In the stands and lounges, murmurs grew louder.
"This can't be a coincidence," a spectator said, his tone skeptical. "The Silver Flame Sect keeps drawing the toughest matchups. First, they fight each other, and now this?"
"Look at Lucavion," another chimed in, pointing to the swordsman preparing in the corner. "He's been tearing through opponents like it's nothing, and now they pit him against Joel? That's practically sabotage."
"The Monk against Varen is just as bad," someone else added. "Varen's all fire and aggression, and The Monk thrives against that kind of style. It's like they're trying to stack the odds."
Meanwhile, the elders of both sects were notably tense. Elder Kael of the Silver Flame Sect sat with a tight-lipped expression, his eyes narrowing as he reviewed the matchups. "This is no coincidence," he muttered under his breath. "Someone's interfering."
