All this while he had been pretending like he couldn't use his abilities, hoping that the matter would just die down and everyone would forget about him and the whole deviant issue. Alex always knew that life would become more complicated but right now he had a change of heart. For a brief moment, it felt like the world around him slowed down and his life flashed across his eyes. He realized the fault of his worldview all this while and why he has never been satisfied,
All this while he has been against the world system, the deviants, and how poorly the powerless humans are treated but now he never did anything to stop it. He never fought for what he believed in and he had to admit he felt good that one moment when he put Blaze down in front of everyone, showing that humans can fight back.
"Back then I didn't have the power to resist and protect but I do now… I will change this world with this new strength I have acquired!" Alex muttered as he let his bag drop to the ground and rolled up his sleeves.
Seeing that Alex is finally ready to fight the entire hallway fell silent and even Blaze felt nervous since he had silently hoped that Alex would keep rejecting his offer to fight until he gets badly hurt by his ranged attacks.
Brrrr!
Conjuring a fist-sized ball of fire Blaze was even more reluctant to throw it after making eye contact with Alex. He could see his opponent was totally focused and there was this heavy air hanging around him. His instincts as a fighter kept screaming in his head, telling him that the moment he throws that ball of fire, he won't be able to undo the mistake he has done and although he wished he could just back away now, he couldn't for the sake of his already damaged reputation!
While gritting his teeth, Blaze tossed the ball of fire but Alex had already predicted the trajectory of his attack and crouched by diving to the left. He rolled briefly and quickly proceeded to get on his feet before shooting forward like an arrow!
Xiu!
In a matter of seconds, the gap between the two combatants was only a breath away from each other!
Whoosh!
Alex wasted no time in taking a stance while he threw a quick right jab forward with his left hand raised to protect his head in case of the unknown! After training so hard for a long while all of Alex's attacks and movements were graceful and swift.
Wam!
Contrary to his expectations, Blaze caught his fist with his red hot fists making Alex's face turn sour! The smell of burning skin quickly spread across the hall like wildfire but it only lasted for a second since Alex made his next move almost instantly! His leg shot up without restraint and then descended mercilessly like an ax, smashing into Blaze's skull and knocking him to the ground!
Bang!
"Powerful!" People gasped in shock as they saw blood slide down Blaze's hair, reaching his forehead and rolling down even more! No one could deny the power of that kick and many began viewing Alex as a monster! If he can do this much without his powers what happens when he goes all out?
"You want to see my ability?" Alex asked coldly as he gazed at his burnt hand filled with blisters.
With Blaze badly hurt, Alex was confident of winning without his power but the military will most likely keep pushing him into dangerous situations just to get him to use it. Since he is already part of the deviant class, Alex found it meaningless to hide his abilities.
Everyone watched as Alex stretched his hands and touched the steel lockers and right in front of them, they could see the steel surging towards him. It looked like he was attracting the steal to his body and slowly he began absorbing it, causing his entire hands to be covered by steel.
"Matter absorption" Alex said casually but everyone heard those words clearly.
He could absorb anything he could lay his hands on, allowing his body to take in the properties of that material. In the past few days, he carried out a lot of experiments on his ability in secret where he absorbed things like concrete, wood, and other solid material. Although his body takes in the properties of whatever he absorbs it doesn't affect his speed or movement in any way.
Even with his metal encased arms, they still felt light and normal. This ability no way hindered his speed or affected his martial arts, instead, it even boosts his physical capabilities while blustering his defense!
"Okay… Let's put an end to this… Get up" Alex said as he took a boxing stance.
Blaze suddenly sprang to his feet with blazing orange eyes! His flames flared up with fire, spreading all the way to his shoulders!
"Burn!" Blaze roared as he sent a powerful stream of scorching orange flames!
Whoosh!
Alex swung into action as he changed his footwork, with each step he took, he kept leaning in the direction of the feet in front making it difficult to know where he planned to go.
Xiu!
Suddenly Alex fled to the left evading the flames and taking a huge leap forward, covering a large distance in just a single breath!
"Stay back!" Blaze roared as he moved his hands towards Alex, sending the stream of flames to chase after him!
Whoosh!
Alex remained silent and suddenly crouched, allowing the flames to pass above him while he rolled to the right before leaping towards Blaze!
With the distance between them almost none existent, Blaze quickly stopped his skill before facing the incoming Alex and releasing another stream of flame!
Pa!
Unfortunately, the difference between them was already covered so Alex wasted no time in meeting Blaze's flaming palm with his own, interlocking their fingers together before Blaze could even react!.
GRRRRRR!
Vibrations could be heard as many saw Alex's steel hands turn red hot due to Blaze constantly releasing his stream of flames but even then, he still couldn't break free from his grip!