Chapitre 66: Ch 66:- Arthur Rage
"First, I would like to inform you that the entire planet has been evacuated of military personnel for now. We will no longer be required to explore the planet, and a special ops unit will be sent in the future to determine whether the Dalki have already inhabited the place or not," Nathan explained.
"Wait, I don't understand," Del said, feeling a little frustrated. "I thought we all left because we knew the Dalki were there."
"Our information sources suggest that they might have been chased away or something else entirely. The reason I'm saying this is because their base is still full of blue crystals. If the Dalki had taken over the planet, they would have already taken all the crystals with them," Nathan clarified.
Although Del had no desire to continue the mission alone, he believed they still had a chance to complete it with Leo and Fay by his side. He understood the military well; he had been with them long enough. Because the expedition had been canceled early, they would soon be asked to go on another one. If they had finished this mission, they might have been good for a whole year.
"This information would have been given to all of you later anyway," Nathan continued. "The real reason I asked you to stay behind is because of the upcoming inter-military base event in two weeks."
"What does that have to do with us?" a female teacher asked. "Usually, all the second years take all the places, right?"
"Yes, that's usually the case, but this year they've decided to do something different. Apparently, there are a few strong first-year students from other military bases who wish to take part in the event," Nathan explained.
"So this year, they've decided that each class must select at least one student for the three main events: the Ranged Ability Tournament, Fighting Tournament, and Crafting Tournament. I expect you all to have a list ready for me by the end of the week, indicating who you think will participate," Nathan instructed.
"Paul has stated that this inter-military tournament is an important event, so you must select your best. If your students perform well, it will reflect on you, and you shall be rewarded. Not all of our positions are based on strength, and soon one of our oldest sergeants will be retiring. Does anyone have a list of the current student rankings?" Nathan inquired.
Hearing what Nathan had just said, Del started to have a slightly worried look on his face. Not only did the students think Del's class was one of the weakest, but the teachers did as well, and Del was aware of this. In his head, he was trying to think about whom to pick for the event.
A soldier from the side approached Nathan and handed him a tablet. The tablet contained a list of every first-year student with a score beside their name.
"Well, well, this is a surprise," Nathan remarked. "It seems like Del's class has the highest-ranked students currently."
Hearing this, Del's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. How could it be, he thought, and then suddenly he started to remember what had just happened. Leo had awarded the group with the most points for the outing. That group belonged to his class. Not only that, but in the last assessment, Quinn and his group didn't do too bad either, scoring around the mid-level. With top scores in one and middle scores in the other, Quinn's group and teammates were relatively high in the current ranking.
"I shall be expecting great things from you," Nathan said, looking directly at Del. "Now, everyone, go get some rest. I will update you on what is to happen tomorrow."
Meanwhile, at another military base, a similar meeting was taking place. However, this one
was much more formal. All the teachers had gathered in a meeting room, including the sergeant who sat at the head of the table. One of the teachers sat upright, stiff, and listened keenly to every word being said.
"Does everyone understand?" a relatively large, fat man asked at the front.
"Yes, sir!" Silver replied quickly and responsively.
"Why can't you all be more like her?" the man said. "Not only does she always look stunning in the morning, but she also works hard, is responsive, and she's the new one. Keep it up." The man then turned off the presentation as he left the meeting room.
The other teachers followed, leaving the room one by one. Meanwhile, a male student named Justin noticed that Silver still hadn't left her seat. She had been in the same position throughout the meeting, and even though it had ended, she remained firm.
"Hey, Silver, the meeting's over. Are you coming back?" Justin asked.
Silver turned her head, and her silver hair with strands of black tossed across her face. As Justin saw this, he felt like he was watching one of those shampoo commercials in slow motion. Everything seemed to slow down as he admired her beauty.
"I'm sorry, my mind was on something else," Silver said as she stood up from her seat and walked straight past Justin, ignoring him.
"Wait!" Justin called out. "Maybe I can help. Do you need anything?"
Silver lifted her hand and waved it in the air dismissively. "I don't think I would even ask for your help boiling an egg. Just stick to teaching."
As she walked off, her head was still filled with one thought. In the meeting, they had mentioned the upcoming tournament where every base would travel to base one to participate. The largest military base of them all. Here, she would finally meet the person she was looking for.
"Wait for me a little longer, Fex. I am coming," she said.
Meanwhile, Rayne could be seen looking at a tangible book that was invisible to everyone else except him. Then he looked at the plant before carefully plucking it from the ground and storing it away in his inventory.
"What do you want now? I think we've already talked enough," Rayne said as he turned around, glaring at Arthur.
Arthur smirked before saying, "Nothing. I just wanted to know more about you, the first vampire that I've met after waking up."
"Is that so," Rayne said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I wanted to know about you, the person who somehow has the power of absolute blood control like a king, as well as the armor that seems to be made out of shadows, which goes unnoticed," Arthur said in a darkened tone, emitting a murderous aura that sent shivers down Rayne's spine.
"So tell me, how and where did you get that shadow armor from?" Arthur demanded.
Feeling the threat, Rayne immediately raised his hand in a surrendering manner and said, "Whoa, calm down. I didn't do anything to your people, and as for this armor, I made it myself."
"Wrong answer, and I didn't mention anything about my people being related to shadow power," Arthur said, charging at him with full force and throwing a punch. Rayne raised his arm to block it, causing him to skid backward upon impact.
"Damn, how powerful is he to still throw such a punch while being 70 percent weakened by the sun?" Rayne thought as he composed himself and assumed a more defensive position.
"Hear me out! I have nothing to do with your people," Rayne shouted.
Arthur didn't answer and instead charged forward, throwing another punch which he once again went to block, but at the last moment, it changed course and struck his stomach, sending him flying backward and causing him to fall on the ground with a thud. At that moment, as he looked at the sky, it darkened, hiding the sun, and a downpour occurred.
"Fuck, not now! This is not the time for you to hide, sun," Rayne thought, frustration evident in his voice, as he glanced at Arthur, who had fully regained his strength. Although Arthur was still slightly weakened from his long sleep, his aura now emanated an enormous power, making him look like an absolute beast.
"Resigning already to your fate?" Arthur taunted, a smirk on his face. He raised his leg and sent a powerful stomp, cracking the ground upon impact and causing debris to scatter all around. However, he was met with a cloud of smoke as Rayne teleported, managing to save himself from the attack.
"I can't imagine what could have happened to me," Rayne thought, his mind racing as he surveyed the area. He realized that he couldn't teleport away just yet since he hadn't fully recovered his soul force.
"I think we could sort this out like civilized beings," Rayne suggested, hoping to find a peaceful resolution.
"Can't happen," Arthur dismissed, his voice filled with determination, and he charged forward once again, ready to engage in another round of combat.
"I guess we can't help it," Rayne sighed, resignation in his tone, as he readied himself in a fighting stance, preparing to face Arthur head-on.
With lightning speed, Arthur launched himself at Rayne, throwing a barrage of punches and kicks. Rayne, relying on his agility and quick reflexes, evaded the attacks with precision, his movements fluid and calculated. He countered with swift, well-aimed strikes, aiming for Arthur's vulnerable spots. However, each blow seemed to be effortlessly blocked or dodged by him.
The intensity of the fight reached new heights as Rayne harnessed his blood aura, causing it to swirl around his fists and legs. With a hint of Qi mixed in, his determination fueled his every movement. He launched a barrage of attacks, his strikes coming in rapid succession, driven by unwavering resolve. However, Arthur's superior strength and skill allowed him to skillfully counter each blow, retaliating with bone-crushing force.
The resounding clash of fists meeting armor reverberated through the air, accompanied by grunts and roars of exertion. Rayne felt searing pain coursing through his body as Arthur's strikes landed with tremendous impact. Despite his armor providing absolute defense, it failed to shield him from the internal damage being inflicted. Blood trickled from beneath the gap of his mask, staining his mouth, and he involuntarily spat out a mouthful of blood, sinking to his knees on the unforgiving ground.
Rayne's body throbbed with agony as he struggled to rise, his face smeared with the evidence of his wounds. Each movement served as a painful reminder of his battered state. Weakened and exhausted, he could feel his strength waning, his muscles protesting each exertion. He had pushed beyond his limits. The relentless rain intensified, transforming the once serene forest into a treacherous battlefield, marked by broken trees and ravaged earth from Arthur's devastating punches.
Gasping for breath, Rayne knelt heavily, his voice strained as he pleaded, "Can't we find another way? I haven't harmed your people. Look at me, I'm just a mere kid." With a resolve to prove his innocence, he removed his mask, revealing the vulnerability in his eyes.
"You think I'll fall for such a feeble trick?" Arthur retorted, his fist primed to deliver the final blow. But in that split second, it phased through an illusion, leaving him momentarily perplexed. A pricking sensation tingled at his neck, causing weakness to permeate his body. He lost control, succumbing to unconsciousness. Unbeknownst to Arthur, Rayne had injected him with a small dose of α neurotoxins, potent to humans but acting as an anesthetic to a vampire progenitor. It would keep him incapacitated for a brief moment, not enough to stabilize his turbulent emotions.
Summoning his remaining strength, Rayne opened his blood magic book, its pages flickering with a crimson glow. He began to perform the ritual of eternal slumber, a powerful spell that would keep Arthur in a state of deep sleep, temporarily alleviating the storm of emotions that plagued him. It was a risky move, but Rayne believed it was the only way to create a chance for understanding and resolution.
As the incantation reached its crescendo, the energy surged through Rayne's veins, channeling his blood magic into the ritual. A wave of darkness enveloped Arthur, his body succumbing to the enchantment. With the ritual complete, Rayne slumped against a nearby tree, his own exhaustion overwhelming him.
He gazed at Arthur's slumbering form, his mind racing with possibilities. In the depths of his heart, Rayne held the hope that their conflict could be resolved, that Arthur could become a powerful ally and mentor. The vampire progenitor possessed a wealth of knowledge and experience that could prove invaluable.
As the rain poured relentlessly, washing away the evidence of their battle, Rayne's eyelids grew heavy, and he succumbed to the exhaustion that consumed him. Sleep claimed him, the pain and adrenaline fading into the recesses of his weary mind.
The battlefield remained shrouded in an eerie calm, the only sounds being the rhythmic pitter-patter of raindrops against leaves and the soft breaths of the two fallen warriors.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone