Mutant awakening: My evolution knows no bounds

The dojo buzzed with energy as students selected their partners, pairing off to practice the dynamic new move that Sensei Sam had just demonstrated. Laughter and spirited conversation filled the air, punctuated by the thuds of fists against palms and feet against the floor.

It was a cacophonny of enthusiasm and determination, yet amidst all the activity, Silas and Seb remained still, an island of tension in a sea of motion. They stood several meters apart, watching the others train, the sound of their peers' training seeming to fade into the background.

"Come on, man. I mean you no harm. I just wanna train," Seb urged, his gaze flicking toward Silas, who stood with his arms crossed, his expression inscrutable.

Silas hesitated, his mind churning with uncertainty. He didn't want to partner with Seb, especially after the things he'd said, but the reality was undeniable—there was no one else available. He let out a frustrated sigh, his breath escaping in a rush of resignation, before he trudged toward Seb, taking his place opposite him with a hardened look etched on his face. The dojo's atmosphere shifted slightly, the air growing thicker as they prepared to face off.

"Remember what Sensei said," Seb instructed, enthusiasm bubbling beneath his words. "Fight your opponent until you find an opening. Once you find it, seize the opportunity and strike with the flying tornado kick." With a nod, Silas settled into a fighting stance, feeling the familiar pulse of adrenaline begin to rise within him.

Seb clenched his fists tightly, excitement dancing in his eyes as he charged forward, his movements fluid and lightning-quick. Silas remained calm, steadying himself as he watched Seb close the distance between them. Just as Seb reached striking distance, he pulled back his right arm, his fist aimed squarely at Silas's face, propelled by the sheer force of his momentum.

The fist shot forward, but at the last possible moment, Silas took a few steps back, expertly evading the blow. Seb's punch met only air, frustration briefly flickering across his features. Without missing a beat, Seb closed in again, launching a second punch with renewed determination, this time with an aggressive follow-through.

Silas sidestepped deftly, his body moving almost instinctively to avoid the incoming strike. "You're quite fast, Silas," Seb remarked, a grin splitting his face, clearly reveling in the challenge.

"Or maybe you're just too slow for a trash like me to find it easy to dodge?" Silas shot back, a smirk of his own curling at the corners of his lips. Seb chuckled, undeterred by the jab, and pressed forward again.

This time, Seb stepped into striking distance, his fist aimed squarely at Silas's chest. Silas reacted in a heartbeat, swerving to the side and dodging effortlessly, not even breaking a sweat as he slipped past Seb's attack. With a surge of confidence, Silas countered, swinging his own punch with unanticipated speed and power. His fist shot through the air, the force behind it palpable and potent.

Seb's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the potential impact of Silas's punch. Just a few meters away, the strike seemed like a freight train bearing down on him. In a split-second decision, Silas pulled back slightly, intentionally reducing the punch's momentum.

BAM!

Seb managed to cross his arms in a desperate attempt to shield himself, but even with the reduced force, the impact reverberated through him. The blow pushed him back several steps, the shock of it leaving him momentarily stunned.

"Wha—what the..." Seb muttered, gritting his teeth against the lingering pain that shot through his arms. He regained his balance and stared at Silas, a mix of astonishment and exhilaration crossing his features. 'Even his weakest strike packs a punch,' he thought, a grin still plastered on his face as he contemplated Silas's surprising strength.

After a brief moment to collect himself, Seb charged at Silas again, swinging another punch. Silas, quick on his feet, blocked the punch with his left arm, anticipating the next strike that was already on its way.

Seb aimed a second punch at Silas's face, which Silas also deftly blocked, deflecting the impact with minimal effort. Before he could catch his breath, Seb unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, a flurry of fists aimed at Silas, each one coming with speed and power.

Yet Silas found the strikes almost too easy to counter. With a blend of agility and calm focus, he sidestepped and blocked each punch, a smirk growing on his face as he danced around Seb's attacks. It was as if the world had slowed down for him, allowing him to analyze each movement, each feint.

Seb finally paused, breathing heavily, clearly frustrated. Seizing the opportunity, he leaped into the air, performing a spectacular spin before delivering a powerful kick aimed straight at Silas's head. Silas watched the kick approach, his eyes narrowing. Instead of dodging, he stood firm, a calculated decision coursing through him.

PAH!

The kick connected with Silas's face, sending him sliding backwards, the impact jarring but not debilitating.

"Good! That's what I'm talking about!" Sensei Sam exclaimed, his voice booming across the dojo as he witnessed the exchange unfold. "Guys, we have a student who has mastered this skill, so I don't understand why you all find it so difficult!" He glared at the rest of the students, disappointment etched on his face.

Seb approached Silas, disbelief evident in his expression. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" he asked, his tone low and conspiratorial.

"Did what?" Silas replied, feigning innocence, confusion flickering across his features.

"You could have dodged that kick easily but you didn't. That's the same thing you did when you fought against Angelica on that platform. You lose on purpose so you can end the fight quickly. That just proves you're truly hiding something, man." Seb's eyes gleamed with intrigue, the smirk on his face growing more pronounced.

Silas felt the air grow heavy around them, tension crackling as he stepped closer to Seb. He could feel his heart racing, and a chill washed over him as he clenched his right fist slowly, an unintentional signal of warning.

"Who the hell are you and what exactly are you after?" Silas questioned, his voice cold and edged with something darker. As he advanced, an inexplicable force seemed to tighten around Seb's neck, an invisible grip that sent shivers down his spine.

'What the...? What's going on?' Seb thought frantically, panic coursing through him as he struggled against the unseen pressure. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he grasped at his throat, desperate for relief.

[Active skill: Soul Control is being used]

With each slow clench of Silas's fist, the grip around Seb's neck intensified, squeezing the breath from his lungs.

"Let me give you a warning, man. Stay the hell away from me or you'll regret it," Silas hissed, his tone chilling and unwavering. As he released his fist, the invisible force dissipated, and Seb dropped to his knees, gasping for air, relief flooding through him as he regained control over his body.

Silas turned on his heel, striding away towards the rest of the students, leaving Seb kneeling in shock, struggling to catch his breath.

Hours later, the combat class concluded, and the atmosphere buzzed with energy as students exchanged stories and celebrated their newfound skills. Silas scanned the room, hoping to find Angelica among them, but his heart sank when he realized she had slipped away unnoticed. It was clear she was avoiding him, and frustration bubbled within him. Find more chapters on empire

Shrugging off the disappointment, Silas decided to head to the cafeteria to find his friends, Vic and David. As he walked, his wristwatch chimed softly, pulling his attention. A text from David lit up the screen, causing a frown to crease Silas's brow.

"Meet me in the storeroom... Me and Vic have something important to tell you."

Curiosity piqued, Silas quickened his pace, his mind racing with possibilities. He wondered what urgent news could draw them away from their usual hangout. It crossed his mind that perhaps it had something to do with Angelica and her sudden distance, and he felt a twinge of anxiety as he headed toward the storeroom.

---

Somewhere else in the academy, Vic navigated the quiet corridors, his mind racing with excitement. He had just finished speaking with a group of female students who had summoned him to confess their feelings, and he could hardly contain his glee. The anticipation of sharing the news with David and Silas fueled his steps as he approached the entrance to the main building.

But as he advanced, his gaze fell upon a figure sprawled on the floor several meters ahead. "David?" he blurted out, recognition striking him like a bolt of lightning. He hurried toward his friend, fear gripping his heart as he dropped to his knees beside David, who lay there badly injured, barely conscious.

"What the hell happened, man? Who did this to you?" Vic demanded, his voice a mix of anger and concern, a storm brewing within him as he took in David's state.

With great effort, David lifted his left arm slightly, pointing toward his wrist.

"Your wristwatch is gone," Vic said, his eyes darting to David's wrist, where the familiar piece of technology should have been. Panic surged through him. What had happened? Why was David lying here, vulnerable and hurt?

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A/N: Done with the last batch for today.

Gifts will be very much appreciated.

Thanks for reading my work! (⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)