The arena floor shuddered as the ten dueling circles flared to full brilliance—five to the left, glowing with violet-tinged aura where the Magnus cousins stood, and five to the right, each blazing with the unique colors of their rival team. The air thickened, vibrating with power as the soul formations recognized both groups and synchronized their boundaries.
Then—
"Begin!"
The declaration reverberated through the plaza, and instantly, motion exploded from both sides.
Maxwell charged first, his boots hammering the stone as he met the lead opponent—a tall boy wreathed in emerald flame. Their blades collided mid-dash, sparks scattering like meteors. Neither yielded an inch; their footwork tightened, each testing the other's rhythm with measured precision.
