She pulled out the student list and read the names aloud: "Jennifer, Sam, Adam, Tom, and finally, Jessica."
Four of them stepped forward, but it was clear that one student was missing. After a brief moment of thought, Emily calmly said, "Alright, Alex Müller, step forward, please."
The other students began exchanging mocking glances, and soon laughter and taunts echoed among them. One of them shouted, "So, out of everyone, she picked that one!"
Alex, who had been quietly observing the scene, felt an overwhelming pressure building up. His desire to prove himself now came with the added challenge of facing ridicule. The laughter only heightened his tension.
Emily silenced the students with a stern look, raising her hand to command quiet. She then spoke to Alex softly, "Pay no attention to what they said, and go warm up now. There's no need to be anxious; it's just a friendly match."
Alex nodded gratefully and made his way to the warm-up area, though the sneers from the other group persisted. The second division students began preparing for the match, each of them eager to demonstrate their abilities.
As the matches unfolded, the opposing group clearly treated Alex's teammates with a sense of superiority. They had no hesitation in fully displaying their powers, often exceeding what was necessary for a friendly duel. Each loss was met with bitter laughter, and the constant mocking from the other group only amplified the humiliation of Alex's peers. Their demeaning glances and sarcastic remarks worsened the morale of Alex's team.
One student from the opposing group quipped, "I think we're having more fun than we expected. Is this really their best?" Another chimed in with a smirk, "Maybe this is what sets the second division apart from the third."
Alex's teammates were visibly struggling. Defeat after defeat left them broken, their expressions filled with frustration. Each loss drained their spirit, and their hurried gestures and uncertain movements reflected their growing anxiety.
Watching all of this, Alex felt a wave of pressure surging through his nerves. Every victory for the other team added another layer of stress to his bones. He knew he had to face the challenge on his own, at a time when his teammates were already mentally shattered.
When Professor Emily finally called Alex's name, he cautiously approached the ring. His heart was racing, and his mind was flooded with a growing sense of tension. As he stepped into the arena, it didn't take long for his opponent to appear.
Matthew, a student from the opposing group, wielded the power of electricity. His height and physique reflected his strength, and his eyes glowed with the electric charges dancing between his hands. Matthew smirked as he sized up Alex from head to toe.
"Oh, look at this, we've got someone with random abilities. Are you going to make this exciting for us today?" Matthew sneered, raising his hand as electricity flickered around it. "You look like you need a lot of training. I suppose I'll be the one to guide you properly."
Laughing, Matthew added, "Are you ready for a real show, Mr. Random?" His voice dripped with contempt as he gestured towards Alex, treating him like a joke in this duel.
Every word from Matthew chipped away at Alex's confidence, adding to his growing tension. Alex tried to focus on his strategy and the techniques he had learned, but the mounting fear gnawed at him, making it hard to push past the taunts. The whispers of the other students only worsened the psychological pressure Alex felt as he stood on the edge of anxiety and fear.
When the match began, Matthew charged at Alex with full force. In mere seconds, he unleashed a barrage of powerful electric currents toward Alex. The electric jolts danced around Alex, causing him pain and fear with every strike.
Each bolt of electricity fueled Matthew's mockery, who continued to taunt Alex relentlessly. "Is that all you've got?" Matthew shouted as sparks flew around Alex. "I thought you'd put on a better show. But it looks like you're just a joke!"
Matthew's next words stung even deeper: "You know, Alex? I've heard your story. Your parents were lucky to die before they saw what you've turned into!" The sound of Matthew's words hit Alex like electric shocks, piercing beyond physical pain. Alex couldn't respond verbally, but his anger began to boil beneath the surface.
His emotions froze, preparing for a storm to erupt within. Each cruel word from Matthew added fuel to the growing fury inside Alex, turning him into a quiet storm waiting to explode. He didn't need to shout back; his gaze alone reflected the volcanic rage building inside him.
"Honestly, they deserved to die because they gave birth to someone as useless as you!" Matthew continued, laughing derisively. "They left nothing but human trash behind! Wouldn't it be better if you were dead like them?"
Matthew's cruel words struck Alex like a hammer, triggering a deep emotional wound that surpassed the physical pain of the electric shocks. Anger surged through Alex at an alarming rate, but he maintained his outward calmness, like a ticking time bomb waiting for the right moment to explode.
"And you know what? They can rot in hell!" Matthew added, grinning wickedly. And with those final words, the countdown to Alex's explosion began.
_____
When Alex's fury materialized into flames, the arena transformed into the stage for a different kind of crime. Alex moved with lightning speed, as if the ground itself shifted beneath his feet with every step. His vision blurred by anger, he lunged forward, delivering a series of rapid punches to Matthew, blows no one saw coming, like violent storms erupting from all directions.
Each punch was charged with a torrent of pent-up rage, as if Alex was unleashing every buried emotion within him directly at Matthew. Punch after punch, the force of each one multiplied by years of pain and frustration. Alex's strikes were merciless, aimed at brutally injuring Matthew. His guts trembled under each hit, and his blood splattered across the arena, staining the ground in crimson hues and leaving bloodied marks all over the ring.
Everyone found themselves witnessing a bloody battle that far exceeded the boundaries of friendly matches. Alex's punches flew faster than the eye could follow, each movement like an exploding storm. The tension in the air was electric, and every spectator was caught in a terrifying silence, watching a brutal conflict escalate to unprecedented levels.
Though Alex unleashed an unimaginable fury on Matthew, the fight was far from over. Alex had completely lost control, with every strike and move signaling his relentless drive to demonstrate his true, unbounded strength. With each punch, he pushed beyond human limits, transforming into an unstoppable force of vengeance.
As Alex lost control, his facial expressions changed dramatically. His eyes were shrouded in darkness, filled with an uncontrollable madness. His pupils widened unnaturally, as though they had lost the ability to focus, darting erratically. His face contorted in a mix of wild rage and spasms, his mouth twisted unnervingly, making him appear like a bloodthirsty monster.
Alex's messy brown hair fell randomly around his face, as if he no longer had the time to fix it. Sweat poured down his forehead, streaming across his face and dripping downward. His lips trembled, and every word he spoke came out in a deep, violent tone, reflecting a rage that could no longer be hidden. His facial muscles were unnaturally tense, as though each one was suffering from rapid spasms.
As Alex continued to crush Matthew under the weight of his wrath, the intensity of the fight reached unexpected levels. His punches weren't enough to satisfy his thirst for revenge, and each moment heightened his tension. But amidst this savage onslaught, something unexpected occurred.
The tattoos on Alex's arm began to glow a dark brown before shifting into a deep, pulsating violet. The glow emanated from the tattoo as if signaling the onset of something extraordinary. With each flash, energy surged through Alex, amplifying his strength and giving him a sense of power he had never felt before.
Alex took a deep breath, and the features of his face began to change visibly. Anger was no longer his dominant emotion; it had been replaced by a deep focus and exceptional control over his abilities. He now had the ability to manipulate probabilities directly, making him more dangerous than ever. He moved his hands with increasing speed, and new powers fused with his fighting style.
Matthew, who had not expected such a transformation, felt fear creep into his core. Alex's movements accelerated, shifting the battle's momentum with his mastery over his newfound powers. With every move, the situation spiraled out of Matthew's control, and the fight became a direct manifestation of Alex's dominance.
Matthew collapsed to the ground, utterly defeated, his body sprawled like a broken doll. His clothes were torn, his body covered in bruises and scars from the vicious assault he had endured. His face was pale, and his eyes were unnaturally shut. His breath was shallow, and he seemed unable to move, his bones under extreme pressure from the brutal strikes. Blood pooled around him, forming small puddles on the ground.
Alex, his chest heaving with volcanic fury, felt his heart turn into a molten core of rage. With a mix of power and determination, he slowly approached Matthew, each step shaking the ground beneath him. The violet glow on his arm burned brighter, adding a menacing aura to his appearance.
When Alex reached Matthew, he cast a deadly gaze upon him, his eyes burning with anger and pain. With one hand, he lifted Matthew's limp body, causing him more agony with every movement. It was as if every action was an expression of the deep suffering Alex had endured.
He grabbed Matthew by his clothes and pulled his head level with his own. In a deep, furious voice, he shouted, "You were nothing but an insect to me, but you crossed the line. Today, you will pay for every filthy word you said about my parents. I will make sure you understand the true meaning of pain!"
With a single, devastating punch to Matthew's face, Alex sent him flying backward, his head crashing violently into the ground. Matthew screamed in agony, but Alex didn't stop. He was determined to make Matthew feel every bit of his suffering, to ensure he experienced every punch and every ounce of pain, just as Alex had felt.
The entire crowd in the stands remained in shocked silence, watching with a mixture of fear and awe. There was no doubt that Alex had changed the course of the fight dramatically, raising the level of violence to an unimaginable extreme.
As Alex continued his brutal assault on Matthew, a bright notification appeared before him. The message was surrounded by violet lights, glowing with an unusual intensity, and written in clear, bold letters:
"Limited Legacy Transfer activated."
The details that followed were even clearer:
**Limited Legacy Transfer:**
- **Ability:** Transfer or merge certain abilities from defeated individuals.
- **Limitations:** Abilities are activated for a limited time and restricted to minor enhancements.
- **The ability automatically activates when the opponent reaches a critical state.**
Suddenly, a strange sensation swept over Alex, as if electricity surged through his body, and a new power flowed into him. In that same instant, Matthew's abilities began to transfer to Alex, dancing on the edge of his consciousness.
As Alex maintained his dominance over Matthew, the changes became clear. The violet glow on his arm intensified, and with it, his punches grew even stronger. Just as Alex raised his hand to finish off the now-unconscious Matthew, an immense icy force erupted from the edge of the arena, forming a massive wall that blocked Alex's strike. The freezing air spread through the space, covering Alex's hands in frost, freezing him in place.
All eyes turned toward the source of the icy power, where Professor Emily had appeared, swiftly approaching Alex. Her eyes blazed with both anger and concern. Her face was taut, and her voice rang out sharply, carrying a tone of strict authority: "Stop now! You've gone way too far! Do you want to kill him?!"
Emily reached Alex, her eyes flashing with anger and worry. As she took in Alex's state, her expression visibly shifted in shock. Alex was staring at the ground, his eyes brimming with tears, his cheeks wet from the steady stream. His gaze was filled with deep regret.
Having just realized the gravity of his actions, Alex stared down at the floor, seemingly unable to comprehend what he had done. His breathing was rapid, and his hand, still suspended in the air, trembled. In a broken voice, he whispered, "I... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry... I didn't want to hurt him like this. I... I couldn't control myself."
His eyes were full of sorrow, as if every ounce of rage toward Matthew had shattered into tiny pieces. Alex tried to lift his head, but the guilt weighed too heavily on him. "I didn't mean to kill anyone... but... I just couldn't control myself."
Emily's expression softened, but she still couldn't hide her frustration. "Alex... Matthew could be dead right now."
While Alex was drowning in his guilt, Emily looked at him sternly. "I think it's best for you to go home now. You need to reflect and address this behavior, Alex. The university is not a place for you if you can't control your anger."
Her voice was firm, but there was a touch of sympathy in it. "Go and rest. Think about how you're going to handle your anger and your abilities. Unfortunately, we can't allow you to stay here in this state. Please, return when you're ready..."
In a voice laced with pain, Alex responded, "I'm sorry... I'll leave." As Alex began to walk away from the arena, the other students started murmuring. "How can you just let him go like that? It was clear he did this on purpose!" one of them said, while another added, "Look at Matthew, just look at the state he's in! How can he get off without any punishment?"
Alex froze in place, his eyes downcast, tears threatening to spill once more.
But Emily silenced them all with a sharp command. "Enough!" she called out loudly, her eyes piercing through the crowd. "Alex is not the only one at fault here. Matthew is to blame too. If he hadn't provoked him, we wouldn't be in this situation."
She gestured toward Matthew, who was lying on the ground, bruised and bleeding. "Matthew recklessly provoked Alex. He's the reason for all this tension. Go back to your seats and let Alex leave. Things aren't as black and white as they seem."
As the other students exchanged awkward glances, Emily approached the ring and firmly requested, "Some of you, please head to the clinic immediately and take Matthew there. He needs urgent care."
A group of students quickly gathered around, placing Matthew on a stretcher and carrying him off toward the nurse's office. Matthew's condition was severe, and any delay in treatment could worsen his injuries.
As the students left with Matthew, the murmurs died down, and all eyes turned to Emily, who watched over the scene with authority. The tension hung heavy in the air, filled with worry and unease. The students could see the mix of guilt and firmness on Emily's face as she processed the situation. Their emotions ranged from shock to admiration as they observed the unfolding drama.
Emily stood in the center of the ring, turning her attention back to Alex, who was still weighed down by guilt and exhaustion. In a commanding voice, she said, "Go home now, Alex. You have time to reflect on your actions and reassess yourself."
Then, she addressed the rest of the students with a serious tone, "Irresponsible behavior brings about bigger problems than we can imagine. Take time to think about what happened today, and I'll make sure to inform the administration by myself ."
She motioned toward the exit, then added more gently to Alex, "Please, go now. Leave the university for a while, but know that when you return, you'll be better than before. I'll be waiting for your improvement , i hope it's very soon Alex."
To be continued…