"Well, hello there, Ralph's little friend!" said Zigrane.
"Hi! I'm not your friend!" answered Spinner.
"Exactly! I don't hang around with weaklings like your crew," Zigrane smirked.
"Huh? By the way!" Michael suddenly said, observing the scene.
"What is it, Michael?" asked Torren.
"I never really thought about what happens when speed magic is used against speed magic! It must look pretty unique," said Michael.
"Hmm! I hadn't thought of that either. That really should be interesting," said Torren, considering Michael's words.
"It's even more interesting knowing they're on different ranks," Michael added.
"I can't afford to lose! If I do, it's the end for me in this tournament! That's why I have to defeat him! Doesn't matter if he's considered the strongest here or not! I absolutely must win!" Spinner thought to himself.
Then the old man said, "Begin!"
After that, Spinner moves to attack but chooses not to use his magic. As soon as he reached the center of the arena, Zigrane flashed a mocking grin and activated his speed magic, starting to run in circles around Spinner.
Michael and Spinner both had the same thought pop into their heads: "It's just like back then!"
They each recalled the same fight from their perspectives. Spinner had once run circles around Michael while Michael simply stood still. Spinner remembered it well—it had been a humiliating moment for him.
So Spinner decided to try the same tactic now, hoping it might work against Zigrane.
He activated his speed magic, sharpening his senses and becoming more aware of Zigrane's movements.
And when Zigrane moved in to strike, Spinner suddenly turned and struck him in the stomach, sending him flying into the wall.
Zigrane stood up and shouted angrily, "What was that trick you just pulled, punk?!"
"Insulting people is rude, in case you didn't know!" Spinner replied.
"Like I care!" Zigrane snapped.
The battle continued! For several minutes, Spinner kept hitting Zigrane, who couldn't seem to land a proper blow himself.
Ralph, watching everything, couldn't help but laugh at Zigrane—after all, he'd be Zigrane's next opponent.
"Is that all you've got? I really overestimated you," said Spinner, clearly mocking him.
But then it turned out Zigrane hadn't been fighting seriously yet, "Alright! Now I'm really angry!" he yelled.
"And what made you so angry?" Spinner asked.
"You humiliated me in front of everyone—me, missing over and over, while you actually hit me!" said Zigrane, angry.
"It's just like our fight," thought Michael. "He said the same thing back then—that I humiliated him. But this time, he's furious. That's concerning."
"You won't hit me ever again!" said Zigrane with his trademark mocking smile, now twisted with rage.
"This is it! I either win or lose right now! That means I've got to give it everything!" Spinner thought.
Spinner rushed in to attack, but Zigrane didn't understand why he would charge like that—anyone could see Spinner would lose doing that. When Spinner tried to land a punch, Zigrane quickly appeared behind him.
"Didn't hit?" Spinner muttered.
"Too slow!" Zigrane said in a slightly intimidating voice and landed a blow that sent Spinner back.
Spinner decided to stick with the same strategy he'd used earlier. But when Zigrane started circling again and tried to strike, Spinner attempted a counterattack—only for Zigrane to dodge with a wicked grin and strike him with full force.
Spinner was knocked nearly to the arena wall. The pain was obvious, but the beating didn't stop there. Zigrane kept hitting him hard.
"This is the end for Spinner! He won't make it to the next round!" thought Ralph.
Zigrane continued the assault as Spinner barely stayed on his feet. Eventually, Spinner collapsed and couldn't get up anymore.
"Why can't I get up?! I can't lose now!" Spinner cried.
"Three! Two! One! The winner is participant 136, Zigrane Vaynran!" declared the old man.
After the battle, Spinner began to cry, knowing he couldn't move on to the next round. But instead of leaving, Zigrane walked toward him.
"The match ended a while ago! No reason to stay in the arena!" the old man said.
But Zigrane ignored him, his face still full of rage and intent.
"Hey you, dirt-eating loser! Get up!" Zigrane yelled.
"Can't you see? I can't even stand! You… unfortunately won," Spinner replied.
"I said get up!" Zigrane roared even louder. "You haven't paid for all the humiliation you caused me!"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? What's he planning to do?" Michael asked out loud.
"Looks like something serious is about to happen," said Torren.
"Since you won't get up, then take this—every one of my insanely powerful kicks!" Zigrane shouted and started kicking Spinner, who screamed in pain.
Seeing this, everyone in the audience began to feel sympathy for Spinner. Some, like Michael, Torren, Ralph, and Renald, started to feel growing anger toward Zigrane for beating someone who couldn't move anymore.
"Sorry, Torren. I'll be right back! Gotta teach this guy a lesson!" said Michael, heading toward them.
The old man could've stopped Zigrane long ago—but he didn't. He wanted to test everyone.
"If no one steps in to protect Spinner within the next thirty seconds, I'll personally intervene and punish Zigrane," the old man thought. Then, noticing someone rushing forward to stop Zigrane, he said aloud, "Hmm?"