The Triangle didn't approach problems directly.
It framed them.
Dreyden learned that lesson the moment the invitation arrived.
Not a summons this time.
Not Oversight.
Not evaluation.
A request.
FORMAL OBSERVATION MATCH
NON-RANKED
AUDIENCE: RESTRICTED
PURPOSE: INTERFACIAL COMPATIBILITY TEST
Compatibility again.
He stared at the notice for several seconds before closing it.
So this was the next move.
They weren't trying to stop him.
They weren't accelerating him either.
They were defining how he was allowed to exist.
He accepted.
The Arena That Wasn't an Arena
The location wasn't listed in student directories.
It sat beneath the primary combat halls, past a security tier only instructors and administrators normally accessed. No banners. No audience stands. No ambient cheering.
Just space.
