Suddenly In the sky A deep, mechanical chime echoed across the entire forest‑city, cutting cleanly through the clash of steel, exploding spells, and distant screams.
The clouds rippled like disturbed water, and glowing letters carved themselves into the air above everyone's heads.
{ Top 20 candidates have been confirmed…
The forest city will now begin to shrink. }
For one strange heartbeat, the battlefield held its breath.
Then, as if obeying an unspoken command, every fight slowed… and stopped.
Blades halted inches from throats. Spells fizzled out before being released. Even the air seemed to thicken as the realization sank in—this phase of the exam was almost over, and from here on, every action mattered.
Only one person would stand at the very top.
—
On one of the shattered plazas, Damian and Victor stood facing each other, chests rising and falling heavily.
