Among the last two remaining students, Maelis stepped forward.
She walked onto the scorched and water-stained platform with clear reluctance in her posture.
For a moment, her eyes dropped, and her shoulders shifted as if she were about to raise her hand and surrender on the spot.
Then a sharp, cold glare from the VIP section locked onto her. Gloria sat forward slightly, her golden eyes fixed on her student with a clear warning.
Maelis instantly felt the pressure from that look. She sighed, shook her head once, and lifted her gaze toward Gray.
"Let's finish this fast…" she mumbled, and gave him a small wink.
Gray shook his head at her words.
The referee's staff came down.
"Begin!"
Maelis moved first, not toward him, but away.
Gravity mana flared around her in a wide, invisible field.
The air above the platform grew heavier in an instant.
Gray felt the sudden increase in pressure against his shoulders and legs, as if the weight of his own body had multiplied.
