Their blades of flame and steel met mid-field—

and the world went white.

A blast of air swept across the arena, shaking the stands. The crowd screamed, hands flying to their faces as the shockwave hit them a beat late.

Hyunwoo slid back across the tiles, fire crackling around his legs. Jiwoo was pushed even farther, boots digging trenches until he regained balance.

Both stared at each other.

Hyunwoo wiped a smear of blood from his lip. “Not bad. You actually made me ...