"Oh, Jack, you returned." Chairman Azer turned to the door that was slowly opening. "The tournament is about to sta—"
At that moment, the VIP room turned quiet, as it wasn't only Jack who had arrived. Without further ado, Chairman Azer and the five heads of the academies rose to their feet and bowed.
"Honorable Ancestor, welcome!" They shouted in unison. Their voices oozed with respect and humility.
The room was filled with silence; only the calm tempo of Ancestor's and Jack's footsteps echoed across the walls.
"Has the tournament started?" Ancestor asked and saw Chairman Azer offering him his chair. He didn't bother rejecting it and sat on the chair. He then interlaced his fingers and looked across the arena. "Is the first match decided?"
Chairman Azer sat down next to him with a new chair and nodded. "Yes, sir. It is Hide and Seek, and the stage is Cryptic City."
