Sara slowly sipped his tea, looking over a list of advancing contestants submitted by the tournament organizing committee. There were only sixteen names on it: the contestants in this round of sixteen points-based elimination stage.
Yu Xiao, Long Weixi, and Wen Xu were all on the list. Though their rankings were not particularly high, they were indeed there.
In fact, they were the only three contestants from China to reach the final sixteen.
The round of sixteen points-based elimination stage differed considerably in format from the straightforward elimination rounds before it. The competitors would be divided into four groups, and each of the four contestants in each group would take turns battling the other three in six-on-six matches. Each win earned one point, until the highest scorer in each group was determined. The top three from the four groups would advance, while everyone else would be eliminated.
"This year's tournament is almost over," Miyamoto Ryunosuke said with a smile. "I think it's time to decide on this year's prizes."
"Oh? It sounds like Yūichi has improved considerably this year?" Sara said jokingly. But the meaning behind his words had something of an edge.
Is Japan a hundred percent certain to make the top three this year?
"You're too kind, Chairman," Ryūnosuke replied, neither servile nor overbearing. "Yūichi trains hard every day. I believe his efforts will eventually be rewarded."
Hard work deserves its proper reward. Isn't that only natural?
Sara said nothing more, merely looking silently at his friend before him.
"Then I'll go convene a meeting of the organizers to discuss this year's three prizes." Ryūnosuke bowed slightly. "I'll take my leave."
Sara looked at the list in his hand and took a gentle sip of tea.
The tea was warm, its steam drifting with its fragrance.
But no