The Prince of Tennis: The Quincy of Rikkai University.

Chapter 164: "Lucky" Ice Emperor
This year's draw is no different than last year's, with the top-seeded schools being allocated their half of the field first, and then the remaining schools being drawn.

This year's top three seeds are slightly different, with Seishun Academy replacing Hyotei as the number one seed in the Tokyo division.

As for Kanagawa Prefecture's number one, it is of course Rikkai University, and Chiba Prefecture is of course Rokkaku Middle School.

The draw for the three No. 1 seeds was quickly concluded.

I don’t know if Sanada really has a special affinity with the number “1”, but this year Rikkai University still drew number 1.

No. 9, Liujiaozhong, No. 16, Qingchun College.

When the names of the three schools were written on the battle list, whispers began to break out from the audience.

"Qingxue is number 16, as long as we don't draw number 15, it will be fine."

"Please, draw a better lottery spot."

"Come to a school and draw number 2. Anyone can be chosen."

"You are so vicious. You actually cursed us to draw number 2. This is really unforgivable!"

Before the second round of drawing lots, the representatives of various schools in the audience were acting in a frenzy.

"Tsk, the wailing of the weak is really annoying." Atobe Keigo said disdainfully as he looked at the frowning representatives from other schools.

Soon, the staff began to call out the names one by one, asking the representatives in the audience to go on stage and draw lots.

"Orange is fourth, number 4."

"Yamabuki Junior High School, No. 8."

"Jiaoyang Middle School, No. 11."

"Fudomine, number 5."

"Yinhua, number 15."

……

Numbers were drawn one by one, and the vacancies for the first round of the match schedule were gradually being filled.

Maya Yuuki noticed a lottery result that was different from what she remembered.

Ginka Junior High School, which was originally Rikkai University's first-round opponent and should have drawn No. 2, actually drew No. 15.

The 15th pick should have been drawn by Hyotei.

"It seems that Atobe's luck isn't always so bad. After all, this is not the same world line."

Maya Yuuki didn't feel that surprised, but just lamented that Hyotei actually escaped the fate of being punished by Seigaku in the first round.

"Next, the representative from Tokyo, Hyotei Academy."

Just as I was thinking about Hyotei, the staff on the stage immediately called out.

On this side, after hearing this, Atobe Keigo smiled slightly and walked onto the stage with one hand in his pocket.

He stretched out two fingers with his other hand, casually picked up the lottery box, and handed it to the staff without even looking at it.

He would not draw lots timidly like other people, or even pray to draw a weak opponent.

His Ice Emperor is not afraid of any challenge!

"Hyotei Academy, number 2."

After the staff opened their fingers, they reported the number on them.

Before he finished speaking, the entire venue was in an uproar.

"Is this true?! How could something like this happen?!"

"No way? The champion and runner-up of last year's Kanto tournament will actually meet in the first round."

"Doesn't this mean... that the losing party won't be able to attend the national conference?"

"Idiot! You don't think the Rikkai will lose, do you?"

"This... Hyotei is having a miserable year. Not only did they lose the Metropolitan Conference Championship, but now they can't even go to the National Conference."

"..."

Below the stage, representatives from various schools widened their eyes and looked at the battle list together. Hyotei's name was written accurately below Rikkai University's name.

In a corner of the venue, Mamoru Inoue and his assistant Saori Shiba, who came to watch the lottery ceremony, were also surprised. "You must be kidding! Hyotei actually met so soon..."

Saori Shiba had just gone to Hyotei the day before yesterday to collect materials and conduct interviews, preparing to write a column for Hyotei in the new issue of Tennis Moon Forum, but now it seems that her efforts will be in vain.

"This is really, full of drama."

Mamoru Inoue restrained his expression. From the perspective of the Tokyo Metropolitan Games, he felt in his heart that this year's Hyotei experience was indeed too bumpy.

On the stage.

Atobe Keigo's smile had long disappeared. He walked back to the stage pretending to be indifferent and sat down next to Oshitari Yuushi without making a sound.

"Atobe..." Oshitari Yuushi opened his mouth in a low voice and wanted to say something.

"Let's talk about it when we get back."

Atobe Keigo interrupted the other person, pressed his eyebrows, and felt a sudden pain in his head.

Oshitari Yuushi looked at Atobe's appearance, nodded slightly and swallowed back the words he was about to say.

Half an hour later, the drawing process and subsequent routine speeches were all over, and the staff announced the end of the event.

All of a sudden, school representatives stood up one after another and left the conference hall.

Maya Yuuki and Genichirō Sanada were not in a hurry to leave because this was their home court. After the ceremony, they would stay in the school and go to the tennis club for training.

Looking at Keigo Atobe hurriedly leaving, Maya Yuuki couldn't help but smile.

He was just praising Jibu's luck for not being that bad, but he didn't expect the result to be like this.

The opponent did not draw Seigaku in the first round, but now they drew Rikkai University, which was even more lucky.

I'm sure that Keigo Atobe must be feeling extremely uncomfortable at this moment.

However, when Maya Yuuki thought that even if the opponent was eliminated in the first round, he would still be able to get a recommended spot for this year's national conference, it seemed like a kind of good luck.

After all, not everyone can advance to the national conference by losing a game.

……

After most people in the venue had left, he and Sanada stood up and left the venue.

When they turned a corner after coming out, they ran into representatives from two schools who seemed to be communicating.

It was Tezuka and his group, and Yamabuki's Sengoku and others.

"Tezuka, you guys do your best in this competition. I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." The two sides seemed to have finished talking, and Sengoku Kiyomi said goodbye to Tezuka Kunimitsu at the same time as Yuki and the others left.

"Yeah, we will."

Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded, watched the other party leave, then turned his gaze to Yuuki and Sanada who had already walked near them.

When Sanada and Tezuka's eyes met, the atmosphere inexplicably froze.

Hideichiro Oishi, who was standing by, suddenly felt his breathing become short of breath.

"Tezuka, congratulations on winning the Metropolitan Tournament Championship." Genichirō Sanada spoke first, in an emotionless tone.

"Yeah, you too." Tezuka Kunimitsu still had that icy face.

"It seems that Seigaku has big ambitions this year," Sanada said bluntly.

"Seigaku's goal has always been to win the championship." Tezuka Kunimitsu replied frankly and seriously.

"Really? Then see you in the finals. We're waiting for your challenge, Tezuka." Genichirō Sanada did not doubt Tezuka's words.

Seishun Academy, which was able to win the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament and become the number one seed, is now qualified to challenge them.

Of course, it's just qualification.

After a brief meeting and exchange of a few words, both sides parted tacitly.

Tezuka and Oishi walked out of the gate of Rikkai University, while Yuki and Sanada returned to the tennis club.

Although Rikkai University is absolutely confident of winning the championship, rigorous training is still essential.

Relax and stuff, there will be plenty of time after winning the championship.

(End of this chapter)