[126] "Duke v/s James"

[3 days later]

[Combat Arena]

"We have spectators," Emily observed with a smile, turning her gaze toward the bleachers where numerous young people were congregated.

To her right were Teresa and James, while to her left were Samantha and Lisa.

James sketched a smile and commented, "They want to see how strong we are."

Teresa sighed, and Lisa looked at them before speaking calmly. "Don't kill them. I have no desire to destroy organizations."

James sighed and stepped forward to the center of the arena, hands in his pockets. "Don't worry, I won't kill them."

In the other corner, Andrea watched James' advance into the arena and turned to Duke, saying, "It's your turn, don't let us down."

Cain, Arthur and Garrith turned their attention to Duke.

Duke nodded and moved forward, standing a few feet away from James, his cold eyes locked on him.

A hush fell over the arena, and the sound of a whistle signaled the start of the confrontation.

With her hands hidden behind her back, Lisa enveloped the place in a spatial isolation, leaving those present surprised by her action.

Duke barely perceived the tinkling of the buzzer when she created two attacks in the form of red arrows and launched them in James' direction.

Covering each of James' hands, a bubble formed, and raising his hands with precision, he arranged them so that the two attacks would impact against them.

At the instant of contact, Duke's attacks passed through James' hands, following their trajectory until they collided with the ground.

The young men watched with wide eyes, astonished by what had happened.

Duke, filled with uncertainty, surveyed the scene, his bewildered gaze reflecting his thoughts. 'My attack got through him,' he mused.

A smile lit up James' face, as a silvery aura began to emanate from his body. Joining hands, the two bubbles converge into a single expansive sphere that merges with the environment instantly.

Everyone's countenances undergo a change, a sense of difficulty as their control of force circulates takes hold of them.

Andrea, with surprise in her eyes, turns her gaze to James and comments, 'It doesn't affect me, but it exerts a subtle influence that forces me to exert minimally more effort than normal to generate my powers." Then his attention shifts to Duke. 'For youngsters of his age, the experience is different, they will have a lot of trouble circulating their force control.'

Jisuk, Sucheon, Subin and Gangseok's expressions turn serious as their gazes are locked on James.

Jiwoo, next to them, interjects, "His power is intangibility."

The four take in Jiwoo's words and turn their eyes back to the ongoing confrontation.

Duke fixes an icy stare on James, sensing the resistance as he circulates his force control. He releases a reddish aura that tinges the atmosphere, immersing it in a crimson hue.

Raising his hand, Duke materializes a hulking arrow upon himself, his thoughts in motion. 'I had to use twice my usual strength on this attack. My previous attempt got through. I must only pierce that energy field it uses.'

His aura intensifies, concentrating all his power into that monumental attack. The magnitude of the attack is impressive, resonating with overwhelming force and scale.

Arthur and Cain watch the attack with grim expressions.

In contrast, James remains calm, observing his own attack with a serene smile. "Attack," he murmurs confidently.

Duke's face contorts into an even grimmer grimace. A wave of his hand directs the striking arrow toward James. As it advances, the arrow drags with it a swath of energy, distorting the environment it passes through.

Those present watches as James remains motionless, even as the attack approaches inexorably.

Just as the attack is about to hit him, James spreads his arms wide and a bubble materializes. When the attack comes into contact with the bubble, it seems to be unaffected in the slightest and continues on its trajectory, piercing James without causing him any damage.

"(Ethereal Reflex)," James whispers weakly, cracking a smile.

To everyone's amazement, the attack is completely enveloped in a substance. James tightens his grip on the bubble and directs his arms towards Duke, which causes the red arrow to fly back. As soon as it leaves the bubble, its scarlet color metamorphoses into a beautiful silver.

Duke watches with contempt as his attack initially pierces the bubble, but his expression turns to surprise as he sees his own power instantly reversed.

Driven by desperation, Duke concentrates every ounce of his remaining power to erect a barrier.

The arrow hits the barrier, generating a massive explosion. A terrifying wind is unleashed, accompanied by deafening booms that make the air vibrate.

The shockwave and the devastating power of the collision caused the sand of the training ground to crack and crack under the intensity of the confrontation.

An oppressive and charged silence comes to life as the dust dissipates and reveals James unharmed, his tranquility intact as he watches his adversary.

Gradually, Duke's figure is revealed in a desolate state. Kneeling on the ground, his body slashed and engulfed in blood, strands of his white hair dyed a macabre red. The surrounding ground is stained with blood and a heartbreaking image is displayed.

Cain and Arthur, as well as Andrea, are perplexed by James' astonishing achievement and Duke's pitiful condition.

Garrith's eyes widen in surprise, his unease growing as he watches the outcome of the contest. He turns his gaze to Lisa and then, with an uneasy thought, 'Who the hell are these individuals? I must find out what organization they belong to. I've never seen them before.'

Giwook, Seongha, Inhyuk and the other teachers remain stunned, watching the scene before them without being able to articulate a word.

The students present at the confrontation are speechless, their silence bearing witness to the shock the scene has caused them, unable to process what they have just witnessed.

Duke's gaze fills with anger at the sight of James' countenance. Despite his mangled body, he straightens himself with effort and his thoughts echo,'Why are some people so powerful..... Why am I not as strong as them?'

Gangseok, Sucheon, Subin and Jisuk, their expressions cold and serious, watch both James and Duke.

In contrast, Jiwoo maintains an unperturbed calm, his gaze fixed on the confrontation without appearing to be affected by the outcome.

James looks away from Duke, who is barely standing. He turns without hesitation and heads toward the area where Lisa is standing. "I won," he declares with detached calmness.

His words plunge the combat arena into an even more tense and expectantly charged silence.

All eyes turn to Duke, who looks back at James and stands up with determination, issues a warning. "This is not over."

James, his countenance unconcerned, replies calmly. "For me, it is over. I promised Miss Lisa that we won't kill them. If we continue to fight, your fate will be death."

The WAA members show a gesture of anger and coldness on their faces.

Rage boils inside Duke as he thinks furiously, 'Damn...'

Garrith turns his gaze to Lisa, surprised by James' words, as Lisa observes her surroundings and proposes a solution. "The doctors can take him for treatment."

Unexpected, Duke vomits blood and his body trembles. Lisa's expression turns serious as she watches this scene, and her thoughts reflect the gravity of the situation, 'He's going to die if he doesn't get quick and effective medical attention.'

Andrea, filled with concern, exclaims in anguish, "Duke!"

A green aura emanates from both Lisa, startling everyone present, and envelops Duke's body.

Lisa's actions generate uneasiness in all present, as pessimistic thoughts flow through their minds. However, to everyone's surprise, the serious wounds on the surface of Duke's body begin to heal at a visible speed. Although his body is still bloodstained and in a deplorable state, he no longer trembles.

Duke, surprised, turns his gaze to Lisa, who looks at him with determination. With a firm voice, Lisa declares, "I don't want you to die. I'm in no mood to exterminate ants that will consume my valuable time. Move out of the way and stop being an obstacle."

A shiver runs through Duke's body as he hears these words. At that instant, two people with stretchers and an individual dressed in a medical gown enter the scene.

Despite the intense pain coursing through his body, Duke refuses to lie down on the stretcher offered by the doctors. Firmly stating, "I don't need it," he trudges toward his area, showing his stubbornness despite his obvious suffering.

Those present react to Lisa's arrogant attitude, watching with varying degrees of annoyance and bewilderment.

Garrith, with an intense gaze, fixes her eyes on Lisa, while Andrea reflects her irritation at her words.

Garrith turns his attention to Cain, who stands next to Arthur and Duke, and earnestly pronounces, "It's your turn."

Cain nods and advances toward the center of the arena, accompanied by Lancelot.

Arthur, without his usual playful attitude, watches both Duke and Cain in action, musing, "They are incredibly strong. Duke was left in such a sorry state for not knowing his own abilities well... Even if he knew them, I don't know if he'd be their opponent, they're too strong and Duke didn't make him try hard."

Lisa directs her gaze towards Samantha and indicates, "It's your turn, daughter."

Calmly with her arms crossed behind her back, Samantha approaches Cain, who watches her cautiously, while Lancelot remains alert to intervene if necessary.

Samantha smiles and extends her hand, pronouncing politely, "Nice to meet you. I hope we have a good showdown."

Both Cain and the young men and teachers present, both from the World Academy and the Korean Academy, are surprised at her attitude, then adopt intense and serious expressions.

She looks directly into Cain's eyes and asks him a question, "Won't you shake my hand?"

Cain regains his composure and shakes her hand in greeting.

After greeting Cain, Samantha turns away with an obvious calmness, showing no concern for a possible attack from Cain.

.....

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