Silence settled between the two mage's.
"I said...I'll be on my way now." Moon said coldly, his eyes locked with the cryomancer's.
The cryomancer's expression darkened. He studied Moon for a long moment, his mind racing through the pros and cons of fighting the lightning mage.
'He's strong. Strong enough that a real fight could go either way. I haven't shown my full strength yet, and I'm confident I have an edge if I commit. But fighting him here, this early, with cameras watching and other competitors potentially circling the area...'
He let out a slow breath.
'If a powerful third party intervenes during our fight, both of us lose. It's better to walk away. We'll meet again later, when the field has thinned and the conditions are more favorable.'
Moon held the Cryomancer's gaze.
The Cryomancer met it without flinching.
Neither of them moved for several seconds.
Then Moon turned and walked away.
