech by our honorable mayor, even though he was the first one to be escorted into the Three Towers during the storm." The announcer commented.

A visible sign of irritation appeared on Mayor Laging's face as he sat on a VIP seat on the stadium along with a few high ranking officials.

"It is also said that his knees buckled at the news of no orbital rescue operation during the storm." The announcer added.

"Hey, watch your mouth!" One of the mayor's supporter, shouted.

Unperturbed, the announcer initiated the start of the competition.

"To all our faithful audience, you can access the tournament in your VR devices, and to those who cannot join us tonight, it will be broadcasted tomorrow morning."

"The patron of this competition is a 4th Grade Mech Specialist and his name shall not be disclosed respectfully in his request. We shall now start the tournament!"

"UGC!!! UGC!!!" The crowd chanted together in unison, their voices echoing throughout the stadium.

With the exception of the securities, everyone donned their VR helmets in the stadium.

Sy saw Laira and Theon fixing the VR helmets on their head with extreme enthusiasm. After seating on his designated chair, he put on the helmet as well and his consciousness entered the virtual realm. It took him a moment before he found the UGC virtual app and entered.

Boom!

An even bigger amphitheater appeared before him. Hundreds of thousands of people cheered on their seats, causing a thunderous sound.

"HAHAHA!" The announcer was now on the center of the stage. He was a man of a slim body with a white mask covering the upper part of his face - allowing the audience to witness his charming smile.

"WELCOME TO THE UNION'S GRAND.." The announcer spread his arms wide in an all encompassing gesture, ".. COLISEUM!!!"

"COLISEUM!!!" The crowd joined him.

What the Union did better than any faction, was the fact that it prioritized the entertainment of its population. The UGC was a well known competitive ground even in the neighbouring factions. Greater factions like the Empire of Durn occasionally joined in the expanding amphitheatre. However, now that a war was brewing, the server was reduced only for the Union.

"From our powerhouse, Pyr Prime, to the arctic world Callum, to the rocky mountains of Gelia - all had come to join this event hosted by the desert planet, Logria!"

The announcer introduced each of the contestant in an engaging manner.

"And now, last but not the least.. introducing the hometown heroes! We saw her take off after the storm in a private shuttle. She had been baptized by the storm, earning the right to be our champion.."

".. from the blue great house of the Union, Laira Runerieee!!!"

The audience from Logria roared in cheers after the announcer had completely convinced them that she was their representative in the tournament. This year had been a dark one as Logria failed to produce any graduates from the mech schools. The teenager did not mind the attention and waved at the crowd causing an even bigger uproar.

"The handsome man accompanying her was also baptized in the storm.." The announcer continued.

".. only known as Logria's mechanic, Sy Verdiiiin!!!"

The young pioneer almost chuckled at the introduction. Since the announcer had described him as handsome, the crowd ought to know, as he stepped forward and waved at the crowd, specifically targeting a group of young women who squealed in delight when his gaze fell upon them.

The other male contestants noticed this and their brows creased in envy.

On the last introduction, the announcer lost interest and stated, "And an extra from Gelia."

"Uiii!" Theon wanted to protest. There were so many things he could have been called like, 'Top graduate from Gelia!', 'Young mech specialist!'. Why did the announcer had to be cold toward him?

He was not the only one affected by this as the crowd from Gelia booed. Already, most of the mixed crowds, with the exception from those of Logria, had seen through the bias of the announcer.

"So, his name is Sy Verdin.."

"I see.."

Three elderly men sat on a family reserved collum in the crowd. They started murmuring at each other as the introduction came to a close. The sole colour of their hairs were light-blue.

Seated behind them was Gregory. He spent most of his time in the training ground practicing with the Straggler S1-2. With most of the family engaged in the mining expedition, only four of them managed to attend Laira's tournament.

Gregory took his time observing Laira and the man who was called Sy, before his attention switched to the three old men, composing of his grandfather who was the former patriarch of the family and two granduncles. These trio were a blessing to the Runerie as all their children inherited the name. Already at their 150s but still looking like they were at their 50s. The youngest Runeries were very far apart as these three had not found a suitable woman worthy of the blood until they were almost a hundred years of age. Selective breeding was always in the family's policy, as it would ensure that the next generation would have the best genetic quality.

This trio were stubborn. Instead of enjoying their retirement from the mining industry, the three would sometimes disappear, causing the whole family in a state of panic, and they would later be found mining on a new mineral deposit.

"This young man.. I never witnessed such a refined physique." Grandfather Theodore stroke his one inch beard in contemplation. His piercing bright blue eyes were filled with a hundred years of wisdom.

"Since Laira had already managed to get close, it won't be hard to introduce Genevieve to him." Granduncle Romulus suggested, his arms crossed.

"He had the physique. But it will depend on his performance if his blood is worthy of the Runerie." Granduncle Charles added.

Gregory frowned. This was the first time these three had mingled in the outside world, but only to scout for a future addition to the family. He hated the idea as he interjected, "He's Mina Fanick's boyfriend!"

"Then he would be a bridge between our families." Granduncle Romulus said, stifling a smile.

When Gregory made an ugly face, the trio laughed heartily. The boy was still too young for this kind of witty topic.