[Lion's Fist (+5): New Combo(s) (Lion's Crush, Burning Swipe, Pride Rush), 50% chance to gain an increase to strength from each strike, able to be charged into Leo Smash (100% boost to strength, can burn target, deals Critical Damage)]
[Burning Assault (+4): Firing Speed +60%, 50% Chance to burn multiple targets, able to be charged into Infernal Assault (+65% increase in power and size)]
[Leo Flame Burst (+5): Chance to split into two and increase power by 50%, can create four fireballs at a time, combined with Leo Smash/Infernal Assault makes Leo Flash Strike/Leo Infernal Burst!]
"Looking good there, partner~" Leona chuckled as she watched me upgrade my skills.
I looked back at Leona then smiled. "Thank you, partner~"
Leona purred, clawing my back and nuzzling me. "My Knight..~"
"Wrap it up, you damn sex freak. We need to get going." A voice said.
Leona's ears perked up and she looked back, seeing Taurus. "What the—What are you doing here?"
"I could ask the same quite frankly, but Heifer and Georgia filled me in. Didn't think it would get this bad, but here we are. In enemy territory." Taurus said, crossing her arms.
"Could be worse...we could've gotten killed." Leona said then went back to nuzzling me. "But be grateful you're still alive..~ Mmm..~ I sure am..~"
I blushed as Leona licked my ear. "H-Hey...Taurus is right..~ We need to get going.."
"No no, I need to watch this for a bit longer..~" Rama giggled as she watched Leona tease me.
"C'mon, let the boy breathe~" Sephora giggled as she grabbed the keys off the counter, tossing them to Leona.
"Alright~ I'll let him live for now~" Leona chuckled, catching the keys.
The girls giggled as they watched. They teased me about how vulnerable I looked, but I didn't pay it any mind. Now embarrassed, I just gathered my things and went outside.
"C'mon babe, we're just teasing!~" April called out and laughed lightly.
Sephora giggled and turned into her Serpent Form, slithering after me. "Told ya~ He has weaknesses that he won't allow you to see~"
April smiled at Sephora then looked at Nina and Lily. "Who's gonna be the first to try it?"
"I think you should~ Maybe get points from Leona since she knows all the right buttons to push." Nina said and smiled.
April nodded and giggled. "Alright, let's go~"
Taurus watched us and followed behind. "Wait for me!"
Harmony looked at Imogen then Imogen looked at Leona and Leona looked at Rama. The four of them watched Taurus follow us.
"Hell no. That is not Taurus." Leona said.
"In Heaven's name, who is that..?" Imogen asked.
"Should we call Nagini?" Rama asked.
"No, we're dealing with this one ourselves and with what we've got here. Whoever that fake Taurus is, we will eliminate it." Harmony said then crossed her arms.
"Oh yeah..~ About time we get our hands dirty~" Leona said and chuckled then remembered she had the keys. "Oh wait, I have to drive. Okay we deal with this after we drop them off...and after we get some food or something. Deal?"
"Fair enough." Imogen smiled then walked outside.
"Alright, let's get to it!~" Leona said and walked outside to the car.
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Leona dropped us off and I walked toward her window. She looked at me and rose her sunglasses. "Okay, My Knight..~ Me and the ladies are gonna be away for a bit, but we'll be back."
"Wait what's going on?" I asked.
Leona smiled and gently stroked my hair. "Don't worry about it..~ It's nothing bad, we're just going out for breakfast and whatnot."
"Mmkay...If you say so." I said.
"C'mere..~" Leona whispered and pulled me to her.
I watched her then grunted softly as she kissed me. I blushed a bit, finally returning her kiss. She pulled away and purred. I looked at her, touching my lips then felt a rush of fiery energy within me.
[Notice: New Skill Unlocked - Helios Force]
"A new skill from me to you~ The Power to manipulate the sun at your expenses~ And there'll be more where that came from~" Leona giggled then waved before driving off.
I smiled then shook my head. I walked toward the entrance with the girls. "Don't even mention this to anyone else.."
"We wouldn't dare..~" Nina chuckled, placing her hands in her pockets.
A few students noticed us walking onto campus and the gossip started. They had some respect for us, but we were still in enemy territory to them.
Melody noticed us walking in then began twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "Look at him...walking like he owns this place."
Onyx watched me then glared. "Tch...With the ego he has why wouldn't he. Wish someone knocked him down a size or two."
Sora side eyed Onyx with Feline. "All you do is complain, Mr. Onyx! You need to be nicer!"
Onyx glanced at Sora and she immediately cowered and slid away from him. He huffed and crossed his arms. "He doesn't deserve that power..."
Melody looked at Onyx, getting a cold feeling from him then sighed and looked down at her phone. "You can still back down from this.."
"I'm not backing down." Onyx said.
As we were walking toward the academy building, a woman walked outside in a white and red qipao. Her beautiful white hair gracefully flowed behind her as she walked. She stood in front of my path, stopping me.
I looked at the woman and placed my hands in my jacket pockets. "Uhm...can I help you?"
"You are August Eyica correct? Leo Zodiac Knight?" The woman asked.
"Yes I am. Who's asking?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"I am Liao Ru, I teach Martial Arts for this academy... specifically Wu Xing. I was told by Nagini that you are under our care. I would like to test your skills to really see if you're ready." Liao Ru said.
"Whoa. Uhm... Let's take a couple steps back now." I said then looked around. "You're an Infinity Council member correct?"
"I am." Liao Ru nodded.
"I think she's a little...coo coo...from the ancient war..." April whispered to me.
"April..!" Sephora said.
Liao Ru smirked as she heard what April said. "I find your comment funny. Yeah I might seem a little crazy for wanting to fight an 18 year old young man, but something about his data. Something about him..."
I looked at Liao Ru then closed my eyes, placing a hand on my hip. "Alright. Since you're that interested in me."
"Honey, wait a second. You're not actually thinking about fighting her are you?" Sephora asked.
'Maybe I'll learn something...I don't know what it is, but I also feel some connection to her the same with Nagini..' I said to Sephora.
"Give us some room." I said then fixed my jacket.
April, Nina, and Lily backed away, giving me and Liao Ru space to spar in. It was early in the morning, so the sun was shining brightly, boosting my power greatly.
Liao Ru stood tall and got into her stance, placing a hand behind her back. Her eyes were filled with determination and concentration. 'From that data...he is no normal warrior. I am a bit weakened, so I'll need to actually try..'
I released my Leo Energy and a fiery energy pulsated around my body. I got down into a crouching start then smirked. I dashed toward Liao Ru at blazing speeds. As I lunged forward for a swift strike, Liao Ru parried my strike, countering with a powerful chop to my side. She kicked me back then raised her arms, trapping my legs and arms in stones.
"Whoa, they're actually fighting.." Sennie said in shock.
Amunet watched from the shadows and rose her eyebrow. "Why is she fighting August..?"
I looked at my legs and arms then chuckled. "You think you've got me trapped?"
I roared and used my aura to break out of the stones then launched multiple fireballs at Liao Ru. Liao Ru immediately took defensive stances, redirecting my fireballs back toward me. I looked surprised then grunted as the fireballs made contact, exploding upon impact.
"August!" April called out, worriedly.
I growled and uncovered my left eye, my sigil shining brightly. Liao Ru sensed hidden attacks then gracefully dodged my Future Clones. Her elegant footwork caught the eyes of those who watched out battle, her awareness was beyond anything I could comprehend.
"August, don't overuse your Yaoke. Remember that power causes great strain on your body." Sephora said to me.
Liao Ru watched me closely then closed her eyes. 'Illusionary Clones...That Sigil in his eye. What was that..?'
I looked at Liao Ru then stomped my foot down. "Alright, let's get serious!"
I roared and transformed into my Zodiac Drive then dashed forward toward Liao Ru. I rapidly threw swift attacks out, but each strike I threw was met with either a dodge or a parry. I roared and went for a fire infused strike, but Liao Ru absorbed my flames then grabbed my wrist.
"Wu Xing Water Style..." Liao Ru said then swiftly transitioned to the element of water. "Torrent Dragon Burst."
Liao Ru released a blast of water in the shape of a Chinese Dragon, sending me crashing into a wall. I fell to the ground and grunted in pain. I panted softly and heard Darkness's laughter.
"Come on now, August...This is Liao Ru, not that cheating snake Nagini. Are you really going to let someone like her defeat you..?" Darkness's voice whispered in my mind, his whispers clouding my mind.
I grunted and held my head then growled shaking my head. 'I'm not letting you take over my mind!'
I grunted as I held the left side of my chest, noticing the Demonic Seal shining. "Mama..." I whispered.
Sephora noticed my seal glowing as well and noticed I was being targeted by an ability. "Abyssal Influence...Darkness is that close to us..?!"
Darkness taunted me in my mind then grunted as he noticed the black clouds clouding my mind being purified into white clouds. "Heh...Sephora. Cetus warned me and my forces about your arrival."
Sephora appeared in my mind before Darkness, noticing her Completness Clouds weren't strong enough to fully purify my mind from Darkness and his Nothingness. "Hmph...you have a strong grip over my baby boy. That won't last long...Balor."
Darkness grunted as Sephora used her white clouds to wrap around him, shattering his Astral Clone. Sephora sighed and closed her eyes.
I opened my eyes and finally caught my breath. I noticed my Demonic Seal wasn't glowing anymore. I looked around and noticed April, Lily, and Nina around me, checking on me.
"I've temporarily saved you from his Influence. Because I'm not at my full power, I wasn't able to fully get rid of his presence..." Sephora said.
I nodded and stood up, taking a deep breath. "Sorry for worrying you all...Liao Ru surely is strong.."
April smiled at me and gently held my arm. "Glad you are okay, you had us worried.."
Liao Ru watched me and looked at her watch. "Did you get enough data? I tried to give him as much time to go all out before defeating him."
Rose watched from her window on the top floor of the academy window and smiled. "It's good enough, I really just wanted more data on that Sigil in his eyes. Also did you catch that glowing on his chest?"
"I did. Nagini's suspicions are probably true...August may not be from Earth.." Liao Ru said and looked at me. "But...he does wield our Earthly Power and he can help Exzodia City in stopping The Fallen."
"I want you to help me teach them. I'll help them awaken more of their Zodiac Power and Abilities, while you help them unlock their potential. Teach August the Ways of the Flame, Ms. Ruler of Phlogiston." Rose chuckled and looked at her laptop.
Liao Ru smiled as Rose called her a name she hadn't heard in centuries. "Alright. I'll teach them."
"Good...Now you have some explaining to do~ Good luck~" Rose chuckled.
"Wha—" Liao Ru said then heard her name being yelled out by Annalise then turned toward her.
"Ms. Liao Ru! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Annalise fussed as she stomped toward Liao Ru.
"Wait— I—" Liao Ru said, backing away from Annalise.
"Krrtzz...Don't you dare throw me under the bus, I have all your weaknesses." Rose said through her watch.
"Oh so you WERE in on this as well Rose?! Did you forget we share the same channel?!" Annalise yelled at her watch.
Rose stayed a bit silent. "I would like to humbly apologize—"
"Both of you my office. You already know what's about to happen." Annalise said then gave a devious smirk.
"Domain Creation: Duality Punishment," Both Rose and Liao Ru sighed.
"Good glad you both know." Annalise chuckled then looked over at me. "August, dear! Come with me as well!~ The others come too! I have a lot I wanna discuss with you all!~"
We looked at Annalise then gave each other side eyes.
"She's definitely worse than Vinson." I said.
"Hell yeah." Nina nodded.
"Mhm! Don't wanna get on her bad side!" Lily nodded.
"We're coming on the double, Ms. Annalise!~" April said and quickly followed behind Annalise like an obedient child.
Melody watched us and smiled. "Can't believe he actually held his own against The Liao Ru..."
"It was barely five minutes." Onyx said.
Melody, Fizz, and Sora sighed as Onyx made his comment.
Taurus watched from a distance then walked off then grunted as Leona pounced on her, putting a bag over her head. Rama, Harmony, and Imogen quickly put Taurus in the car and Leona swiftly got in and drove off.
"No way we just did that in broad daylight!" Imogen said. "Heavenly Father Aegis, I apologize for this deceitful and demonic action! I promise you I hold no affiliation with Underworld Ruler Hades!"
"Quit your complaining! Besides this is for a good cause, right Harmony?" Leona asked.
"Yes. That is what the dark side of me is saying. Leona we just kidnapped someone in broad daylight is what my light side is saying. You see I'm no Gemini, so I gotta say I'm neutral in this." Harmony said.
"I say we are doing a good thing!" Rama said and grunted as Leona was driving off road to an old warehouse where Ishara was.
"If we ever go on missions like this again, can we do it at night?!" Imogen yelled. "And I'm still hungry, we never went out!"
"We'll go out after we interrogate Taurus! If I'm right, the real Taurus should still be with Heifer, VI, and Mina." Leona said.