Irina folded her arms tightly, still simmering from the exchange. But deep down, beneath the frustration, a flicker of curiosity sparked. If she was going to lose—truly lose—she at least wanted to understand why. Why was Astron so effective? What was she missing?
She shot him a sideways glance, her hazel eyes narrowing. "All right," she said finally, her tone begrudging. "Show me."
Astron raised an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly. "Show you?"
"Yes," Irina snapped, her voice tinged with exasperation. "You clearly know something I don't. I want to see how you actually do it—up close."
For a moment, he studied her, his sharp gray eyes thoughtful. Then, with a small nod, he gestured toward the bustling market. "All right. Follow me."