First Duel

Northern lingered by the hall, watching the steady churn of movement as people prepared for the incoming onslaught—or rather, engaged in battles that had already begun.

He noted the absence of certain faces, those he had marked before. The heavy shadow of sullenness that hung over the bright interior of the city hall was almost tangible, denser now, suffocating.

They looked like they were waiting for their turn. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening, and curiosity prickled at him, but approaching someone to ask felt... unappealing. Maybe he was simply too reclusive to seek anyone out.

'…Crap, I never thought I was this shy…'

Shaking off that thought, he refocused. There were more pressing matters—urgent, in fact.

Today marked the first day of the combat duel, scheduled to span three days.