So what is she playing at?
Is she trying to showcase the academy's talents to the world? Use Astron and Ethan as proof that their training philosophy works? That they're producing Hunters stronger and faster than the other academies?
If that was the case…
It made sense.
Eleanor exhaled sharply, her boots shifting quietly against the stone floor.
But why not just say that?
Why hide it? Why tiptoe around something so obvious?
Unless…
Unless the tournament wasn't just about showcasing.
Unless someone wanted to claim talent before the Federation even realized what it had.
She stared down the hall, expression unreadable, but her thoughts were dark.
Amelia's words replayed in her mind:
"They'll be the ones repaying it."
Not just performing.
Repaying.
If that's the case…
If Amelia was using the tournament to get back at her—to make some pointed statement about Eleanor's independence, her "unauthorized" resource use, her unorthodox mentorships—then fine.
