Chương 192: Chapter : 192

"In fact, our data analysis was incredibly thorough," Adrian bragged publicly, making sure the broadcast microphones picked up his voice so the entire nation could hear him.

"We analyzed every single person on your roster. We ran the numbers on your newest addition." Ken blinked his sleepy eyes, pointing a finger at his own chest.

"Are you talking about me? Because I am highly flattered, but I do not give out autographs before lunch." Adrian let out a harsh, mocking laugh. He pulled a small, glowing holographic device from his pocket and projected a digital stat sheet into the air.

"Our computers concluded that Ken Eliot is a complete, absolute statistical zero," Adrian mocked, his voice dripping with pure condescension.

"He possesses zero magical capacity. He has zero combat training. His stamina is so low it barely registers on a chart. He is nothing but a useless slacker. When we designed our defensive countermeasures for the next round, we assigned absolutely zero resources to block him. We do not even need to look at him to win." Naomi's face instantly turned bright red with defensive anger.

"You shut your mouth! Do not talk about our teammate like that!" Elma gripped her swords tightly, her blue eyes narrowing with fierce irritation. She wanted to yell at Adrian for insulting the boy who had saved her life, but she held her tongue, not wanting to reveal her changing feelings on national television. Ken, however, was completely, entirely unfazed. He didn't look angry. He didn't look embarrassed by the public insult.

He just stood there in his nicely tailored navy blue suit, his shirt still completely untucked. He slouched his shoulders, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, and offered Adrian the biggest, most goofy, lazy smile imaginable. He was perfectly, absolutely happy to let them underestimate him. If they thought he was a complete statistical zero, it meant they weren't going to pay any attention to him at all.

And for a guy who was secretly the most powerful, reality-warping entity on the planet, being completely ignored was the absolute best gift they could have ever given him.

The giant broadcast screens hovered high above the massive arena, projecting the live tournament to millions of people. The loud, excited voices of the two sports anchors echoed through the speakers, filling the air with absolute excitement.

"Welcome back, citizens!" Bob the anchor yelled into his microphone, waving his hands wildly.

"If you are just joining us, you missed an explosive first round! The 15th Unit came out swinging and managed to break three towers in the opening minutes! But Princess Iris and her scrappy 13th Unit adapted fast and stopped the bleeding! The score is currently three to zero, and we are just moments away from the start of round two!" A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Sarah, the female anchor in the bright red blazer, nodded enthusiastically.

"That is right, Bob! For this second round, the roles are completely reversed! The 13th Unit must defend their remaining six towers, while Prince Hades and his team get another five minutes to attack! Let us see if the 15th Prince can figure out a way to break through!" Outside the arena walls, the entire Belmontia Empire was completely glued to their television screens. The streets of the capital city were totally empty because every single citizen was sitting inside, watching the broadcast with wide eyes.

Far away in the wealthy Inner City, Princess Hestia sat on a pristine, perfectly white sofa inside her spotless mansion. She was holding a delicate porcelain teacup, her eyes fixed on the massive flat-screen television on her wall. Zaima stood right next to the sofa, her arms crossed tight over her white uniform. She scowled at the screen.

"They are going to lose," Zaima stated with a bitter scoff.

"Iris's team is a complete mess. Did you see how they scrambled in the first round? They have no elegant formations. They are just surviving on pure luck." Princess Hestia took a slow, polite sip of her tea. She placed the cup down onto a glass table and smoothed out the skirt of her silk dress.

"Do not underestimate them, Zaima," Hestia murmured, her voice soft but entirely serious. She hated admitting it, but the facts were right there on the screen.

"Iris's team is far more resilient than I originally calculated. They took a massive hit in the opening seconds, but they did not panic. They adapted. They are messy, yes, but they are stubborn. We must watch them very closely." Across the city, in a completely different neighborhood, Prince Hephaestus was watching the exact same broadcast. His workshop was covered in thick dark oil stains and scattered machine parts.

He sat on a metal stool, wearing his dirty leather apron, holding a giant wrench in one hand and a mug of black coffee in the other. His entire team of tired engineers was crowded around a small, greasy television set resting on top of a workbench.

"Come on, Iris!" Hephaestus cheered loudly, pumping his wrench into the air.

"You can do this! Show that arrogant perfectionist what a real fight looks like!" Heart, his tough Vice-Captain, leaned against a toolbox and grinned.

"Her vanguard is incredibly strong, boss. That earth magic user is putting up some massive rock walls. If they can just hold their ground for this five-minute round, they can take the momentum right back."

"They will hold it," Hephaestus nodded with absolute confidence.

"Iris never gives up. She is going to stage a massive comeback. I just know it." Meanwhile, deep in the middle-class neighborhood of the Iron Rose District, the atmosphere was completely different. There was no cheering, and there was no calm political analysis. There was only pure, unfiltered panic. Inside a small, cozy living room, Ken's parents and his sister were huddled together on their sofa. They were staring at their television screen like it was a ticking bomb.

Khadija, Ken's mother, was clutching a throw pillow so tightly her knuckles were turning white. She looked absolutely terrified.

"Why is he just standing there?!" she cried out, pointing a trembling finger at the screen.

"Brandon, look at him! He is just leaning against that glowing stone pillar! The bad guys are going to get him!" Brandon rubbed his forehead, looking incredibly stressed.

"I don't know, honey. I don't understand any of this. We thought he was just doing laundry and sweeping floors for the Princess! We didn't know he was actually standing on a magical battlefield on national television!" Jasmin, Ken's younger sister, threw her hands up in the air. She was completely mortified.

"I cannot believe this is happening! The entire Empire is watching, and his shirt is totally untucked! He looks like he just woke up from a nap!"

"He is going to get hurt," Khadija whimpered, pulling the pillow closer to her face.

"He doesn't know how to fight! He got a C-minus in basic physical education! Why did they put him in the arena?!"