If Raze had simply spoken in a normal tone, or even raised his voice into a shout, only those sitting in the very first rows might have caught his words. If the crowd had been silent—utterly still and waiting—then perhaps they could have pieced together fragments of his declaration. But this was not such a moment. The air was alive with chatter, the venue bursting with energy, excitement, and anticipation.
And yet, every single person in the colossal arena heard him clearly. His words rang out as though whispered directly into each of their ears: the challenge to duel Ibarin, the Grand Magus, principal of the Central Academy.
It wasn't by chance.
