The Academy was a carnival of chaos.
Students poured into the large coliseum with marble towers rising like titans over the rest of the campus.
The massive open roof revealed the floating scoreboard above, while dozens of holographic screens hovered in the air, broadcasting past highlights and upcoming matches.
Vendors yelled out snacks, fan clubs waved posters, and second and third years leaned on balconies looking down with smirks.
Victor was ushered into the south wing of the arena marked with the First-Year Combatant Class symbol and led to a private waiting room with refreshments and equipment racks.
He sat calmly with his eyes closed, mentally preparing.
---
Elsewhere in the arena, Amara sat uncomfortably beside Derek Slate in a balcony.
Derek had his arm wrapped lazily around her, and although she tried shifting away multiple times, he kept pulling her closer.
