[You do realize you're making a mistake right?] Void, who had been quiet during the whole ordeal, asked him.
"If it's done intentionally, it's not a mistake," Octavius replied, suppressing a smile that almost broke through.
A gunshot rang through the air, and a portal came forth, just as the Mage had said.
****
The Portal shimmered and pulsed with a soft glow, finally releasing them into a spacious room that buzzed with anticipation. Seated on the high chairs surrounding them were three council members, each adorned in intricate robes that reflected their status and authority.
Eriol was the only Mage missing from the trope.
In the middle of the room stood seven other contestants, each showing a range of emotions—some appeared anxious, while others seemed confident. However, they all recognized the significance of the gathering.
But upon the new contestant's entrance, the others reacted with visible displeasure.
