Over the next three months, the Sanctuary was busier than it had ever been. The preparations for the upcoming battle against the orc army were in full swing. Warriors and mages alike streamed into the treasury, grabbing mana stones to boost their ranks and enhance their abilities. The arena, usually open for limited hours, was now available 24/7, hosting endless training sessions and mock battles.
Every corner of the Sanctuary was alive with the sounds of combat and training. In one corner, a group of older kids—especially those who had grown up in the harsh environment of the Arenthia slums—were training fiercely. These were not children who needed any encouragement to fight; they had grown up fighting for every scrap every day, and they brought that ferocity to their training.
