A hush fell across the colosseum.
The kind of silence that didn't belong in a space this loud. No cheers. No debates. Not even murmurs. Everyone simply watched on as they declared ElderGlow and Thornevale the winning teams of the second test phase.
Just stillness.
None of them had anticipated that it would be a draw. Not a single soul had expected Damon to share the win with Kaelis instead of fight it out.
Every one of them were either confused, angry, or trying to wake up from this dreamy reality.
And in the center of it all, Dean Oryll stood once more—his violet and gold robes swaying lightly in the high-altitude wind, the same quiet smile playing on his lips.
"The first two trials," he began, "have been… comprehensive."
His voice echoed from the floating orbs above the arena, amplified and folded with magic. "They tested your coordination. Your instincts. Your ability to bend or break."
