Laura and Gurda stepped into the arena, facing off against Dominic and Aurelio. Gurda and Dominic were up first.
As they stood opposite each other, Dominic analyzed Gurda's stance, searching for weaknesses. But his gaze lingered, and he felt an unexpected spark of attraction. His ears folded back, and his cheeks flushed.
The teacher's whistle shattered the tension.
Dominic refocused, his eyes burning with determination. He stepped forward, and a crimson blast erupted from his foot, hurtling toward Gurda.
Gurda's response was instantaneous. Giant, crimson bat wings unfurled from her back, and she dodged the blast with eerie grace.
Her eyes blazed red, and a tattered, black-aurored spellbook materialized in her hands. The pages fluttered, revealing arcane script.
Gurda's voice grew husky, speaking in a demonic tongue.
The arena floor trembled as red, thorny vines burst forth, snaking toward Dominic.
With lightning-quick reflexes, Dominic leapt aside, avoiding the vines' deadly grasp.
Dominic's eyes narrowed, impressed by Gurda's unexpected display of power.
"Gurda, what's your lineage?" Dominic asked, intrigued.
Gurda's gaze locked onto Dominic, her red eyes flashing.
"You'll find out soon enough," she replied, her voice dripping with mystery.
The battle had just begun.
Gurda pointed at Dominic, and her vines sprang to life, snaking toward him with deadly precision.
Dominic dodged each attack with ease, his smirk growing wider.
But Gurda's matching smirk caught him off guard.
Her spellbook pages fluttered, and she spoke in the demonic tongue.
The ground trembled, and a crimson hand burst forth, grasping Dominic's leg.
He struggled, but the hand held firm.
Gurda's palm opened wide, and the hand grew, engulfing Dominic's body up to his neck.
Dominic focused his energy, unleashing a massive blast that shattered the hand, freeing him.
Breathless, Dominic thought to himself:
"She's holding back. I can sense it. It's almost like she's not even trying... But then again, neither am I."
Dominic's eyes locked onto Gurda, his determination burning brighter.
Gurda's expression remained serene, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
The arena fell silent, awaiting the next move.
Laura observed, analyzing the fight's dynamics.
Aurelio whispered to Laura, "Gurda's not using her full strength. What's she planning?"
Laura's gaze never left the combatants.
"I think she's testing Dominic," Laura replied.
Aurelio nodded.
"The question is what's she searching for?
"I think she knows Dominic's holding back too," Laura said, her eyes fixed on the battle.
Aurelio turned to her, intrigued.
"Blood Alphas are extremely powerful," Laura continued. "If Dominic's as strong as they say, he's not showing his full hand."
Just then, Dominic unleashed his enhanced speed, closing the distance to Gurda in a blur.
His clenched fists aimed for Gurda, but she reacted swiftly, raising her wing to block the attack.
The force sent Gurda crashing into the arena wall.
"Uh..." Gurda groaned, shock and pain etched on her face.
A sly smile spread across her lips.
"Impressive. I wouldn't expect less from a Blood Alpha."
Dominic launched another attack, his fist enveloped in crimson energy.
Gurda dodged, but the blast's residual force slammed her into the opposite wall.
Gurda's wings fluttered wildly, steadying herself.
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
"You're not using your full strength either, Gurda. What are you hiding?"
Gurda's smile grew wider.
"You'll find out soon enough, Blood Alpha."
The air crackled with tension as the two combatants sized each other up.
Laura and Aurelio exchanged a knowing glance.
"This is far from over," Aurelio whispered.