Surprise
Khan often forgot that mana cores had limits, but that wasn't really his fault. His energy reserves seemed endless, and his body had always grown exhausted before he could fully test himself.
However, the Orlats was an experienced warrior, so he kept track of that feature. The fact that Khan could still stand was incredible, but the alien believed that the effort had exhausted most of his energies.
Khan had almost given up on trying to hurt his opponent. The previous wall of flames had made him lose his initiative, leaving the third-level warrior in a battle stance and with spells floating around him.
Khan had no way to bring the initiative back on his side. No matter what he tried to do, he would always be one step behind the Orlats. Even sprinting would leave him exposed to those head-sized blue fireballs.