The grand hall buzzed with a tense, electric energy, the air thick and heavy with the mingled smells of sweat, polished wood, and the sharp, stinging bite of mana lingering from the fierce battles of earlier rounds. The crowd, packed tightly into the stands, leaned forward in their seats, their breaths held, their whispers hushed to a low murmur as the referee's voice boomed through the arena, announcing the next fight: Sun versus Byun.
The glowing orbs strung high across the towering, vaulted ceiling cast a warm, flickering light across the scarred, polished wooden floor below, where the semifinal round was about to unfold.
Jae sat among the remaining competitors, his muscles sore and aching from his own grueling battles, but his focus was locked entirely on the arena, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.
