"Fight!"
Fear? Anxiety?
Max felt none of either as he silently watched Ethan take a trained stance. His feet planted firmly with burning intent in his eyes.
The crowd quietened and watched with thrilled anticipation of what would happen next.
In their eyes, Max's casual demeanor as he stood before Ethan was heavily berated in their thoughts.
'Arrogant.'
'Foolish.'
'An amateur.' They thought, but only the expert among them could feel the wave of priceless confidence oozing off Max's posture—absolute. Making them confused as they couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was that made it seem so.
From a single glance, Ethan could strike Max down due to the obvious flaws in the way he stood.
Despite the fight having commenced, Ethan looked quite more cautious than the crowd expected.
And then, destroying the doubt in his heart, Ethan struck first with swiftness unexpected of his age.
