Layton's smile froze for a moment before returning to normal. He released his grip, took two steps back, and straightened his cuffs, his gaze settling on Qi Wu with the composure of a politician sizing up an opponent.
"Mr. Qi Wu, youthful confidence is a good thing. But too much of it can sink you."
Qi Wu slipped his hands into his pockets and gave a slight shrug, looking utterly unconcerned. "Sink me? I'm a pretty good swimmer."
Soft laughter rose from the stands. Layton ignored it, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and tossed it to an aide below the arena.
He wore a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up, exposing his solid forearms.
There was no aura of spiritual power around him, no fluctuation of laws. He looked like an ordinary middle-aged politician.
But Qi Wu's Six Eyes caught a subtle abnormality. Layton's blood flowed a full three times faster than a normal person's.
His heartbeat, however, was astonishingly slow-only about twenty beats per minute. Those were not the vital signs of an ordinary person.
"You've been staring at me for quite a while," Layton suddenly said, an amused smile curling his lips. "See anything?"
Qi Wu looked away, his tone casual. "Your heart doesn't look too healthy. It beats too slowly. I'd suggest getting it checked at a hospital."
The corner of Layton's mouth twitched, and the laughter in the stands grew louder. He wasted no more words and raised his right hand, spreading his fingers.
A silvery-white glow emerged from his palm and spread through the air. Metal fragments on the arena began to tremble, and spectators cried out as they felt their metal accessories vibrating.
Qi Wu glanced down at the alloy arena beneath his feet, then looked at the silvery-white light in Layton's palm.