The second bout was set to begin.
Lupina stepped forward, her wings flexing, her tail-booster idly flaring in anticipation. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who had already decided the outcome of the fight long before it had begun.
Which meant, of course, she had barely thought about it.
Charis, standing beside me, observed with sharp, analytical eyes. "This should be more advantageous for her," she noted. "She has enough reference now after watching the first round. That alone should give her a better chance."
"I must admit, she will most likely perform better than me," Verina said with no ill intent whatsoever. "Of course, it all depends on how well she can digest those references to better her tactics."
Lupina, overhearing the remark, furrowed her brow slightly. Then, with an awkward laugh, she scratched the back of her head. "Uh… sure, yeah. But I was gonna win regardless, you know?"
A slow silence.