The following morning dawned with a crisp chill in the air. A thin layer of mist clung to the academy's stone pathways, curling around trees and lanterns like whispering ghosts. Students filtered out of their dormitories, still buzzing with conversation about yesterday's explosive battle between Riku Aoyama and Leon Calderas.
Riku, for his part, remained quiet as he walked to the upper-floor study hall, a rare area reserved for advanced students and faculty apprentices. His expression was unreadable, and his hands were shoved into the pockets of his upgraded uniform jacket. He hadn't slept much.
> [System Notification: Scheduled Duel Adjusted – Participant 'Rei Kanzaki' Added to Rotation] [Warning: Mana Disruption Detected Near User's Coordinates – Source Unknown]
Riku's eyes narrowed. That name. Rei Kanzaki.
