Morning turned the arena's metal ribs into pale gold. The floor still wore the scuffs and scars from last time, channels and copper grates catching the light like quiet streams. The eight of them stood in a line that didn't while the vents exhaled cool air and the high panels hummed. Eon permission had been stamped green two hours ago. Today was the first day they were allowed to open the throttle.
Kori's voice carried from the sideline. "Three days since your first life signs. Two days until the 4 on 4. Show me control. Show me creativity. No broken classmates please"
"Define broken" Arashi said, checking the action on one luminite pistol.
"Arashi" Kori said.
He clicked the safety and smiled. "Unbroken. Got it."
Hikari, already tracing little blue stitches in the air with her spear, glanced down the line. "Who first?"
