Nate let out a quiet breath as he stared at the girl standing opposite him on the platform. The air around them felt heavier than before, not because of noise, but because more eyes were watching today.
The guard stepped onto the stage, her boots making a firm sound against the stone. She looked at both of them one after the other, her gaze sharp and emotionless, like any other typical soldier.
In today's continuation of the trial, the guard who had been refereeing before had been replaced, and several more guards stood around the arena alongside the chief guards, observing everything closely. The stands were more crowded, though some seats remained empty—those who had been badly injured or knocked unconscious the previous day had not returned.
"Ready?"
Her voice came out cold, the same tone as the guard from the day before, flat and cold.
