Chapter 76

　　Too slow.` Kal thought as he sidestepped the bluish-white streak of energy.

　　Time had reduced to a crawl, and his perceptions of his surroundings heightened to almost superhuman levels. The Neural Burden of the Scout was non-existent, so much so that the Mech almost anticipated his movements, responding to his thoughts instantaneously.

　　Kal answered the attack with one of his own. The lasgun in his hand thrummed as it discharged, a crack of thunder split the air as it sped across the gap between the fighting Mobile Suits.

　　They were in a clear, grassy plain with a blue sky overhead. The ladder-ranked match randomized the environment each time so that no one had an advantage.

　　The stream of energy pierced the Light Class Scout his opponent Piloted, burning a hole in its torso before it crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Kal heard a loud ding` as the match ended, the environs fading as he was brought back to the storage area.

　　Winner! Merit of Caledon (D - LCM)`

　　The words flashed in the air above his eyeline, accompanied by a mechanical voice to announce his win. Ignoring the announcement, Kal turned back to the ladder rankings. After nearly a week since returning to the VR game, he was accustomed to its quirks.

　　He had a new notification in his inbox, congratulating him for his promotion to D` rank. There was also a fascinating inclusion, a request to a spectated ladder tournament where their battles would be streamed live to spectators across the galaxy.

　　Taking a glance at the bottom, he saw a list of participants had been included. Over ten thousand people had already joined, and Kal was curious about the prize. It seemed that wins in the tournament would count extra towards their promotion points in the Ladder, and the top participants would receive credits, equipment unlocks and cosmetics, and even rare variant Mechs.

　　It was tempting for players, those that desired to become Pilots in the real world, or simply stay in the VR game. For those that were already in a clan, it could lead to promotions within, raising their rank opened many doors. More importantly for many, the increased exposure could lead to real-world or in-game recruitments to teams, mercenary groups, clans and other avenues.

　　Kal`s hand hovered over the tournament join` button, hesitating momentarily as he weighed the pros and cons. It would last for several days, but he didn`t have anything else scheduled for the moment. Amelia would understand that this was part of his therapy, Kal reasoned.

　　He firmly pressed the button, and the orange holo flashed green before fading. He thought he should be satisfied or have some reaction to fighting again, but he felt strangely calm and detached. Kal had spent the last several weeks in the ladder matches, defeating hundreds of foes as he climbed his way to D` rank.

　　Kal remembered that he used to be concerned about entering a Mech or excited when he won a match or scared if he faced a foe of overwhelming strength. But since Piloting the Atlas, that had been robbed from him.

　　Maybe he would find it again during this tournament.

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　　A trio of young people walked the virtual city streets holding the tournament. A floating coliseum hovered above their heads in the sky, made of white stone and shimmering crystals. Large enough to contain millions of people and the Mechs that would be fighting within, the friends had joined the crowds of people within the game to watch the Light Class ladder rankings.

　　"Are you still upset that you didn`t make the cut?" One of the young men, with tanned skin and short black hair, asked the other, who was walking beside him in the middle of the group.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

　　"Of course not," Ty replied, shaking his head at the question.

　　His blond hair fell into his face, and he brushed it aside absentmindedly. Next to him, Cid recognized the lie but let it go. Amongst their group, only John and Mare had made it to the invitationals, the tournament that was held for the Light Class Ladder Rankings.

　　They were here to watch John compete. Mare had said she was busy with something and couldn`t participate but promised to meet up with them later.

　　"There`s always next year. Maybe all of us will get invites." Cid replied cheerfully, trying to prevent Ty from entering into a funk.

　　She gripped his arm tightly, glad to spend some time together, even if it was only virtually. They had all been separated for the past few months, and it was rare that they could see each other.

　　"Or John will win the whole thing and take us with him when he joins a clan!" The tanned young man, Micah, exclaimed. Cid smiled, nodding her head at the response.

　　"I don`t understand why we can`t just watch this elsewhere. Why do we have to sit in the stands up there?" Ty asked, gesturing to the hovering arena casting a shadow onto the ground below them.

　　"Because it`s more fun this way! You get to experience the crowd`s cheers, excitement, and energy. There was something different about watching the matches with other fans surrounding you. I`m sick of being stuck on a Starship all the time!" Cid pouted, and Micah agreed.

　　"Look! Let`s have a look at some of the merch! I want to get a T-shirt." Micah yelled, already moving towards an NPC vendor stall selling merchandise for the various participants, clans or even generic MechTech Battlewarrior clothing and trinkets.

　　Micah grabbed a black shirt with a picture of a Goblin` Light Class Mech on the front while a image of its Pilot stood in front. The Mobile Suit was in an eye-blistering mix of bright colours, drawing attention to it.

　　Seeing what his friend was gazing at, Ty frowned.

　　"You serious rooting for Sim?" Ty asked, watching as Micah purchased a shirt, hat and even a banner of the rival Pilot. With a click of a button, the young man outfitted himself with his purchases, the shirt drawing attention with its image of the hideously colourful Goblin.`

　　"He`s from home. Of course, I`m a fan." Micah explained, shrugging his shoulders. Sim was from his planet, and despite the Pilot`s quirks, he wanted Sim to win.

　　Next to them, Cid selected an outfit in bright pink, a woman prominently displayed on the chest in front of a similar-coloured Scout Mech. The Pilot was wearing a bubblegum pink Bodysuit with matching hair while making a peace sign with her hand. Her beautiful face was pouted into a kissy face as she winked at the camera.

　　"You too?!" Ty exclaimed, observing Cid change her outfit as well. In a flash, all her clothing matched her hairstyle.

　　"Osiris is soo cool!" Cid exclaimed. Osiris was not only an A` rank pilot but also a singer and famous actress. She was one of the most popular competitors, and Ty could see other people decked out in her merchandise from where they were standing.

　　"Traitors," Ty muttered, swiping his hand through the shop`s offerings before pulling up the search function. Amongst the least popular was their companion`s merchandise. John`s shirt was navy blue, his figure looking solemn as he stood before his plain Scout` Mech.

　　Hitting the purchase` button, Ty donned the shirt, matching it with a Hyperion Industries` Hat. The credits on his account decreased by a marginal amount, and part of the proceeds was split with the advertised Pilot.

　　The trio continued their walk through the busy marketplace. Vendors had shops set up with various in-game goods, even exclusive paint jobs for Mechs, unique Bodysuits and exclusive, limited-edition equipment. Ty stopped by one stall, looking at a holo for a gold-plated Lasgun for an obscene number of credits as Micah and Cid tried to pry him away.

　　"Attention, Matches will begin shortly. Automated teleport to the viewing stands can be accessed at any time via your HUD." A voice spoke out over the loudspeaker, clearly distinct above the crowd`s noise. A small icon flashed in the center of their vision, indicating they could travel to the floating coliseum any time they wanted.

　　"Ready?" Ty asked, waiting for Cid and Micah to finish their purchases before the trio confirmed with the system, disappearing into motes of light before reappearing miles above in the arena.

　　Millions of people were in the stands, ascending levels of stone seating arranged as an amphitheatre around the arena floor. In contrast, tens of millions could also watch the live stream from anywhere in the galaxy.

　　Above, large holo displays would show the action. Still, for spectators, visual amplification technology made what was happening below easy to see from any level of the Arena, allowing viewers to see all the Mechs fighting or watch the curated video feed the organizers provided.

　　Waves of noise watched over them as the fans cheered and screamed to be heard over the tumultuous crowd. Most wore clothing to match their favourite Pilots, clan or team, which made a sea of colour. Banners were raised high, waving in the air, and the trio added their voices to the noise as the first pairing was announced.