A group of four individuals approached Raymond's team, catching their attention. Among them was a guy with vibrant red hair and a youthful countenance who stood in the center. He spoke, "We want to fight with your team." He glanced at Raymond, "He was rude to teacher Hilde. She saved us from an experiment when we were young, so I can't stay still when you talk to her like that."
Raymond's mind flashed back to a memory of people escaping from an underground cave, leading him to think, 'They can't possibly be the same people.'
He stepped forward, towering over their leader. "I'm going to the front a lot today..." He looked the red guy in the eye, "I apologize, but I had to stand up for my father too."
The red-haired guy smiled, releasing a sigh. "I understand why you defended your father. I would have done the same if I had one. So, in a way, I'm fighting for my savior, someone I consider to be like a parent to me. Pretty presumptuous, right?"
Raymond moved behind Khaled, relying on his still unsteady legs, who acted as the vanguard shield. He looked at the red-haired individual and replied, "There's no shame in recognizing someone as your parent if they've saved you. To me, that would be a compliment."
Both parties smiled and assumed their stances, each wielding a unique weapon, fully highlighting their physical abilities and Bloodline. A rapier sword, katana, dual shortswords, and a greatsword were gripped firmly by their respective owners. Raymond used his Detection ability and noticed that they all possessed a decent amount of orange aura, with the red-haired individual having the densest. He informed his team, "We don't necessarily have to win, so let's avoid flaunting our powers. Keep an eye on the red-haired person; he has more Fuel than even Khaled."
The man from the opposing team, carrying a sheathed greatsword, charged toward Khaled. In response, Khaled clenched his left hand, summoning a black shield. He tightly held onto it and rushed towards his opponent. Following closely behind, Raymond attacked from the side with his sheathed axe to the waist. The red-haired boy used his rapier to make his axe go off-balance. Raymond pivoted on his waist and aimed for his opponent's head. The red-haired boy leaped backward, allowing the katana guy to sprint forward. Taking advantage of Raymond's unstable position, the dual shortsword user approached as well. Just as both their swords were going to land on Raymond, he placed his hand on the ground and rolled behind Khaled. Blake had a dice in his hand with which he said, "Make both of them fall."
The dice rolled, revealing a 'Three.' Only the dual swordsman stumbled, and a portion of Blake's Aura dissipated into nothingness. Raymond swiftly struck the fallen opponent's head, rendering him unconscious. The katana wielder retreated, and Khaled forced the greatsword user to step back.
Raymond glanced at Blake and smiled, thinking, 'He would be useful if he doesn't betray us. But is he revealing all his cards?'
The enemies regrouped, with the greatsword user positioned at the front, effectively blocking all incoming attacks.
Raymond stared at his hands, contemplating, 'I should have been out of breath by now... So this is Layla's Divine Light,' he thought as he glanced back at her. 'The others don't seem surprised.'
Layla's voice echoed from behind, filled with urgency, "RAY, WHAT ARE THEY DOING BEHIND THERE?"
Raymond activated his Detection ability again, revealing a chaotic mass of aura swirling violently. His heart pounded as he sprinted towards them, shouting, "BIG ATTACK!!"
Understanding his warning, the rest of the group swiftly followed his lead. He positioned himself in front of the imposing figure wielding a massive greatsword. With no technique whatsoever, the big guy swung his weapon, exposing his vulnerability. Raymond swiftly evaded the attack, rolling behind him and revealing the presence of two others launching a combined assault. One manipulated the wind while the other spun it, resulting in a formidable tornado. The big guy attempted to counter by slamming his greatsword into the ground, raising a cloud of dust, but the tornado repelled it effortlessly. Seizing the opportunity, Raymond leaped towards them, his hand outstretched. "They underestimated the force. The combined attack of two fully-powered orange tiers has the potential to overwhelm an upper yellow tier (tier 3). If that hits us, I'm done for."
Infusing his axe with aura, Raymond hurled it at the fusion, hoping to disrupt their flow, but the attempt was repulsed. Frustration filled him as he realized the aura on the axe was absorbed, causing the tornado to intensify further.
"God..."
Khaled slammed his shield onto the ground and declared, "Stay behind me."
Blake joined them, stating, "I can only use Dice of Fate once now," before commanding, "The red hair will fall asleep." He rolled the dice, and the result came up as [One].
"Damn... it failed."
Blake positioned himself behind Khaled while Layla took cover behind Blake. Concerned, Layla asked, "What should we do?"
Raymond utilized his Detection ability, perceiving the tornado spinning so rapidly that it appeared slow. The enemies wore smirks as they created it. 'When humans gain power they don't own... I said we don't have to win, but the team's morale will get a good beating if we don't... Should I use Father's katana? That seems like the only option.'
He stood up and addressed Layla, asking, "What's your range?"
Nervously, Layla replied, "Ten meters, but why? What are you planning?"
"Support me. And Blake, you have to talk with me if we win this," Raymond determinedly stated as he dashed toward their adversaries. 'He's a useful guy, and he knows my past and about Moth- that bitch. Okay, now I need to win this.'
Pouring a portion of his aura into the blade, Raymond tensed his arms. The big guy resumed his steadfast stance. As Raymond drew within arm's reach, the familiar sweeping swing came at him. Raymond put his hand on the guy's chest and said, "One inch... You have armor, so I hope you won't die."
He delivered a punch, propelling the guy five meters into the sky. The enemies, disoriented by the intense aura, failed to perceive Raymond's approach. "Their bodies will deteriorate if they put more aura in that."
Drawing his aura-infused katana, its ethereal energy swirling like a dragon, Raymond struck the tornado, creating an unexpected metallic sound.
"Too fast." The tornado sliced his legs, but Layla promptly healed the wounds. He attacked again, attempting to cut through. "This isn't working, but I can't retreat either."
At that moment, the dual shortsword wielder regained consciousness. Khaled charged towards him, exclaiming, "Stay at a safe distance, you two."
Using his shield, Khaled forcefully pushed the guy to the ground. "Quick, Raymond," he muttered, subduing the enemy. Raymond noticed Khaled's actions and further infused his aura. "This isn't effective."
Suddenly, a bystander remarked, "Why doesn't he strike those guys instead?"
In an impulsive move, Raymond focused his remaining aura on his legs and delivered a powerful kick to the red-haired guy's head. The impact sent him soaring through the air with sunken cheeks. Raymond then shifted his attention back to the tornado. With one of its pillars demolished, the cyclone expanded with violent force. "This is not good."
The tornado propelled Raymond at an incredible speed of 500 km/hr, hurtling him toward a nearby metal pole.
BOOOOOOM
The metal pole disintegrated upon impact, with crimson liquid dripping from the point of contact. Raymond, with his mouth agape and eyes wide open, bore a dent on his head.
As Raymond lay there, his body broken and battered, the pain coursing through his every fiber, he felt an overwhelming wave of emotions. The weight of his own body pressed heavily upon him, his spirit bruised and crushed. Layla, tears streaming down her face, cradled his wounded head, her trembling hands desperately attempting to mend what was broken. In that miserable moment, fear and helplessness intertwined within her as she whispered pleadingly, begging for his return to consciousness. The air was heavy with a sense of loss, as the team gathered around their fallen comrade, their faces etched with worry and sorrow. The battle had taken its toll, leaving scars not only on Raymond's broken body but also on the hearts of those who cared for him.