–CRACK!
A crack.
Both the Marquis and Elder Kael turned their attention toward the source of the sound. Elder Xue's hand was clenched around the armrest of her chair, her fingers digging in with enough force that the finely crafted wood had splintered beneath her grip. Her face was a mask of controlled fury, her eyes narrowed as she watched the arena, her gaze locked onto Lucavion's figure.
Elder Kael's mouth curled into a smug smile, relishing the sight of his rival's frustration. "Troubling, isn't it?" he drawled, his voice laced with barely concealed satisfaction. "It appears that your so-called 'Glacial Bloom' wilted in the face of a true flame."
Elder Xue's gaze remained fixed on the arena, though the chill in her eyes spoke volumes. "One fight means nothing," she replied icily, her voice low and controlled, though a tremor of anger simmered beneath her words. "Skill cannot be measured by a single bout."
