Bang!
Alex charged forward, each step doubling his speed as he surged toward me gracefully.
'I need to learn how to move like this,' I couldn't help but envy my opponent.
In merely a few seconds, he was upon me, hurling his fist forward.
Swoosh!
This time, I jumped back cautiously. While I wasn't sure if Alex was using the third form of the Demon-Kin secret technique, I dared not take chances.
"Ooh? You're smarter than you look," Alex commended earnestly.
Clearly, not many could understand the true nature of his martial technique after taking one hit. And I would've been no different if I didn't have the voice explaining things for me.
"But that won't save you!" Alex snarled as he sprang forward.
Swish!
He struck forward, but I had already seen through the attack and sidestepped to dodge—while simultaneously throwing a left hook.
Swish!
For a moment, it felt like time had slowed down as Alex abruptly halted his charge and moved at the last moment. My eyes dilated as I noticed the strange crimson runes in his eyes burning brightly as my fist missed his face by an inch!
Bam!
My brows knitted as stabbing pain pierced my chest, forcing me to stagger back a few steps.
'Shit!' I groaned, a scorching yet numbing feeling spreading across the spot I was hit.
It wasn't as deadly as the previous attack on my abdomen, but it was still enough to leave a faint palm print on my chest.
I was yet to recover, and it seemed Alex didn't plan on giving me the chance.
Thud!
He sprang into the air, performing a forward backflip and dove down like a missile—his palm striking at my head.
With no time to dodge, I was forced to cross my arms over my head and endure the blow.
But that was exactly what Alex was aiming for!
Demon-Kin Third Form: Kill!
Boom!
"Gaaaah!"
My feet sank into the ground while my knees wobbled under the pressure, threatening to shatter at any second. As for my hands—I couldn't feel them. It was like they didn't exist in the first place!
"Fall!" Alex roared, and a fierce red shockwave erupted from his body, sending me skidding backwards by several meters.
Swish!
"Aaah…"
Exhaling loudly from my mouth, my upper body swayed back and forth while my arms dangled loosely.
I couldn't feel my hands...
[I warned you] the voice scolded, but I paid little attention to it.
I was more interested in the gasps and murmurs spreading across the arena.
"Is that kid some sort of tank or something?" General Steel was shocked.
"He took two hits from the third form already and he's still standing!" Miss Joanne was stunned.
"Bro, this dude is tough!" someone gasped.
"I know, right? Half a punch would cripple any of us!" another screamed.
"He hasn't even shown his ability yet. Why is he still holding back?"
"If he's this strong without his ability, he might be able to beat Alex when he finally shows it!"
"You think so?"
By all means, Alex was winning the fight—but it seemed my resilience was winning public opinion. The reverence and awe in their tones made a cold smile bloom on my face, while Alex's calm visage twisted into a ruthless frown.
I watched him glance at the instructors before shifting his gaze to the students and finally returning his vicious eyes on me.
"I'll end it with this move!" he snarled and shot forward, covering the gap between us in seconds.
Swoosh!
"Demon-Kin Third Form: KILL!" Alex roared as he threw both fists forward and didn't try to dodge.
I just took the hit directly.
Bang!
I shot back without offering any resistance or even attempting to block.
Bam!
Striking the ground hard, I rolled a couple of times but ultimately sprang back to my feet, planting my hands and feet on the ground to stop my retreat.
"No way…" Alex muttered in shock.
The shock he felt was shared by everyone as well. Unless my organs were made of steel, there was no way I should be conscious.
Unknown to them, I was barely holding on. His attacks were deadly—but the intervals between each fatal strike were enough for me to recover considerably and stay conscious.
Grrrr…
A low, inhuman growl escaped my lips while my eyes blazed with violet light and black cracks spread across my eyelids.
I suspected these people believed this was related to my ability as I noticed an unnatural silence.
[Stop now, Lucius! You cannot use this in the presence of people!] the voice warned, and I grinned cruelly.
'Don't worry. No one will notice a thing,' I assured the voice as the earth began flowing upward, coating my hands and slowly spreading across my body.
Slowly, I rose to my feet while my skin within the armor darkened. With the protective armor layer, I kept pushing my Xenovian genes—stopping just an inch away from making a full transformation.
"So you finally used it," Alex said with a frown as he assumed a fighting stance.
Clearly, he wasn't taking me lightly anymore—especially since I had survived all his attacks earlier without my power.
"If that was all you're capable of, you don't stand a chance against me," I said in an oddly deeper tone.
"Cocky!" Alex growled.
Boom!
The ground beneath my feet shattered under my weight as I shot forward like a missile, reaching Alex in an instant!
"Shit!" Alex crossed his hands when he realized it was too late to dodge.
Boom!
Crack!
Alex's arms twisted in unnatural ways as his body was sent hurling back like a rag doll. I sped forward, chasing after his flying figure.
"I'll end this now!"
Bam!
Alex hit the ground and rolled a couple of times, but I was already airborne—diving down with my knee!
I was going to crush this kid completely, until there was nothing left!
Alex gritted his teeth and raised his broken hands to protect his face. But I knew it was useless. He was as good as gone!
Swoooosh!
My eyes narrowed as I sensed danger from the side. Before I could even look in that direction, I felt something crash into me with incredible force!
Boom!
The strike wasn't particularly strong—but since I was airborne, I had no footing and couldn't resist.
I was sent hurling to the left, but I effortlessly landed on my feet, skidding backwards a few meters before stopping.
My cold gaze shifted to Alex—and as expected, General Steel was standing over him, glaring at me coldly.
"The spar is over. It's a draw!" General Steel declared, causing an uproar among the students, while my hands balled into fists.
I was clearly the winner of this fight—but he had no problem robbing me of my victory. In fact, if General Steel hadn't stepped in, Alex would've been dead from my next strike.
[They watched as he delivered crippling blows that would damage your organs—but stepped in when he was in danger.] the voice chuckled. [It's good you got to see the human definition of fairness yourself.]
Hearing this, my brows tightened more than ever, and I felt the urge to run over and rip the General apart. Alex was clearly older than me, and if not for my regenerative abilities, his strikes could've killed me here.
I was certain they'd come up with an excuse—or even cover up my death—simply because I didn't really matter.
I was a nobody from the slums who just happened to have strong abilities.
"Show me your ability. You finally get to use it, and you get your ass beat?" a student laughed.
"Dude!!! I heard he's the latest S-rated potential student found outside New York and he just trashed a member of the Big Four? Damn! I'm a fan!" another screamed.
"This kid is the real deal!"
"Hahaha! A new superpower not controlled by the Big Four steps into the light!"
"The coolest debut ever!"
"What sort of ability is that? It's really cool!"
The sudden change in opinion only disgusted me more. These people were rooting for Alex earlier, but somehow, now they were talking down on him.
All the while, they were on his side because of status—silently waiting for his downfall.
For some reason, I hated this school so much I began missing the mines. Everyone here was a snake.
"Are you alright?" Miss Joanne ran over to me, and I just glared at her.
Not waiting for her to arrive, I turned and walked toward the exit of the arena.
"I'm done with classes for today," I said plainly, not waiting for a response.
It's not like I even cared if I got one.
This victory felt empty.
These people I have to share a class with are really disgusting.
So far, I haven't found anything worth smiling about in the so-called paradise Lia and I yearned for.
'I will burn it all to the ground,' I decided.