As we closed in on each other I decided to throw a straight punch toward Rumi, I wasn't releasing all my restrictions but I wasn't taking it easy either, I knew I couldn't risk accidentally hitting her with the force of a dump-truck… but I could rely on my toughness, speed and size!
She redirected my arm and since I had to aim down to attack her my fist ended up hitting the floor, which in turn created cracks running in every direction for a few meters. Before Rumi could capitalize on my guard being thrown off I quickly spun around and brought my tail to bear!
She ducked low and backed away before my little beyblade attack could hit, as I slowed my spinning down I spat napalm at my feet- it wouldn't hurt me in the slightest but would stop her from closing in.
She surprised me slightly by tearing chunks out of the ground and throwing or kicking them at me, they didn't really hurt but created a pretty effective cloud of dust the moment they exploded against me.
My eyes were good but I'd instinctually raised an arm over my face to stop them from being covered in powder, I used my other arm and tail to cover the most likely areas she'd attack from.
She still landed a solid blow by jumping up high and kicking me in the face- sorta missing having that face shield now. Her kick didn't hurt (much) but threw me off balance, I had the tail to lean on but was still forced backward.
I saw her running to my side- I recognised her tactic from all the training spars! she'd knock off my balance and since I weighed so much the recovery took longer… long enough for her to kick the back of my legs, jump on my chest or pull back my head… all of which would end with me on the ground!
I decided to try something new and leaned further back, I forced my tail into the ground as an anchor which I then proceeded to use and fling myself away from her, she followed close behind but I'd avoided an immediate end.
I slammed both hands down (quarter strength) to rip a giant slab of concrete out of the ground, I then ran forward while using it as a mobile battering ram! This came with the downside of not being able to see… NOT! X-RAY VISION BABY!
Rumi backed up but quickly came up with a counter- she kicked it right near the middle, since my hands were pushing it either side her kick held it still just long enough for me to break it myself!
Since my hands were still weighed down either side by a piece of concrete she had a straight shot at me! She didn't waste it either as she went forward and hooked both her arms around my legs and pulled!
NO! DO SOMETHING! I DON'T WANT IT TO END HERE! I felt my body shifting at rapid speed! A feeling of desperation similar to when I was in Korea struck me… but instead of a massive arm something else cropped up!
Rumi Usagiyama/Bunny lady POV
I wasn't holding back… well… not more than usual at least, but other than the cursory don't aim to cause crippling damage, I was giving it my all! He'd had his regular exam… now here was mine, not as family but as his teacher, I wanted him to loosen the reins he'd so strictly imposed on himself… not completely mind you- I'm not suicidal, but if he wants to be a hero, he'll need the control one day… and if he doesn't? We're all screwed anyway.
I was being far more aggressive in the spar right now, I was fully embodying the phrase- 'best defense is a good offense'. I wanted him to be forced to bring out more of his potential.
I was already wondering if his eyes were a new power… at the beginning of the battle they'd shifted so that his entire 'eye' was a glowing red color, I didn't notice any significant changes until… *shudder*
My instincts had never lied to me, I could tell when someone had bad intentions or was too focused on me… I could also tell when I was in major danger, and right now?
DEATH
I knew that if I didn't immediately move I was going to die.
I backed up just as his eyes emitted a red beam directly where I'd been standing! If I hadn't preemptively started moving it would have hit me, even with my dodge being successful it was still close enough to burn some of my hair!
My heart was nearly jumping out of my chest in fear, excitement and relief… I like fights but that was too close for comfort! I looked over to Alex to see he looked pale (I mean he's gray skinned but now he looks snow white) and worried.
Alex Usagiyama POV
The moment the beams shot from my eyes I swerved them away from Rumi, she also seemed to have felt their potential danger as she moved before it happened. It took me a few seconds to make sure she was okay, my own eyes had to quickly heal since they were hyper sensitive and I'd basically done the equivalent of flashbanging them!
Luckily Rumi looked fine… minus some burnt hair. The path the beam had carved out was still glowing… and was a solid hundred meters or so in length! I couldn't dwell on that as I felt my body's changes hadn't ended yet!
"EVERYONE MOVE AWAY FROM ME!" I quickly shouted to everyone else.
I noticed Aizawa scoff and prepare to erase my quirk… but Rumi ran over and knocked him on the head before looking over to me with a grin.
I felt something internally shifting, it felt like the reactor that created my napalm was connecting to every corner of my body! Steam began rising from my skin as a fiery glow started spreading along it- this wasn't the glow of adaptation, but of fire filling my veins!
It continued spreading and eventually made its way to my head, I forced myself to look up as I couldn't stop myself from blasting a massive wave of fire upward! The teachers were forced further back as even being a reasonable distance away the heat was still unbearable!
Rumi meanwhile watched the entire thing with a smile on her face… and probably got some burns from not moving away.
I currently looked like my regular self if I was made from pure lava with red lightning arcing off of me in every direction! Even while the process was underway I could tell in that moment that heat wouldn't be bothering me for a long time… if ever again.
With a final glow my body finished whatever it was doing and I was finally back to being in control. A few meters around me the concrete had been scorched black and directly under my feet was molten.
Good lord I'd had an upgrade! A second of figuring out this new ability and comprehension dawned! I'd held myself back and been trying to win, I technically had everything at my disposal to do so but refused to use it… so adaptation found a different route by upgrading something I was using!
I kept making jokes about being a roided up little monster but… it actually sort of came true! I felt like I had another power reserve I could use in a hundred different ways! I could channel it to increase the heat of my surroundings, I could channel it to my eyes and fire a beam, it was already connected to my mouth slightly before this and I was a bit worried about what would happen if I tried it anymore…
"You good Rumi?" I quickly asked. She was silent for a moment before- "That. was. AWESOME!" she excitedly said while jumping over the hot ground and landing on my shoulder- "I mean yeah that was scary as hell too but that's half of what makes a fight enjoyable… probably should be careful with it though!"
Looking at my surroundings… Nezu won't be mad right? He seems to have guessed my thoughts as he (while still at some distance) reassured me- "Don't worry about the training ground, All Might's done worse and we're lucky to have Cementoss to make them easily repairable!". Cementoss nodded but only after being shook out of his stupor by Aizawa.
"So uh, anyone wanna take the next spar?" I curiously asked.
I was politely declined before everyone promised to spar Rumi some other time… they all suddenly had something to do right now? Fancy that.