The drone's metallic voice reverberated through the forest as it announced, "Prepare your abilities," and with that command, the countdown began.
Ahiro felt his heart race as the seconds ticked away. He remembered the grueling three weeks leading up to this moment, the weeks that had shaped him into the candidate he was now.
Once he had made the decision to join Valorius Academy, he immediately delved into research about the entrance test. While there were numerous resources available for the written examination, information about the physical and awakened power tests was scarce, with rumors that they changed every year. But Ahiro was determined to be as prepared as possible.
His daily routine had undergone a drastic transformation. His morning schedule, which had once involved a part-time job, had now become a rigorous training regimen. Mornings were dedicated to intense physical workouts and honing his awakened powers.
During the physical training sessions, Ahiro pushed himself to the limit. He ran for miles through the city streets, building up his endurance and speed. He focused on exercises that enhanced his strength, enabling him to tackle obstacles and adversaries with greater force.
But the true core of his preparation had revolved around his awakened powers. In the first week, he had concentrated on perfecting his ability manifestation. His power allowed him to create a protective barrier, a shield that could block attacks. Ahiro had spent hours each day practicing and experimenting with this skill.
He explored the limits of his abilities, pushing himself to see how long he could maintain the barrier without faltering. What the best way to manifest the barrier, he kept on practicing until constructing a barrier became second nature to him. Every time he would manifest a barrier it was a magical experience, but there was no magic, the barrier exhausted his stamina for sustaining.
In those long hours of training, he had often found himself exhausted, sweat-drenched, and questioning his decision. But Ahiro's determination never wavered. He knew that these trials were the crucible in which he would forge his path to the academy. He had to be ready for whatever challenges awaited him.
Opposite to Ahiro, Marcus also prepared for the battle, and a series of astonishing changes began to take place in his physical form. His body seemed to blur the lines between human and fox, creating a surreal and uncanny sight.
The first noticeable transformation occurred in his eyes. They initially glowed with a fiery orange hue, a prelude to the startling metamorphosis that followed. Slowly, the shape of his pupils shifted, elongating vertically until they resembled the captivating slits of a fox's eyes. The color intensified, deepening to a vivid and mesmerizing shade of amber.
Marcus's hands were the next to undergo a dramatic transformation. His fingers elongated into sleek, pointed claws reminiscent of a fox's paws. These sharp, deadly talons gleamed with a metallic luster, each one capable of inflicting serious harm. The fur on his hands darkened and took on a reddish-brown hue, mirroring the coloration of a fox's fur.
Marcus's lower extremities were not spared from the extraordinary change either. His legs, from his thighs down to his feet, morphed into those of a fox. His thighs developed sinewy, powerful muscles, designed for agility and speed. His knees bent in a way that enabled him to move gracefully and efficiently, akin to the lithe movements of a fox. His feet transformed into furry paws, with sharp claws that dug into the ground as if they were designed for both offense and swift traversal.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the transformation was the emergence of a magnificent fox tail. From the base of Marcus's spine, a bushy and luxuriant tail sprouted, covered in dense, russet fur. It unfurled behind him, moving with grace and fluidity.
As the final transformation settled into place, Marcus let out a triumphant shout, <
As the countdown reached zero, Marcus sprang into action with breathtaking speed, his body transformed into that of a fox. His razor-sharp claws extended menacingly, poised to strike at Ahiro. With a swift and practiced motion, Ahiro summoned his awakened power, manifesting a radiant, golden barrier that materialized just in time to intercept Marcus's initial onslaught.
Marcus's claws met the barrier, sparking against it with a shower of golden sparks. His eyes, now resembling those of a fox, narrowed in concentration as he observed the shimmering shield in front of Ahiro.
Marcus taunted, "Is this all you've got? A simple barrier?" he said this but was exhilarated by this reveal , if his opponent's ability was this much only his chance to win just increase exponentially.
Ahiro, his voice resolute despite the rapid exchange of blows, responded, "So what."
Marcus chuckled, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Confidence is good, but overconfidence can be your downfall."
With that, Marcus withdrew a few steps, his lithe form shifting and darting, creating a zigzagging trajectory that bewildered Ahiro. In a flash, he lunged at Ahiro once more, his claws slashing through the air with remarkable precision.
Ahiro, struggling to adapt to Marcus's unpredictable movements, found himself on the defensive. The barrier flickered and wavered as Marcus's relentless attacks tested its limits.
Their battle had begun, and the forest echoed with the clash of awakened powers and the determination of two candidates vying for victory.
As Marcus backed away, Ahiro was panting heavily. He had managed to maintain his barrier against Marcus's relentless onslaught, but the impact of Marcus's attacks felt more powerful than the bullets his shield had previously deflected during his encounter with the trio.
Marcus couldn't help but chuckle at Ahiro's exhaustion. "Oh, this is too easy," he taunted. "But time is running out, my friend. Let's take it up a notch."
With that declaration, Marcus underwent another transformation. His body expanded, bulging with enhanced musculature covered in vibrant red fur. His claws, already formidable, elongated further, glistening wickedly. His ears, once human, morphed into those of a fox, perched atop his head, and his jet-black hair transformed into a fiery red hue.
Marcus now resembled a powerful and intimidating fox-human hybrid, his eyes glinting with an eerie intelligence and cunning. The red fur bristled with an unnatural intensity, and his elongated claws gleamed with a dangerous allure.
Ahiro couldn't help but feel a surge of anxiety as he watched the dramatic transformation unfold. Marcus had become a formidable opponent, and his newfound appearance only heightened the stakes of their battle. The forest seemed to hold its breath as the duel continued, both candidates pushing themselves to their limits in pursuit of victory.