While Erik was fighting against Simone, Floyd, and Gwen stood face-to-face with the thug possessing the power of super acceleration.
The young man's power to negate energy was a natural counter to the man, since he could slow him down, but since he had fewer neural links than the thug, it was clear the effect he had on the man wasn't that strong.
Gwen, clad in her mana armor, braced herself for the oncoming assault, as she was the one who had to actively fight the man while Floyd decreased his speed.
That made it so that the power imbalance between the girl and the thug was reduced.
The thug lunged forward, his speed still high despite Floyd's intervention. His weapon blurred in the air as he aimed to deliver devastating blows.
But Floyd's energy manipulation disrupted the flow of his movements, forcing him to contend with a fraction of his usual swiftness. It was enough for Gwen to react, her armor shielding her from the onslaught.
Gwen countered with a powerful punch, her armored fist meeting the thug's midsection.
The impact reverberated through her arm as the thug staggered back, his accelerated momentum halted by Floyd's power. But the thug quickly regained his footing, his eyes filled with rage.
"Annoying…"
Floyd continued to manipulate the energy emanated by the man, reducing his momentum and the power he generated, his ability acting as a rope, restricting the thug's speed and strength.
Every step the thug took seemed sluggish compared to before as if he were wading through molasses. It gave Gwen the opportunity to launch a series of calculated strikes, her punches landing with precision and force.
The thug retaliated, his movements still faster than an ordinary person's despite Floyd's interference.
His weapon blurred again, aiming to exploit gaps in Gwen's defense. But the young woman's mana armor absorbed the impacts, dissipating the force across its protective surface. She stood her ground, undeterred.
Floyd's eyes narrowed as he intensified his energy manipulation. The air crackled with his power, exerting a stronger influence over the thug's speed.
Each movement from their opponent became a struggle as if he were fighting against an invisible force that threatened to slow him to a standstill.
The thug and Gwen kept exchanging blows, with the armored student seemingly unaffected by the man's attacks thanks to her mana armor and Floyd's intervention.
She seized the opportunities her friend gave her, launching herself forward with a swift kick aimed at the thug's head.
The man avoided the strike but struggled to regain equilibrium since he wasn't used to this low speed.
The fight raged on, and the room filled with the sound of grunts, clashes, and the crackling of energy, which added to the ones made by the others.
Floyd and Gwen pushed themselves to their limits, exploiting every advantage they could find. But the thug's strength was extraordinary compared to theirs, and he still held significant advantages against the two Red Palace students.
As the battle continued and Floyd and Gwen spent their mana, they saw how the man started gaining more and more ground, and they got more and more wounds.
It was at that moment that they started to feel the weight of desperation settle upon them as the situation seemed increasingly dire with each passing moment.
The thug's super acceleration power, despite Floyd's efforts to slow him down, still granted him a dangerous advantage.
Though somewhat diminished, his attacks were delivered with relentless precision and force. The blows landed with bone-jarring impact, leaving both Gwen bruised and battered.
However, the man wasn't stupid; he knew that the main problem was Floyd, and he often attempted to kill him, only for Gwen to protect him while he concentrated on the man as best as he could.
Fatigue weighed heavily on them, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as their bodies strained to keep up with the unyielding assault. Their muscles burned with exertion, and their minds raced to devise new strategies to gain the upper hand.
While resilient, Gwen's mana armor showed signs of wear under the relentless barrage of attacks. Its protective energy flickered and wavered as her mana was coming to an end, threatening to give way under the strain.
Floyd's energy manipulation faltered at times due to his fatigue, and the young man struggled to maintain his grip on the thug's energy.
He even tried to stop the man's heart from beating, something he had never tried, but he didn't succeed due to his inexperience and the difference in the number of neural links.
"We need a plan," Gwen said, her voice tinged with urgency and determination. Her brows furrowed, revealing the unwavering focus and concern across her face.
Nodding, Floyd wiped away a bead of sweat from his forehead, his eyes narrowing with a mix of weariness and resolve.
"You're right," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation. "We can't keep going like this. We need to find a way to turn the tables on him."
Gwen's lips tightened into a determined line as she scanned their surroundings, searching for any advantage they could exploit, but their options dwindled as the battle raged on.
The realization that defeat was a distinct possibility this time loomed over them, casting a shadow of desperation over their every action. The odds felt stacked against them; their once-steadfast resolve was tested to its limits.
Gwen and the thug continued their intense exchange of blows while Floyd did his work, their movements blending into a symphony of aggression and skill.
The thug unleashed a series of quick strikes to break through Gwen's defenses. She deftly dodged and blocked his attacks, her focus unyielding.
In a swift counterattack, Gwen aimed a powerful kick at the thug's torso, but the man managed to evade the blow and retaliated with a swift slash of his blade. Gwen twisted her body with sonic speed, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike.
Refusing to relent, Gwen pressed forward, launching a flurry of strikes with her fists and feet moving with precision and power.
The thug, undeterred, parried her blows and delivered a sharp elbow strike that caught Gwen off guard. The impact sent her staggering back momentarily, her guard momentarily compromised.
Taking advantage of the opening, the thug swiftly closed the distance between them, his blade slicing through the air.
Gwen attempted to block the attack, but the blade found its mark, leaving a deep gash on her arm as she used it to stop the move. Her mana was too low now and wasn't enough to stop the mighty blow.
***
At the same time, another fight was going on as Amber and Martha were facing another thug. Erik's girlfriend's heart pounded in her chest as she faced off against the thug, her eyes darting to Martha, who was clearly almost completely drained of mana and on the brink of being unable to continue fighting.
Concern etched across Amber's face as she realized they were at a disadvantage since Martha would probably stop providing her cover with her ranged attacks.
"Martha, hang in there," Amber said, her voice filled with worry. "Do not lose sight of him."
Martha's breath came in labored gasps as she leaned against a nearby wall, her mana depleted. She nodded weakly, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fatigue and determination.
"I… will…try…"
Amber's mind raced, searching for a solution. She knew they couldn't afford to stay and fight any longer. Not only Martha but even Jacob, Stella, Benedict, and Aaron were in ugly situations. Suddenly, a spark of determination ignited within her. With a quick glance at Martha, she made up her mind.
"I have an idea, I will use my power," Amber declared, her voice filled with determination. "But I'll need all the mana I have left. Tell the other to run away as soon as I do it, and then tell Floyd, and Jacob to use their powers to prevent the thugs from escaping the room. It won't be much but we will gain precious moments."
Martha's eyes widened with surprise mixed with a glimmer of hope. "Do it, Amber. I trust you." She used her remaining mana to keep the thug off Amber and told the others to get ready to run away.
At the same time, drawing on her mana, which had been mostly left intact until now, Amber summoned all her strength and unleashed her brain crystal power.
The densest and most corrosive fog she had ever produced billowed forth from her pores, engulfing the immediate vicinity. The acrid scent filled the air as the fog ate away at anything in its path.
"Run!" Amber shouted, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. Without hesitation, the remaining students, including Martha, turned and sprinted towards the exit while Jacob used his clones to prevent the men to escape, and Floyd did the same slowing them down.
The corrosive fog acted as a shield for the kids, obscuring their escape and disorienting their pursuers. Still, even the students were having problems since Amber could not decide who to target, and they were accumulating wound after wound.
As that happened, the thugs were having the same problems and had the same idea to get out. However, they were slower than the students since the latter positioned themselves close to the doors before Amber used her power and Jacob's and Floyd's powers were nasty ones.
Due to the fog's corrosiveness, the building, mainly made of wood, started going on fire.
Amber kept pace with the others, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. The weight of her decision pressed upon her as she fought to maintain control over the corrosive fog. She knew she had to keep it contained until they were safely away.
Their footsteps echoed through the dilapidated building as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors, the sounds of footsteps and creaking wood resonating through the place. Amber's mind remained focused on her task, her mana diminishing with each passing moment.
Finally, they burst through the exit, gasping for breath as they stumbled into the open air. Amber almost collapsed to her knees; her body was drained, and her vision was blurring.
The corrosive fog was still high, and the thugs were inside the building, but they didn't have that much time. It was at that moment that the building collapsed on itself.
BOOOOM
"We need to go our separate ways," Gwen shouted. Even Erik found that a good idea; however, he was scared that Amber would get caught by the thugs.
They took a moment to catch their breath, their hearts still pounding with the remnants of adrenaline.
"Let's go," she said, her voice unwavering. "Let's do as Gwen said," she added. "Do not get killed," the girl said.
Then they split, each going in a different direction.
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