Lucy stood in the middle of the arena, her calm yet powerful presence undeniable. The top five elders watched her with keen interest, their eyes filled with anticipation. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the decision that would shape the future of the strongest outer disciple.
Elder Darius was the first to speak, or at least, he tried. "Lucy Luxoria, your performance was—"
"Cut the crap, Darius," Roxana interrupted, her voice slicing through the air with sharp authority. The words were spoken with such force that it caused even the other elders to sit up straighter.
"She doesn't need your empty praise. She already knows what she's accomplished." Roxana's tone held no patience for formalities, her gaze unwavering as it remained locked on Lucy.
Darius paused mid-sentence, clearly irritated by the interruption. His lips tightened into a thin line, but he didn't dare push back against Roxana's forceful demeanor. Instead, he simply gave a curt nod, his jaw clenched.
