The academy appeared calm on the surface, almost deceptively so, as though nothing of significance had changed since the conclusion of the tournament. Students moved along the stone-paved pathways in steady streams, their uniforms crisp, their conversations lively, and their expressions filled with anticipation for the upcoming National Emperor Championship. Training halls echoed once more with the sounds of clashing abilities, controlled explosions of energy, and instructors correcting the postures of their students with firm precision.
Yet beneath that carefully maintained normalcy, something subtle had shifted.
