The colossal gilded dome of the National Colosseum reverberated with the deafening roar of one hundred thousand spectators packed into the tiered marble galleries.
In the elevated VIP boxes draped in royal crimson velvet, ministers, corporate directors, and high-ranking noble families sipped sparkling wine from crystal flutes while discussing the day's betting odds.
Across the sandy expanse of the central arena floor, the afternoon sun cast sharp golden shadows against the towering obsidian System arbitration pillars.
Rector Malrec stepped onto the gilded speaker's balcony, his ceremonial golden robes billowing in the mountain breeze as ten floating holographic lenses zoomed in on his face.
"Citizens of the Capital and distinguished guests from across the realm, welcome to the Grand National Examination!" Malrec's voice resonated through thousands of acoustic mana crystals.
