章 28: Brutality from a beauty

*The reason I have chosen a desert as my battleground is to ensure that even if I were to inadvertently miss her solar plexus, I would have the advantage of using the shifting sands to my benefit. There's no harm in resorting to unconventional tactics in combat. My intent is to go all out right from the outset.

This involves the utilization of my formidable Rank A technique known as the 'Speed Boost.' This technique enables me to significantly enhance my speed within mere seconds by tensing my muscles and regulating my breathing.

It commences with a powerful forward leap, propelling me forward with incredible velocity. Utilizing this technique, I am confident that she will find it nearly impossible to evade my impending assault.*

Hart contemplate this strategy with unwavering determination.

As the teacher grants permission for the fight to commence, Hart launches at Priscilla. He initiates his approach with a forward jump, and the moment his feet make contact with the ground...

~Fwoom~

His incredible speed breaks the sound barrier, creating a whirlwind of desert dust that leaves onlookers awestruck at the flawless execution of this technique. It's an extraordinary skill that few possess, and even fewer master. In an instant, he has closed the distance between them, a confident smirk playing on his lips as he enters striking range.

"He's already lost," Emma mutters to herself.

*People acknowledge that the Godwins excel in battle, but few understand why. It's because they are versatile combatants, unmatched as the number one guardians.

Proficient with a variety of weapons and possessing exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills, they seem almost invulnerable, yet hidden weaknesses persist, waiting to be discovered.

They excel in both close combat and long-range battles, the only distinction being their swifter resolution in close encounters.

In summary, Hart is venturing into her territory with limited finesse. His display of the speed boost technique is impressive, but his body positioning hints that he may struggle to employ his family's unique technique effectively and target her solar plexus points,* Emma silently analyzes.

Meanwhile, Gideon watches with an inscrutable expression, seemingly lost in thought.

Once Hart gets close enough, he throws a straight punch at Priscilla, but it's merely a feint. He swiftly changes tactics, executing a flying kick at her in an attempt to catch her off guard at such a close range. However, Priscilla anticipates his every move and expertly defends herself.

"You're mine!"

Frustrated by his thwarted attack, Hart aims to immobilize her by targeting her solar plexus with his index and middle fingers. But before he can succeed, an unexpected turn of events unfolds. Priscilla seizes his hand and closes in on him.

"You talk a lot," Priscilla comments as she retaliates.

~Bam~

"Khuk...!"

Hart coughs as Priscilla pushes her palm against his Adam's apple, leaving him gasping for air. Little does he know, the assault is far from over.

Priscilla delivers a punishing hook to his jaw, causing him to bite his tongue, which begins to bleed.

~Bam!~

"Mmm!...Cough cough"

As Hart struggles to recover from the excruciating pain, Priscilla delivers a parietal knee to his abdomen.

"Khuk...!"

Hart can't even vocalize the agony as the air is forcibly expelled from his lungs, the pain radiating throughout his body and squeezing his insides. For the final blow, she strikes his back with her elbow.

"..."

~Thud~

No sound escapes Hart's mouth as his eyes roll upwards, and he falls unconscious with foam trickling from his lips.

The attack is swift, precise, and potentially lethal if Priscilla doesn't retract her force. The students are a mixture of surprise and disappointment, as they witness a highly anticipated fight end in less than a minute, with one side overwhelmingly dominating the other.

The infirmary staff rushes in to attend to Hart.

~Whoosh~

A somber silence hangs over the desert arena.

"Emma is disqualified for violating the rules. You are not permitted to place your opponent in a life-or-death situation," the teacher's voice shatters the stillness. Emma gazes at the camera and retorts, "But he isn't dead; he's just unconscious."

"..."

Both the teacher and the students are dumbfounded by her response. Emma quietly retrieves the tube and returns to her seat, her face devoid of emotion, but she spares a glance at Gideon.

Some female students are traumatized by the brutality they've witnessed.

"Such ruthlessness from... a... girl, a pretty one at that."

"Remind me never to ask her out."

"Is he dead?"

"I think he just passed out."

The class buzzes with murmurs.

It takes some time for the class to regain composure, and the teacher announces the next match. As the students head to the arena, Gideon raises his hand.

"Yes, what is it, Gideon?" the teacher inquires.

"Do you mind if I use the restroom?" Gideon requests.

"No, be quick. You're not supposed to miss any of the fights, especially being at the bottom of the rankings," the teacher responds, a hint of irritation in her voice.

Gideon nods and departs.

*I don't understand why she dislikes me so much. Not that I care, but I've noticed her bias from the moment I joined her class. She's a teacher who clearly plays favorites, and her top ten students are her favorites. Perhaps she sees me as a disgrace to martial arts,* Gideon contemplates.

He doesn't exit directly but approaches Priscilla, whispering something to her that incites chatter among the students and even astonishes the teacher.

"I've noticed you've been observing me for a while, miss. If you have something to say, we can discuss it later, privately," he murmurs to her before walking away.

Priscilla watches his retreating figure, wearing a sly smile, further agitating the class.

"Huh?! Priscilla smiled at him. Are they flirting in the presence of the teacher?"

"Such disrespect!"

"He has the guts to approach her even after witnessing what she did to Hart. He's my role model."

The class continues to murmur.

***Gideon's POV***

"Now, I'll figure out why Henry lost his match intentionally. I know him well, and there's no chance Emma can defeat him unless she employs some forbidden technique," I mutter to myself as I make my way to the infirmary.

You might be wondering how I know him. Let me recount how I first met Henry.