Swoop...
In the next instant, Gray's figure vanished from in front of the golden-eyed vessel and reappeared directly behind Adrian's body.
The rapier completed a single, almost gentle horizontal arc that passed through the space occupied by the possessed student.
There was no explosion of blood, visible wound, or even a dramatic shockwave of destructive force.
To the vast majority of the arena, it looked as if nothing had happened at all.
Gray simply lowered the rapier and stepped back once, expression returning to its usual calm detachment.
The elemental storm that had been raging around Adrian's body continued for a fraction of a second longer, then began to flicker unevenly, as if the controlling will behind it had suddenly lost coordination.
The crowd's reaction was immediate and confused.
"What was that?"
"Did he miss?"
"There was no impact… did the technique fail?"
"Why did he stop attacking?"
