The Grand Obsidian Ascension Tournament broke over the Black Fire Academy with the thunderous roar of ceremonial war drums.
The morning sun cast a blazing, golden radiance over the colossal main arena, a massive colosseum carved entirely from dark, volcanic rock that could hold tens of thousands of spectators.
High up in the elite, floating viewing galleries, the grand elders of the academy, prominent noble family heads, and Lady Julie Faith had already taken their seats. Below them, on the stone central plaza, hundreds of outer disciples stood in rigid lines, their faces tight with a mixture of intense excitement and raw, suffocating anxiety.
Tony Clark strode into the arena with his usual slow, lazy steps, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his dark hunting cloak. His simple wooden bow was slung across his back, looking entirely primitive compared to the glowing staves and heavy, enchanted swords carried by the young nobles around him.
