The glow faded. Nuada landed softly and turned his back as her body hit the soft-field enchantment.
"Out!" the proctor declared.
[Qin Shi Huang vs Fire Archer]
The Fire Archer stood tall on the far ridge of the arena, embers curling around his bowstring like living snakes. His eyes gleamed, and a flame-mark pulsed on his forehead.
He knocked three spirit arrows at once.
"Triple Flame Spiral!" he shouted.
Three glowing bolts arced high into the sky, then twisted midair, spinning downward in a deadly spiral.
Across the battlefield, Qin Shi Huang did not flinch.
He stood motionless in his emerald-trimmed uniform, sleeves fluttering faintly in the wind. The crowd watched in confusion.
He wasn't summoning a sword.
He wasn't dodging.
He wasn't even moving.
Instead, he slowly lifted one palm. His voice rang with imperial command.
"Arcana Invocation: Imperial Wall – Jade Dragon Formation."
