Chapter 163
BLAZE
"Ka ka ka ka… Just to make it fair… I won't use any path methods on you little toys… I'll just use this beautiful body of mine to end you!!"
He leaned forward, grinning broadly, as IAM and the others instinctively began to put distance between themselves and him.
Make it fair…IAM thought bitterly. What bullshit. As one's level increased, the body itself became reinforced by mana, allowing attacks to hit harder and faster, and making one far more resilient.
IAM could tell at a glance that Blaze was well into the level of Experienced, and had clearly made substantial progress within it. It was completely unfair to try and defend themselves against someone like him using just his physical strength, when most of them had only recently formed their Aviens and were still low-tier novices.
Henry had only just completed his Avien a couple of days ago. The discrepancy in skill and experience was glaring; it was a completely skewed match. Blaze radiated experience and power—a level of combat mastery that made it painfully obvious he was far beyond what they could handle at the moment.
Blaze suddenly lunged forward.
IAM was the exception in the group—technically still at peak novice—but as far as he knew, it was due to unknown external forces that had accelerated his progress far beyond what should have been possible. Without that, he would probably still be stuck at low novice.
As the only one at peak novice among his group, IAM naturally possessed the greatest physical strength in the group, which helped compensate for his lack of combat experience—especially when facing other prodigies and geniuses surrounding him.
Blaze moved like a charging bull, closing the distance in mere seconds. IAM, recognizing the immediate threat, positioned himself to intercept, bracing for impact.
He barely arrived in time to meet the sweeping kick head-on. The sheer strength and raw force behind Blaze's strike slammed into him, reverberating through his arms and shoulders. The impact was so powerful that IAM was sent hurtling backward, crashing through the doorway with a violent shudder.
"Holy shit!" Reuel exclaimed, spinning on his heels as he bolted for the exit, Yohan close behind him.
There was no way they could win this fight. Their only option was to retreat, and fast.
IAM landed hard, the dust rising around him as the air was knocked out of his lungs. He skidded across the floor, finally stopping near Henry, who was just beginning to push himself up. The world seemed to tilt slightly as he steadied himself, a wave of dizziness threatening to overwhelm him.
Henry had barely raised his hands in defense before the strike had sent him barreling through the doors. He staggered, disoriented, every movement feeling sluggish as if his brain were wrapped in fog. The concussive impact rattled him, leaving him momentarily dazed.
IAM pushed himself up onto all fours, coughing slightly as he glanced up just in time to see Reuel hurtling toward him like a cannonball. Instinctively, IAM stretched out his arms, catching him, though both of their bodies slid backward across the floor with a harsh screech against the surface. The force left IAM gasping.
The difference in strength between levels was obvious, each blow a brutal reminder of just how far ahead Blaze was. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that he wasn't using any of his path methods yet; otherwise, the impact might have been catastrophic.
IAM's eyes followed the chaos as Yohan was launched into the air, twisting helplessly, before Henry—now recovering some semblance of balance—managed to catch him mid-flight.
From the doorway, Blaze launched himself again, this time performing a triple front flip before landing with a bone-jarring thud. His body seemed carved from steel, every muscle tense and coiled, tattoos gleaming faintly under the light.
The sheer menace radiating off him was almost tangible, filling the space like a living storm, and for a moment, the world seemed to shrink to just him and the destruction he brought in his wake.
He looked down at the group of boys, a cruel cackle escaping his lips. His finger jabbed toward IAM.
"You with the locs," Blaze sneered, his sharp teeth catching the light. "Why was it so much harder to send you flying? You're only a novice, just enrolled, right? Strange… very strange indeed."
IAM said nothing, his gaze locked on Blaze. The dark pools of his eyes simply deepened.
Blaze's grin widened, almost predatory. "Well, it doesn't matter. Someone like you could never defeat me, ka ka ka… Come on! Aren't you ascenders? Stand up! Let's have some fun!"
IAM's hand shot out, pulling Reuel to his feet. Together they rose, steadying themselves. Henry and Yohan closed in beside them, wary expressions painting their faces.
"We can't fight him," IAM said quietly, scanning their surroundings. "We need to run."
"No! If I had my sword—" Henry began, voice tight with frustration.
IAM cut him off before he could finish. "IF... you had your sword… and even if you did, I doubt it would do much."
Henry's jaw tightened, his teeth gritting together, and his gaze hardened as he fixed Blaze with a glare of contempt.
IAM's attention, however, was elsewhere. His eyes flicked around. Snow had disappeared—he hadn't seen where she went.
His eyes narrowed.
He had no intent to fight this lunatic. His only intent was to escape.
Reuel shouted, "I'm going to report you! For abuse of authority and disregarding your superior!"
Blaze's bright blue eyes flared as he cackled, "Ka ka ka! Superior? There is no one superior to me!! Especially not that lucky little bitch! Do you hear me?! Report me all you want!"
Reuel shrunk back slightly, his hands trembling as the sheer intensity of Blaze's presence pressed down on him.
Yohan spoke quietly, his voice almost a whisper, "We should split up and run in different directions, like last time."
IAM and Reuel exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement. Henry's eyes stayed locked on Blaze for a long moment, his jaw tightening as he weighed their options, before he finally gave a slow nod.
The four of them spread slightly apart, each calculating their escape route, their hearts pounding in anticipation of the chaos that was about to erupt.
Blaze bared his teeth, eyes blazing with malice. "Are you bitches done yapping now?—'cause I'm coming for your fucking heads!!"
As Blaze surged forward, his red hair whipping behind him, Yohan shouted sharply, "Split!"
The four of them immediately veered in different directions, each sprinting as fast as their legs could carry them.
For a brief moment, a flicker of surprise crossed Blaze's face, his sharp teeth glinting as he processed their sudden scattering. Then, as if amused, he threw back his head and cackled, "Ka ka ka!" before accelerating toward Reuel with predatory ease.
Blaze closed the distance in seconds, his long strides eating up the space. With a sudden leap, he latched onto Reuel's back like a relentless predator, his hands gripping the back of Reuel's neck tightly. Leaning close, he hissed into his ear, voice dripping with menace, "Wanna go fishing?"
Reuel's face twisted in panic and disbelief, eyes widening as he struggled under Blaze's weight. Without warning, Blaze grunted, pulled back into a spinning flip, and flung Reuel with brutal force. His hand pressed firmly against Reuel's neck before releasing, launching him like a projectile toward Yohan.
Reuel sailed through the air, his body twisting, spinning uncontrollably, his limbs flailing as the floor rushed toward him. As he flew, Yohan's figure grew larger in his view, signaling the imminent collision.