Standing on the arena, facing each other, dressed in full bodysuits, both Elysia and Ray stared at one another with unwavering eyes, the atmosphere between them tense and silent... as if the world had paused for this moment alone.
The arena was abuzz with murmurs, voices rising and falling like waves. Most of the students were either admirers of Ray or Elysia, both of whom were well-known among the academy circles.
Others had simply gathered to watch, hoping for some fiery entertainment and drama that only a public duel could offer.
"What do you think... who's going to win?" Lyra finally asked, glancing sideways at Amelia and Grace, her voice laced with curiosity and a bit of unease.
There was a long pause between them, before Grace sighed and replied, her tone calm yet certain, "Obviously Ray is going to win. You've seen how fast he's grown these past few weeks. The gap between him and Elysia isn't something that can be ignored... She's still at a lower rank than him."
