[Day 2 of the Tournament – Quarter-Finals]
[Location: The Arena Floor]
The atmosphere in the Colosseum had changed overnight.
Yesterday, the air was filled with mockery and laughter. Today, it was thick with tension.
The crowd wasn't jeering at Class F anymore; they were watching them with the morbid curiosity of people observing a ticking bomb.
"WELCOME TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!" the Announcer bellowed, his voice vibrating through the stands.
"THE ELITES VS. THE DARK HORSES!"
"MATCH ONE: LUKAS (CLASS F) VS. VANCE (CLASS S)!"
Lukas walked out of the West tunnel. He looked smaller than usual in the vast arena. He tugged nervously at the cuffs of his Salamander Gloves, his eyes darting around the packed stands.
From the East tunnel, Vance emerged.
Vance looked like a gladiator. He wore heavy blue magitech armor that shimmered with liquid mana.
His right arm, the one with the prosthetic brace, was encased in a gauntlet of flowing water.
