The five days of preparation had finally come to an end, and the students were more than ready. As the morning sunlight bathed the academy in a golden glow, the first-years, fully geared up, gathered inside the designated exam dome.
The dome itself was a marvel—grand in both design and scale. Its towering exterior hinted at something extraordinary, but as the students stood inside, waiting for Headmaster Thion's final announcement, unease crept in.
He had spoken of a vast landscape, a holographic battlefield where the exam would take place. But looking around, the dome felt far too small for something of that scale.
"Uh… are we sure this is the right place?" Dylan muttered, gazing up at the ceiling. "Because—"
"It's not big enough? Yeah, we all see that, Blondie," Asher cut in, adjusting his sword at his side.
"You two should keep it down," Sheila warned, tying her hair into a tight ponytail with her sword resting at her hip. "The Headmaster could show up any second."
