The stage was gone, reduced to a crater of broken rock. The audience was standing on their toes, peering through the settling dust to see the final result.
Even John's friends moved toward the front of their tent, their eyes scanning the debris for the outcome of the match.
They hadn't seen John use any of his terrifying offensive abilities, nor had he even unsheathed his deadly sword to parry the wind.
"He must have used his defensive ability, right?" Luke asked, turning to the others. They all nodded in unison. To them, it was the only logical explanation. They had seen John weather far worse in the pocket trials.
"The question isn't about John," Cissel paused, her eyes narrowing as she watched the silhouettes on the stage. "It's about Ben. What will John do to him now?"
Everyone exchanged silent, knowing glances. They knew John better than anyone; he had undoubtedly been eyeing Ben as a potential recruit.
