Sam's eyes narrowed.
Sam: "What is he doing here?"
Frederick's voice dripped with condescension.
Frederick: "The three of you took too long, and now you're at a disadvantage because of the time limit."
Sam's face twisted in shock.
Sam: "What?! We cleared the test with time to spare!"
Frederick's expression remained impassive.
Frederick: "I don't recall the announcement of the test being cleared."
The trio exchanged stunned glances.
As Frederick flipped and caught what seemed to be a USB drive, his eyes gleamed with intensity.
Frederick: "The second part of your exam...begins now."
Kevin stepped forward, his voice low and cautious.
Kevin: "You two.
Leonard and Sam: Huh?"
Kevin: "Get behind me; he's looking for a fight."
Leonard and Sam obeyed, their movements swift and synchronized.
Frederick's body began to grow, his veins bulging beneath his skin as his suit tore, revealing his massive physique.
Kevin knelt, forming two small spheres of water.
Kevin: "I've been working on this technique for a while now."
'Hydro Piercing Shot!'
By putting his hands together, he shot a stream of water at Frederick, but Frederick blocked the attack by placing both forearms in front of him, ripping his sleeves.
Frederick: "That wasn't a bad attack; however, it would've been more effective if his aim was more accurate."
As Frederick regained his composure, he noticed Leonard and Sam were gone.
Frederick: "You're using that strategy again, moving from your opponent's line of sight and then attacking. However, you used that differently when you rescued the girl from that villain."
Kevin gritted his teeth.
Kevin: "What a pain this guy is."
As Leonard and Sam hid from Frederick, Leonard thought aloud.
Leonard: "So if I'm right, the test is divided into two parts. The first part was to stop other candidates from making it out of the greenhouse. But what's the second?"
Frederick's gaze swept the area.
Frederick: "Where are your friends?"
Kevin's response was with a playful tone.
Kevin: "I'm not telling."
Frederick charged, his massive frame barreling toward Kevin.
29 minutes had passed.
Kevin's breath quickened.
Kevin: "I hope I don't get dizzy any time soon."
Frederick's fist struck Kevin, but Kevin dodged and looked to strike Frederick's right hand. Frederick quickly evaded.
Leonard watched, analyzing.
Leonard: "That's it! The drive he had in hand when this started is the key. Makes sense since this is the field course we're in, which means we have to be ready to engage in combat if necessary. I've seen videos of this kind of stuff."
Sam waited, poised.
Sam: "Now!"
As Frederick closed in, Kevin smiled and ducked backward, and further behind Kevin was Sam, taking a huge deep breath and blowing wind at Frederick, which pushed him backward only a little.
As Frederick regained his footing, Leonard placed his hand on his back.
Leonard: "I came to the conclusion a while ago that my power was like a circuit breaker. The potential difference is basically because of my nuclei, and the current is the amount of output because of that potential difference and the resistors - my body's capability to handle the charge my nuclei produces."
Frederick turned his head and saw Leonard's current coursing over his body.
Frederick: "So you're their trump card, huh?"
Leonard's voice rose.
Leonard: That's right!
'Voltage Burst!'
The attack crackled.
As the smoke cleared, Leonard lost his footing, and Frederick grabbed the hand that was on him and threw Leonard aside. Kevin moved in fast to catch, but the impact sent them flying. Sam had a shock on his face.
Sam: "We cannot deal with this type of power again."
Frederick sneered.
Frederick: "What a shame; your trump card failed you. I'm surprised you thought otherwise. You relied on someone who discovered their power a few weeks ago; he was a fool for thinking that he was something special, thinking he could save the world in the state he's in. But honestly, the real fools were the two of you for putting so much trust in him."
Sam's face contorted.
Sam: "Shut up."
Frederick: "It's my job to educate you on the truth."
Sam charged, reckless.
Sam: "I said SHUT UPPPP!"
Kevin intercepted.
Kevin: "We can't have someone as level-headed as you lose your cool like that, Sam."
Sam's eyes widened.
Kevin pats his back with a subtle grin
Kevin: "So leave the reckless attacks to me. Besides, while he was preaching Leonard told his nuclei was Gamma Radiation. Which is why the last attack didn't have much of an effect on him."
Sam: "But even so, it's easier for him to get fatigue."
Kevin nodded.
Kevin: "Exactly. So what do you say? Wanna try out 'that' attack?"
Sam smiled wearily and gives a sigh
Sam: "Sure, why not?"
Kevin formed a massive sphere of water, its surface glistening.
Kevin: "Here goes!"
As Kevin launched the attack, Sam increased its speed with a blast of air.
Frederick: "Not bad. {The drive is still in my hand; it won't be a problem though.}"
Frederick tossed the USB drive into the air, his body bulging further.
35 minutes had passed.
Sam and Kevin: "There it is!"
The attack hurtled toward Frederick.
Frederick clapped his hands, unleashing a shockwave.
The blast sent Sam and Kevin flying.
Frederick: "That leaves just..."
As the drive fell, Leonard sprinted toward Frederick.
Frederick: "...one more."
Frederick poised to strike.
Leonard's determination flared.
Leonard: "You can say whatever you want about me!"
Frederick snarled.
Frederick: !!!
Leonard focused.
Leonard: "{I've got just about enough current left.}"
As Frederick closed in, Leonard leapt.
Leonard: "But if you ever talk trash to my friends again!"
With the last of his current, Leonard grabbed the USB drive.
Leonard: "I'll beat the crap outta you!"
Leonard's fist struck Frederick's face.
Leonard landed, breathing heavily.
Leonard: "You're right; there's nothing special about me."
His voice rose.
Leonard: "But my goal, my friends, my family, and my power - that's what makes me 'special.'"
Frederick stumbled, his massive frame wavering.
The outcome hung in the balance.
To be continued...