Chapter 15
The attack kicked up a cloud of dust and sand, obscuring the training ground in a thick haze. Agung and the others watched with growing concern.
Gabriel, however, remained unfazed. "Well, it seems that's the limit of what he can do," he said, nodding. He knew the gap between ordinary people and geniuses was vast, and had predicted this outcome. He'd hoped Raka might defy expectations, but it seemed he'd overestimated Raka's abilities.
Gabriel's gaze remained distant as if he were completely detached from the scene unfolding before him.
Roger, on the other hand, felt a surge of satisfaction. He saw the dust cloud settling, and a wave of relief washed over him. His previous mistakes, he thought, were finally redeemed.
Everyone's eyes were drawn to the clearing dust, eager to see Raka's condition.
"Cough cough!"
Raka emerged from the dust, his clothes sang and covered in soot. But as the dust settled, everyone saw that he was largely unscathed. A few minor burns, but nothing serious. The attack, as powerful as it seemed, had barely left a mark.
Whispers rippled through the crowd. Could Roger's skill be nothing more than a flashy facade? A paper tiger with a dazzling visual effect but no real bite?
Agung and Raka's friends erupted in cheers, their worries dissolving into relief. The stone that had been weighing on their hearts finally lifted.
Roger's smile, however, faltered. The scene he'd envisioned, of Raka lying defeated, never materialized. Instead, Raka stood, seemingly unharmed, as if the attack had been a mere inconvenience.
The whispers around him stung. He felt humiliated. Raka's relaxed expression, unfazed by the attack, was a constant reminder of his failure.
His blood boiled. He felt a surge of anger, a reckless need to prove himself.
"Can you still withstand that attack?" he roared, his voice laced with fury. "Alright, if one punch doesn't work, I'll hit twice, if two still don't work, I'll hit three times, if it still doesn't work, I'll hit you until you know how great my Virtual Resonance skill is!"
He lunged towards Raka, his fist a blur of motion.
"Virtual Resonance: Collapse Fist!"
The crowd gasped. Raka was outmatched, unable to defend himself. But Roger's attack seemed cruel, unnecessary.
Just as a wave of dread washed over the crowd, a figure materialized before Raka, intercepting Roger's fist. Mrs. Sri.
Roger was thrown back, his attack thwarted. He glared at Mrs. Sri, his red eyes burning with defiance.
"Alright, stop it, Roger," Mrs. Sri said calmly, her voice laced with authority. "This is the first time, and no one is hurt. There's no punishment for you this time. But next time, it won't be so easy. Go back and think about what you've done."
Roger stared at her, disbelief etched on his face. He'd never thought his punch, which he considered powerful, could be so easily blocked.
Mrs. Sri turned her attention back to Raka, checking his condition. Roger, still seething, wanted to argue, but the memory of the attack and Mrs. Sri's strength held him back. He left, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
Agung and his friends exchanged knowing glances, their laughter echoing behind Roger as he stormed off.
Roger ignored them, his face a mask of icy disdain. He walked until he reached the school's health unit, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
He was alone. He finally allowed his arrogance to crumble, his movements becoming sluggish. He carefully examined his stomach.
His eyes widened in horror. A long, deep cut marred his abdomen.
The middle-aged nurse, seeing the wound, shook her head. "What kind of friend do you have?" she lamented. "And your sparring opponent, what a heartless brute! You should tell me who did this, so I can remember them and give them a 'special' treatment next time they come in."
Roger could only offer a sheepish smile. His behavior mirrored the nurse's description perfectly. He felt a wave of shame. He'd lost, not just in strength, but in his own mental fortitude. He'd been defeated from the start.
He sighed, a heavy weight settling on his chest. He needed to double his training, he thought. He wouldn't be so easily humiliated again.
Meanwhile, back in the field, Mrs. Sri examined Raka. He had a few minor scratches, but nothing serious. She was impressed. Her initial assessment of Raka had been high, but now it was even higher.
She nodded, dismissing him.
Raka, finally free from the tense situation, let out a sigh of relief. He'd been in a desperate situation, without any defensive skills to rely on. But in the last seconds, he'd remembered the Banyu Geni and condensed some in front of him as a shield. A desperate gamble, but it had worked. He'd fought fire with fire.
He was grateful for the Banyu Geni, and its unexpected versatility. He now understood why it was called the Treasure of Heaven and Earth.
His friends rushed to his side, their faces etched with concern.
"Are you okay?" they asked, their voices filled with relief.
Raka assured them that he was fine. They bombarded him with questions, but he quickly calmed them down.
Sari, however, remained close. She looked at Raka with a soft smile.
Raka, initially confused, felt a warm, comforting light envelop him. He instinctively tensed, ready to defend himself, but the feeling was too soothing to resist. He relaxed, allowing the light to wash over him.
He opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Sari's. "What was that?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder. "What just happened? Why does it feel so good?"
Sari chuckled. "It's nothing. Just my first Virtual Resonance skill," she said, her voice nonchalant.
Raka was amazed. He thanked Sari, his heart filled with gratitude.
Sari, however, simply shrugged.
Mrs. Sri continued the match. It was now Rangga and Sabiri's turn.
Rangga, his face alight with enthusiasm, strode onto the field with his dog at his side.
The other student, a shy, awkward boy, followed hesitantly. He walked as if he were on his way to his execution.
The crowd watched with amusement.
Mrs. Sri, seeing everyone in place, called for the match to begin.