The crystalline display board illuminated with the final matchup, bathing the arena in azure light. Ambrose Rothschild and his team rose with practiced composure as their names appeared, creating a ripple of movement that drew every eye in the crowded colosseum. Despite being the tournament's culminating battle, a curious atmosphere pervaded the stands—not the electric anticipation one might expect, but rather the resigned acceptance of a foregone conclusion.
Spectators exchanged knowing glances and half-hearted wagers. Leon Steelheart had captivated the audience with his improbable victory over Lysander Blackvale, a triumph of technique and determination over aristocratic talent. Yet that inspiring narrative seemed destined for an abrupt conclusion. Against Sun Hualing—whose mere presence had prompted immediate surrenders—what hope could any freshman possibly harbor?
