The arena trembled as the next match was announced: Keira Pridefist vs Fenric Vahl, the lean human whose reputation had already stirred whispers among spectators.
"Keira's speed is unmatched, but Fenric… calm, calculating, deadly," one veteran murmured.
"There are so many new participants this year… interesting," a small boy in the stands—pen and notebook in hand—commented, scribbling every move and aura fluctuation.
Keira stepped onto the arena floor, her wolfkin instincts humming with excitement. Dark gray hair streaked with silver fell loosely around her shoulders, her amber eyes scanning the stands where Haruto and the rest of the team watched.
"Just watch me, Haruto. He's nothing compared to me. I'll finish him in a blink," she boasted with a confident grin, tail flicking in anticipation.
Fenric moved silently into his position, posture calm, eyes sharp and calculating. He radiated a subtle, cold aura that made even seasoned warriors in the crowd uneasy.
---
Opening Clash
The bell rang. Dust rose as Keira launched forward, claws and fists flashing with instinctive precision.
"Stand still, coward!" she shouted, aiming to overwhelm him.
Fenric sidestepped effortlessly, minimal movement, landing subtle counters that staggered her rhythm. Each of her strikes met air while his precision left small bruises—a demonstration of experience over raw power.
"Overconfidence is dangerous," Fenric muttered, eyes cold, unyielding.
Spectators gasped. Some cheered for Keira's ferocity, others whispered admiration for Fenric's composure. Haruto leaned forward, nervously muttering, "Come on, Keira! You've got this…"
---
Fight Escalation
Keira's pride fueled a flurry of aggressive attacks, claws glowing faintly with her aura-enhanced strikes. Fenric barely moved, letting her pounce past and responding with precise, minimal counters that exposed her overconfidence.
"I… I can't… why is he so precise?!" she panted, struggling to maintain momentum.
The audience's whispers grew louder. The young boy continued scribbling, noting every movement and aura fluctuation, eyes wide with excitement.
---
Keira's Struggle
Her attacks became more desperate, more aggressive. She threw everything into rapid slashes and jumps, her wolfkin reflexes sharp but not enough to pierce Fenric's calm defenses.
"Never underestimate someone who observes quietly," Fenric said softly after deflecting a particularly fierce lunge.
Keira faltered, pride and exhaustion colliding. Her aura flickered violently as she realized her miscalculation—Fenric's cold precision was overwhelming her natural speed and strength.
---
Fenric seized the moment. With a swift and precise strike, Keira's stance broke. She stumbled and collapsed, unconscious before she could recover. The arena fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted into murmurs and cheers.
"She… lost?" a spectator whispered.
"Fenric… what calm efficiency," another said, eyes wide.
Haruto leaned back, disbelief on his face. "I… I can't believe it… she fought so hard…"
Fenric remained composed, observing silently. Leaning slightly forward, he offered one last remark:
"Never be overconfident. Learn and grow."
The words hung in the air—a chilling reminder of humility in the face of true skill.
---
Keira was helped out of the arena, bruised but alive, nursing her pride.
Fenric's cold aura remained, leaving the audience in awe.
Haruto and Lyria exchanged concerned glances, realizing the tournament's stakes had just risen.
The young archer scribbled furiously, noting every tactic and movement for future study.
The next rounds loomed ahead, tension crackling like lightning in the arena. The semi-finals and the looming Grokkar rematch promised challenges that would test every fighter to their limits.