The owl flapped its mechanical wings and soared upward. It hovered near the arena rafters to secure a perfect overhead angle of the combat ring for the viewers.
Solomon and Marco stepped completely past the boundary line.
"You still have a few seconds to grab a weapon," Marco warned while adjusting his grip on his hilts. "Do not complain to the professors when I carve you up."
"I am fine with my fists," Solomon replied casually.
The Referee raised his hand and brought it down in a swift chopping motion. The duel officially commenced.
Marco instantly kicked off the stone tiles. He dashed across the ring with impressive speed and lunged forward with his right blade.
Solomon leaned back to avoid the strike. The metal edge grazed past his uniform. Marco immediately followed up with a horizontal slash from his left hand, forcing Solomon to duck under the sweeping attack and leap backward to create distance.
