"NEXT DUEL! CELESTE SLEVAN VERSUS MARCUS ERSAN!"
"That's me!" Lucas heard Celeste say as she went onto the stage.
Her opponent, Marcus Ersan, was already there. He was a B-class student Lucas vaguely recognized from the battle royale.
He was tall, with straight black hair trimmed neatly around his ears and brushed back from his forehead. His build was athletic, broad in the shoulders and lean through the waist.
His face was handsome in a plain, uncomplicated way: balanced features, steady dark eyes, and a strong jaw kept clean-shaven.
His clothes were tidy and well-fitted, and a sword hung at his waist, the scabbard worn smooth from regular use.
"BEGIN!" Hendricks shouted.
"That's your stance? My grandmother fights better than that." Marcus said.
Celeste said nothing. Her hand rested on her sword's grip.
"That all you've got, princess? Maybe you should stick to embroidery." Marcus smirked.
"What's wrong? Cat got your..."
