After Elyra's victory, the next matches weren't nearly as exciting.
Even the next ducal heir, Evander Judicar, repeated his performance from the first day.
He simply stood there, allowing his opponent to strike him again and again until she exhausted her aura and collapsed to her knees.
The crowd, who had hoped for something new, fell silent. What had once been awe now turned into a little bit of boredom. It was still exciting, true, but not as exciting as they had hoped.
A few bouts later, Lucen stepped into the arena. The atmosphere immediately shifted, whispers rose from the audience, eager to see what he would do this time. This was a person known to make the impossible possible, someone who had time and again made people change their perception of him.
The referee looked at the two contestants. "Are you both ready?"
Lucen gave a small nod. His opponent swallowed hard and mirrored him.
"Begin!"
