The doors of the main hall swung wide, and a wave of voices spilled out as students crowded inside, eager to see the board where the competitions were listed. Lira squeezed in with Maelin by her side, Fluffy padding along gracefully at her heels, his thick white fur brushing against her skirts whenever the crowd pressed too close.
Rows of parchment had been posted, each glowing faintly with magical ink that shimmered when touched by sunlight from the tall stained-glass windows. Whispers buzzed through the room—names, disciplines, guesses at who would face who.
Maelin leaned closer, scanning quickly. "Dueling brackets are here—fire against wind, earth against water…" She nudged Lira with a grin. "And look! You're in the Resonance Trials. That means your ability to sense and amplify energies is finally being tested."
Lira's breath caught as her eyes trailed down the list until they landed on her name. The shimmering ink danced, almost mocking her nervous heartbeat.
