CHAPTER 16
He slid down, gasping, and looked up. Genya and Dripzy stood over him, their backs to the door, facing down the corridor.
Three figures blocked the hallway.
Judeus—light cream-blue hair, hoodie down, a katana strapped to his back. Riku—spiky brown hair, dark jacket, blade resting at his waist. Utuka—wild black hair, a black katana already half-drawn from his jacket.
Genya and Dripzy grinned. Wide. Teeth showing.
"Well, well, Dripzy," Genya said. "Looks like we've got some fresh meat who want a piece of Genma."
"No shit, Genya." Dripzy cracked his knuckles. "Let's play with them. The fun keeps coming. Hehehe."
Genma blinked. "What's going on?"
Judeus stepped forward. His voice was sharp. Articulate. "Who are the fresh meat? Both of you know we're Classic rank. We don't have a bone to pick with you. Only the newcomer."
Classic rank? Genma thought.
Genya tilted his head. "What? Did he steal your girl or something?"
"OH SHIT!" Dripzy slapped a hand over his mouth, mocking shock, giggling.
Judeus's face stayed calm, but his jaw tightened.
"He got you there, Judeus," Riku murmured.
"Tch…" Judeus's grin turned savage. His voice roared. "SO WHAT IF HE DID? I'M HERE TO TEACH HIM THAT YOU DON'T JUST TAKE SOMEONE'S GIRL! ITS A CRIME!"
He drew his blue blade. Blue flame pneuma ignited along the steel. Riku's hand wrapped around his hilt. Utuka back-kicked the doors shut.
"I don't give a fuck if you're all students of Zenith," Judeus spat. "I'm taking all three of you down."
Genma looked at Dripzy. Wait. Dripzy is a student of Zenith too? No wonder…
A dark aura pulsed around Dripzy. He smiled, unflinching, his back still to Genma.
That's why Gemini can see so much dark power in him. His power must be no joke. What could it be? Whatever it is… it's epic looking at that smile.
Genya spoke without turning. "Hehehe. Genma, go have a shower."
"Yeah, bro." Dripzy flexed his fingers. "We'll take care of them ASAP!"
"Huh? But this isn't your fight. Even though I don't get it."
Genya ignited dark orange flames in his palm. Dripzy summoned dark pneuma around his hands.
"Just go," Genya said. "They're not serious."
"Yeah," Dripzy mocked. "Fighting because you lost your girl is pure loser dope. Hehehe. Losers."
"AAAAAHH!!!"
Judeus lunged, his flame katana aimed at Dripzy's throat. Dripzy sidestepped. Riku launched in, earth slashes crackling from his blade. Genya weaved left and back-kicked Genma square in the chest.
Genma tumbled backward into the bathtub.
"LOCK!" Genya commanded.
The bathroom door slammed shut. The light flicked red.
Genma sat in the tub, listening to the chaos outside. Flames ignited. Earth slashes cracked. Blue flames roared. Rapid slashes sang as dark pneuma gleamed under the door.
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He stood up and reached for the handle. Then he stopped.
Wait. Genya and Dripzy were confident taking those three on. If I break out of here, they'll think I don't trust them. After all, just from sight, they accumulate so much power…
BAAM! CRACK!
The wall cracked. Someone had been thrown against it. Utuka, probably.
Genma didn't flinch. He pulled his hand back.
I guess I believe they can handle things. Time for that shower.
---
Outside, Genya kicked Judeus square in the chest. Judeus staggered back, blood flying from his mouth.
Riku swung his sword diagonally at Dripzy. Dripzy caught it with his dark-pneuma-infused wrist. They pushed against each other.
Riku grinned, pouring on the force. Dripzy just smiled—a chilling, calm smile.
"You're strong, ma man. But know your place, lil' boy."
Dripzy shot a fist into Riku's face. Riku flew into the ground. He tried to push himself up on one knee.
Dripzy raised a hand. A dark earth pillar erupted from below and smashed Riku into the ceiling. He collapsed, unconscious.
"What's going on down there?" one of three passing girls asked, peering down the hall.
Utuka charged Dripzy from behind, sword raised. "I gotcha now, ya—BASTARD!"
A fire tornado roared to life and hurled Utuka into the wall. His body roasted. Genya blew the flame off his hands.
Judeus lunged. Genya swerved right, then right again, dodging the blue blade. Genya snapped a flame arc from his leg. Judeus bent backward. He launched his sword upward. Genya staggered.
Genya spun, aiming a flame kick at Judeus's face. Judeus caught it with his glowing blue katana. The impact screeched, sending Judeus skidding backward—right toward Dripzy.
Dripzy placed a hand on Judeus's shoulder and whispered into his ear.
"Awwww, what now? Are you scared? I thought you wanted revenge for your lost girl."
An earth pillar slash exploded from Riku—who had crawled back up. The blast sent Dripzy into the wall. Blood trickled from Dripzy's mouth. He lifted his head, smiling, and watched Riku hoist his sword.
"HEY, JUDE…"
Utuka joined Riku's side. His body pulsed, vapour rising from his skin. His eyes were unblinking.
Genya walked over to Dripzy, hands in his pockets, eyes locked on the three.
"IT PAINS ME TO SAY IT, BUT WE GOT TO GO ALL OUT AND FORGET ABOUT THE BATHROOM ENVIRONMENT, AND...FIGHT WITH ALL OUR POWER."
Judeus's face paled. Then his lips curled. The three dropped into their sword stances, blades aimed at the duo.
"Well then," Judeus said. "Let's go all in. Hehe." Judeus gave a giggle, followed b
They sprinted forward. Blue flame ignited. Earth formed. Wind slashes travelled. The attacks converged on Genya and Dripzy.
The duo just smiled — confidently
---
Meanwhile, Masami stepped out of Class SS. Two other female celestials walked with her: Casie and Eliana.
Casie had long, silky blonde-brown hair. She wore an elegant white female sorcery attire with a skirt and standard boots. Her eyes were white with brown irises. Cute.
Eliana wore a jacket—one side slipping off her shoulder. In her arms, she held a notebook and pen. Her hair was black, silky, and shining.
"Masami," Eliana said. "Are you really heading to Selene's?"
Masami smiled. "Yeah. Last time she taught me Telekinesis…"
Casie tapped her chin. "Nesis. No wonder you're with us. Then you'll be able to control other Nesis."
"Huh? Are there more?"
"Yes. Take me, for example. I have Cryokinesis—ice. Eliana has Aerokinesis and Geokinesis. Top tiers have Electrokinesis, Pyrokinesis, Umbrakinesis, and others."
"Yeah, like Dripzy and Genya," Eliana added with a smile.
"Genya?" Masami blinked. "You guys know Genya?"
"HUHHHHH!" the students around them erupted in surprise.
Casie spun around, standing in front of Masami. "Everyone knows the most powerful student in the Anima Society. Genya is incredibly powerful."
"Yeah, and he has swag. And he's handsome." Eliana clutched her notebook, staring dreamily at the ceiling. "Aaaawhhh."
"Okay, and who is Dripzy?" Masami asked.
"Dripzy is another popular and powerful student in the Anima Society," Casie explained. "He's known for his chocolate skin and dreadlocks."
"He's a buddy-built friend. Energetic and loyal. That's why he's friends with Genya."
"Oh, ok." Masami nodded. "Casie, Eli, let's move. I have to see Selene at the cafeteria."
"Right. Eli, let's move."
Masami, Casie, and Eliana marched toward the cafeteria.
---
Over in the swordsman sparring grounds, Kento stood bare-chested in the center of the room. Blades lined the shelves. Ultra-modern lights hummed. Cameras watched from the corners.
Fifteen swordsmen lay groaning on the floor, blood dripping from their noses and chests.
Kento panted. Another swordsman dashed at him, sword raised. Kento rotated, a wind slash erupting from his blade, blowing the swordsman into the wall. A faint slash appeared on the teen's bare chest.
Another charged. Steel clashed against Kento's green blade. The swordsman grinned, pushing his weight forward. Kento's eyes opened. He kicked the swordsman's knee. The man staggered.
Kento crashed the butt of his sword into his skull. The crack echoed through the room.
He turned to the remaining new students, an unnerving smile on his face. They shivered, teeth chattering at the sight of him.
"Oh, so who wants another try?"
"Nnnnnoo… we… we're good," they stammered in unison.
One of them fled. "Come on, guys. This guy is a monster."
"Yeah, after all that, and you're still smiling. I don't wanna get a beating."
Dennis—a boy in a white and blue hoodie—and Harris—a boy with a long, curved blade resting at his waist, wearing a furry jacket—approached.
Dennis spoke first, his voice light. "Hey, Kento. Aren't you tired?"
"Yeah," Harris added. "You're beating up a high percentage of the new swordsmen."
Kento turned to them. "I'm not. I need to be strong enough to beat Genma and the others."
Harris placed his hands on his chin. "Genma? The Class SSS boy?"
Kento slashed his blade, sending a green wind wave between Harris that shattered the benches.
"Class SSS. So he's a Premium rank sorcerer?"
"Yes," Dennis answered. "I tracked his power. He has Hyper Electrokinesis and Gravity Manipulation."
"Hmmm." Harris nodded. "Then he's no joke. No wonder he's a student of Zenith."
Kento's face twisted with fury. "Who cares? You guys are also in the YJC exams, but you're acting cool."
"Hehehe." Harris giggled. "Xavier sensei has taught me well."
"Well, I'm done with today's training with Tanaka," Dennis said. "Then let's have a spar. What do you say?"
Harris and Dennis sprang in opposite directions. Dennis's hands sparkled with purple friction energy. Harris slowly drew his blade.
"Hehehe."
---
Back in the bathroom, the air was thick with the smell of ozone and scorched stone.
Orange and blue flames licked the walls. The tiles were cracked. Riku, Utuka, and Judeus lay on the floor, bloody and unconscious.
The only sound now was the peaceful hiss of the shower.
Dripzy and Genya brushed their palms off and shared a fist pump. Genya marched to the clothing vault and lifted a finger to the keypad.
"Hey, Dripzy. What do you think we should get for Genma?"
"Something with swag. Hmmm."
"Hmmm."
"Aha," they said in unison. They blinked and smiled.
Genya typed a code. A door disguised as a wall slid open, releasing a cloud of icy blue vapor. He reached inside and pulled out a classy white singlet, a light white hoodie, and pants. He draped them over his shoulder. Then he bent down and grabbed a pair of nice shoes and white socks.
The shower cut off.
Genma opened the bathroom door. Bare-chested, a towel around his waist. He saw Genya and Dripzy standing there with the clothes.
Just then, the main bathroom door swung open.
"Hello…"
A sweet, unfamiliar voice echoed through the room.