A Pretty Face, A Pretty Soul

"BEGIN!"

In that fraction of a second that came after Asmodeus' signal to start the match, the giant, golden haired man dashed forward with speed that completely caught her off guard. 

He's so fast…! I can't get a spell off in time! She thought. 

Slamming his bare foot to the sand with a thunderous stomp, Ju-Long pressed his large shoulder forward as it collided against the girl like a steel wall. 

Being bounced off the ground from the force of the shoulder check, Iris gasped as the air she held in her lungs was no longer present, breathing in a gasp full of sand as she coughed out. It was a simple maneuver—only done with such physical prowess that it felt inhuman. 

Can't breath…my lungs…so hot…she thought. 

"IT'S TO BE EXPECTED OF A SEASONED ORIRU WARRIOR, BUT EVEN SO—NO HESITATION FROM JU-LONG!"

Asmodeus' words weren't needed as the crowd was already riled up by the immediate start of the battle. 

"Get up, Iris!"