As the principal's words sank in, a ripple of excitement mixed with nervousness swept through the crowd. Students shuffled closer to their friends, some adjusting their stances, others sneaking confident glances at their competition.
The circle's shimmering boundary seemed innocent enough, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it held surprises we couldn't yet see.
I glanced at Lise and Zaya. Lise was studying the edge of the circle, her gaze sharp as if calculating something; Zaya, meanwhile, just cracked her knuckles, her smirk bordering on downright mischievous.
"All we have to do is stay in the circle," Lise murmured. "Easy enough."
"Let's hope it's not that easy," Zaya replied, her grin widening. "I didn't come all this way to stand around looking pretty."
"Looking pretty is optional?" I quipped, raising an eyebrow at her.
