A few days passed in the academy, each one feeling a little more electric as the rumor of the upcoming tournament solidified into reality.
Posters were hung in hallways, names were mentioned in conversations, and bets were already being quietly made.
Some students were buzzing with excitement, practically bouncing off the walls.
Others were less enthusiastic, feeling the weight of expectations and the growing tension between classes.
But most of them signed up anyway. The allure of rewards, rumored to be more than just credits or trinkets, was too strong to resist.
Rhian noticed the shift in atmosphere everywhere he went.
In the cafeteria, students talked about strategies over plates of steaming food.
In the courtyards, impromptu sparring matches broke out, everyone trying to sharpen their skills before the real challenge began.
