[Back to the present]
Julian, whose silhouette was now on the ground, short of breath, looked Klein in the eyes. Suddenly, the ground shook under Klein's feet and ice spikes burst from the earth with a shrill whistle, seeking to impale him.
Klein, whose senses were sharpened, perceived the danger even before the first crack appeared. His body reacted quickly. He leaped backward, putting distance between them. The spikes ended their course where his feet had been a moment earlier, shattering the air in a crash of crushed crystal.
He stabilized himself, his face remaining a mask of impenetrable impassivity. Yet a glimmer of annoyance crossed his pupils as he stared at his opponent.
"You can tell me what's wrong with you?" asked Klein.
