Tuning Up [2]

As soon as the duel began, Ullr wasted no time.

A translucent force field erupted around him, forming a near-perfect spherical barrier. It shimmered under the unstable battlefield like a solid wall of protection that would keep him untouched no matter what happened.

The terrain could shift, explosions could go off, and he would not be touched.

It was a good strategy.

It should have worked.

But before anyone could even process what was happening...

"Winner: Tachyon Takhús!"

The Great Hall fell into complete silence.

For a single moment, all that could be heard was the hum of the force field as it flickered out. Ullr still stood in the middle of the labyrinth, perfectly still- like a statue frozen in time.

And then the murmurs started.

"Wait- what?!"

"What do you mean he won? Ullr didn't even get hit!"

"Did something explode? I didn't even-"