Instructor Kade's calm voice brought the crowd back to silence.
She turned to the side and gestured toward a tall stone pillar near the edge of the platform. At its top rested a glowing crystal orb that pulsed faintly with blue light. "The duel will take place within the academy's Combat Space," she explained. "Once both of you place your hands on this orb, you'll be transferred inside. Everything inside is real but when damage accumulates to a certain degree, it brings you out."
She did not continue on the implications of this and allowed them to figure it out themselves.
Kade's gaze returned to Michael and Rynne. "Before entering, there's one thing you both should understand clearly. Because Michael Norman lost his previous position by default and not through actual defeat, he retains the right to request a rematch at any time of his choosing. Similarly, if Rynne Halvane were ever to lose her rank through a default, this same condition would apply."
