The crowd buzzed with excitement as the second match of the Battle of the Top Twelve was announced. Seenu Khokhar and Riya Kapoor were the next to step into the arena. The contrast between the two fighters was striking.
Seenu entered the stage with his usual calm and composed demeanor. His tall frame and the katana strapped to his back exuded an aura of quiet strength. His piercing gaze scanned the arena briefly before settling on his opponent.
Opposite him stood Riya, whose fiery determination radiated through her stance. Her eyes were focused, and her fingers twitched in anticipation. She knew this fight would test her limits, but she was ready to give it her all.
In the contestant's waiting area, Aamir leaned forward in his seat. His eyes were locked on Riya, a hint of concern flickering across his otherwise composed expression.
"She's talented, but Seenu is a wall of precision and experience," Aamir muttered under his breath.
Raj, seated next to him, glanced at Aamir. "Worried about her?"
"She's my friend," Aamir replied, his tone soft. "But she's pushing herself too hard. Let's see how this goes."
The host's voice boomed across the arena, snapping everyone's attention back to the stage.
"Challengers, are you ready?"
Both fighters nodded.
"Begin!"
The bell rang, and Riya wasted no time. She raised her hands, her aura surging with energy as she cast an air spell. A compressed bullet of air shot forward with incredible speed, aiming straight for Seenu's chest.
The crowd gasped as the attack closed in, but Seenu didn't move. His hand casually went to the hilt of his katana, and with a single, fluid motion, he unsheathed the blade and sliced the air bullet in half. The split projectile veered past him, slamming into the ground behind with a loud *thud*.
The audience erupted in cheers, impressed by Seenu's effortless defense.
"Calm as ever," Rudra Pratap Singh remarked from the observation balcony.
Riya, undeterred, switched tactics. She clasped her hands together, and the ground beneath Seenu's feet began to rumble. A layer of rock shot up, wrapping tightly around his boots and holding him in place.
"Got you," Riya muttered, a small smile of triumph on her lips.
But Seenu remained unshaken. He glanced down at his trapped feet, then back at Riya. Without a word, he shifted his stance, driving his katana into the rocky restraints. With minimal effort, he shattered the stone bindings, sending shards flying in all directions.
Riya frowned, her hands moving quickly as she channeled another spell. This time, the ground split open around Seenu, jagged spikes of earth erupting toward him in rapid succession.
The crowd watched in awe as Seenu navigated the attacks with precision. He sidestepped the spikes, his katana flashing as he deflected the ones too close to avoid. His movements were economical, each step and strike calculated to conserve energy.
Riya growled under her breath. "Why won't you just fight me seriously?" she shouted, frustration creeping into her voice.
Seenu finally spoke, his tone calm and even. "You're skilled, but brute force won't work against me."
Riya's eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath and extended her arms. The air around her crackled with energy as she began casting without incantations. Spells formed instantly, her fingers moving in intricate patterns to shape the magic.
First, a barrage of air bullets fired toward Seenu in rapid succession. Simultaneously, she summoned thick vines from the ground, attempting to entangle his legs.
The audience gasped at the display of skill.
"Magic without incantations?" Rizwana Gouri leaned forward in her seat, impressed. "For a first-year, that's remarkable."
Even Aamir's eyes widened slightly as he watched Riya's seamless casting. "She's pushing her limits," he murmured.
Seenu, however, remained unfazed. He evaded the air bullets with ease, his katana flashing to cut down the vines before they could reach him. Despite Riya's relentless assault, he barely broke a sweat.
Riya's frustration mounted as she poured more energy into her attacks. Her spells grew larger and more aggressive, but her movements began to slow. She was burning through her reserves, and Seenu could see it.
"Impressive," Seenu said, his voice carrying across the arena. "You've got talent. But you're overextending yourself."
Riya clenched her fists, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'm not done yet!"
With a burst of energy, she summoned a massive wave of earth, sending it crashing toward Seenu like a tidal wave.
Seenu sighed softly, his expression unchanged. As the wave loomed over him, he vanished.
The crowd gasped in unison, searching for him.
Riya's eyes darted around the arena. "Where—?"
Before she could finish, Seenu reappeared behind her, his katana sheathed. He moved with such speed that she hadn't even noticed his approach.
"Your potential is admirable," he said quietly. "But you're not ready to defeat me."
With a swift, precise strike using the back of his hand, Seenu knocked Riya unconscious. She crumpled to the ground, the magical energy around her fading as she fell into a deep sleep.
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "The winner of this match: Seenu Khokhar!"
The crowd erupted into applause, cheering for both fighters. While Seenu's victory was expected, Riya's performance had left a lasting impression.
In the challengers' waiting area, Aamir leaned back in his seat, a faint smile on his lips. "She's remarkable," he said softly. "But she'll need more control if she wants to go further."
Raj nodded. "Seenu barely broke a sweat. It's like watching an artist at work."
On the observation balcony, Rizwana Gouri and the other guild leaders exchanged nods of approval.
"She'll be one to watch in the coming years," Rizwana said, her golden eyes gleaming.
As Seenu exited the stage, he glanced down at Riya's unconscious form, a flicker of respect crossing his face.
"Not bad, kid," he murmured before walking away.
The arena prepared for the final match of the round, but the echoes of Seenu and Riya's clash lingered, a testament to the skill and determination of the competitors in the Battle of the Top Twelve.