The arena was massive.
Aegis had seen this particular arena a few times from a distance during her time at the academy, but standing inside it was different. Stone seats rose in tiers around a central platform—a perfect circle of polished white marble, roughly thirty meters across. Runes glowed faintly along its edges, probably some kind of protective enchantment to keep the audience safe from stray spells.
Students and nobles packed the stands. Aegis spotted a few of her friends near the front: Scarlett waving like a maniac, Sophie bouncing in her seat, Lune sitting perfectly still with her sketchbook.
At the center of the platform, Headmistress Valdris stood with her hands clasped behind her back. Her silver hair caught the morning light, and her presence alone commanded silence.
"Welcome," she said, her voice amplified by magic, "to the Combat Tournament of the 792nd Winter Trials."
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Valdris waited for the noise to die down before continuing.
