Cold weapons are a man's romance

"Why don't you look nervous at all? This is your first official competition, right? So many people are staring at you, aren't you afraid?"

In the warm-up area, while putting on a thick protective suit, Roman turned his head and asked August who was practicing air swing next to him.Generally speaking, young players are easily affected by the surrounding environment, and they will be nervous before going on stage.Today's huge gymnasium is almost full of seats, and even Cesar feels that it is rare to see so many enthusiastic audiences. (His original words were "It's the first time that so many people can come to a game without me!" Roman wanted to hit someone after hearing this.) Roman recalled the first time he was under the watchful eyes of everyone. The scene of participating in the competition, uh, the past is too bad to look back on, so it's better not to mention it.But August's expression was calm, and he didn't seem to care at all about the crowded arena outside, as well as the various opponents who shuttled back and forth in the warm-up area.

"Hmph, what's there to be nervous about? Is it up to the audience to decide whether I can win the game?" August sneered dismissively, "If I'm stared at by the audience, I will win or lose , Then what do you usually practice? Can't controlling the number of spectators control the result of the game?"

"I can't see that you are quite a general..." Roman cast an admiring look.

This is also the first official international fighting game that Roman participated in.The previous friendly match, in which the number of contestants could be counted with one and one-fifth of a hand, could only be regarded as a small test, and it was not the same as the Silver Memorial Tournament.Although Roman has accumulated a lot of experience in international competitions before, it is reasonable to say that he is already familiar with it, but this is the first competition after changing the event, so he is inevitably a little uneasy.In contrast, the little emperor was much calmer.

——You can’t lose to the kids!Roman secretly warned himself.

Different from the team round-robin system of the friendly match, the Silver Memorial Tournament is a knockout system, where teams of two will fight to determine their qualifications for the next match.Luckily, Roman got No. 1 in the lottery before the game. He had a bye in the first round and went directly to the second round.And August, who was drawn No. 5, will have one more game than him.So after the draw, he has been sulking because of his poor luck.

If both of them can make it all the way to the quarter-finals, they will meet in the quarter-finals.I think the organizers also considered allowing people from the same club to meet as soon as possible when allocating places.

On the side of the Griffon Guard, if Alex can also keep from being eliminated, then he can go all the way to the semi-finals.Roman or August will compete with him to qualify for the final.

Another thing that made Roman pay more attention was Edward Blackson.On the one hand, Roman hoped that the lunatic who used the game as a revenge prop would be eliminated by other masters early (is there anything more embarrassing than this?), on the other hand, he was eager to compete with him face to face.That would be the most dramatic outcome, wouldn't it?

God doesn't seem to be answering Roman's unintentional prayers.Edward had drawn the last number, and Roman was at the poles of the round table.It is impossible for them to meet before the final.

For Roman, it doesn't matter who the winner of the Silver Memorial Tournament is. It doesn't matter to him whether Aurora or Griffin takes the crown, as long as it's not Edward.Roman's sole purpose is to defeat Edward and thwart his madness.It would be a joy if they met in the first round.It's a pity that according to the schedule, No. [-] and No. [-] can only fight against each other in the final, provided that they are both eliminated halfway.

"It's really troublesome to pass so many levels to defeat him..." Roman murmured.

August said contemptuously: "Are you so confident that you can reach the final? Maybe it's me who finally entered the final and turned the tide!"

"...I really want to complain about you, but after much deliberation, I'd better forget it. Before the game, I can't do this kind of thing that spoils others' ambitions and destroys my own prestige."

Roman pulled the protective clothing to make sure it was not loose, then picked up the steel sword at his feet, and prepared to find an empty place to start warming up.

Lawrence and Cesar chat quietly in a corner of the warm-up area.This time, since two students had to compete, Cesar was afraid that he would be too busy, so he asked Lawrence to help.Cesar would accompany the one on the field, and Lawrence would oversee the warm-up for the other.But his mind didn't seem to be on Lawrence at all, he always turned his head and peeked at Roman every now and then, as long as his gaze met Roman, he would show a shy smile.

At first Lawrence could talk to him patiently, but after more times, he became impatient.When Cesar glanced back at Roman again, Lawrence grabbed his head and pulled him viciously towards him.

"Are you enough? This is the arena. Please look at the occasion when you flirt with each other?"

Cesar giggled and raised his hand in surrender.Lawrence had a sudden urge to tie him to the grill.

Then Cesar's smile suddenly disappeared.Just as Lawrence was about to say, "That's right, you don't have to smile in formal occasions," when he found that everyone around him stopped talking at the same time, and the entire warm-up area was as quiet as a funeral scene.

Edward Blackson came in dragging his suitcase.He paused for a while in the middle of the warm-up area, gloomyly glanced at everyone, his eyes lingering on Roman for a while, then sat down in a corner without saying a word, and began to change the protective clothing.All the while he didn't look at Cesar.

It was a while before the humming whispers resumed.Everyone pretended not to be interested in Edward, but everyone kept watching his every move secretly from the corner of their eyes.

"Wow, I think a world war is about to break out!" August was so excited that he rubbed his hands together. He was the only one in the audience staring at Edward without any concealment.That look was not so much looking at the opponent, but more like a child watching the rare birds and animals in the zoo.In the eyes of the little emperor, there is no "invincible enemy". They are either his defeated opponents, or they will become his defeated opponents "one day".

Sometimes the second disease can give people unexpected courage.Roman thought.

Volunteers walked into the warm-up area: "Please prepare to enter the contestants No. 5 and No. 6!"

No. 5 August is gearing up: "Finally it's my turn!"

Roman patted him on the back encouragingly.Cesar waved to the little emperor, signaling him to follow.In high spirits, August strode his calf boldly, and then fell into the mud.

"...Can you still fall on the ground while walking?"

"I don't know why, but my legs are a little soft." August got up, wiped the dust off his knees, and said weakly.

Roman covered his face.This little thing looks proud and ambitious on the surface, but in fact he is so flustered in his heart?

August staggered out of the warm-up zone in polio-like posture.Roman was very worried about his performance on the field.It would be embarrassing if you were stabbed by your opponent at the beginning of the game and you were eliminated in the first round.Although everyone didn't have much expectations for this little prince in middle school who knows nothing but cutting the sky, but at least he can hold on for a few more rounds...

"Hmph." Edward in the corner sneered contemptuously when he witnessed this scene.

Roman glared.Only his own family can say that August is not, others are not allowed to laugh at him!

"Don't be disturbed by him." Lawrence dodged in front of Roman, using his body to cover Edward in the distance. "A game is not just a confrontation on the court. Sometimes the psychological warfare off the court is the key to victory."

Roman nodded.Edward's every move may be just a means to deter others. These small tricks are not uncommon in the competitive world. After all, psychological quality is also an important part of strength.The real battle begins secretly long before the contestants step foot on the field.Roman has seen a lot of players who are obviously strong, but because of the fear of the enemy, they have suffered a crushing defeat.If he was distracted by Edward's interference, it would have been a waste of years of hard work.

He withdrew his gaze, stared straight at the wall in front of him, and began to move his knee joints.Lawrence had been like a wall around him, preventing him from seeing a swaggering opponent, or being seen by a swaggering player.The coach usually speaks sarcasticly, and often has no good looks towards Cesar, who has worked with him for many years, but he is so considerate deep in his heart.

"Lawrence, do you know Edward?"

"Don't discuss topics that have nothing to do with the game."

"Edward is my opponent, does this have nothing to do with the game?"

Lawrence turned his face away and knocked his foot on the ground unconsciously. "I knew him seven years ago, but I don't know what kind of person he is now. Seven years is enough to change a person."

"Tell me about his sword fighting style, it won't hurt to know that."

Lawrence thought for a moment, then said lightly, "It's very similar to Cesar. Just treat him as a low-profile version of Cesar."

Roman snorted out laughing.Lawrence has a good sense of humor at times.But the sentence "very similar to Cesar" made him unhappy soon.Oh, of course he is similar to Cesar. How could they not be similar?

"Lawrence, they...Edward and Cesar, they used to...were, were they just friends?"

Cesar refused to answer this question directly. Although judging from his tone, they should have never been in love, but the two of them get along day and night, who can guarantee that there is no ambiguity?Even if Cesar swears that he only has Roman in his heart, Roman still has a grudge.

"Otherwise, what kind of relationship can they still have?"

Lawrence raised an eyebrow, as if Roman had asked a stupid question.

"Did they ever, I mean... well, you know."

"No." Lawrence said firmly.

Roman was taken aback by his decisiveness. "How do you know so well?"

"I have eyes, Roman. I'm different from you." Lawrence looked at him pityingly.

"I'm sorry, I'm really blind..." Roman lowered his head in shame.As the last person in the world who knew that Cesar had a crush on him, he could only accept Lawrence's blame.A slow-observing person like him really has no right to doubt other people's judgments!

While the two were talking, August returned with his mask on and his sword in his hands.

"So fast?!" Roman was shocked, and then he said mournfully, "Don't be sad, August, you are still young, and you will have many chances to win battles in the future..."

"Damn! I obviously won, okay!" The little emperor was furious, and threw the mask at Roman angrily.