"No magic allowed."
The announcement caused immediate unrest among the participants.
For mages, magic was everything.
Taking it away meant exposing their weakest side.
Sol, however, remained calm.
This is about control in another form.
His opponent stepped onto the arena.
A tall boy with a strong build and confident posture. Clearly a physical-type apprentice who had trained his body alongside magic.
The signal was given.
The opponent moved instantly.
Fast.
Direct.
A punch aimed at Sol's chest.
Sol stepped back half a second late.
The strike brushed his shoulder.
Not serious—but noticeable.
The audience reacted.
"He's slower now."
"Without magic, he's nothing."
Sol said nothing.
Instead, he focused.
Speed… rhythm… breathing.
The second attack came from the side.
He blocked partially, redirecting the force instead of resisting it directly.
The third followed immediately.
More aggressive.
More confident.
Sol continued retreating.
Not panicking.
Not rushing.
Just observing.
Pattern forming… predictable acceleration after second strike.
The next attack confirmed it.
The opponent overcommitted.
That was enough.
Sol shifted his position slightly—not away, but forward.
Inside the attack range.
The opponent hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Sol struck.
A precise hit to the neck.
Not strong—
But accurate.
The opponent lost balance instantly.
Before he could recover, Sol followed with a second controlled strike to the side of the head.
The match ended.
Silence filled the arena for a moment.
"Winner: Sol Rathana."
The reaction this time was different.
Less dismissal.
More confusion.
From the stands, Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.
This wasn't luck.
It was calculation.
Sol stepped down calmly, showing no reaction.
Inside, his thoughts remained steady.
Magic or not… the principle is the same.
Understand.
Then act.
END OF CHAPTER 16