[Stadium Center - Fifty Teams Gathered]
All the teams gathered in the massive central area, forming a loose circle under the morning sun.
Damian stood with his four teammates, his hands in his pockets, his dark glasses reflecting the surrounding crowd.
Around them, the social dynamics were immediately obvious.
Noble students clustered together, their expensive equipment and confident bearing marking them as the tournament favorites.
They looked at Zavier with barely concealed loathing, whispers spreading about the "psychotic commoner" who'd brutalized their fellow Noble.
Their eyes found Damian with pure loathing, recognizing him as the source of the revolutionary ideas threatening their entire social structure.
But there were other groups too.
Republic Academy's team stood nearby, President William catching Damian's eye and offering a genuine smile and respectful nod.
