As she scrutinized Travis's intense aura, a shiver ran down her spine. The deep crimson seemed to carry a subtle undercurrent, a faint but unmistakable hint of killing intent that radiated unconsciously. This revelation explained the unease that had prompted the surrounding students to withdraw.
Travis's aura, like a double-edged sword, exuded a mixture of power and latent threat, creating an atmosphere that left no room for casual presence. The students, sensing this unspoken force, felt a primal instinct to retreat, an involuntary acknowledgment of the potential danger concealed within the depths of Travis's formidable energy.
She couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling that accompanied this realization. It was as if she had glimpsed a side of Travis that transcended the ordinary, a force that demanded both respect and caution. The unspoken killing intent, though subconscious, lingered in the air, leaving an indelible mark on her perception of the enigmatic figure before her.
*This is quite peculiar,* she thought.
Yet, despite the unsettling revelation, a mischievous smirk played on her lips. The thrill of encountering such intensity, the blend of power and danger within Travis's aura, sparked excitement within her. The enigma surrounding him only fueled her curiosity, and rather than succumbing to fear, she found herself drawn to the electrifying energy he unknowingly emitted.
"Alright, stop! I think I've seen enough. You all quit too early, except for Travis. Let's do something else— a game," she said.
The students moved forward the moment she finished speaking, their initial discomfort replaced by newfound confidence. Travis observed this shift with curiosity, wondering what had prompted their change in demeanor.
"Let's show him!"
"He thinks just because he can release his aura better than us he's something special!"
"Yeah!"
Travis sighed, noticing a guy who seemed uninterested in the commotion around him. He then walked forward to listen to what Ms. Martinez had to say. Unbeknownst to him, the disinterested student from earlier began to smirk and subtly raised his hand, whispering "Transmit."
Ms. Martinez continued, "The game is Tag, but not your usual kind. Each of you will have a band worth $10. With 26 of you in this class, the winner will collect $260. Here are the rules:
**Rule number 1:** Everyone is It and Everyone is Not It.
**Rule number 2:** If you tag someone, they must give up their band.
**Rule number 3:** When tagged, you must be at least 6 meters away before you can tag the person who tagged you.
**Rule number 4:** If you lose your band, you have 1/5 minutes to retrieve it from the person who took it or you are out.
**Rule number 5:** Forming groups is/not allowed.
**Rule number 6:** At any point, players can declare a "money duel" where they challenge someone for their band. During a money duel, no one else may interfere.
**Rule number 7:** The game will last for one hour. At the end of the hour, the person with the most bands wins.
Now, let's get started. This location will make it easier for you all, so let's move to another area," Ms. Martinez said.
As the students prepared to follow her, excitement and competitive energy buzzed through the room.
They were soon inside a forest, a section of school property used for expeditions and tournaments.
"Alright, the hour starts now. Begin!"
At that signal, everyone scattered. Travis, still feeling weak, strolled into the forest while whistling carelessly.
'He must not plan on participating in this challenge,' Mrs. Martinez thought, ' Well, that doesn't matter. It's not like this will decide whether someone stays in this class or not.'
As Travis ventured deeper into the dense forest, the persistent sounds of nature grated on his nerves, amplifying his annoyance. The lush surroundings overwhelmed his senses, making the experience disconcerting as if his perceptions were tangled and clogged amid the vibrant chaos of nature.
'Let me try to cancel out all the other sounds, ' he thought.
In a focused attempt to silence the surrounding noise, Travis closed his ears and skillfully channeled his internal energy to dampen the sounds. Unbeknownst to him, this vibrant energy manipulation attracted the attention of an elusive observer concealed high in the branches of a massive tree. Silently perched above, the watchful figure observed Travis's every move, intrigued by the display of mystical prowess amidst the forest's secrecy.
' With my spring ability, I can jump down and tag him without him even knowing, i just need to time it perfectly '
As he crouched on the tree branch, the leaves rustled beneath his weight, adding a layer of suspense to the stealthy maneuver. The distant sounds of the surroundings heightened his focus, and he meticulously gauged the perfect moment to unleash his sprint ability and surprise his target below.
This was Hector, he awakened the Ability Spring, which is a body type ability. The Spring ability grants its users an extraordinary burst of agility and vertical prowess. Upon activation, individuals experience a surge of kinetic energy, allowing them to execute remarkably precise and powerful jumps. This ability not only enhances the user's leaping capacity but also enables them to control the intensity, ensuring a controlled descent when needed. It's as if the very essence of spring is harnessed, propelling the user with grace and speed.
Gradually, as Travis honed his internal energy control, the inconsequential noises in the forest faded away. The silence enveloped him until only the rhythmic cadence of his own heartbeat and the whispers of his thoughts remained audible. Sharpening his ear senses to an extraordinary level, he detected the faintest sounds that eluded ordinary human perception.
Suddenly, amidst the hush, the subtle heartbeat of the concealed observer resonated in Travis's ears. Swiftly opening his eyes, he locked onto the source with an unwavering gaze, catching the spy off guard as he confronted the intruder with a piercing stare.
' Oh my first target' he thought.
TO BE CONTINUED