Facing Hank as he was thrown through the air, Erik released his magnetic power. The metal components in Hank's body responded, allowing him to land gently under Erik's magnetic control.
"Hank, are you alright?"
Charles ran over, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm fine. The current is similar to a stun gun. It doesn't have much effect on me!"
Hank, sprawled on the ground, explained. His physical fitness far exceeded that of ordinary humans. He could withstand electric shocks that would make normal people pass out.
He just hadn't expected the current to spread throughout the entire whip, which had caught him off guard. Now his whole body felt numb.
"Let me share something important—never judge by appearances alone. This applies to people, weapons, and equipment alike!"
Marcus smiled as he addressed the group gathered around Hank.
This was just a test. At worst, everyone would feel some pain, but in real battle, enemies wouldn't show mercy like he was. They needed to learn to be more discerning.
After confirming Hank was okay, everyone stood up and faced Marcus.
"We're going to return that lesson to you!"
As soon as the words left their mouths, everyone unleashed their abilities at Marcus.
Erik used magnetism to control numerous steel pipes, sending them flying toward Marcus, while Sean and Alex pushed their powers to the limit. The intense sound waves tore up the lawn, and the red energy blast surged toward Marcus.
"Nice teamwork, but unfortunately, it won't work on me!"
Marcus extended his hand and pressed the watch on his left wrist. Void energy flowed through the device, generating a virtual energy field that encompassed a two-meter radius around him.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The steel pipes struck the field and bounced away, while the highly destructive sound waves and energy pulses were reflected back by the virtual barrier.
Almost the instant those attacks rebounded, everyone's coordination fell apart. They began dodging frantically, avoiding their own reflected powers.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The deflected attacks exploded across the lawn, overturning the once-flat ground with eruptions of soil and grass.
"You all seem adept at using your abilities, but what happens when you lose them?"
Marcus smiled slyly and charged toward the group, leaving them confused and disoriented.
His first target was Charles. The moment Marcus approached him, Charles found his telepathic ability suddenly gone, his mental connection with everyone severed.
"You—" Before he could finish speaking, Marcus drove a fist into his stomach.
"Your mental abilities are impressive—you can easily coordinate everyone's movements. But your weakness is equally obvious. When you're neutralized, they fall into chaos!"
After patting Charles, who was now kneeling and retching on the ground, Marcus turned and rushed toward Erik standing nearby.
Facing the oncoming attack, Erik was prepared. Numerous steel pipes surrounded him, weaving into a protective cage under his magnetic control.
"You're slightly better than Charles—but only slightly!"
This guy relied too heavily on his abilities, or perhaps was overconfident in them. While his powers were formidable, he should always prioritize keeping himself in a defensible position during combat.
Although Erik had shielded himself with steel, it didn't guarantee his safety. After all, many things in the world couldn't be controlled by magnetism.
Marcus touched his waist, and a metal short rod appeared in his hand. In the next moment, the rod was infused with void energy, forming a sharp energy blade that instantly sliced through the woven cage.
The moment the barrier broke, Marcus retracted the energy blade and delivered a punch to Erik's stomach.
"Gah!!!"
Erik doubled over with a cry, then began retching just like Charles.
"Remember to protect yourself better next time!"
After saying this, Marcus turned to the others, who now appeared somewhat panicked.
"Don't be afraid!" He beckoned to them with his fingers, stomped his foot, and charged toward the group again.
This time his targets were Raven and Darwin. Neither possessed ranged attack abilities, but both had developed decent combat skills.
"Let's see how well you've mastered your fighting techniques!"
As he finished speaking, he delivered a side kick to Darwin.
Darwin, whose adaptive ability was suppressed, could only try to resist. While blocking the kick, he also wrapped his arms tightly around Marcus's leg.
"I've got him! Everyone, attack together!!!"
Darwin shouted with difficulty. Marcus's kick was not something an ordinary person could withstand. He felt as though his ribs might have cracked from the impact.
Hearing his call, Raven rushed forward. The energy field had neutralized her shapeshifting ability, but that didn't stop her as she launched herself at Marcus.
"Good strategy!" Seeing their coordinated actions, Marcus nodded slightly, his smile growing wider. "It's just unfortunate that you're still too inexperienced!"
Balancing on one leg with Darwin clutching the other, Marcus suddenly twisted at the waist with incredible force. Darwin was slammed directly to the ground, with Marcus sitting firmly on his back.
"Your idea was sound, but remember—after controlling an opponent, you must ensure they lose all ability to resist!"
After saying this, he turned toward the charging Raven. She had clearly internalized everything Marcus had taught them about combat.
The moment she got close, she threw a handful of mud and sand at Marcus's face, then dropped low for a sweeping leg strike.
These were exactly the tactics Marcus had taught them—gaining the upper hand by creating distractions.
Her attack proved effective, forcing Marcus to retreat sideways for the first time—something none of the others had managed.
"Not bad! A bit hurried, but you're doing much better than the rest!"
Marcus reached out to catch Raven's kicking leg, nodding with approval.
Despite the praise, Raven didn't hesitate. Mimicking Marcus's earlier move, she raised her free leg to hook around his body, attempting to take him down.
But she had forgotten that Marcus's physical strength far exceeded theirs, and her core wasn't nearly as strong as his. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't make him budge an inch.
"Hahahaha..." Marcus laughed at Raven's attempt. "If you want to use that technique, you need to focus on strengthening your core muscles! You're not there yet!"
Releasing Raven's leg, Marcus turned his attention to Alex and the others.
"Come on, let me test your combat skills!"
Compared to Darwin and Raven, Alex and the remaining three hadn't mastered fighting techniques as thoroughly.
Alex was marginally better, but Sean and Angel had poor combat skills, worse even than some casual martial arts enthusiasts.
"We're all mutants with special abilities, but have you considered what happens when you encounter an enemy with powers like mine? Although mutant abilities are powerful, never neglect your combat training. These fighting skills might save your life in a critical moment!"
Everyone fell silent at Marcus's assessment. They knew he was right. If their mutant abilities were neutralized, skillful combat techniques would be their only protection.
Just as Marcus was finishing his evaluation, a phone rang inside the house.