Phillips didn't sit still. He kept watching and quickly moved to interrupt Duke Arselin. There wasn't a trace of fear on his face. No matter what, the Duke was at the end stage of the lower domain. He was only at the Journeyman rank—Phillips was far stronger and could easily handle him.
This was the only thing he could do for Leon. Once the match ended, Phillips knew he wouldn't be allowed to witness the scene. The rules bound him. Before, he had never thought much about them, but now, they felt unbearably heavy.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
Duke Arselin's sword slashed directly at Phillips, heavy water energy humming sharply around the blade.
The pressure in the arena thickened, like humidity before a storm, coiling around his skin.
He had no weapon.
Yet, with only his empty hands—which held nothing, but somehow seemed to grasp something unseen—he met the incoming sword. It stopped midway with a loud hum, vibrating violently on impact.
