Natalia's gaze flicked sideways to Satori, whose attention remained locked on the screen above.
"Each of the five sanctioned Student Guilds, the Argent Sentinels, the Scarlet Phantoms, the Cobalt Vipers, the Verdant Strikers, and the Onyx Hounds, has only twelve open slots to fill for this year's incoming class."
The AI's tone shifted subtly, becoming sharper. More clinical. "Your names will be called in order of your final examination rank. You will approach the podium. The Guild representatives will then make their offers, if any. Should you receive one or more offers, you may choose your guild freely." A weighted pause hung in the air. "If you receive no offers... then I'm afraid you simply did not make the cut. Your time at New Vein Academy is over before it truly began."
The screen went dark, and the excited chatter died with it, leaving only a tense silence broken by nervous coughs and the shuffle of feet.
Shit, they still had to be chosen.
