Sheila and Edith stood back before the gathered second-years while the large magical task screen remained suspended above the Southern District courtyard. The smaller commander screen in front of Sheila had changed after she pressed the option. The word ACCEPTED now glowed beneath the task details, and below it a new timer had appeared.
Fifteen minutes.
Preparation time before the six-hour countdown began.
Sheila did not wait for the courtyard to start talking again. "The task has been accepted," she said, her voice firm enough to cut through the first wave of murmurs before they could grow. "We have fifteen minutes before the task countdown begins, so I will keep this brief."
The students quieted, though not comfortably. Eyes kept flicking between her and the task screen. The anchor zones remained visible above them, each location a reminder that the academy had placed danger outside their walls and dressed it as an opportunity.
