At the same time Ivaim spoke with Jarran about his opponents, in one of the dim rooms of the accommodation quarters, a wiry man with a shaved head and mismatched eyes leaned forward.
His sharp gaze swept over the nervous intelligence team huddled near the corner like prey sensing a predator.
Eris tilted his head, voice flat but commanding.
"This... Nathan everyone keeps talking about. They say he's going to win the Regionals. Why?"
The tension in the room thickened. After a hesitant shuffle, the team leader stepped forward.
Her voice wavered as she spoke.
"I-it's not just his abilities, sir. He has an overwhelming advantage in the arena."
Eris arched a brow, waiting. "Go on."
She swallowed hard, as though choosing the wrong words might cost her dearly.
"Nathan can conjure and control metal—any kind of metal. Armor becomes a deathtrap, and bringing metal weapons is practically suicide."