The shattered glass from the Crowncast studio dome rained down upon the titanium arena floor like a storm of sparkling diamonds.
Violet void mana billowed outward in dense, rolling waves from the crater where Nox stood with his void-diamond katana resting casually against his shoulder.
Across the continent, seventy-five million viewing screens flickered as the automated broadcast protocols recognized a new S-Rank combatant in the pit.
"Automated regulation seven-dash-four engaged," the synthetic studio announcer chimed across the echoing arena.
"New challenger registered: Nox, First Player of the Realm," the mechanical voice declared over the public audio channels.
"Under Crowncast market broadcast charters, all registered challengers receive thirty unedited seconds of live public airtime," the announcer stated with cold legal neutrality.
