The final match of the round of 16 was announced.
Zephyr was the final one to have his round.
His opponent stepped into the arena first, fists clenched, Essenz gathering around his arms in dense layers.
"Impact Core: Stacked Force!"
The air around his fists distorted slightly as he slammed one hand into the other. The sound alone echoed like a cannon blast.
Zephyr walked forward calmly.
The man lunged first.
His fist came down like a falling sledgehammer, striking the floor when Zephyr sidestepped. The stone shattered instantly, fractures spreading outward in a jagged web as chunks of debris lifted from the sheer force of the blow.
The crowd reacted audibly.
The man grinned. He struck again, each movement heavier than the last as he continued stacking the force of impact. Every impact tore craters into the arena, shockwaves and dust clouds rolling outward in bursts that rattled the lower walls and slightly obstructed vision.
Zephyr avoided each strike with minimal movement in order to save as much energy as possible.
A step to the side. A lean backward. A slight pivot.
His expression throughout the fight remained unchanged.
Zephyr: "This clearly isn't working so why not change your plan?"
The man ignored his question, roaring before he rushed forward with both fists raised, charging a blow with all his might, a blow meant to crush Zephyr outright.
The ground crackled beneath his feat as he leapt.
Zephyr moved in the last possible second, lighting flickered faintly around his body. He disappeared from the man's line of sight for a fraction of a second.
Zephyr reappeared behind him, and with one clean strike to the neck, the man instantly collapsed.
The nobles began clapping almost immediately. Some laughed, some unimpressed. Others too busy placing bets.
Maurice's figure showed once more, grinning ear to ear.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" he called out, spreading his arms theatrically. "That marks the end of the Round Of Sixteen! Please place your bets, and we shall begin the Quarterfinals shortly!"
The arena buzzed with renewed excitement.
Only 8 participants remain.