Hermann grabbed a chalk, walked to the blackboard, and started writing something with big letters.
[Hermann Overlord]
His own name.
"My name is Hermann Overlord, and I am one of your teachers. I don’t teach you a specific subject. I will teach you whatever the people in charge want me to teach you.
"And today, I will just drill the importance of the draft into your young, little minds—the reason why we are all here today!"
Hermann said, and then he turned back to the blackboard and started writing more stuff.
"The history of the World Tournament is what we will be learning about today. I am sure you all already know all about it, but I’m here to give you a refresher."
Hermann said.
His hand moved across the blackboard, the chalk leaving behind a trail of white dust, and words after words began appearing.
The students were quickly writing the exact same things in their notebooks—it was quiet except for the sound of the chalk scratching against the board.
"Innerworld was released in the year 2403. It was first published only in New America, and then it slowly spread across North and South America.
"It wasn’t the game that you all love and remember. It wasn’t the second world... It wasn’t as realistic as it is now... It was just a game, and honestly, quite... buggy and glitchy.
"It still became quite popular in North America.
"And year later, at Year 2404, the first-ever World Tournament was held, and it was only held between four countries.
"New America, Wild Mexico, Sunny Brazil, and Silver Argentina.
"They were the four strongest countries at the time.
"That tournament was won by New America—pretty dominantly, if I say so myself."
Hermann said.
The students looked at him—some recognized him as one of the players that was part of that championship-winning team.
World Tournament wasn’t that big of a thing back then—it honestly shouldn’t have even been called a World Tournament because it really wasn’t a tournament where the World competed against each other.
"However, after that World Tournament, more and more people started discovering Innerworld in other parts of the world.
"Innerworld released several updates next year that boosted its popularity—it became a much better game.
"When the second World Tournament rolled around, the competition was much more intense than before.
"This time around, there were eight nations participating, and one of them was Red Russia—who had become really scary in a very short time.
"Second World Tournament was again won by New America, but Red Russia came second, and they even won some events, which were previously dominated by New America.
"By Third World Tournament, Innerworld had become a sensation all around the world, and players from Asia started flocking to Innerworld.
"The Third World Tournament was won by New America, but this time around, Red Russia lost by just a few hundred points. It was extremely close!
"And at the Fourth World Tournament, Red Russia finally won, ending New America’s reign over Innerworld.
"New America came second."
Hermann said with a serious look on his face.
Everyone knew what that meant, because as soon as New America lost that title, it was downhill ever since.
"However, Red Russia wasn’t able to celebrate for long, as the new global superpower quickly emerged.
"Fifth World Tournament was won by Dragon Japan.
"Red Russia came second, but Phoenix China was third, Korea Republic was fourth, and New America was fifth.
"We had already dropped to fifth in just a few years!
"Sixth World Tournament came, and it was again won by Dragon Japan, with Phoenix China being second, Korea Republic third, and New America having now dropped to sixth.
"Seventh World Tournament—Phoenix China won, Dragon Japan second, Korea Republic third, and New America was seventh.
"Eight World Tournament—it just ended, and Korea Republic finally won it, and New America had dropped all the way to tenth place.
"The last place."
Hermann said with a serious look on his face.
They were once the dominant force in Innerworld, but those days were long gone.
"If that wasn’t all, we lost to Thug America for the first time in history. We’ve become a joke. Our nation has always been feuding with them.
"Over a hundred years ago, a Civil War emerged in America, which split our glorious nation in two—New America and Thug America.
"Since then, we’ve always been fighting against each other, and Innerworld became that battlefield.
"Instead of using violence in the real world, it was much better to fight in Innerworld instead.
"And at last, we lost to them. For the first time. We embarrassed ourselves... we embarrassed our president..."
Some of the students remember a press conference that Thug America’s president held a few days ago, laughing at New America and their president.
Innerworld was created in New America, and not only were they beaten in their own game, but they were thoroughly humiliated.
"You are not only fighting for yourself. You are fighting for the pride of our country. Remember that when you step into Innerworld."
Hermann said, finished writing on the blackboard, and then added a long white line under the things he wrote.
"Ninth World Tournament will be held in one year’s time. The president knows that one year isn’t enough time to help New America win anything.
"But the goal is to keep our place at the World Tournament.
"We barely made it through the qualifyings this year, and they are afraid that next year... we will not even make it through qualification."
Hermann said.
If they didn’t get through qualification, they wouldn’t be able to compete in the World Tournament—only the top ten best countries would be able to participate.
"I don’t know whether any of you will be good enough to make New America’s team in a year’s time, but we will do our best to try."
Hermann said.
The students grabbed their pens hard. The fire of passion burned in their eyes. They all wanted to be in that stage.
World Tournament... the biggest stage in the world...
’World Tournament...’
Devon covered his right fist with his left hand and squeezed hard, as he just wanted to make his mother proud.
’And to cure her... I need to get into that team... somehow.’