If Althea felt embarrassed about being knocked back by his attack, she certainly didn't show it. However, she made no move to attack again immediately, instead walking calmly back towards the outer fringes of the courtyard.
"I'll admit that you're strong and worthy of your station, but I won't withdraw my challenge simply because of that," she said. "You'll have to defeat me properly."
Elion grinned wolfishly. "It's not like I asked you to withdraw. I would have been disappointed if you did give up. I need the satisfaction of punching your face in first."
Althea clenched her jaw, her nose scrunching up in mild disgust at his remark.
"Hmph! As expected, you're nothing but a brute!"
Althea's body flickered again, and a brilliant pillar of light descended from the heavens, engulfing the spot where Elion stood.
Vroooom!
