Opponents to be Wary

At the same time Ivaim spoke with Jarran about his opponents, in one of the dim rooms of the accommodation quarters, a wiry man with a shaved head and mismatched eyes leaned forward.

His sharp gaze swept over the nervous intelligence team huddled near the corner like prey sensing a predator.

Eris tilted his head, voice flat but commanding.

"This... Nathan everyone keeps talking about. They say he's going to win the Regionals. Why?"

The tension in the room thickened. After a hesitant shuffle, the team leader stepped forward.

Her voice wavered as she spoke.

"I-it's not just his abilities, sir. He has an overwhelming advantage in the arena."

Eris arched a brow, waiting. "Go on."

She swallowed hard, as though choosing the wrong words might cost her dearly.

"Nathan can conjure and control metal—any kind of metal. Armor becomes a deathtrap, and bringing metal weapons is practically suicide."