An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Carter smirked while looking at the spear thrust toward him. With a swift motion, he faced the attack head-on with his sword.

Their weapons collided and created a shockwave of energy.

The waves rippled outward like a tide, and it caused their robes to flutter and their hair to stand on end.

Both combatants stood firm. They were locked in a tense standoff as neither was willing to back down.

Brandon gripped his spear with both hands as he channeled his true energy while he tried to overpower Carter with his strength. But no matter how hard Brandon pushed, Carter held his ground.

The spear clashed with the sword, and the two were locked in a fierce struggle.

The air crackled with bursts of energy as their weapons strained against each other.

"Hmm?" Brandon's brow furrowed with surprise.

As one of the top ten talents of the Celestial Alliance, he should have easily dominated his opponent in Group C. However, he hadn't anticipated this relatively unknown figure to match him so evenly.

"Celestial Glide!"

As Brandon realized he was losing ground, he swung his long spear and knocked Carter's sword aside. Then, he swiftly unleashed a fierce sweeping strike aimed at Carter's waist.

In the end, every inch mattered. The long spear's advantage lay in its wide-reaching attack range. It could strike before the opponent's sword closed in.

Brandon had made up his mind. Since he could not overpower Carter with sheer strength, he would rely on his marksmanship and extensive combat experience to defeat Carter.

As the spear swept toward him, Carter leaned back. He narrowly dodged the attack like a falling plank.

"Serpentine Evasion!"

and aimed toward Carter's chest.

wouldn't have been able to react in time if they were in such a

him, he slammed his hand onto the ground and

regained his footing, he utilized the spear shaft as

straight for

two steps back. Using his spear, he deflected Carter's attack. However, the force

sight.

Why is

a nobody. Brandon can't be losing, right? I've bet

down. The match has just begun. Brandon hasn't shown his true strength yet. I

the predictions have never failed us. Let's not freak out and just watch the

performance left the

with bated breath. They had expected Brandon's skill to secure an

at a disadvantage after just a few exchanges

there's something unexpected going on in this match?" Ruby asked nervously from her seat in the

her celestial stones earlier. She knew that winning would

and won't

being human. So, he figured Brandon might have

that defeating Carter would be a

Brandon's expression turned grave. At first, he had underestimated Carter, but their recent exchange showed him that Carter was

away if he didn't give

tougher than I thought,"

a piercing gaze. "I underestimated you earlier and almost paid the price. But I

it," Carter replied with a faint

Wrath!" Brandon shouted. He drew back his spear before thrusting forward with