Timeless

Chapter Seventeen

A/N: I apologize for the wait, I really wanted to make sure that this was done right. I hope that the next chapters come quickly after this one. Thank you for reading!

Shuhua stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze following the tense movements between Yuqi and Soyeon as they circled each other in the center of the arena. Miyeon, Minnie, and Soojin flanked her on either side, each watching the fight unfold with equal intensity. Despite the fights being set up the same as the ones that they were used to, there was an underlying current of power that surrounded the arena today as the exam for dueling took place.

Yuqi and Soyeon were both squaring off, their movements deliberate and controlled. Both knew how to box, but Yuqi—stronger, faster—was the natural fighter. Soyeon, however, was sharp and strategic, and her mind abilities gave her a deeper understanding of Yuqi's weaknesses.

The tension between them was electric.

Yuqi was the first to move. She hastily crossed the distance between, throwing a quick jab that was followed by a swift hook, her fists moving like lightning. Soyeon ducked the jab, dodging the hook by mere inches, and countered with a sharp left to Yuqi's ribs. It was a clean hit, but it was clear that Yuqi's enhanced body had barely felt the impact.

Shuhua could feel the energy shifting as Yuqi pressed forward again. She was relentless, launching a rapid combination of punches toward Soyeon. Most of them missed, Soyeon's reflexes carrying her just out of reach, but Yuqi's aggression was evident. She moved like a predator, closing any distance with powerful strikes aimed at ending the fight quickly.

While it seemed that Soyeon was no stranger to close combat, boxing against Yuqi was like trying to dodge a storm. She blocked what she could, bobbed and weaved through the onslaught, but Yuqi was relentless. Soyeon landed a glancing blow on Yuqi's cheek, but the stronger girl shrugged it off, her fists coming faster now.

Shuhua winced as one of Yuqi's punches connected with Soyeon's shoulder, the sound of it echoing across the arena. Soyeon stumbled but quickly regained her stance. Her expression was calm, focused, but Shuhua knew that look. Soyeon was already strategizing, already probing Yuqi's mind for cracks she could exploit.

Soyeon feigned another jab, but it was a distraction—she wasn't aiming to hurt Yuqi physically. Instead, she reached into Yuqi's emotional state, subtly manipulating her frustration. Shuhua could see the change. Yuqi's expression darkened, her movements becoming less precise, more wild. It was a dangerous tactic, playing with Yuqi's emotions like that, but it was becoming more and more apparent that Soyeon needed any edge she could get.

Yuqi growled, her enhanced strength amplifying the ferocity of her strikes. She was like a force of nature, each blow carrying the weight of her enhanced attributes. Soyeon fast on her feet, ducked and dodged, but Yuqi's fists were like hammers, breaking through any defense she tried to muster. With a sharp turn, Yuqi threw an uppercut that grazed Soyeon's chin, sending her stumbling back.

The crowd watching from the stands gasped, but Shuhua barely heard them. She was too focused on the way Soyeon's eyes flickered. She was hurt, but far from out of the fight.

"Come on, Soyeon," Shuhua whispered under her breath, small sparks of holy fire uncontrollably leaving her fingertips with nervous energy.

Yuqi moved again, this time sweeping low with a leg aimed to knock Soyeon off balance. But Soyeon, despite the growing bruise on her jaw, leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the trip. Her breathing was heavier, but she still had that sharp, calculating look in her eyes.

Shuhua's gaze drifted to the others on the sidelines. Miyeon and Minnie stood close together, Miyeon's hand resting lightly on Minnie's arm. The two of them looked calm, almost serene, despite the chaos unfolding. Miyeon's clairvoyance always seemed to give her that edge, while Minnie's vampiric aura kept her composed in situations like this. Shuhua couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration—they were so in sync, so assured in their bond as they discussed the battle in front of them.