Teacher Lin blinked in confusion at the unexpected development. Raised her hand with uncertainty about what would be the proper procedure here.
"Second victory point for... Liu?" she announced hesitantly.
Liu also looked confused despite the apparent win. Staring at the empty space where the mantis had been milliseconds ago. Then looking toward Ren as if looking for an explanation.
The audience murmured with growing confusion. Not understanding what they'd just witnessed.
Had Ren just... given away the point? Free victory without contest?
Almost correct in their assessment.
But not completely accurate.
Ren had obtained what he needed from that brief exchange.
He didn't want to lose his link with the mantis through destruction. Deactivating it voluntarily didn't hurt, it was almost instantaneous and a natural process.
And there was no point in letting it be destroyed and suffering that acceptable but still annoying pain of a broken connection.
