"Liana," he mumbled, a hint of frustration in his voice, "this is boring."
"Young Master," Liana replied softly, her calm eyes meeting his, "the audience seems to be enjoying the spectacle."
Javier sighed, waving his hand dismissively. "Why are they all so dramatic? Chanting long spells and showing off their flashy skills? In a real battle, if they did this, they'd already be dead."
Liana smiled faintly but didn't respond right away. She understood Javier's point—his unconventional yet effective methods were very different from the showy displays of the other students.
"They're here to impress, Young Master," she finally said, her voice patient. "For many, this event is about recognition, not practicality."
"Haaa... Recognition doesn't mean much when you're six feet under," Javier muttered, closing his eyes. "Let me know when it's time to deal with the next one. Maybe I'll use both shoes this time."