As I was enjoying the advantage Silvia was giving me, a guy stood in front of me on his way to retreat.
'You picked a bad time to get in my way.'
unfortunately for him, I was stronger than ever. The most powerful engine of the art I practice is lust... I mean, the power of friendship... yes the power of friendship which is even much more effective than mana causing my speed to suddenly increase along with my strength. I felt more powerful than ever.
Maybe the guy in front of me was as strong as the other leaders I faced before since he caught up to us faster, but that meant nothing to me right now.
baammm!!
"what?...eh?...what hap...pened?!!"
I threw a punch that he couldn't even react to, activating the protection and leaving it uincredulo.
"Take that, you bastard!!. Taste the power of friendship!!," I shouted as I conveyed the meaning of friendship. not because I was excited at the time.
If it was power of friendship and not something as primal as lust that made me stronger, that feeling in my back had to be Silvia's feelings supporting me... yes, that's it (for some reason he denies reality).
I enjoyed the feeling on my back, as an extra benefit and without any lust involved.
I didn't know what principle this art is based on to feed on the power of friendship (lust), but it makes me more powerful than when I use mana and I don't get tired easily as long as I have friendship, it's like a supply of adrenaline with no side effects.
It's like a code of tricks that gives me a kind of infinite energy as long as I have lu...I say friendship , although it seems like a cheating quality of this art, it has an obvious disadvantage.
I have to keep feeling the friendship even when I fight, and being honest it's not as easy as it is now, when I'm holding Silvia.
Imagination doesn't stimulate enough and rarely would it honestly serve me in a life and death combat unless I find a solution.
and well, it only replaces mana and Elemental mana when I use the art of lust and it's not useful to cast echisos or anything like that, at least not for now.
..
I continued running and with my new advantage I caught up with the rest quickly.
William's glow was helpful in keeping spells from being aimed at us and allowed us to escape more easily, though it was still annoying even for us.
After running for a few minutes, we left the swampy area and arrived at a wooded area, I realized that we were able to escape their grasp, but to be on the safe side, I found a spot that was a thicket and told the group to hide.
"Haah...ahhhaaa,"
I concentrated on escaping and finding a good place to hide honestly I could defeat them all the pursuers, but this is not an examination of strength so I just ran.
"Haaa, how is everyone?" when I asked, I saw that everyone was fine and they answered in the affirmative while looking at me, even the previously knocked out Mike was fine.... I think, wait! there's one missing when I thought the numbers didn't add up.
'did we lose someone?'
"Chris, how's Silvia?" I remembered I had Silvia on my shoulder.
'oh! No!'
"S-sorry, can you put me down?"
"Oh, sorry." I was so agitated that I didn't realize I was still holding Silvia on my shoulder, plus she's conscious now.
'Since when' I couldn't help but think.
On the other hand, her butt was pointing towards the others and those bastards who didn't say a word until now were looking in her direction as if they were seriously judging something.
Only William asked me if I was okay after I checked Mike, and cast light healing spells on him.
'Traitors, speak up, why did you just stand there watching? And didn't you remind me that I was holding Silvia what if I inadvertently gained points, if a yandere chases me I'll hire some to follow you bastards'.
I looked at the only other woman to see why she didn't warn me and I noticed that teresa was looking at her boyfriend with piercing eyes as if she was waiting for the right moment to kill him 'serves you right you fucker'.
I prayed for the poor soul of that fallen soldier and which death was not far away which relieved my anger towards him.
on the other hand I turned my attention to the rest who had no consequences for their actions and think how I would make them pay.
but well I don't blame them I too would stare at a big voluptuous ass heading in my direction, even with the robes you could see its outline clearly and it left almost nothing to the imagination it was meaty and ....
' Wait, the power is coming back to me.' When I noticed that, for some reason, the power of friendship (lust) was coming back to buff me, I stopped my thinking and went back to reflecting on how great friendship was.
And as Silvia, who is a potential yandere, is perfect for that dense guy with possible future mental problems. Without a doubt, they are a perfect match.
When I put Silvia down, who had a red face that I decided to ignore, I saw how William gave her first aid, even though she wasn't that physically hurt.
'That, champ, scores points. I'll be rooting for you,' look with pride at William's actions.
Well, that aside, I had to figure out our next moves.
"Well, now we have nine flags. There's only one left and we can hide until the time is up."
Only one flag was missing. I had five and had given one to William. Silvia had the rest of the first group, so only one left to get.
I looked at the rest and they were thinking about what to do when Silvia approached me.
For a moment I was scared if she had inadvertently fallen in love with my heroics or my manly shoulders, but to my relief it was only something else, she said in a low, trembling voice:
"~I lost my flags."
she looked very sad and regretful, threatening to start crying at any moment as he told me the facts.
..
Apparently at some point they fell off. She does not know when, since she lost consciousness.
'It was because I carried her like a sack of potatoes?.' At the time I kind of regretted doing it that way. Or maybe he just dropped them when he blocked the attack.
Now we only had six flags and only an hour left. I had given them to Silvia and planned to give them all to her because she always stayed in the rear and I was sure I could keep her from being attacked, but it seems I was too arrogant.
Now the rest of the group was looking gloomily at our situation, besides thinking that possibly one of them would be eliminated, but it was no time to think like that, we needed encouragement.
'As a leader, I cannot let my Dynamite team fall into depreciation'.
but I had the perfect tool for this moment, I gave a subtle kick to William, who then looked at me without understanding why I kicked him.
'Don't look at me like that, you idiot. Say your thing, inspire us like the good generic protagonist you are.'
At that moment, Silvia, who was sorry for what happened and understanding my intentions, approached William and whispered to him with a red face as if she was ashamed to approach.
'Oh, now that I remember, it's true that they knew each other before, from entering, she probably already has feelings for william. I needn't fear that my charms might inadvertently strike her'.
Supporting silvi-will's relationship and also thankful of her quick actions despite everything that happened, 'That's why you're reliable, Silvia.'
Perhaps reading my compliments she looked at me and blushed even more.'Oh no, my charm is too much. I must be careful.'
It's the sin of being so charming (person with altered reality), but she's still very cute. 'no!, remember, she's just a friend, she's just a friend,' I repeated myself in case she might misunderstand me with her ability.
Then William, who received my message through Silvia, he looked at me, to which I nodded and he began to speak in a loud and inspiring voice that came naturally to him:
"Come on, we can't lose heart now! This is the moment that will define whether we take that next step toward the path of true power.
We still have an hour left, and that's more than enough to prove we belong in that academy.
We've trained for this, we've sacrificed for this, and now it's time to show why we deserve it.
Each one of us has fought through countless challenges to stand here.
Whether it's the dream of becoming the strongest knight, the most powerful mage, or carving out our own unique path, none of that means anything if we give up now.
Think about what brought you here. Your family, your ambition, your vision of the future – this is our chance to rise, to make our mark.
This test isn't just about passing. It's about showing that we have what it takes to shape our own destinies.
We didn't come all this way to quit. Even if the odds are stacked against us, we'll fight with everything we've got, because this is the start of something bigger.
So, let's give it our all and walk out of here knowing we gave everything for the future we believe in. Let's make it happen!"
As I thought, from the guy who looks like a protagonist his speech was perfect. I saw how he stoked the flame in some as he inspired them.
Even I was inspired by it. I imagined myself surrounded by beauties and I couldn't help but want to get through this quickly to fulfill my dream, I need to go forward even if I fail...'no, I will not fail and I will continue forward for my past, future and alternate self I will be the best version of me.'
"Let's go!!! there for our DREAM!!!"
I shout with vigor and fire burning in my soul, anxious to show what I am made of. ᕦ(ò_ó^)ᕤ
"""FOR OUR DREAM"""(x9)
with flames a in our eyes we went searching in what will become stepping stones of our dreams.