The break in transmission startled everyone. Jelo, Atlas, Ken, Xino, and the other Class 2 students froze where they stood, the tension on the stage hanging in the air like a sudden pause in a movie. The energy that had been building toward violence dissipated in an instant, replaced by confusion and uncertainty.
For a moment, nobody moved. Everyone was processing what had just happened, trying to understand if this was part of the show or something else entirely.
Then Xino snapped out of it first. His face twisted into a snarl of pure fury, his patience completely exhausted. He turned sharply toward Jelo and moved to attack Jelo, his shield raised, clearly intent on ending this situation with regardless of whatever interruption had just occurred.
But before Xino could close the distance, before his shield could swing toward Jelo's head, the door to the hall burst open a second time.
This entrance was different from before, more forceful, more authoritative.
