The glowing voting screens still hovered in front of every spectator, their shimmering panels ready to record any changes in choice. It was assumed that they would remain active until the entire first round had concluded, giving the audience a chance to shift their bets after seeing the initial performances.
From the beginning, there had only been serious votes for three of the academies, and after George's decisive victory, the balance shifted dramatically.
It wasn't just the style of his win, it was the sheer practicality of it. His trick wasn't some flashy, one-off display. The crushing weight of his gravitational magic had made it clear: once caught, there was no escape. Few could imagine how any opponent could continue fighting after experiencing it firsthand.
