As Leo walked back toward the contender stands, the roaring applause still echoing behind him, Captain Yu Shen passed him on the way to the arena, their gazes meeting briefly in passing.
Yu Shen gave him a subtle, approving nod, mouthing the words, "Good work, Skyshard", as"Thanks," Leo muttered back, his voice low and flat as he continued without slowing, his steps unhurried as he returned to the Rodova bench.
He sat down with a quiet exhale, the adrenaline finally beginning to drain from his limbs.
That had been close.
Too close.
Had he been one moment slower, Jahong's blade might have pierced his chest instead of flying backward.
But before he could sink too deep into reflection—
*WHAP!*
A sharp slap landed between his shoulder blades.
"Nice flip, assassin boy," Su Yang said with a smug grin, stretching his arms like a man clocking out for the day. "You made that elf do cartwheels."
Leo didn't respond, only exhaled through his nose.
But Su Yang wasn't done.
