Dame, immersed in the dimly lit confines of the Dark Space, felt a rush of adrenaline as he stood opposite the special statue. The training with this unique construct was crucial, given his precarious position within the academy. Being someone who shouldn't have been in the academy in the first place, the stakes were high. Discovery of his true identity would land him in dire straits, far worse than any regular student or faculty member could imagine. His existence in this clandestine environment was a delicate dance on the edge of a razor-sharp blade.
The necessity of secrecy meant that Dame couldn't practice or hone his skills in the open, where prying eyes could easily unravel his carefully constructed façade. The Dark Space, with its oppressive shadows and muffling silence, offered a sanctuary where he could unleash his full potential without fear.
In this secluded space, the statue stood stoically, an enigmatic figure carved from unknown materials, emanating a quiet sense of power. Dame's gaze, sharpened by the focused Qi in his eyes, pierced through the dimness, although the entirety of the room remained shrouded in darkness. Memories of Raze's instructions played in his mind – the statue was set to defend, not attack. This assurance was the only thread of safety in what was otherwise a leap into the unknown.
Dame stretched his arms wide, feeling the familiar rush of energy coursing through his veins. He deliberately refrained from activating his special gauntlets. This was a test of his raw, unaided strength – a trial by fire to gauge his innate capabilities. With a burst of speed, he lunged forward, targeting the statue with a series of meticulously trained fist techniques.
His first strike, aimed with precision at the statue's chest, was effortlessly parried. The statue, animated by an unknown source of Qi, remained unscathed, its form unyielding and impervious to Dame's assault. A spark of respect and challenge ignited in Dame's eyes.
"Okay, pretty good, pretty good," he muttered to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space. "Let's see you try and stop this!"
The following moments were a blur of motion and energy. Dame's fists flew with increased ferocity, each strike a testament to his skill and training. However, the statue was an unmovable force, countering every attack with fluid motions that belied its inanimate nature. Its arms and legs moved with a grace and precision that seemed almost lifelike.
Dame's surprise escalated when he executed a special fist technique from the Neverfall Clan, only to have the statue mirror his move perfectly. Their fists collided with a resounding thud, and for the first time, Dame felt himself being overpowered, pushed back by the sheer force of the statue's counterattack.
"This is tough, alright," Dame admitted, panting slightly from the exertion. "The statue is definitely stronger than before, and definitely stronger than me now. I can't get a single clean hit on it. If this thing was in its normal mode, then I'm sure I would be the one beaten. But until I find a way, attacking it faster, or hitting harder than it can, I can't fight it at its full strength."
This experience was a stark reminder of his past challenges, a throwback to the days when he faced formidable foes like Beatrix. The memory of that fight lingered in his mind – not just the role of his gauntlets, but the fiery determination that had blazed within him. The Dark Magus pills, the exhilarating prospect of altering his doomed future, had ignited a passion in him that he had rarely felt since.
'If I can channel that fervor, that unyielding will into my training,' Dame thought, clenching his fists with renewed determination, 'I can transcend my limits.'
The statue, an enigma in itself, stood as a testament to their growing strength. As they progressed, it would evolve alongside them, becoming an ever-stronger ally in their arduous journey. Dame could not help but affectionately think of it as 'Stoney', a stalwart companion in their fight.
With a deep breath, Dame prepared himself for another round. This time, he was ready to surpass the teachings of the Neverfall Clan, to forge his path with his techniques. As he took a step forward, his senses sharply tuned to his surroundings, a sudden loud noise from above caught his attention. A sliver of light pierced through the darkness as a hatch opened.
'Wait, that's where the teachers enter through,' Dame realized with a jolt of panic. 'Are they coming here now? Right now? If they do, they're going to see the statue!'
In a frantic rush, Dame darted towards the statue, intent on moving it out of sight. However, the statue, still in its defensive mode, misinterpreted his actions as an attack. It deftly parried his attempts to push it, its movements fluid and precise.
"I'm not trying to attack you right now, Stoney!" Dame hissed in desperation. "We need to get out of here before they kill you!"
Adjusting his strategy, Dame formed his hands into claws, feigning an attack. The statue responded by gripping his hands, allowing Dame to use this connection to push with all his might. His feet dug into the ground as he exerted his full strength, his Qi surging forward in a visible wave.
The statue's legs buckled under the force, slowly moving backward. In a sudden twist to avoid crashing into the wall, the statue released its grip, sending Dame stumbling forward with such force that his head collided with the wall.
The impact wasn't severe, but it left Dame with a throbbing pain in his nose. He turned around, dazed, to see the hatch closing, having opened only slightly. For a fleeting moment, he had seen a solitary figure descending before it snapped shut again.
'Only a single person dropped down, and why would it only be her?' Dame's mind raced with possibilities, none of which boded well. 'I don't have a good feeling about this.'
His foreboding grew as he observed the person not even bothering to check the Dark Space, but instead, rushing down the hallway. Dame had a sinking feeling about where they were headed.
Meanwhile, in the brightly lit open training area, a sense of heightened alertness pervaded the atmosphere. The students, including Raze and his companions, had heard the same ominous sound of someone entering. Their eyes were fixed on the hallway entrance, anticipating the worst.
The last time they had heard such a sound, a horde of rabid students had flooded in. This time, however, there was an eerie silence. The footsteps that eventually echoed through the space were almost imperceptible, belonging to a lone figure who entered with a silent, graceful presence.
"That's the head of the Lethal Bite Clan!" Violet exclaimed in a hushed tone, her eyes widening in recognition.
"Yeah, it's Feebie," Joe added, his voice laced with uncertainty. "She was here last time, but she had others with her. This time, she's alone. Do you think the assessment is over?"
Tinson, quick to think on his feet, hastily gathered the bagged food and concealed it against the wall. The students scrambled to hide any evidence of their forbidden supplies, unsure of the consequences they might face if discovered.
Feebie's gaze swept across the room, not lingering on the students but searching for something – or someone. Her eyes were sharp, her movements purposeful.
"Where is she, where is she!" Feebie's voice echoed with urgency and frustration.
Her eyes eventually settled on a corner of the room where several lifeless bodies lay. Among them, two females drew her attention. Feebie rushed over, her expression shifting from determination to horror as she knelt beside one of them.
"Lisa… why do you look like this, your whole body, it's shriveled up," Feebie murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief as she inspected the body.
The sight of a clean cut on the arm made Feebie's body tense, her emotions shifting rapidly from confusion to anger. A palpable energy began to emanate from her, filling the room with a dense, oppressive atmosphere. The students felt their hearts sink, the air growing heavy, suffocating them with an unseen force.
"Who did this! Which one of you did this!" Feebie's shout reverberated through the room, her Qi swirling beneath her, causing a gust that ruffled the students' hair.
As she stood up, her entire body rigid with tension, the room fell into a heavy silence. The students were paralyzed, overwhelmed by the pressure and fear emanating from Feebie.
Then, amidst the suffocating atmosphere, a single voice rose, calm and unwavering.
"I did it. I was the one that killed her," Raze declared, his voice resonating with a cold certainty. "And I would do it again if I had to."
