The National Stadium wasn't even a building. It was a giant crater. The architects had carved a massive hole right into the middle of the Capital, lining it with seats that climbed thirty stories high. A hundred thousand people packed the stands, and their cheering bounced off the stone walls like thunder.
And above the stadium, floating projection screens broadcast the event to millions more across the kingdom.
Holden stood at the center of the arena floor with his team. Around them, ninety-nine other teams packed the space, a sea of different uniforms and colored auras. The air buzzed with tension and excitement.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" a voice boomed from nowhere and everywhere. The announcer's voice was magically amplified to ear-splitting volume. "WELCOME TO THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWELFTH NATIONAL ACADEMY WARS!"
The crowd screamed.
