The arena hummed with contained energy.
Word had spread through the academy within minutes of the challenge being registered—Kael Vorn, rank nine, challenging Isabella Vorn, rank eight. Two of the most versatile fighters in the second year settling their positions through blood.
The spectator sections had filled faster than for any match in months.
Students crammed into every available seat, some perched on railings, others hanging from the upper barriers where instructors pretended not to notice. The betting pools had already cycled through three rounds of odds adjustment. Gold Tier students who normally couldn't be bothered to watch matches had shown up in force. Even Silver Tier faces dotted the crowd.
The referee—a middle-aged instructor with dead eyes stepped to the center of the ring. His voice carried without effort.
"Combatants ready. Surrender or ring exit ends the match. Begin."
His hand dropped.
Kael moved.
