The academic board rewrote the guidelines again and again to favor the private academies.

But the foundation of the tournament never changed.”

Claire opened the metal clasp.

She pulled out a stack of dense, legal-sized documents.

The top page bore a state seal stamped in dark blue ink.

“This is the original competition charter from nineteen ninety-eight,” Arthur said.

Claire turned the first thick page.

The text laid out strict penalties for administrative interference, describing the exact process for stripping a sponsor of its standing.