The Nexus Arena's administrative level presented a complete turnaround to the battle-scarred proving grounds below. Where students fought and bled under harsh lights, the highest-ranking military officials in the Eastern Sector now sat in climate-controlled comfort around a gleaming obsidian table. The boardroom's panoramic windows offered a god's-eye view of the dimmed arena below—empty now, but tomorrow it would once again fill with the roars of spectators and the clash of combat.
Commander Owen of the 12th Academy sat with his back straight, face impassive despite the tension headache building behind his eyes. Beside him, Vice Commander Albright scrolled through performance metrics on his tablet with barely concealed impatience. Eleven other academy leadership pairs completed the circle, their hushed conversations creating a low murmur that died when the central holographic projector activated.
