A Fierce Student Battle II

As the dust settled, an injured Princess Misaki carried a critically wounded, unconscious Jason on her back. Elowen released the reinforced tree veins she had conjured to protect them, but the sheer force of the explosion had still left them with injuries.

She spotted Princess Misaki approaching from a distance—her body battered, her breaths labored. Without hesitation, Elowen rushed forward, concern etched across her face. "You're hurt. Let me heal you."

Misaki offered a weary smile and shook her head. "Save your strength. We don't know what else is coming."

Elowen, refusing to accept her answer, gently placed her hands on Misaki's shoulders, summoning delicate healing flowers that bloomed around her, their petals radiating warmth as they mended her wounds.

Nearby, Jason's teammates processed their leader's defeat with shock. "I never thought I'd see Jason get knocked out in a fight of raw power," Albert admitted, still stunned.

Emily, frustrated, scoffed. "I told him we should've fought her together. But no, he had to act like he could handle it alone."

Darius folded his arms. "Even if we did, we still might've lost. Misaki's skill and experience far outclassed us."

Misaki overheard their discussion and chuckled. "Relax. I never beat Jason in raw strength. He would've overpowered me if it came down to that. I only won because of my experience—and my family's Heavenly Retribution ability."

Sophie, who was lying on her back from exhaustion, smirked. "Well, at least he had fun fighting someone like you, Your Highness."

Misaki let out a soft laugh. "I'm honored."

Just as a temporary truce settled among them, Aria frowned, sensing something was off. Spiders—more than usual—skittered around them, crawling onto their limbs and torsos. Everyone was too exhausted to notice.

Aria's heart sank. "Wait—"

Before she could warn them, the spiders bit down, injecting venom into their veins. The paralysis was instant. Their bodies seized up, and they collapsed onto the ground, unable to move.

A slow, amused chuckle echoed through the clearing. "You all look pathetic," came the taunting voice of Prince Magnus, standing above them with two other teams at his side.

Elowen, gritting her teeth, managed to speak. "What are you doing, Magnus?"

Magnus smirked. "I don't owe an explanation to a peasant like you."

Jack's eyes blazed with fury. "You were plotting behind our backs this whole time? How could you betray your own team?"

In a blink, Magnus appeared in front of him, pressing a finger against Jack's forehead. "Watch how you speak to a royal prince," he whispered, his tone sharp as a blade. "Or should I accelerate your brain until it turns to mush?"

Misaki narrowed her eyes. "So those venomous spiders—that was your doing?"

Magnus nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. But I didn't command them to bite you. That was my associate's handiwork."

With a satisfied grin, he continued, "I knew if I let you and Jason fight, you'd both wear each other out. All I had to do was wait. Now, taking your crowns will be effortless."

Jack clenched his fists. "You coward!"

Misaki scoffed. "If you're as strong as you claim, why go through all this trouble? Are you afraid of fighting us head-on?"

Magnus chuckled, his amusement growing. "Afraid? No. It's simply more entertaining to watch ants tear each other apart than to crush them outright. Where's the fun in that?"

Without warning, he stepped onto Jack's head, pressing down hard. Jack let out a muffled groan, his body unable to resist.

Elowen, gritting her teeth, focused her energy. Slowly, painfully, she forced the venom out of her system. The moment she was free, she summoned countless thorned tree veins, surging from the ground to create a protective barrier around her fallen allies.

Magnus raised a hand, halting his team from interfering. "Before I take your crowns, I think I'll enjoy myself a little first." His gaze darkened, settling on Elowen. "Starting with you."

Misaki's stomach twisted in dread. "Elowen, run!" she shouted. But it was too late.

In the blink of an eye, Magnus was in front of her. Faster than her body could react, his hand plunged into her chest. A sharp gasp escaped Elowen's lips as a searing pain radiated from within. Blood trickled from her mouth, her vision blurring.

Misaki and Aria screamed in horror. "Elowen!"

Elowen's body convulsed as Magnus's fingers dug deeper, his power sending her heart rate into a deadly spiral. Blood streamed from her nose, ears, and eyes as she struggled to breathe. She clawed weakly at his arm, but her strength was slipping fast.

Magnus tilted his head, feigning disappointment. "Don't tell me this is all you've got, Elowen? Surely, you can handle more than this?" His grin widened as he pressed in further, relishing her pain.

Elowen's vision darkened.

She had to fight back.

Somehow, someway—before it was too late.

-----

The scene shifted to Xavier, locked in a relentless battle against Jupiter. Every second was a test of endurance, with Jupiter unleashing a barrage of attacks designed to catch him off guard.

A massive building made of ink yet felt like the real ones, conjured by Jupiter, hurtled toward Xavier. Without hesitation, Xavier swung the sword his grandfather had gifted him, slicing through the structure with a single, decisive motion. But Jupiter was relentless—before Xavier could regain his footing, miniature explosives rained down on him, detonating on impact. Xavier barely managed to deploy his vector barrier in time, shielding himself from the worst of the blast.

But Jupiter was already behind him.

A blade thrust forward, aiming for Xavier's back. Reacting on instinct, Xavier caught the weapon with his bare hand, but Jupiter smirked and drew more explosives with his brush in an instant. The detonation sent Xavier careening through the air, his body slamming into the walls Jupiter had crafted earlier. Before he could recover, Jupiter seized him by the collar and slammed him repeatedly through the debris.

Xavier struggled, trying to pry Jupiter's grip away, but his opponent was unyielding. With a final, bone-crushing impact, Jupiter drove him into the ground and attempted to impale him once more. Yet Xavier only grinned as the blade stopped inches away from his chest, repelled by an invisible force—his vector shield.

With a surge of energy, Xavier unleashed the shield's power, blasting Jupiter high into the atmosphere. Seizing the moment, he manipulated the vectors of air molecules, creating countless air bullets that shot toward his airborne foe. The projectiles severely injured Jupiter's body, but he managed to deflect several and shield himself with an unbreakable construct.

Still suspended in the sky, Jupiter conjured a platform beneath him, stabilizing his position.

"Isn't that defying gravity?" Xavier quipped, adjusting his stance.

Jupiter chuckled. "Imagination and reality don't always see eye to eye."

Xavier smirked, drawing his blade once more. He steadied himself, his aura flaring to life, radiating power. Seeing this, Jupiter's eyes gleamed with excitement as he activated his own aura in response.

In an instant, Xavier propelled himself upward, while Jupiter descended with equal ferocity. Their blades met in a thunderous clash, the force of their auras tearing through the battlefield. The sheer intensity of their battle left destruction in its wake.

Then, Xavier saw his opening.

With a precise kick, he sent Jupiter hurtling toward the ground before he could react. Jupiter landed hard, rolling to a stop before standing, blood trickling from his nose. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, grinning.

"Still as sharp as ever," he acknowledged.

Xavier landed gracefully, his stance firm. "What else did you expect? I've always fought this way."

Jupiter chuckled. "True, but our past fights were just sparring sessions in Instructor Joshua's class. This? This is different."

Xavier nodded. "Yeah, this is our first real fight."

Jupiter raised his sword again, excitement dancing in his eyes. "Then let's make it one to remember."

The two warriors launched at each other once more, their swords clashing in a dazzling display of skill and power. But this time, Jupiter managed to outmaneuver Xavier, disarming him with a swift, calculated strike.

Just as Jupiter prepared to press his advantage, Xavier's eyes flickered with a sudden blue glow. He stiffened, distracted by something distant. Before he could react, Jupiter delivered a solid punch to his face.

Yet, the strike did nothing. Xavier didn't even flinch.

Jupiter pulled back, confused. "What's wrong?"

Xavier's expression darkened. "Can we call off the fight for now?"

Jupiter frowned. "Why?"

"I have a bad feeling—something happened to our teammates."

Jupiter sheathed his sword, considering Xavier's words. "Then let's check it out."

Xavier exhaled, relieved. "Thanks. And don't worry, we'll finish this fight once we make sure everything's fine."

Jupiter smirked. "Say less."

The scene shifted back to the tragic aftermath of Prince Magnus's attack.

Elowen lay collapsed on the ground, unmoving. Prince Magnus loomed over her, taunting Princess Misaki. But before he could revel in his victory, he instinctively dodged an incoming attack. His face twisted in fury.

"Who dares—?"

A voice cut through the tension like a blade. "You've chosen death, cowardly prince."

Prince Magnus turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto the source. Standing before him were Xavier and Jupiter, their presence radiating sheer defiance.

Prince Magnus smirked. "Ah, so the little princess has arrived."

Xavier's gaze swept over the battlefield, taking in the sight of his injured friends. His fists clenched, his body pulsing with raw, seething rage.

Jupiter placed a firm hand on Xavier's shoulder. "Stay calm. Don't let him play with your emotions."

Xavier inhaled sharply, grounding himself. He turned to Jupiter. "Help the others. I'll handle Magnus."

Jupiter chuckled, surprised by Xavier's confidence. "Alright. But make sure this bastard never tries to pull something like this again."

Xavier flashed a grin, giving a thumbs-up. "You bet I will."

Prince Magnus burst into laughter. "You must be joking! You, defeat me? That's the funniest thing I've heard all day!"

Xavier's smirk faded, his aura flaring to life. "Let's see who the real joke is."

Jupiter rushed to Elowen's side, his hands moving with urgency as he turned to Emily, who was still struggling to move.

"Where's your pouch? The one with all your healing potions?" he asked.

Emily, wincing from the lingering venom, nodded toward a small satchel near her waist. "It's… right there."

Without hesitation, Jupiter grabbed the pouch, rummaging through it until he found a small glass vial filled with a shimmering liquid. He carefully lifted Elowen's head and began pouring the potion down her throat, making sure she swallowed.

Aria, whose poison effect was starting to wear off, struggled to move her body, as she knelt beside them, her voice filled with worry. "Is she… is she going to be okay?"

Jupiter exhaled, checking her pulse. "She's breathing. She'll make it."

Princess Misaki let out a sigh of relief, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank the heavens…"

Meanwhile, Sophie stirred, noticing that the venom's paralyzing effects were finally starting to wear off. Slowly but surely, the others regained control of their bodies, though moving still felt like pushing through wet cement.

Princess Misaki, barely able to stand, narrowed her eyes at Prince Magnus, pure hatred burning in her gaze. "You're not going anywhere, Magnus," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll kill you with my own hands."

Prince Magnus merely chuckled, a smug grin stretching across his face. With a snap of his fingers, he turned to his teammates. "Slaughter them," he ordered casually. "All of them."

As his team surged forward to carry out his command, Magnus turned his focus solely on Xavier, a twisted smile playing at his lips. "Now then… let's see what you've got, little 'Princess.'"

Xavier's aura flared violently, thick with rage. His body pulsed with raw energy, the ground beneath his feet cracking under the pressure. "I hope you're ready," he growled, eyes burning with unrelenting fury.

Prince Magnus activated his own aura, sparks of violent energy flickering around him as he smirked. "Oh, I do hope you put on a good show for me," he taunted.

Xavier didn't waste another second. "I'll make sure this moment is engraved into your mind forever."

In an instant, the two lunged at each other, their fists colliding midair with a force so intense it sent a shockwave tearing through the battlefield. The sheer impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending debris flying in all directions.

Before Magnus could react, Xavier grabbed his arm in a vice-like grip, twisting his body with sheer momentum and hurling him into the distant forest. Trees snapped like twigs as Magnus's body crashed through them, leaving a path of destruction in his wake.

Xavier wasn't done.

Tapping into his vector control, he manipulated the acceleration around him, propelling himself forward at unimaginable speed, a blur of energy streaking toward the trees where Magnus had landed.