Kael was already halfway through closing the door when Elsa stopped it with one hand.
"What are you doing?" she said sharply.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"The duel's today," she said flatly.
Kael froze. "Wait what?!"
"Yeah. It's in an hour. We've got to get there before the stadium is filled with students," she replied, brushing a stray strand of her newly-cut hair behind her ear.
"Wait, what?! Why are there students?" he asked, confused and now mildly panicked.
She tilted her head, giving him an exaggerated blink. "Well obviously there are going to be people who adore me. Who wouldn't want to watch me?" Then she looked at him thoughtfully. "Uhm… well, I guess there might be people who want to see you, too. Maybe."
Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. "Damn… you're as arrogant as my sister."
Elsa's face lit up. "Really? That's so sweet!"
Kael gave her a look. "It wasn't a compliment."
Elsa clapped once. "Anyways let's go!" She grabbed his wrist and pulled him along, dragging him through the academy's walkways like a blur of determination and chaos.
Before he could protest further, they were already inside the grand stadium, where the arena floor was divided. He was guided into a separate preparation room walls lined with weapons, armor stands, and enchanted wards to scan gear.
Across the stadium, through a slit in the divider, he could see Elsa entering her own prep area.
Kael looked up at the small floating projection screen. A live camera feed showed rows and rows of students filling the seats buzzing, shouting, cheering.
He recognized a few familiar faces from his class.
Even some of the main cast.
Great.
Then the loud voice of the commentator boomed across the arena, echoing in his ears.
"Now entering from the west gate Kael Vernier! And from the east gate Elsa Sylvenmire!"
Kael closed his eyes, let out a long breath.
"…Here we go."