A week had passed since then, and quiet days had slipped by faster than Brandon expected.
In the academy grounds, students crowded every visible space in the arena, and the air buzzed with competition, adrenaline, and gossip.
For this year, many people are eager to watch the first-year competition because the only male awakener is participating in the matches.
Right now, all eyes were locked on one pair standing at the center.
Brandon and Elena.
THUD.
"Argh-" The woman's knees buckled, and she collapsed face-first onto the stone arena floor as the air left her lungs in a painful grunt.
The shockwave of Brandon's last punch still seemed to linger in the air.
The young woman blinked up at him dazedly, and her braid is half undone, with the armor cracked near the ribs where his strike had connected.
"…I yield," she muttered, forcing the words out between clenched teeth.
The arena erupted.
"ANOTHER WIN FOR BRANDON AND ELENA'S TEAM!!"
