The streets leading to the Grand Arena were already packed. Students from all four academies moved in groups, dressed in formal training gear or academy uniforms. But toward the back of the procession, two figures walked at a more relaxed pace.
Noel and Marcus.
Neither looked particularly rushed.
"I still feel like that stew from last night is fighting me internally," Marcus muttered, hand on his stomach.
"Yeah. Probably cursed dwarf spices or something," Noel replied with a sigh. "Still, we better not be late. They're showing the brackets today."
Marcus smirked. "Excited?"
"Not really. Just want to know who I'm up against. Hopefully I don't get eliminated in the first round."
Marcus gave him a flat look. "You? Come on. With your level, you'll go far."
Noel shrugged. "Same for you. But if we both keep winning, we could probably see each other in the third round."
"How do you figure?"
