"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!"