Nyra's elemental maze had turned the Great Salt Flats into a labyrinth of towering, crystalline earth walls, blocking sightlines and forcing close-quarters navigation. But such obstacles were mere inconveniences to warriors of their caliber.
It had been a frustrating reality for all of them: the limited mana in this world had stifled their growth.
What should have been rapid ascensions through the Transcendent ranks had crawled at a snail's pace.
Nyra, once far ahead, had plateaued at 2-Star Transcendent, her elemental mastery deepening but her raw power inching forward.
Karl, with his relentless drive, had caught up to her level, also reaching 2-Star Transcendent. Adrian, however, had pushed further, claiming the mantle of 3-Star Transcendent through six years. The disparity wasn't vast, but in a battle like this, it could be decisive.
