[The Capitol - ACC Federation Stadium - Afternoon]
'The Capitol' – the Federation's beating heart, where all major decisions were made and where power concentrated like nowhere else.
Today, the massive ACC Federation Stadium was swarming with people.
Reporters from every major news network jostled for position, cameras ready and microphones extended.
Fans wearing academy colors crowded the barriers, hoping to catch glimpses of their favorite teams. Officials moved through the chaos with practiced efficiency.
The tournament teams would arrive today and stay in the stadium's attached residential complex for the competition's duration.
Most teams had already arrived over the past few days, traveling from distant regions.
But a few local teams were still incoming.
The crowd's energy built with each arrival – cheering for favorites, analyzing team compositions and speculating about chances.
Then… the Stormhold Academy bus appeared.
