He was trying not to extend the fight.
I could see it in the way the space around us folded and warped, constricting my movements, forcing me to engage on his terms. Ren knew his raw speed couldn't keep up with mine—so he was compensating. Rather than relying purely on reaction, he was shaping the battlefield itself, tightening the noose.
The cracks of fragmented space shimmered, an invisible web designed to funnel me into limited paths. His control was masterful, the kind of precision that could only come from years of honing his God's Eyes.
But it wasn't enough.
The dark mana shroud around me lashed out, carving through the broken space like a blade through silk. His defenses faltered for the briefest moment, and I seized it, my sword carving toward him.
And yet—Ren reacted.
His fist met my blade at the last possible instant, diverting the impact with just enough force to avoid being overpowered outright.
