The arena bell rang, and Blater stood at the center holding his sniper staff, shouting in a booming voice:
Blater:
"Ladies and gentlemen! In the right corner, our academy's brilliant daughter, Miona! And in the left corner, the sharp-eyed guest, Nerar! Remember—victory by points or surrender. We don't want corpses today!"
Miona (confidently circling Nerar):
"Are you ready to receive your first lesson in the arts of Siwar, Nerar? I've heard you're a wilderness warrior, but the arena has different rules."
Nerar (calmly watching her footwork):
"Arena rules grant you safety, Miona. In the wilds, there is no referee to stop the bleeding when you misjudge your opponent."
Blater (commentating):
"Oooh! Nerar opens with psychological warfare! Look at Miona's stance—she's preparing the Purple Lynx Leap!"
Miona:
"Enough talk! Take this!"
Miona lunged like an arrow, but Nerar shifted his body by barely a millimeter.
Nerar:
"Too slow. Is this the speed your schools pride themselves on?"
Miona (angrily):
"That was just a warm-up! How about this?"
She launched into a rapid series of kicks. Nerar blocked them all using only his forearms, the impacts echoing through the arena.
Blater (commentating):
"By the stars! Miona's kicks are lightning fast, but Nerar is like a stone wall! Do you see that? He hasn't attacked yet—he's studying her breathing rhythm!"
Ortinus (from behind the railing):
"Nerar! Don't just defend—strike now!"
Darius:
"Shut up, Ortinus. He's enjoying humiliating her pride first. I know that look."
Miona (slightly out of breath):
"Why don't you attack? Afraid to touch a girl, or too cowardly to leave your turtle stance?"
Nerar:
"You're wasting your energy on flashy moves. In my world, any motion that doesn't end the opponent is suicide. I'll give you one chance—surrender now and save your dignity."
Blater (commentating):
"Nerar offers surrender! The crowd is booing! Miona, will you accept?"
Miona:
"In your dreams! Take the Dance of Blades!"
She drew two daggers from behind her back and began spinning around Nerar at blinding speed.
Blater (commentating):
"Look! She's done it—the Dance of Blades! Nerar is completely surrounded!"
Romilius:
"Nerar, be careful! The blades are magnetic!"
Nerar (coldly):
"Time's up."
In a moment no one noticed, Nerar slipped beneath her assault. With a precise strike of his palm to her wrist, the daggers flew into the air. Before she could grasp what had happened, his foot was behind hers and his hand on her shoulder.
Nerar:
"Free fall."
Miona slammed into the ground. Nerar placed his knee near her neck without touching her and looked at Blater.
Blater (astonished):
"One… two… three! Stop! Nerar is the winner!"
Miona (trying to rise):
"That's cheating! You used my own momentum against me!"
Nerar (offering her a hand):
"That's not cheating. It's called using your opponent's energy. You're a good fighter—but you fight as if you're performing on a stage."
Blater (commentating):
"What an opening! The guests take the first point! Leoner, your face is as red as a flame crystal—are you ready for the next match against Ortinus?"
Leoner (stepping forward angrily):
"I'll teach him that decorated swords don't make men in Siwar. Miona was lenient—I won't be."
Pikos:
"Ortinus, please finish him quickly. I'm starting to smell food from the nearby restaurant!"
Nikos:
"Focus, Ortinus. This Leoner looks like he uses a weight-based technique."
Blater:
"Take a short rest. The next confrontation is a battle of honor."