"Next match!" Professor Ashton called. "Verelia and Thomas!"
Alaric's attention sharpened.
Verelia walked into the ring with that same mechanical precision, her expression completely neutral. Her opponent, Thomas, a boy from the other first-year class, looked confident.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, like someone who clearly spent time in physical training.
They took their positions.
"Begin!"
Thomas rushed forward immediately, trying to close the distance before Verelia could establish control. Smart strategy against a mage, just get inside their casting range, force them into close combat where they're weaker.
Except Verelia wasn't a typical mage.
Her hand moved in a single, precise gesture.
And the temperature in the ring plummeted instantly. Frost spread across the mat in a perfect circle around her, expanding outward like a shockwave.
Thomas's charge faltered as ice formed beneath his feet. His footing gave out, momentum carrying him into an uncontrolled slide.
