The buzz in the arena was different today. After Jonah's clever win against Kaelen, the crowd was no longer just hungry for a brawl; they were very curious. Whispers followed him as he walked onto the arena floor. "What will he do this time?" "Is he even going to move?" "I heard he hypnotized Kaelen!"
The announcer's voice boomed, cutting through the whispers. "In the south corner, the mystery of the tournament, the strategist who wins without fighting, Senior Fellow JONAH!"
The applause was a strange mix of cheers and confusion. Jonah took his place, his face calm, but his mind was already calculating.
"And his opponent in the north corner!" the announcer continued. "A warrior whose faith is his shield and whose rage is his sword! A chosen member of the Holy Church's own honor guard, the fist of the faithful, Brother CASSIAN!"
