She didn't raise her voice when she spoke. She never had to.
"Second Years," Morgana began, her gaze sweeping over them. "Today marks the beginning of your field evaluations."
A faint ripple of sound passed through the crowd, quiet excitement, a thread of nervousness.
Morgana continued, "Until now, your trials have been contained. Simulations. Controlled battles. Predictable scenarios. That ends today. The world outside these walls does not follow our rules, and if you are to carry the academy's name, you will learn to stand within it."
Merlin watched her closely. She wasn't reading off a script. She was warning them.
"Each assigned squad," she said, "will be dispatched to a different region. You will investigate, assess, and neutralize threats within your capability range. Instructors will observe remotely, but will not interfere unless necessary."
