The Black Tower Academy's training grounds had changed since Ludwig had last used them as a student. The targets were newer, several stone platforms had been rebuilt, and somebody had finally replaced the cracked warding pillars along the eastern side of the arena.
The students were different too, though far too many were pretending they had come here for reasons other than watching him. They gathered along the perimeter, sitting on the elevated benches or standing behind the warding line. Several older students had abandoned their own training, while the younger ones whispered loudly enough that Ludwig could follow most of their conversations.
One boy claimed Ludwig had killed a Usurper, then failed to name which one when his companion asked. Someone farther back insisted he had killed several.
