Crack...
The first step cracked the ice.
The second step broke through it entirely, Gray's weight and intent combined into a forward pressure that Vael's field hadn't been built to resist from directly below.
Vael's eyes sharpened, and his catalyst rings instantly flared up.
THRUUUUM!!!
The ice responded, thickening upward in jagged ridges that rose from the arena floor in a ring around Gray's position, walls of compressed frost that climbed fast and closed faster, the technique clearly designed to contain rather than damage.
Gray looked at the walls rising around him.
"[✧Swap✧]"
He was outside the ring.
The ice closed on empty space.
Vael's expression changed slighly, not expecting Gray to simply teleport away from his meticulously crafted trap.
Gray was already moving toward the outer ring students.
The nearest one raised his sword and came forward with the committed energy of someone who had been holding position for a while and was ready to do something with it.
