A few minutes later and the arena had been transformed into something entirely different from the formal battlefield where legendary battles had just concluded.
As the last of the official attendees departed and the ceremonial atmosphere dissolved, a completely different energy began to emerge among the remaining prospective students.
Ren stood near what had been the center of combat, still processing the weight of Academy Head Valeria's mental communication, when he noticed unusual activity beginning around the arena's periphery.
Students were moving with obvious purpose, carrying supplies that definitely hadn't been part of the official ceremony.
"Surprise!" Lia's voice called out cheerfully as she emerged from behind one of the temporary barriers, her arms loaded with what appeared to be decorative materials.
"Did you really think we'd let the biggest night of our lives end with just a formal ceremony?"
