When the next day arrived, the atmosphere among the first years had shifted. Gone were the nervous whispers about the theory exam or the fear of expulsion. Today, some students looked as if they were ready to march into battle, their determination blazing. "If we're going down," one had declared loudly, "then we're going down in style!" Others, however, had resigned themselves to fate, their faces pale and expressions devoid of any fight.
At the Northeast side of the Academy stood a grand, high-domed structure, its design intricate and commanding. Morning sunlight filtered through its numerous windows, casting reflections across the exterior like fractured rainbows. The inside, however, was even more striking—a carefully designed blend of elegance and authority. A raised stage viewing balcony dominated the space, lined with rows of plush, red-cushioned seats. This place was reserved for the Academy's highest-ranking figures and influential guests.
