boyutpedia Chapter 681 151.3 - Let me see your strength
Chapter 681 151.3 - Let me see your strength
Chapter 681 151.3 - Let me see your strength
Astron's palm shot forward, cutting through the searing heat and directly toward Irina's body. His movements were decisive, his eyes locked onto her with a
determination that ignored the burns on his shoulder and leg. His singular focus on the offensive sent a clear message: he wasn't backing down.
Irina smirked, her flames burning brighter around her. "You're persistent, I'll give you that," she said, her voice steady despite the charged atmosphere. "But you should know by now-
The faint shimmer of her barrier came into view as his palm neared it.
"-this won't work," she finished confidently.
Astron's hand stopped just short of the barrier, his movements suddenly shifting. His sharp gaze flicked downward for a fraction of a second before his leg swept low in one fluid motion. The unexpected strike aimed directly at her balance point, catching her off guard.
Irina's smirk faltered slightly as she realized what he was doing. Her telekinesis was focused on compressing and bending the space around the barrier, creating an anchor that absorbed momentum from direct attacks. But that same precision also meant she couldn't shift her focus quickly enough to counter his leg sweep.
THUD!
Astron's leg connected, sweeping her feet out from under her. The sudden loss of balance caused her to stumble, the carefully compressed space of her barrier shifting awkwardly as she instinctively tried to reorient herself.
"Damn it," she muttered, catching herself just before she hit the ground by flaring her flames outward for stability. Her eyes snapped up to meet his, blazing with both irritation and grudging respect.
Astron stepped back, his stance balanced and ready. "Barriers are great for stopping direct attacks," he said calmly, "but they don't help much if you can't stay on your
feet.""
His hand was right before her face, shimmering. The exchange just now, had already made it evident.
This fight.
Irina lost.
Irina let out a slow breath, her flames dimming slightly as she lowered her hands. Her gaze remained locked onto Astron's, his hand still hovering near her face, the faint shimmer of his mana a silent declaration of victory.
She straightened, brushing off the lingering heat around her shoulders, and gave a wry smile. "Alright," she said, her tone calm but edged with reluctant acceptance. "You got me,"
There was no need for useless pride-Astron had acted decisively, exploiting her weakness with precision. As much as it stung, she couldn't deny that he'd earned this
win.
Irina's thoughts turned inward, analyzing the exchange. Her barrier, while strong, had an inherent limitation: its focus. Compressing psions to bend space required pinpoint accuracy and control, but that precision also made it difficult to shift the focal point quickly. Even with her immense telekinetic proficiency, moving the barrier's focus mid-battle remained a challenge.
'It's still a new technique,' she thought, her flames flickering faintly in response to her frustration. 'I haven't had enough time to refine it-especially against someone like him.'
Her gaze softened slightly as she glanced at Astron, his stance still poised but without arrogance. She could tell he wasn't gloating; he was simply acknowledging the result of the duel. That alone eased the sting of her loss-slightly.
"You exploited the weakness perfectly," she admitted, rolling her shoulders as her mana settled. "My barrier's strong, but it's not invincible. I can't move the focal point fast enough to counter something like that. At least... not yet."
Astron lowered his hand, his expression neutral but carrying a faint glimmer of respect. "You're already miles ahead with it," he said evenly. "The technique itself is incredible. It just needs more time."
Irina tilted her head, studying him. "You figured it out mid-fight, didn't you?"
He gave a small nod. "It wasn't hard to notice the way you shifted focus. The compression is flawless, but there's a slight delay when you transition. That's the only opening-and even then, it's small."
'Small, but he exploited it perfectly,' Irina thought, her respect for his analytical skills growing despite herself. She folded her arms, the corner of her lips twitching into a faint smirk. "You're really something.... Not bad....
Astron tilted his head slightly. "Neither are you. That technique is something I'd rather not face once you perfect it."
barrier.
"Still think you've got me figured out?" Irina shot back, her flames roaring as she pressed forward.
Their fight intensified, the room pulsing with heat and energy as their spells and
strikes collided in a seamless blend of offense and defense. For both of them, this wasn't just a spar-it was a test, a challenge to see who could adapt faster, strike harder, and push themselves further.
And neither had any intention of holding back.
*******
The arena was a battlefield of scorched floors and lingering mana, the air thick with the heat of flames and the tension of unyielding combat. Three hours had passed since the duel began, and neither Irina nor Astron showed any sign of backing down. Irina's flames burned fiercely around her, though they flickered more unevenly now. Her breathing was labored, and beads of sweat dripped down her face, dampening strands of her fiery red hair that clung to her skin. Blood trickled from a shallow cut on her arm, the result of Astron's relentless offensive, and her once-pristine sparring attire bore scorch marks and tears.
Across from her, Astron stood, his figure shadowed by the faint glow of mana still emanating from his body. Though his stance remained composed, his condition was no less telling. His clothes were tattered, singed at the edges with streaks of soot and blood where her flames had found their mark. His calm breathing belied the strain of their prolonged battle, but the gleam in his eyes showed no sign of fatigue-only
focus.
Irina wiped the back of her hand across her brow, smearing a streak of ash. Her lips
twitched into a faint smirk despite her exhaustion. "You're not making this easy," she said, her voice hoarse but steady.
"Wouldn't want to disappoint you," Astron replied evenly, his tone calm but edged with
quiet resolve. He shifted his weight slightly, his muscles tense and ready for the next
exchange.
Both combatants remained still for a moment, their gazes locked as they assessed
each other. The silence was heavy, the only sounds were the faint crackle of dying flames and the steady rhythm of their breathing.
"You've improved," Astron said at last, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her.
"Even when you're tired, your control hasn't slipped."
Irina chuckled faintly, though it was laced with exhaustion. "You're not so bad yourself," she admitted, rolling her shoulders despite the ache that settled in her
muscles. "But you're starting to look a little ragged. Are you sure you're not running out of steam?"
Astron glanced down at his torn sleeves, the faint sheen of blood visible beneath the
fabric. He raised an eyebrow, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. "You could say I've had worse," he said, his tone dry.
Irina's smirk widened, though it was tempered by the fatigue pulling at her features.
"Is that so?"
She stepped forward, flames flaring to life once more around her arms. Despite the
strain in her body, her mana surged, the familiar heat rekindling her resolve. If Astron
thought he could outlast her, she was determined to prove him wrong.
"Then a final fight?" "Indeed. A final fight."