The crowd's roar turned almost primal as the announcer's voice cut through the stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our next quarterfinal match brings us Academy Twelve's Lila Rowe!"
Lila stepped onto the platform, blonde hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, her usually bright eyes carrying a cold, distant look that even those in the upper stands could feel. Her movements were fluid but tense, coiled like a predator assessing its surroundings.
"Facing off against Academy One's Eliara Elias!"
From the opposite entrance came a girl with copper-brown skin and short cropped hair dyed electric blue at the tips. Eliara strode forward with casual confidence, rolling her shoulders as if preparing for a light workout rather than a tournament quarterfinal.
