For a second, no one moved.
Not because they couldn't.
Because something about it
That thing standing in front of them
Made movement feel like the wrong answer.
Victor was the first to break it.
"Yeah," he said under his breath. "I'm not letting that stand."
He moved fast.
No warning.
No hesitation.
Straight at it.
The strike was clean.
Precise.
Everything Victor did best
Focused into a single motion meant to end it before it began.
It didn't land.
Not because the figure dodged.
Not because it blocked.
Because the space around it shifted
Just enough.
Victor's hand cut through air that shouldn't have been there.
He pulled back instantly, resetting his stance. "Okay. Same trick. Got it."
The figure didn't react.
Didn't counter.
Didn't even blink.
"You're still relying on direct engagement," it said calmly.
Victor smirked slightly. "And you're still talking too much."
He moved again.
Faster.
Changing angles.
Breaking rhythm.
Trying to force an error.
