Chapter 241 - Heinous Act (I)
----
As Apollo's strike picked up in intensity and became far more lethal, Grayson's expression darkened. Behind him, ripples in space started to take place. Naturally, this was a sign that he was drawing upon his Spirit. However, utilizing Spirit's on academy grounds outside of designated battle was a punishable offense. Yet, it seemed as if this matter didn't bother Grayson in the slightest.
A portal, nearly twice as large as Grayson opened to reveal a figure in slender silver armor. With two sharp rapiers as its side, the Spirit looked at Apollo with a hostile gaze. In return, Fuhrer chuckled.
'Lad, let me take over. This opponent is in the process of evolving. I know their origins, these beings that these people summon, they're linked to the other and upper worlds. Much like the Nihilistic Rings, beings from there possessed strengthened existences,' Fuhrer stated.
Without receiving Apollo's answer, Fuhrer's body appeared from seemingly nowhere. In return, Grayson's Spirit gripped both his swords without hesitation. Since most of Fuhrer's battle power was hidden, the Spirit was unable to sense just how dangerous he was. After all, this was a being who went up against the world and its guardian and prevailed.
Nevertheless, Fuhrer made his move and release a portion of his aura. However, he made sure to conceal any bit of aura that was similar to the one used against Ragna. For now, he simply utilized Demonic Anima with master expertise.
"Desolim, make sure to teach this individual about respect," Grayson stated while performing a hand seal. Once a Spirit reached a certain level, it required a large amount of Spiritual Essence to summon. Thus, many cultivators who didn't possess substantial Soul Temples would need to absorb Spiritual Essence occasionally. If not, there was a chance they'd suffer from soul weakness.
While holding out his hand, the copy of Brynhildr in Apollo's hand transferred back to Fuhrer. Compared to when Apollo used it, the current Brynhildr seemed to be alive. Since this body was a Daemonic Avatar, there were traces amounts of his Daemonic Powers left inside. Hence, he could invoke the dormant abilities of Brynhildr.
"With my sword of the Abyssal Demon Winds, everything shall be lacerated by the dark winds," Fuhrer muttered before swinging his sword. The winds birthed by his swing roared as they hurtled towards Desolim.
A silver glint passed through his eyes before moving at a nonsensical speed. If one looked closely, they'd realize Desolim's body turned into a nearly silver flowing stream. In the time it took for the winds to reach him, Desolim had already brandished his swords 7 times to deflect the incoming attack.
Unfortunately, despite deflecting the winds, they changed trajectory and traveled back towards him. As a result, Desolim performed evasive maneuvers while flicking his wrist numerous times.
As that took place, Fuhrer appeared right beside him with a dark smile, "You are fast but weak, but what can be faster than the darkness when it is ever-present? As long as there is light, the darkness travels just as fast and conceals much better."
Bang!
Fuhrer executed another powerful swing, that upon contact with Desolim's abrupt X-guard sent him flying across the area of battle. The moment he landed, Fuhrer was on him once again. However, his means of combat was changing. After a single slash, he stepped forward, disappeared, and then reappeared at another angle with a peculiar slash.
When everyone looked at him, it looked like Grayson's Spirit was fighting a teleporting phantom. Soon enough, he became overwhelmed by the sheer number of incoming attacks. Sometimes, even before his land strike landed, Fuhrer would move and perform another one seamlessly.
"You wield two swords, yet don't understand the sword. You can become far more lethal with a singular sword. The burden of two swords is too great for your minuscule ability. Nonetheless, as you are my opponent, it is time I utterly destroy you," Fuhrer voiced before lifting his sword above his head.
As it shined with a black aura devoid of any light. Desolim's aura spiked. He relinquished any thoughts of holding back. Based on his experiences in this fight so far, Fuhrer was just toying him. Compared to the prior attacks, this next strike felt...lethal.
"I don't know what type of Spirit you are, but your techniques don't seem to originate from the Umbrenith Worlds. So, you aren't a Spirit of Darkness. But, I will overcome you," Desolim responded. Not long after his remark, two silver wings budded from his back.
Once they fully opened, Desolim moved at a speed that defied common sense. Yet, when he moved, inside his increased perception of time, Fuhrer's eyes followed him. No matter what angle he intended to take, it felt like Fuhrer was predicting them all.
Thus, he started to grow even faster. Conversely, the faster he moved, the more the feeling of dread overwhelmed him until an unsettling voice entered his ears, "So tell me, is your little showcase of agility done? If so, it is my turn."
Black flames appeared under Fuhrer's feet as he moved to leave scorching imprints in the ground. At this point, none of the spectators could understand what was happening. In their eyes, there were simply black and silver streaks.
Be that as it may, a moment later, both Fuhrer and Desolim ceased movement. Before everyone, Fuhrer stood holding Desolim by the throat. Numerous lacerations filled his body while stuck in Fuhrer's grasp. First, he wanted to crush Desolim's throat and kill him but then he thought about it.
The more pain he afflicted Desolim, the worse Grayson's expression became. Hence, he came up with a better idea. This was the perfect situation to capitalize on Apollo's Demonic Conduct. Since he weakened Desolim's defenses, Apollo should be able to easily penetrate his armor and deal damage.
"Young lad, you deal with this situation," Fuhrer said through their telepathic link while dropping Desolim. Without pause, Brynhildr reappeared in Apollo's hand as he waltzed over to the writhing Grayson. As he did so, he grabbed Desolim by the ankle and dragged him over.
"There is what your actions get you, you never know what to expect. You didn't expect me to have a Spirit of my own already, did you? Well, you should've. If you knew who I was, you should have also heard of my potential. People speak of not offending youths with stellar backgrounds, but you miss an important fact,
For a moment, Apollo paused then squatted down before Grayson, he then continued by whispering in his air, "There is nothing more dangerous than a cornered wolf. When survival is the only notion on one's mind, an individual can astonish even themself. Tell me, have you ever lived the life of a cornered wolf?"
Grayson first tried to answer, but a blood-curdling scream sounded behind them that caused Apollo to turn around. At that very moment, Reiner's near molten ax impaled Typhir's torso. Inside Reiner's wrath-filled eyes were both surprised and then a trace of fear.
"You fool! Why did you run after me!" Reiner exclaimed. When Apollo dragged Desolim towards Grayson, Reiner had already rendered Typhir incapacitated. However, through will alone, he rose to his feet again and charged at Reiner who sought to rush towards those two.
While Reiner didn't understand why he would do this, Typhir did. For the first time, he found an individual who didn't fear repercussion and voiced all of his grievances. This was the type of individual he wanted to befriend. After all, schemes were never Typhir's forte. Even though some situations called for them, at the end of the day, it was might that would solve long-lasting issues.
With the appearance of the first casualty on the battlegrounds, most of the students looked around and murmured to each other. Without delay, over half of the spectating people disappeared. There was no doubt in their mind that when the upper personnel appeared, there would be punishment dished out.
Meanwhile, Apollo frowned. In this situation, he was reminded of when Aaron lost his arm. Surprisingly enough, however, he didn't lose his wits. Instead, he conjured an extensive amount of Ira and flowed it through his body. His Diabolic Heart of Wrath started to pump incessantly.
A large amount of black wisp danced from Brynhildr as he raised it above his head. When he brought it down, even air itself threatened to be split in half with this grand cleave, "Second Annihilation: Nether Severance."
As the destructive aura billowed towards Grayson and Desolim, Reiner became frightened, "While he may not be my sworn comrade, I feel it is only right that I enact vengeance for him. If not for me, he wouldn't have joined in this scuffle," Apollo said while watching the strike almost consume them.
However, before the strike could land, an armored titan of a Spirit slammed down before Grayson and implanted his bulwark in the ground. When the Nether Severance collided with his towering shield, it was resisted until all signs of it dispersed.
Just as the very last wisp of the strike's energy disappeared, the Spirit stood up. Compared to the other Spirits, it was twice as big. Furthermore, when it talked, the entire atmosphere shook under its grandeur.
"My Lord Rezar has tasked I, Rakesh, to quell this fight. This is especially true for you, Mr. Braum, you should be focused on improving your cultivation. Or, do you not wish to become a Child of War. As for you, newcomer, you are a Seat on our disciplinary committee, you should lead by example. Now, let this be over before I take matters into my own hand.
Sadly, when Rakesh looked over to Typhir, he frowned. 'This situation has just grown hectic…'