It turned out the loss had shaken Ranya more than anyone realized.
Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Because in her very next match, the second one of the day, just a few hours later… she lost again.
This time to Addison.
The match was short. Ranya didn't have her usual commanding presence—replaced by hesitation, uncharacteristic delays, and missteps that Addison, who was at the peak of her game, punished with merciless precision. Her fire attribute contracts struck cleanly every time, and even the referee looked hesitant to call the final blow.
When it ended, Addison stood silently in the center of the stage, blinking like she couldn't quite believe she'd won. Meanwhile, Ranya didn't move. She just stood there, barely holding herself together, before withdrawing her contracts and walking off the stage without waiting for the referee's call.
