"Is this your best?"
"If not, then try harder—otherwise, I'll end this soon."
Those words from Zane struck like a blade to the heart.
Caelus's face twisted with fury. A proud man by nature, he couldn't stomach being humiliated—especially by Zane, who had already bested him once before.
"Fine! You're fast, I'll admit that," he snarled. "But let's see if you can dodge this!"
He formed a rapid series of hand seals, shouting, "Electric Strike!"
Blue arcs of lightning danced along his blade as he flashed toward the calm, unmoving Zane.
The crowd gasped—but what followed was even more stunning.
The crackling sword stopped cold, caught effortlessly between Zane's two fingers.
Caelus strained, trying to wrench it free, but it was as if his sword had fused into solid stone.
"Let it go!" he shouted, veins bulging in his arm.
"Why would I?" Zane replied softly. "I'm your challenger, remember?"
Gritting his teeth, Caelus poured mana into his grip, but the weapon still wouldn't budge.
