Dao launched a rapid barrage of punches, but with the boy's swift blocks and parries, their strength seemed evenly matched.
Every horizontal kick Dao delivered with iron-like force was struck down by Emrys-sometimes downward, sometimes upward.
He also elbow-checked every punch flying toward him, or simply dodged them with the sharp quickness of his eyes.
Dao managed to appear behind him, but just as he was about to land a strike from there, he didn't expect Emrys to turn around even faster. Emrys spun and delivered a sweeping kick that landed directly on Dao's cheek.
Dao crashed into the earthen wall, which cracked immediately, though it didn't shatter. Emrys followed up with even faster punches to Dao's stomach, chest, arms, and face. He kicked both of Dao's knees, then struck his nose with a direct elbow that made it bleed, and finally delivered a front kick to his chest.
The blow was so strong, carried by a surge of wind, that Dao coughed up blood and was launched out of the shattered earthen wall.
His twisting body nearly reached the far end of the alley.
The others charged toward Emrys from both ends of the alley, even from the rooftops above.
So Emrys used the power of wind to lift all the earthen walls around him, crushing them into needle-like fragments that floated in the air.
Just then, Desmond arrived and his eyes widened upon realizing what Emrys intended to do.
Those earthen needles shot forward at terrifying speed, aimed directly at the students running toward him.
"VALESTRON!" If not for Desmond's powerful shout that echoed throughout the alley, the students would have continued rushing forward.
Everyone froze in shock, staring wide-eyed at the earthen needles mere inches from their faces. A single movement and they would be blinded. All of them.
Even Lucien and the other strong students present. Desmond's shout-and Emrys halting the attack-came at the perfect moment.
The teacher exhaled deeply and clenched his fist as he stared down from the rooftop at Emrys. The boy looked back at him, smiled slightly, and vanished like smoke from where he stood.
The floating earthen needles lost their power and all dropped to the ground at once, along with the students who were swallowing hard, trembling, sweating, and gasping for breath.
If not for Desmond's shout, half of the students in that alley would be dead.
Moments later, Clover arrived beside Desmond, her eyes full of questions as she looked at the students before turning to him. "What happened? Did they catch Valestron?"
Desmond stared at her. "He's a monster. I'm now completely convinced he doesn't belong in this institution."
"What do you mean?"
"If I'd been a second late, half of these students would be dead by now! The headmaster needs to hear about this immediately." He brushed past her and hurried away.
"Desmond, wait!" she called, but he ignored her and disappeared from that part of the rooftop.
Once again, the boy Valestron had vanished from everyone's sight.
__
Inside the dining hall, the headmaster and his important guests were happily chatting.
When the doors opened and Desmond rushed toward Hanzuo's seat, the conversation stopped instantly and all eyes turned to him.
Hanzuo held a glass of wine, which he drank from before Desmond approached and whispered into his ear.
Everyone waited quietly, eager to see the headmaster's reaction.
When Desmond finished, Hanzuo's expression grew serious. "Is this true?"
"What's wrong, Hanzuo?" asked one of the institution's elders.
Desmond nodded, and Hanzuo put down his glass, sat properly, and cleared his throat. Curiosity filled the room as they waited for him to explain.
"To tell you the truth..."
Hanzuo shared exactly what Desmond had reported. Some of them gasped.
One elder stood up. "If that's the case, what are we waiting for? That boy should be expelled from this academy at once before he harms anyone again!"
"And you're saying Lucien was also at the scene, Desmond?" King Xien asked seriously.
Desmond bowed slightly. "I cannot say for sure because there were many of them. But I sensed he was close by, and he definitely would have been caught in it if things had continued. Your Majesty."
The king clenched his fist at what he heard. Even though the incident was stopped, it didn't change the fact that someone had attempted to kill his son. "And how is my princess?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"I heard she's unconscious right now."
At that, the king released a tremendous surge of power in his rage.
Dishes and utensils flew as a burst of wind erupted around him. Others were forced back, though the two other kings remained seated, able to withstand his overwhelming aura.
Some people struggled to breathe, especially those with weaker strength. Desmond fought the urge to kneel as his neck stiffened, almost choking for air. Many elders and guards fell to their knees, clutching their chests.
Hanzuo stood and spoke in a calm voice despite nearly fainting. "Please, King Xien... calm yourself. There is still a way to resolve this."
"The only solution is to expel that Valestron boy immediately!" an elder said through gasping breaths.
The king's aura finally subsided, letting everyone breathe freely again. He turned to Hanzuo. "You must bring that boy before me-at once."
"But Your Majesty-"
"This is not a request, Headmaster Hanzuo. It is a direct order from your king!"