Jenner, though still blinking from the earlier flash of light, smirked faintly, his fingers flexing with crackles of magic still dancing between them.
Aside from a few scratches, he looked almost unharmed. Compared to their opponents, they stood tall, strong, and composed.
The difference in condition was clear.
The audience murmured among themselves, voices rising with excitement and disbelief.
Elysia and Edwin looked worn, battered, and on the edge of exhaustion. Martis and Jenner, by contrast, appeared nearly fresh, their advantage as glaring as the sunlight cutting through the fading smoke.
And everyone watching knew one thing,
The fight was far from over.
The tension in the arena was so heavy it seemed to press down on everyone's chest.
Dust still floated in the air from earlier strikes, mixing with the faint scent of smoke and scorched stone.
