The moment Ray said it—
"Time to get serious, I guess."
—the atmosphere in the arena shifted in a way that no announcer could describe and no audience could fully understand.
It wasn't dramatic.
There was no explosion of power, no visible surge of energy.
But the five recruits felt it immediately.
Until now, they had been attacking someone who was watching them.
Now, they were facing someone who had decided to fight back.
Ji-Ho steadied his breathing, though his chest still rose and fell faster than he wanted. A faint sheen of sweat had formed along his brow, and his grip tightened unconsciously.
Beside him, his wolf—sleek, dark-furred, and silent—lowered its body closer to the ground. Its ears flattened slightly, golden eyes locked on Ray with a predator's focus.
It could feel it too.
Danger.
"Stay sharp," Ji-Ho muttered.
Behind him, the others shifted.
