Chapter 37: The Weak

Time couldn’t be reversed, what was done was done. If Fang withdrew now, he would let down his class and only contribute to solidifying Ray’s opinion.

Moreover, watching Ray step down harshly on Tom even after his defeat, inflicting more pain, made Fang angry.

Tom wasn’t Durin, but this situation oddly reminded Fang of his own experience on the first day of training camp. Though the world didn’t stand for it, he felt he should stand up for his classmates. So, feeling the need to act, Fang, instead of retreating into the surrounding crowd, stepped onto the practice field.

Clear surprise appeared on Ray’s face—he didn’t think that after demonstrating his strength, anyone would dare to challenge him. Additionally, the plain and inexpensive clothes the kid was wearing suggested he probably had no significant background.

Ray firmly believed that strength was correlated with wealth; after all, he had reached where he was because of his family’s money. Therefore, he was certain that this kid was weak and probably foolish for challenging him.

With contempt, Ray looked down at Fang. “A fool wanting to help others appear? It seems this lesson wasn’t vivid enough. Would you like to have a go?”

Fang ignored the taunts. “Let him go!”

Instead of getting angry, Ray laughed, clearly convinced that this kid lacked the strength to compete against him. “Or what?”

“Well, for one, I’ll fight and win.” Fang paused. “Then, if you refuse to apologize, I’ll step on you while you’re lying on the ground!”

Loud mutterings broke out in the crowd. Fang’s intent to challenge was courageous, but his words were a bit too much.

“That guy’s crazy. Doesn’t he realize Ray is from class two?”

“Even while lowering himself to their level, he still defeated that guy who was a 4th grade intermediate. Could it be that this guy will be stronger than the other one from class eight?”

“But Ray seems angrier. It’s just their misfortune, really.”

Extremely enraged, Ray released Tom. “This garbage dares to brag in front of me? Let’s find out how good you are!”

Ignoring him, Fang walked towards Tom and helped him up.

Though he wasn’t in pain, Tom asked worriedly, “Fang, you…”

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Fang whispered, “It’s okay. Don’t forget, we’re all in the same class. This matter isn’t just personal; it involves all of us.”

Even if Fang was only a 2nd grade intermediate, Tom calmed down and nodded, then limped back to join the rest of class eight watching.

A student shouted, “Fang, if you lose, it’s still okay. Don’t pressure yourself.”

“Let those bastards in class two see that being weaker doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to courage!”

Listening to the encouragement, an unfamiliar feeling bubbled up within Fang.

During the entrance examination at Victoria City, people throughout the city had disliked him. Other than Mii, no one had spoken to him as a friend. He had made two friends, but that was the extent of his social skills. However, while among these students no one thought he would win, they were on his side. It was the first time he had felt encouraged by others.

Fang took a deep breath and, preparing himself, returned once again to the field.

“It looks like you’ve got this planned out to become a hero for your class,” Ray narrowed his eyes and smirked, “but I’m sure lying on the ground will make you quite a fitting hero for your class.”

Unimpressed, Fang replied, “Cut out the useless talk. We’re here to fight, not debate.”

“How about you shut up?” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Fang released his energy, beginning the fight. The students other than those from class eight were shocked.

2nd grade intermediate?

So, a 4th grade intermediate loses horribly, and then a 2nd grade intermediate comes up to stand for him?

Ray spluttered and started laughing derisively. “You really are a joke, a 2nd grade intermediate at your age. The garbage class deserves its reputation. I can’t believe you got into Garden College. What’s your name?”

“Fang!” Following his words, Fang sent out a preliminary Energy Ball to test the waters.

An Energy Ball also appeared in Ray’s hand. “Well, since you’re only a 2nd grade intermediate, I’ll also play at that level…”

But Ray’s voice stopped.

His energy had broken upon contact, but at least half of Fang’s energy accelerated towards Ray.

It was the same skill, right? Yet his was stronger?

Carefully taught by the best private tutors, Ray practiced fighting techniques until he knew them by reflex. He believed he had the ability to maximize the power of each attack, which was why he had won against Tom. However, his pride didn’t affect the results.

He wasn’t the only one surprised. The students present only knew that Fang was a 2nd grade intermediate; but using Energy Ball so proficiently was remarkable. The majority of class eight wasn’t able to condense it with that much spin.

Half of a leftover Energy Ball didn’t pose a threat to Ray; a single punch completely dissipated it.

Another Energy Ball trailed from behind the previous one without warning.

What? Rapid Fire?

Even Ray was surprised. Since when were 2nd grade intermediates capable of chaining Energy Balls?

Retreating, Ray increased his energy capacity to a 3rd grade intermediate and, with fast speed, dodged back and dispersed the attack with his own.

It wasn’t enough to damage Ray, but his previous glee was absent. After all, he was forced to upgrade his energy level from a 2nd grade intermediate to a 3rd grade intermediate, unable to compete at the same rank. Frustrated, he cursed silently.

The commonly taught method was to bring forth energy onto the area for a skill, which was ideal for maintaining energy as a layer of general defense. Velocity, size, and type of energy affected the result. This meant that someone who was familiar with concentrating their body’s energy at that point with the right form would have a stronger skill.

However, the elders theorized that energy didn’t need to be brought forth. Instead, using the energy already present in the body at those spots would be more effective. Power consumption would be large, but proportionally, the performed skill would be stronger. There would also be temporary weakness at that spot. By combining both bringing energy from the body and utilizing the energy already present, the strength and speed to form a skill would be monstrous.

Within moments, someone would be exhausted by this reckless method, yet Fang wasn’t. Unwittingly, his practice with this endless method had changed his body. The limitless greed for energy had become part of him, an engine that recycled the residual energy in the air. Because of this, Fang was able to use techniques that matched Garret, a 4th grade intermediate, and even Ray, despite his perfection in practice.

Fang’s classmates started to grin slightly as they watched the two collide. They had thought Fang only had the courage to fight, not the strength to back it up.

“Class two is superior? He can’t beat a 2nd grade intermediate, so he resorted to the 3rd grade intermediate stage?”

“No words need to be said; his actions explain everything.”

“Well, soon the whole college will know that you were forced to upgrade your rank to deal with Fang—regardless of the result, you’ve humiliated all of class two!”

As these comments floated throughout the audience, Ray’s face turned ugly.

“I suppose you should get ready to apologize,” Fang calmly stated.

A furious barrage of three Energy Balls flew at Ray as Fang finished speaking, and this time, Ray couldn’t cope. He released a set of shackles to become a 4th grade intermediate. Another series of collisions happened, and dust heatedly blew up between the two figures.