The arena lights dimmed slightly as Athena walked to the centre stage, her coat drifting softly around her ankles with each silent step. The murmurs of the crowd quieted into a hush that spread through the massive stadium like a breath being held.
She raised her gaze to the giant crystal screens above, their glow reflecting in her sharp violet eyes. The golden table flickered, showing only three names now.
Lucian Black.
Silas.
Evelyn Merrin.
Athena folded her arms behind her back, her voice calm and even as it boomed from the arena speakers.
"Some of you might be wondering… why is this stage called the quarterfinals when there are only three left?"
A ripple of murmurs and confused nods spread among the students.
Athena let her gaze sweep across them, her expression unreadable. "In the Class Zero curriculum, a duel assessment like this is split into two phases. The first is your internal evaluation—testing your abilities and compatibility against each other."
