The masked figure instinctively moved, his arms snapping up just in time to block the incoming kick.
A tremor shot through his limbs.
He hadn't expected the raw force behind it.
"What the…" he muttered, genuine surprise cracking through his smooth tone.
But Aveline didn't wait for him to recover.
She surged forward, a blur of motion and intent, spinning low and driving a sharp kick toward his stomach. Her heel cut through the air like a blade.
The masked man twisted, narrowly evading the full brunt. He retaliated swiftly, his hand sweeping down as water formed from the air—threads of liquid that laced around her feet and slammed them onto the cobblestone below.
With a snap of his fingers, the water hardened, anchoring her in place.
"Now you… you have potential," he laughed, the amusement in his voice tinged with curiosity as he clenched his hands tighter.
"Thanks," Aveline said with a smirk, a muscle in her jaw flexing, "but I don't need your opinion."
