Liam kept his attention on the mini-boss as he fought it. The boss attacked hard and fast, his breath almost hitting Liam before Liam made calculations to dodge it.
He adjusted his stance, weaving through the creature's attacks with fluid ease. His strikes were calculated—strong enough to wound but not enough to make it obvious that he was holding back.
He let the battle drag on, pushing himself to refine his control.
Everything was going smoothly. Until—
Liam suddenly felt a shift in the air.
It was subtle, barely noticeable, but he knew exactly what it was.
Darius was using magic.
Liam tensed as a faint pulse of energy shot toward the battlefield.
It wasn't aimed directly at him, but at the mini-boss.
The attack itself was weak—barely enough to register as an actual offensive spell. But Liam immediately realized what Darius was trying to do.
It wasn't meant to harm. It was meant to enrage.