The air around the training grounds rippled with tension. Dust swirled with every heavy footstep, with every clash of blade and magic.
Verus slid across the dirt, narrowly dodging Mira's sword as it carved a deep line into the ground.
He exhaled, palm snapping forward, and with a sudden burst of mana, a flame flared to life. The small fireball twisted in the air and shot straight toward Luna.
The girl didn't flinch. With a single flick of her fingers, the earth rose around her like a wall, swallowing the flame as though it had never existed.
The crowd gasped, some even cheering, but Verus's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's cheating! Who even fights like that?"
He shouted, incredulous.
Luna's eyes were sharp as blades as she looked over the wall.
"Maybe I don't cheat. Maybe you're just weak."
She replied coldly.
