Chapter 297: The Finals [1]
"Depending on the severity of your injury, the rules allow for the possibility of his disqualification. Should you be unable to compete in the championships for more than two days, his action would be considered a violation that undermines the fairness of the tournament."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd again, voices clashing over the weight of the referee’s words. Some leaned forward with excitement at the thought of Noah’s possible disqualification. Others scoffed, insisting that Hiroshi had been soundly defeated regardless of timing.
Noah raised an eyebrow at the declaration, though his face remained calm. He did not speak, nor did he move to defend himself.
To him, the notion of disqualification over his speed felt exaggerated, almost laughable. Yet, he could see the sense in the rule. If competitors believed they could exploit the slightest technical flaw without consequence, it would taint the integrity of the tournament. More importantly, if injuries caused by such actions delayed the championship, the repercussions would extend far beyond a single match.
Kenji clenched his jaw, his grip tightening around Hiroshi’s arm. "You hear that? You have every right to demand justice. Don’t throw this away."
Hiroshi stood in silence, caught between pride and exhaustion, while the entire hall waited for his decision.
In the end, after listening to the referee outline the possibility of disqualification, Hiroshi’s thoughts began to shift. Until that moment, he had been ready to reject the VAR outright. To him, calling for a review was something a bitter loser would do. What pride could be found in asking for a second chance after being so thoroughly beaten?
Had the option of disqualification not been raised, his answer would have remained firm. He would have walked away with defeat, painful as it was, and carried the weight of it as his own. Because no matter how unfair the timing might have seemed, he still believed the outcome would not have changed. Noah had been on a completely different level.
Unlike Kenji, who shouted from the sidelines, Hiroshi had stood in front of Noah and felt every strike. The memory of that pressure, the raw force in each blow, lingered in his arms and shoulders. The fight had drained him so completely that the thought of facing Noah again filled him with nothing but exhaustion.
There had been no chance to adapt, no opening to learn, no rhythm to grasp. He had been dominated from the first instant. Even if he were given another attempt, the result would not be different.
Still, the rules left him with a choice. Whilst pride urged him to refuse, logic told him that the possibility of disqualification, however unlikely, should not be dismissed so easily. And beneath both, fatigue whispered for him to end it quickly, to avoid another round of punishment.
His lips parted as if he wanted to argue further, but no words came. At last, with a deep breath, he spoke. "Alright. I will agree to the check."
His eyes shifted toward Noah. For a brief moment, his hardened expression softened into something almost apologetic, as if to say that the decision was less his own will and more the weight of circumstance.
Noah, however, showed nothing in return. He remained still, wooden sword at his side, his face unreadable. He neither protested nor smirked. He simply waited, silent and unmoved, as if the verdict did not concern him.
The referee nodded, acknowledging Hiroshi’s decision. His features grew stern as he turned toward the judges. "Very well. We will review the footage."
With deliberate steps, he left the platform to begin the VAR process, while the arena buzzed with whispers. Some spectators leaned forward with excitement at the possibility of an overturned match. Others crossed their arms, shaking their heads at what they saw as a futile delay.
And at the centre of it all, Noah stood in absolute stillness, his silence louder than the crowd itself.
Noah stood quietly on the platform, his grip loose around the sword, his expression unchanging. He watched as the referee conferred with the three judges. Their voices dropped to hushed tones, their heads bent together as the video replay flickered across their private monitors. Fingers pointed, gestures traced movements frame by frame.
They slowed the footage, reversed it, and studied it again from different angles to ensure nothing slipped past unnoticed. Every detail mattered. If Noah had moved even a fraction of a second too early, he would have been caught. If there was a violation, it would be undeniable.
The arena grew restless as the minutes stretched on. Ten minutes passed in uneasy anticipation. Whispers rippled across the stands, speculation and theories clashing. Some were convinced the review would expose Noah. Others shook their heads, claiming they had seen nothing but clean, perfect timing.
Finally, the referee raised his hand for silence. The chatter died down in waves until no sound remained. The referee stepped forward, his voice loud and clear to everyone present.
"After thorough review by the judges and officials, no violations have been detected. Contestant Noah Carter acted within the rules. The decision stands. Noah Carter has officially advanced to the finals!"
The arena erupted instantly.
A wave of applause and cheers burst from one side, while on the other side, people gasped, muttered, and shook their heads in disbelief. Relief and excitement swirled among many spectators, thrilled to see such a talent secured for the championship match. Yet others could not reconcile what they had seen with the verdict.
Kenji was among them. His face tightened with frustration, his support for Hiroshi unwavering. He thrust his hand into the air, his voice cutting through the noise. "Show us the video, we would like to see it."
All eyes turned back to the referee. For a moment, silence lingered, but then the official gave a firm nod. "For legitimacy and transparency, the footage will be displayed to the audience."
A cheer rose from some corners of the crowd, while others leaned forward with anticipation.