The following day, in the early hours before dawn, dozens of participants had gathered by Marian Lake.
A thin veil of fog clung to the water's surface, obscuring the far shore from view. In the distance, the ancient Saratoga Castle loomed atop a cliff, overlooking the lake and the dozens of contestants who would soon plunge into its depths.
There weren't many spectators present. All of them were almost entirely made up of the Magi from the Four Pillars and Baja, along with the participants' friends and family members.
In fact, the majority of the onlookers eagerly wanting to witness the tournament firsthand wouldn't get the chance until the Third Trial.
The first two trials were going to be held within the secured grounds of Saratoga Castle, making them off-limits to the general public.
