Renn nodded. "Tomorrow's going to be worse."
Michael didn't nod. Didn't shake his head either. He simply turned back toward the now-empty stage.
He agreed.
Tomorrow would be different.
Michael could feel it.
Not from anything concrete. Just a quiet certainty.
There were stronger nobles waiting. Possibly hidden participants. People who had probably been chosen even before the competition started.
There was no way the Duke would place treasures out like a saint.
Michael knew it in his bones.
The real trial begins tomorrow.
If it was only the people here now, this competition would've already ended in his favor.
Renn rose from his seat with a groan, stretching his limbs. "Well, I'm getting sleep. I need all the strength I can muster tomorrow. Assuming no one dies from nerves."
He hesitated, then added, "You should sleep too, Dragon. I'd hate to lose you to insomnia before the real war starts."
Michael didn't reply, but his lips twitched.
