Round 2 began. Unlike the first round, this one featured two skilled martial artists. Their fight was immediate, explosive—fists and blocks colliding with sharp precision.
"They seem to be on the same level as Ro," Takahiro observed, eyes tracking their every movement.
Ray nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. Both are at the Intermediate rank."
Takahiro tilted his head. "So they've mastered their styles?"
"Little Taka if these ones, had mastered their style. They wouldn't be at Intermediate Rank" Ray replied, stroking his chin. "They are still learning. One of these fighters, however, is using a style unsuited for their body."
Just then, the fighter with the correct alignment blocked a powerful strike and strike a solid kick to their opponent's side.
Ray's eyes flicked toward the spectators. Among them, a muscular man yelled at the stage, clearly frustrated.
Ah, how unfortunate the blind leading the blind. Ray thought, Ray could tell that this was a teacher of the fighter with the wrong alignment.
From the stands, Yume tugged on Ray's sleeve. "Papa?"
Ray turned with a warm smile. "Yes, little one?"
"What is a style?" she asked, curious.
Ray sighed, mock-holding his chest. "I see someone wasn't paying attention in class. It hurts my heart."
"I was paying attention! I just… forgot," Yume admitted, looking away.
Ray chuckled but couldn't resist explaining. "A style is tied to your elemental affinity. It is the foundation upon which all techniques are built. Techniques are then adjusted to suit the user. The closer your style matches your affinity, the smoother and more efficient your movements and your Hashi flow will be."
Yume's eyes lit with understanding. "So… if someone trains the wrong style?"
"Then their growth slows, and at worst, it stagnates," Ray said firmly.
Takahiro glanced at Kenji. "Which elemental styles do you think they're using?"
Kenji's voice was calm, his expression neutral. "Earth style versus Water style."
Selena and Anna noticed the subtle weight behind his words. His calm face masked the pain beneath.
The Earth style fighter was steady and relentless solid, crushing blows. The Water style fighter was meant to be flexible and adaptive, flowing with the opponent's rhythm. But since Water wasn't suited to this user, their movements were sloppy, mistimed, and left openings.
With a decisive strike, the Earth style fighter ended the match an elbow to the back of their opponent's head. The crowd gasped. Mitchell stepped forward to check on the fallen fighter.
The opponent rose slowly, blood trickling down their face.
"He's okay," Mitchell announced, raising a hand. The crowd exhaled, some booed, some cheered.