The specially constructed observation chamber overlooked the linked arenas through a network of one-way mana screens — transparent to the scouts but invisible to the cadets below.
The room itself was wide, with tiered seating arranged in subtle concentric arcs, each scout group separated by flowing partitions of light to discourage interference. Long, sleek tables lined with projection devices and crystal recorders filled the space, humming quietly with mana resonance.
Muted discussions drifted through the chamber. Low. Professional.
There were no cheers here. No applause.
Only calculation.
The first day of dungeon practicals was critical. Everyone knew it.
Not because it would reveal the cadets' peak performances — that would come later.
But because today would expose something far more fundamental.
Their Floor.
The baseline they could maintain under real, live pressure.
Raw instincts. Natural coordination. Minimum resilience.
Ceiling could be built. Floor could not.
