Han Miren studied Kael carefully as the barrier around the arena activated.
Unlike the previous opponents Kael had faced, she looked calm.
Composed.
Experienced.
"You're the one everyone's talking about," she said.
Kael nodded slightly.
"So they say."
Han Miren extended her hand.
Cold Aether condensed instantly around her palm.
Frost spread across the arena floor.
"I've watched your previous fights," she said.
"You rely heavily on close combat."
She smiled faintly.
"That won't work against me."
The frost spread faster.
Within seconds, half the arena was covered in ice.
Kael stepped lightly across the frozen ground.
His footing remained steady.
Han Miren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Good balance."
"But let's see how you handle this."
She raised both hands.
"Ice Formation."
The temperature inside the arena dropped sharply.
Several sharp ice spears formed in the air around her.
The audience gasped.
"She's starting with a high-level technique!"
Han Miren pointed forward.
"Go."
The spears shot toward Kael like arrows.
Kael moved instantly.
His body blurred sideways as he dodged the first three.
But more spears followed.
Too many to avoid completely.
One of them grazed his shoulder, leaving a thin line of blood.
Kael stepped back.
Han Miren tilted her head slightly.
"First blood."
The crowd murmured.
"Her techniques are too fast."
"Kael might be in trouble."
But Kael simply rolled his shoulder once.
Inside his chest, the Origin Core pulsed stronger.
"Not bad," he said.
Han Miren raised an eyebrow.
"You're still calm."
Kael slowly clenched his fist.
A faint golden energy began gathering around his arm.
"Origin Body."
His muscles tightened.
The air around him seemed to vibrate slightly.
Han Miren immediately sensed the change.
Her expression turned serious.
"That energy again…"
She raised both hands.
"Then I won't hold back either."
The ice covering the arena suddenly rose upward, forming dozens of new spears.
Far more than before.
Kael exhaled slowly.
Good.
This was exactly what he wanted.
A stronger opponent meant greater growth.
He stepped forward.
Energy surged through his body.
"Origin Strike."
The arena exploded into motion once again.