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!"

Brandon swiftly thrust his spear again and aimed toward Carter's chest.

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

to anticipate Brandon's move. As the spear came at him, he

ground and created a hole. As Carter regained his footing, he utilized the

straight for

instinctively took two steps back. Using his spear, he deflected Carter's attack. However, the force of the blow sent

onlookers gasped in shock at the sight. Their faces were

happening? Why is Brandon

way! His opponent is just a nobody. Brandon can't be losing, right? I've bet

Brandon hasn't shown his true strength yet.

never failed us. Let's not freak

left the

expected Brandon's skill

after just a few

something unexpected going on in this match?" Ruby asked nervously from her

that winning would bring a huge reward, but she also realized

minor hiccup and won't affect

being human. So, he

that defeating Carter would be a breeze once

first, he had underestimated Carter, but their recent exchange showed him that Carter was just as strong

might slip away if

than I thought,"

"I underestimated you earlier and almost paid the price. But I won't make that mistake again. Because now, I'll

I'll be looking forward to it,"

Spear's First Form—Thunder Wrath!" Brandon shouted. He drew back his spear before thrusting forward with