The Academy's morning bell resonated through stone corridors at precisely six o'clock, but before most students had begun their routines, every communication crystal blazed to life simultaneously.
**[ACADEMY ANNOUNCEMENT]**
**FORMAL CHALLENGES ACCEPTED**
**Challenge One:**
**Challenger:** Roderick Veilmont (Rank 35)
**Challenged:** Sarah Millbrook (Rank 7)
**Time:** 2:00 PM - Main Arena
**Challenge Two:**
**Challenger:** [Name Withheld ]
**Challenged:** Petra Blackthorne (Rank 1)
**Time:** 3:30 PM - Main Arena
**All afternoon classes are cancelled. Academy-wide observation is mandatory for both duels.**
**Principal Whitmore**
Helena woke to their crystal pulsing urgent blue light. She read the message twice before nudging her roommate.
"Sarah? You need to see this."
But Sarah's bed was empty. Helena found her at the window, already dressed, staring out at morning mist clinging to the Academy grounds.
