The reception was where the real competition started.
Mythos had thrown open the Great Hall for it, and then, when it became obvious that six hundred students and their professors weren't going to fit, thrown open the tall doors along its south wall as well, so that the party spilled out across the terrace and down onto the lawn. Someone had strung the old oaks with lanterns. Food stalls had gone up along the gravel walks during the afternoon, and the air outside smelled of grilled meat and sugar and woodsmoke, while the air inside smelled of floor polish and expensive perfume. Waiters went back and forth between the two carrying trays of drinks that were very carefully not alcoholic.
Everyone was smiling. Everyone was also, very obviously, taking measurements.
You could tell the academies apart from across the room.
