The murmur in the arena was a contained roar. Kyrian's cunning victory over Yan Ling had left everyone even more alert.
Bai Zhu watched, his face a mask of concentrated expectation. There would be no underestimation. He knew the danger now.
To him, Kyrian was a sharp mind disguised in an apparently weak body.
Dong Zhen gave Kyrian another thirty minutes to recover. But Kyrian merely waited, standing above the arena. He still seemed completely fine, and it was difficult to tell what was going through his mind.
After thirty minutes, Dong Zhen waited no longer.
"The finalists are decided." His voice thundered, silencing everyone.
"Bai Zhu of the Military Force Branch. Kyrian of the Main Branch. This is the decisive battle. The winner will take the glory and the resources for their branch for the next five years."
He looked at the two youths already at the center of the arena, who now approached one another.
"Begin."
The command echoed like thunder.
