"Now, that will be all for today."
Olmo's voice carried across the arena, firm and clear.
"The four representatives should remain behind."
The moment he finished speaking, movement began.
Students left quickly — conversations trailing off mid-sentence, footsteps overlapping as they exited in groups. Some glanced back one last time before the doorway took them. Others whispered quietly to whoever was beside them, processing the morning as they moved. But no one lingered. No one pushed against the instruction. The selection was over and everyone in that arena understood that the space now belonged to four people and not them.
Within moments the arena had emptied almost completely.
All except four.
⸻
Jelo.
Tessa.
Zarek.
Ken.
