Casey stood at the center of the giant arena thinking the same thoughts over and over.

This isn’t good. This isn’t good. This isn’t good.

The crowd cheered around her and Sybil smirked at her the way she always smirked at her. It was a smirk that said, “I’m better than you and both of us know it.”

The worst part was Casey really did feel like Sybil Westley was her worst match-up among the student climber finalists. Sybil was one of the best student climbers in their class and definitely one of the best airbringers in the city, even more talented than some official E-rank and D-rank climbers.

The referee raised his hand and blew a whistle and the fight began.

Sybil wasted no time, immediately rushing towards Casey.

The girl moved with incredible speed, so fast hardly anyone in the audience was able to effectively track her with their eyes. She emerged from her lightning-fast sprint swirling with enough wind to form a small tornado.

Sybil’s leg spun until her foot landed right into Casey’s head, sending her flying backwards across the arena, crashing into the walls of the battlefield.

BOOM!

The audience gasped at the sheer amount of power displayed by Sybil.

The speed, force, and power of the blow was enough to send Casey flying across the arena. It was Sybil Wesley’s famed whirlwind kick attack.

Beyond being a talented airbringer, Sybil Westley combined her skills of wind manipulation with a secondary talent: martial arts. With these two talents synthesized together, Sybil was able to deal incredibly powerful and damaging physical attacks at an awe-inspiring speed.

Sybil brushed dirt off her shoulder as she stared at the cracked arena wall where she’d sent Casey flying towards.

“An incredible opening move from Sybil Westley! Is this it for young Casey Everton!? Many would struggle to get up from a blow as devastating as the one Sybil landed.”

Casey’s back ached with pain.

A sharp feeling coursed through her entire body, making it hard to breathe or even think properly.

“Sybil! Sybil! Sybil!” chanted the crowd.

Casey relaxed some of the mana she’d sent to her back right before she smashed into the wall. If she hadn’t done that, she’d probably be unconscious right now.

Part of her even wished she was unconscious. The pain coursing through her body was very intense and she wanted it to stop.

She lay on the ground of the arena as dirt and debris swirled around her.

She used her remaining strength to roll onto her stomach.

She then reached out with her hands.

C’mon Casey, just push yourself up and get back into the fight.

“What do you think you’re doing, fake-vein?” spat Sybil. “I thought you’d be smart enough to stop after one hit.”

Casey ignored her.

Her arms trembled as she struggled to push herself back up.