The Veilwalker

Alex mirrored her smile when he noticed the void creature turn in his direction with a low growl.

Even with most of its shoulders gone, it showed no signs of stopping. However, instead of its continuous attack, it sensed a far greater threat coming from Alex than the other prey.

Its instincts were telling it to get rid of Alex as soon as possible. With that, it screeched and sped towards Alex.

The injury to its shoulders already regenerating.

The students watched with a bit of hope in their eyes. Recalling what they knew of him, his physical strength was above everyone else. So, if it was him, then there was a chance.

Of course, not everyone shared the same sentiment. But beggars can't be choosers.

"Be careful―"

Before any more words could be added to the warning, they all witnessed something they couldn't make sense of.

Many had initially wondered why Alex was glowing like a Christmas tree, after all, everyone knew setting yourself ablaze was a wasteful way of mana utilization.

But they could also sense it wasn't as simple as it looked. Alex had to know that, right?

Well, the answer arrived, and all brows rose in shock and bewilderment.

Before the void creature could cover half the distance, Alex instantly appeared before the creature, his right hand balled into a fist with his spear in his left hand and a savage grin on his face.

His excitement in the face of a new challenge after his life was no longer on the line came rising back up.

BAM!!

Like a thunderclap, the blow cut through the air struck deep into the face of the void creature and crunched inward under the weight of the punch's power.

The void creature did not even notice what happened when…

BOOOM!

Like a missile, it smashed into the wall on the other side of the large chamber and the unbreakable walls of the labyrinth showed its first cracks!

It spiderwebbed behind the creature and continued to spread for a few more metres away from the impact site.

The force was simply too much for the poor creature to bear. Its face folded in itself and if it wasn't for Alex using as little mana as possible, it could have been the end of the void creature.

"What the…"

Silence settled in the rowdy hall as everyone stared wide-eyed as Alex's attack did what none of theirs could do. In one move, he had incapacitated the void creature.

"Is he on drugs or something?"

It was a mystery to anyone, even Ross and Julia wore dumbfounded expressions taking in what had just transpired.

There was always something new around the miracle boy.

'Just what did he go through to come out like that?' Zen wondered with gritted teeth. He more than anyone wished he had that kind of power.

Of course, it was only a matter of time, but in front of Alex, it seemed like forever.

The void creature woke out of its confusion as it slid down the wall. With a low growl that resounded from its being, its regenerated powers kicked in and its face began to heal.

Because Alex had mostly used physical force, the damage was not too extensive for regeneration.

Watching the void creature get back to its feet, Alex shrunk his spear into its staff form and placed it on his back.

'I don't know how long this state is going to last, but it won't stop me from having some fun.' Alex thought with a small grin as he brought both hands together and cracked his knuckles, readying for a fistfight.

His aura continued to blaze and the surrounding air around his immediate body wavered.

"He's going to play around with the creature, isn't he?"

"Yep."
Experience exclusive tales on empire

Ross asked and Julia replied with a knowing smile. She had missed seeing her Alex, even if it was only for a few hours.

So far as it wasn't by her own choice, it didn't count.

The void creature set its malevolent eyes on Alex and only him. It had forgotten about the others as Alex appeared to be the only thing before it.

And the students appreciated the gesture. They quickly spread out and created a large space for Alex and the creature to duke it out.

For those injured and unable to move, some students moved to get them out of the way. It was time for the actual show to begin, and although they were shaken, they wouldn't miss it.

Then the void creature bent slightly and screeched its challenge creating a circular wave of air that rippled out prompting the students to close their ears again.

"Urgh. It's even louder than before!"

Ignoring the commotion around it, the void creature disappeared from its position and instantly appeared before Alex, slightly above him its right claw going strength for his face.

Alex watched the void creature's action momentarily with a small smile before he disappeared from his spot.

Appearing right behind the void creature, Alex delivered a powerful right hand to the back of the void creature that would have produced crunching sounds of bones breaking if it had any.

BOOOM!

Like before, the creature failed to see Alex move and before it knew it, it was slammed into the ground.

This time, however, the void creature recovered fast and quickly got back to its feet and dashed after Alex.

"Yeah, that's it. Come at me."

Alex encouraged its actions and responded to the rapid and random actions of the void creature.

In a few seconds, Alex and the creature exchanged multiple blows as they zoomed left and right, their speed incomprehensible to those watching.

All they could see were blurred lines of gold and dark grey and the occasional mini-explosions whenever they clashed.

It was sensational.

"Amazing… Did he get stronger again?"

"How am I supposed to know that? I'm as confused and curious as you are!"

Alex purposely kept their movements in the created space to avoid any collateral; too many had perished already, and he didn't want his desire to cause more harm.

He also made sure he didn't hit the creature too hard to send it into the midst of the watching students.

A few exchanges later, Alex had enough. The creature wasn't much of a challenge. It had no technique and just fought using its instincts.

It was too predictable to be fun.

"Alright, let's end this."