The day before the tournament, I was summoned by our combat class instructor, Violet Albestorm.
Now, I stood in the middle of the Elite Training Arena on the academy building's top floor, alongside nine other students.
I glanced around. It wasn't hard to recognize the familiar faces.
Yukie stood near the window, her pale white eyes sweeping the room coldly, pausing briefly on my face. Maximus stood some distance away, his mind seemingly adrift somewhere far—probably memories of the encounter at Skyview Overlook with the stranger carrying his sister.
Isabel and Nerissa looked as confident and arrogant as ever. Arianna was also here, her eyes occasionally meeting mine with meaningful looks.
Then there were four other students I didn't know as well. From the name tags on their uniforms, I read the names: Drake, a large man with a fierce gaze; Ace, who looked intelligent and agile; Kelvin, with a calm demeanor and watchful eyes; and Mason, with an enthusiastic expression.
