Chapter 458 - Revitalizing the Organization and the Finals Begin
Days of relentlessly defeating enemies passed swiftly, and the whole thing was completed efficiently in a short time. In retrospect, it feels rather anticlimactic.
Finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief. With this, things are finally clear and clean.
The weeds have been cleared, and the atmosphere has definitely improved.
Damn, it took longer than it should have. I can't help but think it would have been better if we had acted sooner.
Given the considerable scale and long history of the Magic Doll Federation, a quick overhaul was never going to be easy. If we had acted on our own, it would have likely caused significant problems. The bold challenge we faced made the groundwork smoother, allowing us to launch a devastating counterattack that went beyond mere intimidation.
But the dirty work we did? Frankly, it doesn't matter.
What's important is the final stage of the Magic Doll competition. All our efforts up until now were for its success.
With Anastasia Union as the top figure, the newly established Magic Doll Federation has been bustling with activity from the get-go, and it continues to be a busy period.
Starting from scratch, we reviewed and completely overhauled the plans for the finals, which added to the workload.
Money brings power, and that's just a fact. But once it starts filling personal pockets, it's the beginning of the end. The Federation is primarily a school club activity, not a tool for making money.
If we start valuing money, we'll inevitably focus on expanding our influence. It's human nature, after all. The Federation must guard against this at all costs.
Once power becomes involved, political struggles are inevitable. And once that happens, an institution like Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy can no longer be ignored, for better or worse. This would undermine what should be a healthy club activity, leading to a complete reversal of priorities.
If you want to play that game, do it elsewhere. If you must, do it in secret.
At worst, if adults want to do their thing in the background, fine, as long as they don't burden the kids. That's the bare minimum. Those who can't even do that much shouldn't be greedy.
If I were to do it, I'd dig deeper and expand, involving more powerful forces, which is essentially what we did.
Even when the little fish band together, they eventually lose to the stronger. That's when you need to lower your profile and implement survival strategies. The old Federation members couldn't do that, and that's why they were doomed.
Whatever the case, it's done. We've settled this, and it's time to move on.
Rebuilding the organization is a top priority, and preparations for the finals are proceeding in parallel.
I've been observing as a stakeholder, and it's been a sight to behold. Just watching the immense workload is exhausting, and there's no way I could nitpick from the sidelines. These days flew by in a blur.
And today, the day of the finals has arrived.
As expected, the old rules wouldn't cut it. With everything overhauled, it's only natural.
Originally, the finals were to be a tournament format, with schools that cleared the regional preliminaries competing in the same manner.
A national finals with sixty-four schools.
If they faced off in groups of four, the first round would have sixteen matches, the second round four matches, and the final round one match, totaling twenty-one matches.
However, with the Federation's staff, judges, and knight squad members who lent their facilities all needing to be reorganized, it became clear that the necessary personnel weren't available, and the venues couldn't be prepared in time.
Thus, it was concluded that the planned matches were impossible.
But canceling the finals after revamping the Federation would be unthinkable. It was decided from the start that the finals would happen, no matter what. So, we needed to find a way to make it work.
The solution was a drastic reduction in the number of matches. If we couldn't stage twenty-one matches in a short time, we had to adjust to make it possible.
Considering the significant rule changes starting this year, a slight tweak for the finals wasn't a big deal. A small difference in format between the preliminaries and finals would minimize confusion.
Informing the participating schools of the rule changes and the specifics beforehand would ensure fairness. Many schools might be unhappy with the changes, but the new Federation provided a detailed explanation.
Eliminating the corrupt officials and stakeholders who had profited from trivial rights and power struggles, and declaring the future operations would be fair, lent a sense of acceptance and persuasiveness to the new Federation led by the renowned Anastasia Union. This was the role we expected from the Matriarch.
As before, I read the tournament booklet on the bus during the journey.
It clearly explained the rule changes in a way the audience could understand.
"Still, it’s quite a bold move. I didn’t expect them to go for a one-shot battle."
While the rule changes were necessary, organizing a battle royale with sixty-four teams was a bold decision.
Each team can bring up to fifty Magic Dolls, totaling over three thousand in a single match. It sounds exciting just thinking about the scale of the final battle.
Naturally, the battlefield is much larger, measuring three thousand meters square to accommodate the numerous teams and dolls. Visibility is improved with minimal obstacles.
The only cover for the dolls is the tall grass covering the entire battlefield, which can hide them but also block the operators' view if they crouch.
Additional rules have been added to promote combat across the vast battlefield and manage the time, maintaining tension.
Moreover, the previously restricted one magic tool per team has been eliminated, and advisors are now allowed to participate as commanders instead of players. This change simplifies the rules by removing the complexities of magic tools and helps students who might be bewildered by the new format.
Initial placements on the vast battlefield are determined by a lottery, and students will operate their Magic Dolls from elevated platforms. The rule that a team loses when their Flagship Machine is defeated remains unchanged. The standards for swords, spears, and shields equipped by the dolls also stay the same.
To help identify teams, the bibs worn by the dolls have more colors, and the combination of the bib color and the number on it helps distinguish the teams. Similar colors are inevitable, but they've accepted that.
"Miss Evilbanshee, is that the tournament booklet?"
"Yes, it summarizes the new rules."
"The rule changes are way too late! It's only a week before the tournament! It's unbelievable."
Club President Hermira and Vice-President Mildree sit near me. Despite her complaints, I understand her frustration. All the strategies and practice they've worked on become irrelevant with the new rules, and seven days isn't enough to come up with new ones.
"By the way, Miss Evilbanshee, why aren't you the commander?"
Edith, with her curly hair, asks from behind Hermira. As she points out, the new rules allow advisors to participate as commanders, but I have no intention of doing so.
"Why would I? It's more fun to watch. If I were the commander, we'd win for sure."
With so many Magic Dolls on a large battlefield, reconnaissance is crucial. My mana perception can completely map out the battlefield, which would be unfair and uninteresting.
Handicapping myself would be stressful, and I trust them enough to let them handle it themselves.
"So, you'll be watching from the stands again? You won't be joining us on the platform?"
"No, I'll join you on the platform. I want to watch from the best seats. But I won’t interfere, so keep that in mind."
I declared this to the members as soon as the new rules were announced, and I won't change my mind.
"Got it. We've always relied on you during matches, but I think we’ll be fine."
"Mildree's right. Just show the results of our practice, and we'll do fine."
We'll win. It's that simple. The core of the Magic Doll battles hasn't changed, so there's nothing to worry about.
After we arrive at the venue and unload our gear, we head to the designated area. This is a temporary venue for the opening ceremony, a bit away from the battlefield, and it’s packed with spectators.
With a single, decisive match determining the winner, there are no waiting areas for schools between matches.
Teams must remain on the platforms until the match ends, whether they win or lose. So, the platforms serve as waiting areas.
Many schools are already lined up in their designated positions. We follow suit, with Hermira leading the way and me at the rear. After waiting for a few minutes, the appointed time arrives.
The new Chairperson of the Magic Doll Federation appears. This elderly woman commands more presence than anyone else in the vast venue, her sharp gaze scanning the young students with a glare.
The moment she appears, the atmosphere in the venue changes dramatically.
Despite her small stature, her presence is overwhelming. Her dark, constricting attire seems to exude her authority. Her piercing gaze seems to pierce the young students, making them catch their breath.
The previously noisy venue falls silent, a testament to her commanding presence.
The awe-inspiring power of Anastasia Union, known as the Matriarch, is undeniable. Her command and control live up to her reputation.
Her performance is clearly part of a show to assert her authority. She speaks solemnly to the silent crowd.
"The All-Berliza Federated Kingdom Magic Doll Championship, Finals. I hereby declare the commencement of this tournament."
The Federation had been in disarray, and the changes to the rules caused everyone inconvenience. The responsibility lies with those who were ousted, but the new officials might still face some criticism. Her attitude is a clear challenge to that.
"If you have complaints, speak up. If you can say it, say it. We didn't do this out of choice. We’ve cleaned up the mess for you, so be grateful. You should be thankful we’re even holding the finals."
She doesn't say it in words, but her demeanor conveys that message.
Anyone who knows the backstory will understand, and the many spectators who don't will still feel the formidable presence of the Matriarch, Anastasia Union.
She continues, speaking with the authority of the new Chairperson and the Head of Operations.
"The new Magic Doll battles will test not just individual magical prowess but the overall synergy of teams. We expect you to demonstrate the depth of Magic Doll battles, challenge your limits, and fight with pride."
She steps back, and applause breaks out.
Next, a young man takes the podium.
"We will now conduct the initial placement lottery. Representatives from each school, please gather. Afterward, please move to your designated positions promptly."
He holds a box containing sixty-four sticks. The first to draw gets the position marked on their stick. All schools participating in the finals were informed of this process, so it proceeds smoothly.
When Hermira returns with our initial position, we immediately move to our designated spot. Each school has a large cart for easy transportation across the vast battlefield.
Once we reach our platform, prepared by the tournament staff, we’re ready to go. All that’s left is to wait for the match to begin.
The tournament announcer's voice rings out before the start.
"All-Berliza Federated Kingdom Magic Doll Championship, the finals will now commence!"
On the clear battlefield, numerous Magic Dolls, each around eighty centimeters tall, equipped with swords, spears, or shields, light up, ready to engage.
"Attention on the northwest block, three-two, where Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy is positioned!"
The vast battlefield is divided into sixty by sixty grids. Our initial position is grid three-two from the top left corner, each grid being fifty meters square.
"Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy, though fielding forty-seven dolls, which is under the maximum of fifty, is known for having many top-tier dolls. Their performance is highly anticipated!"
The announcer's favorable comments are understandable. However, since the students can hear the announcements, it's best not to go into too much detail.
Finally, it's about to begin, and it will all be over today.
It will be a memorable day for me, too.
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The one-shot final has begun, and it’s time to proceed with tension and excitement.
2025, here we go!