Chapter 1243: FINAL PARTY (I)

EVER since the Arcadia Cup's second season started, they've thrown a party right after the finals. The party was meant to celebrate all the teams who joined the tournament. Any player from the competing teams could attend, and almost everyone did. By now, showing up to this party was pretty much a given.

This year, the party would be held at Selene Palace. This was the first time that a party would be held at the King of Arcadia's home. Many thought that this was because this would be the last Arcadia Cup where only teams from their country could compete. With the game expanding worldwide, the next Cup would include teams from across borders. So, it felt like this party was a send off to an era.

The party was being live-streamed on Moonlight Media's official account. When the broadcast began, the breathtaking sight of Selene Palace greeted the viewers. It was perched on a floating island, its entire exterior shimmering like it was carved from pure crystal. The camera then zoomed in toward the grand entrance. As the doors swung open, the screen revealed the glittering ballroom inside.

The empty ballroom stretched wide, its crystal chandeliers glowing over rows of standing tables. Uniformed staff moved quietly, arranging silver trays of food and adjusting drink stations. Long buffet tables lined the walls, stacked with polished plates and neat rows of desserts.

In the background, soft classical music played from an orchestra of elves—each one fair-haired with eyes like sapphires or emeralds, dressed in silver-trimmed white robes that shimmered under the chandeliers.

A man in a tailored black suit with silver buttons stood near the entrance, his white gloves straightening his already-perfect cuffs. He unrolled a scroll with practiced ease, then began announcing each team's arrival in a voice that carried across the ballroom.

The grand doors swung open as the NPC called out the first team's name. Teams after teams walked in.

Then team Siren entered, their flowing blue outfits shifting between shades of ocean and seafoam green with every step. Their captain, Nereid led them. Her floor-length gown was the color of deep seawater, the fabric catching the light like actual waves.

Right behind them came team Mozu, all dressed in solid black, from their fitted jackets to their polished boots. They moved together like shadows given human form, their synchronized steps making their entrance feel more like a military march than a party arrival.

Soon after, team Fenghuang walked in. Most of their members wore elegant white robes with red trim along the sleeves and collars. But all eyes went to their captain, who stood out sharply in a full crimson robe that burned bright against the white-clad players behind him.

Team Sanguis then arrived. Each member wore completely different outfits - punk leather here, elegant silks there - yet somehow the mismatched styles worked together. Alucard's all-black suit could have been boring if not for the way it perfectly mirrored his vampire avatar's aesthetic, from the high neckline to the faint silver thread tracing subtle bat patterns in the fabric.

After some time, team Celestials appeared. Their white outfits so pristine they nearly glowed under the chandeliers. The golden hair of each member cast a warm light on their perfect posture and folded wings.

A hush fell as the NPC took a deeper breath before calling out: "And finally, your Arcadia Cup champions - Team Yunyue!"

White Marsh entered first, his tight shirt leaving no doubt about the muscles underneath, the fabric straining slightly across his shoulders with each movement. Morganite fluttered more than walked, her lavender dress flaring around her like flower petals, the pink of her hair matching the blush-colored gems at her collar. Young Master Jin marched in like a child emperor, his tiny suit somehow made him look both adorable and intimidating.

Then the team's 'pets' walked in. The kitsune's white kimono flowed like fresh snow with every step, his fox ears twitching above the silver-threaded fabric. Behind him, the two dragons cut sharp figures - one in blood-red, the other in ink-black, their suits tailored to emphasize their huge builds.

Noctis moved like moonlight given form, his silver-and-purple outfit making his white hair glow. The subtle violet accents in his jacket's embroidery shifted shades when he turned. YUN completed the group, his long purple hair blending seamlessly into robes of the same rich hue, the white floral patterns along the hem and sleeves making him look like he'd stepped out of an ancient painting.

Once all the teams had settled into the ballroom, the same man in the black suit stepped forward again. He cleared his throat before making his final announcement.

"And now, let us welcome his esteemed majesty, the king!"

A crystal staircase suddenly materialized in the center of the ballroom, its steps glowing faintly as they spiraled upward. At the top stood the king, his presence commanding immediate silence.

He had silvery white hair that looked like strands of moonlight. His apricot-colored eyes held the depth of the night sky, complete with tiny stars that seemed to twinkle within them. He wore an elaborate outfit fit for a monarch straight out of a western fantasy tale, tailored to his tall, slender frame with precision. Atop his head sat a golden crown embedded with silver gemstones, catching the light with every slight movement.

"Welcome, all of you," the king spoke, his voice carrying effortlessly across the ballroom. "Tonight, we celebrate not just victory, but the spirit of competition that unites us all. Let this palace bear witness to your well-earned revelry." His starlit eyes swept over the crowd. "Eat, drink, and let the night belong to you."

***

Luo Yan stared at the king. "He really looks like Uncle Yue. It's... kind of creepy."

He hadn't noticed it the first time he saw the king. But after seeing Uncle Yue's face without those huge glasses, and knowing Uncle Yi Mu had modeled the King of Arcadia after him, the resemblance was impossible to ignore now. Before, he'd just thought the king was good-looking. Now? The similarity was unsettling.

"That's true love for you," Bai Ze commented.

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