The comments about Luke and the rest of the Strogueher only ceased when the attendees heard a clatter of heels climbing the stairs to the stage at the front of the courtyard.
"Good evening everyone... It is now exactly eight o'clock, and we are going to start Phase two," said Mikaela Åkerman, the Sensory Mage who was running the event this year.
Before continuing her speech, she looked at some faces in the crowd and smiled.
"As always, we have very talented people this year... Anyway, Phase Two will be a little different from the first. This time, you won't be teleported to a faraway forest, because everything will take place right here in Oukiwa."
People held back their urge to talk to each other because of Mikaela's magnificent presence.