Raze stood on the elevated platform overlooking the arena, his blue eyes tracking across the assembled crowd with expression mixing wonder and something approaching disbelief. Three thousand people. The number had been abstract when Logan mentioned it, but seeing them physically present transformed statistics into overwhelming reality.
The stands were packed beyond capacity, bodies filling every available space in configuration that made the arena seem alive with contained energy. Spectators occupied the stone seating in organized tiers, though many stood in the aisles or pressed against railings seeking better views. Competitors filled designated sections, their various cultivation auras creating visible distortion in the air where so much concentrated power gathered in proximity.
