(Rodova Military Academy – Circuit Team Selection Day)
The elimination matches began shortly after Yu Shen left the first-year warm-up room, as the academy's military punctuality demanded that the first fight start precisely at 8:00 a.m., neither a second early nor late.
The opening bout saw a wide-eyed first-year step nervously into the ring against a seasoned second-year, as the disparity in skill became obvious the moment the bell rang.
It wasn't even close, as the junior's dream of making it to the circuit team—or at least putting up a respectable fight to secure a summer camp recommendation—was crushed within forty seconds.
"Winner, 2nd-year cadet, Lu Jiang," the referee called out flatly, as the next match began without even a pause, the event unfolding with mechanical efficiency.
