Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 185: Balance Manipulation

The next day, the instructors’ faculty was bombarded with complaints of several students about being attacked by hooded strangers—possibly Class-C students.

Although the students complained, there were no direct evidences since the security cameras had been tampered with by a mysterious student.

Although the instructors later found out that the mysterious student was Elon from Class-C, he sincerely apologized for his behavior and payed the assigned fine.

When he was asked why he did that, he calmly explained that he was just venting his dissatisfaction at his class’s low scores in the special evaluation.

Although everyone knew it was a crafted plan, they couldn’t do anything to him.

The victims of the strange attacks were merely taken to the medical staffs for treatment. Unsurprisingly, Thyla was among the victims of the strange attacks.

This further confused the instructors, but they decided not to dwell on the matter.

The Special Evaluation was still ongoing.

By nine in the morning, the first-year students were all gathered in the Arena, ready to spectate the matches for today.

Out of the hundred students on the general list, Instructor Natalie had only called up to number forty-two.

Today, she continued from where she stopped.

"Welcome to the continuation of this Special Evaluation, everyone~"

Her voice, always cheerful, spread through the building, and she looked at her tablet with an excited smile.

"Alright. Not to waste our time, our first fighter for today is from Class-D. Austin M’banna!"

The hefty, tan-skinned student rose from his seat, then walked down to the floor of the arena.

He stopped before Class-D’s box, then calmly picked a card from inside. On it, was a fairly popular name.

"Liam Hart."

Hearing his name being called for the second time, Liam was surprised. He immediately stood up, squeezed Kiera’s hand reassuringly, then walked down to the stage.

’Let’s see if I can win this one too.’

The moment he stepped on the ground, the restriction of his limiter was lifted, and he could access his essence flow again.

"Summon your weapons, brave warrior."

Austin spoke, his voice carrying a distinct African accent.

"Alright."

Liam smiled and summoned his armor, then his lance.

Holding the familiar weapon in his grip, he felt a surge of confidence, and a slight resonance with the weapon.

Austin nodded in satisfaction, then summoned a large white ball of metal.

Liam took a good look at it, realizing it was not just a lump of metal. It felt... alive. Like it had its own consciousness.

To everyone’s surprise, the metal ball pulsed, then split. It broke down into segments, wrapping around his fist and gradually enveloping his massive frame.

In just a few seconds, Austin was encased in a white mechanical suit of armor with a helmet, leaving only his eyes exposed through the visor.

At the audience seats, Sebastian combed his hair gently, his eyes lingering on Austin’s armor.

’As expected of those Africans. They’re our only technological rival. This armor...’

Austin summoned a greatsword and rested it on his shoulder.

"This armor is called a living armor—a trademark of my M’banna tribe. It is an honor to use it in a duel with you."

Liam smiled and nodded in return, not knowing what to say.

He simply lowered his body slightly, waiting for the Instructor’s command.

"Finally! Some adorable students that would let me speak."

Grinning, Instructor Natalie made a peace sign with her hand.

"Begin."

Austin and Liam burst into motion, both swinging their weapons at each other.

Clang!

Liam felt his knees buckle as Austin’s strength pressed against him. However, he smoothly changed his block into a deflection, then retreated.

Sizing up Austin again, he held his lance with both hands.

’Should I use my ability now? No, that would be disrespectful.’

They had only just exchanged one move.

Using his ability immediately would only make things complicated and unfair.

’In that case, let’s just test our skills against each other.’

Smiling confidently, he charged at Austin again.

The boy reacted with equal vigor, swinging his greatsword straight at Liam.

The brown-haired boy calmly flipped over the attack, the blade of his lance scratching the greatsword’s surface.

He landed close to Austin, then aimed his lance at the boy’s shoulder.

To his surprise, the white armor shifted, forming several layers of defense on the boy’s shoulder.

When Austin grabbed at him, Liam retreated, leaving only a faint mark on the armor.

’It’s strong. Amazing.’

Smiling faintly, Liam held his lance like a javelin, then threw it straight at Austin.

The dark-skinned boy parried it effortlessly, only for Liam to appear behind the weapon.

Midair, he threw a kick at Austin’s helmet, successfully knocking it sideways.

Before he could land, Austin grabbed his leg and raised him up.

Liam’s eyes widened, feeling himself fall faster at a speed more than what natural gravity could accomplish.

’Oh my heavens...’

Bang!

Liam was slammed into the ground hard, dust spreading from the impact.

He groaned and rose to his feet with some difficulty, a bitter smile on his face.

"Looks like I can’t compete with him without my ability."

Looking at the young man with immense strength clad in white armor, Liam’s gaze because resolute.

’Balance Manipulation.’

The instant he activated his ability, he felt it. A surge of power slowly filled his body.

Meanwhile, Austin paused briefly, feeling the slow drain.

He had seen what happened to Tamara when she fought Liam, and experiencing it firsthand, he felt a chill in his heart.

’This ability... dangerous.’

He thought, then immediately dashed at Liam. Carrying his greatsword, he clashed with Liam’s spear.

Unlike the previous times, Liam wasn’t forced to take some steps back.

It was a stalemate.

Now equal in strength despite the difference in their body sizes, the duel became a display and contest of skill.

Austin, with his massive frame, made every of his swing something that could crack and pop the human skull.

Liam preferred avoiding his attacks. Every time he blocked, his bones would be rattled fiercely.

In the spectator seats, Hazel watched him with furrowed brows.

"Why hasn’t he drained him just like he did Tamara?"