The night before the tournament.
In the Sun Moon Team's meeting room.
"According to my investigation, the roster for your only real opponent this time, the Shrek Team, has been finalized." Jing Hongchen looked around the room. "There are only ten of them, and seven are Reserve Team members under fifteen. Do you know what that means?"
Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair, idly playing with his fingers. He didn't even look up as he drawled,
"It means they're lucky."
"Oh? And how so?"
Jing Hongchen frowned slightly. Their opponent was short on people, and word was that three of their Main Selection Team members were injured. How could that possibly have anything to do with being lucky?
"It's simple. Whether they're at full strength or not, we're going to win."
"Now that they're crippled, they've been handed an excuse."
"After they lose, they can still say, 'It's not that Shrek isn't good enough. Their Main Selection Team just wasn't complete.'"
As he spoke, he spread his hands.
"Tell me, shouldn't they thank whoever injured those people?"
"Brother's right."
Meng Hongchen nodded in agreement beside him.
The other team members exchanged glances.
Though what he'd said sounded outrageously arrogant, coming from Xiao Hongchen, it somehow seemed perfectly reasonable.
Jing Hongchen looked at the two children and sighed helplessly.
"Confidence is a good thing, but don't let overconfidence sink your ship."
He paused. "Xiao, go over the tactical arrangements."
"There's no need. We'll just overpower them with our strength."
Xiao Hongchen waved him off.
"You child..." Jing Hongchen shook his head. "Fine. But avoid using that Humanoid Soul Tool if you can. Even if they find out about it, they won't be able to copy it. Also, Xiao, if you want to compete before the finals, you can, but try