The Nexus Arena had undergone a dramatic transformation overnight. Where once three separate rings had accommodated the preliminary rounds—one each for Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3 competitors—now a single massive circle dominated the center of the stadium. The combined arena measured almost fifty meters in diameter, its surface a seamless blend of impact-absorbing materials and energy-conductive alloys that gleamed under the morning light filtering through the retractable dome.
Technicians swarmed around the perimeter, their movements urgent but precise. Holographic displays flickered as they ran diagnostics on the reinforced energy barrier that would contain the finals matches. The previous six rounds had demonstrated that the tournament organizers had severely underestimated the raw power of this year's competitors—especially those from year 3. Three separate barriers had shattered during the semi-finals alone, and the repair crews were taking no chances with today's events.
