After observing Liam's fight,Sarn sat, unease creeping over her with every passing second. "I know something’s coming—defeat or victory, whatever happens, I just want this to end." Her time was running out.

  The referee’s voice cut through her thoughts: “Next fight: Saryntha Sayra versus Viron Vi.”

  Her heart raced, pounding in her chest as she made her way to the arena. The weight of past failures pressed down on her, the necessity of proving herself making each step heavier. "What happens if I lose now?"

  The signal sounded.

  Viron charged first, moving with calm confidence. "So, it’s going to be this easy for me, he thought."

  "Do you even have any real power?" he taunted, sending a sharp gust of wind at her.

  Sarn dodged without a word. She wasn’t going to reveal her full strength just yet." Let him look down on me."

  Subtly, she spread her fmes into the wind, too little to be seen, gradually raising the temperature. The air grew warmer, shifting in her favor.

  From the stands, Liam leaned forward." She’s not making any progress."

  Rowan remained silent, eyes locked on the fight.

  Viron, unimpressed, sent a concentrated wind attack sweeping across the arena.

  A spectator muttered, “This fight’s boring. The outcome’s obvious.”

  But Sarn endured it. She didn’t back away. Instead, she closed the distance, bending low at the st second, letting the attack skim past her.

  Her sword hummed with heat as the fire around the field slowly restricted Viron’s movements.

  The warmth started draining him. Slightly surprised, he muttered, "So that’s your power… clever, but not enough to stop me."

  Viron’s expression shifted. "She’s improved. Fire’s one of the hardest elements to control… and the most dangerous. I can’t let her set the pace."

  Sarn narrowed her eyes. He’s adjusting too quickly. I can’t let this turn into a battle of endurance.

  She staggered, falling onto one knee.

  Rowan’s gaze sharpened. "I see what she’s doing".

  Liam shifted,"What’s she waiting for?"

  Viron’s eyes gleamed. "That’s it. She’s breaking."

  Sarn saw the hesitation flicker in his stance. "Did he fall for it?"

  For a moment, Viron hesitated. Should he finish it now or tighten his hold? Giving her time is dangerous. But she lost before for a reason. One final strike—

  He prepared an intense air strike.

  Sarn steadied herself." No, I can't waste energy. Stay still. Keep cool. I still have that technique in my sleeve."

  Then, Viron smirked." No—I can just shift the wind toward her. That’ll turn the fmes against her."

  The temperature around Sarn began to rise.

  She didn’t move. She needed to conserve her energy.

  Something was wrong.

  The warmth intensified.

  "What’s he doing?" Sarn kept still. At least I got some time to recover.

  Then she felt it.

  A wave of unbearable heat.

  Her eyes widened." Shit—he’s been shifting the wind toward me this whole time."

  From the stands, the same spectator muttered, "Okay… maybe this isn’t as boring as I thought."

  Liam shot up from his seat. "Sarn’s sweating. He turned her own heat against her. Why didn’t she attack?!"

  Rowan’s fingers curled slightly. Something’s off.

  It seemed like it was over.