Lyra skidded back with a frown on her face as she gazed at her fist. The collision left her hand numb and sent her retreating, while Sol was mostly unfazed by the class.
In terms of strength, she was meant to be stronger, yet she was struggling against him.
'If he was really this capable, how did the weak assassin sent to end him in the academy hurt him in the first place?' Lyra frowned deeply
As a blood relative of the Firefox queen, she had a better understanding of the situation than other fox spirits who were merely following orders. She knew Sol was the child of the nether Lord, which practically made him a being of a higher race, but she didn't anticipate the benefits he gained from this to be so overwhelming.
Putting what happened so far into consideration, she concluded that the first assassin must have hurt Sol because that was his first time engaging in a real combat with his awakened ability and that was the only reason why she was able to harm him.
'He is a fast learner...' she concluded with a bitter smile.
With her powers now, it was clear she would not win this fight and if she wasted too much time, guards would deal with her comrades and get to her. Also, because old man Chamberlain wasn't present now didn't mean he wouldn't return.
She had to kill Sol Fast.
"I apologize, young master Sol, but I can't afford to hold back anymore." Lyra said as she pulled out a mask.
Ding!
[Tier 3 Firefox tribe heirloom detected!]
[Warning, host must be careful against the foe!]
[New mission acquired!]
[Keep Lyra of the Firefox tribe occupied until Chamberlain arrives, then take the Emberfox mask for yourself!]
[Time left: 19:59]
[Reward: 300 exp]
[Bonus mission: Defeat Lyra of the Firefox tribe and claim the Emberfox mask for yourself!]
[Reward: 600 exp]
The sudden barrage of messages from the system, caught Sol's attention, leaving him shocked by the reward it offered. The system had always been stingy, but right now it wasn't even trying to mask its greed, and this made Sol believe this mask was something truly special.
As she put the mask on her face, Sol looked at the Emberfox Mask. It was crafted from sleek ebony wood, adorned with designs that seemed to dance with flames of crimson and gold. The mask is shaped like a fox's visage and along the edges of the mask, patterns of swirling flames are etched into the wood.
Buzz!
As soon as Lyra put on the mask, her aura changed drastically, turning fierce as her strength soared to another level. Illusionary gold flames surged around her, burning brightly like pillars of fire reaching the ceiling, but it wasn't real. While Sol could feel the heat, there was nothing burning, and the ceiling didn't get charred by the heat.
After his first encounter with the fox spirit in the academy, he started taking note of small details, since he knew that was the only way to differentiate an illusion from reality.
Her clothes fluttered in the chaos as a fourth tail unfolded from nowhere, shocking Sol, but he didn't get the chance to react to this.
"Ren: Flow!" Lyra hissed.
Buzz!
Red flames exploded from her feet, propelling her toward Sol like a rocket, and she crossed the distance between them in mere seconds.
Hak!
Booom!
A powerful red flame explosion erupted, causing the entire corridor to tremble under its power while Sol was sent flying back, with his scorched arms raised over his face, but his visage remained calm as he pondered on what happened now.
Ren, the second-tier power, embodied the essence of flow. It bestowed upon practitioners the ability to channel their manifested power through specific parts of their body, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of its utilization.
Just like how Lyra channeled the power of her fire through her feet alone to improve her mobility, this power can be utilized in so many ways to give its users an advantage.
'To use this, that mask must have elevated her strength to the second tier!' Sol frowned as he remembered the appearance of the fourth tail.
Swoosh!
Sol's eyes dilated with shock as Lyra appeared by the side, her hand reaching for his face.
"BITCH!" Sol growled as he threw his hands at her fearlessly.
"Hak!" Both sides screamed at the top of their voices.
BOOM!
Sol hurled into his room like a rag doll tossed aside by its owner, thick black smoke diffusing from his body.
"Gah!' Sol groaned as he coughed up a mouthful of blood
"Die for me, YOUNG MASTER!" Lyra growled as she shot into the room, fierce red flames blazing around her palms.
Hak!
Sol's palms lit up fiercely as an explosion erupted, propelling him towards the ceiling, while Lyra crashed into his previous location.
"Little master, struggling is futile!" Lyra hissed as she jumped towards Sol.
"I didn't ask for your fucking opinion!" Sol growled as sparks erupted from his palms before he kicked the ceiling, propelling himself to meet her head-on.
HAAKKKKK!
BOOM!
Sol's body hurled out of the room, smashing into the sturdy railings of the veranda.
Blegh!
Sol spat out a mouthful of blood, his body shivering as he spat out more blood. His body was stained black, bruises and cuts visible, while his hands shook. He had overexerted himself just to match her power, but he was still getting overwhelmed.
"The difference between the first and second tiers is not something you can overcome with sheer power, Young Master Sol." Lyra sneered as she walked into the room.
"Hehehehe! What are you willing to bet?" Sol laughed between coughs as he struggled to get to his feet.
Lyra did not attempt to stop him since she believed the fight was as good as over, but his words caused her to frown.
"With all due respect, Young Master Sol, you are in no condition to make bets with me!" Lyra snarled, her eyes burning brightly within the mask.