As Aaron moved towards the institute, the late afternoon sun stretched across Lake Sitra, almost 140km away, painting the landscape in warm shades of amber and gold. Amid this peaceful setting, a sudden rustle disrupted the tranquility, putting Aaron on high alert.

Three formidable figures emerged from the shadows—not human, but creatures of the desert wilderness.

"Colossal scorpions? And that first one looks to be at least a category C!" Aaron thought to himself, his heart quickened.

One of the scorpions belonged to category C, its exoskeleton gleaming like metallic under the sun. Equipped with robust claws and a menacing tail, it was perfectly adapted to the harsh desert terrain. The other two were slightly smaller but no less threatening, their sleek, dark bodies blending into the rocky backdrop.

In this diverse world, animals evolution had taken surprising paths alongside with humans influenced by nature and after the "great event" that took place almost a millenium ago. Over centuries, animals had developed unique abilities, classified into different classes based on intelligence and skills, ranging from Class A to E. The legendary Class S beasts were known to be formidable creatures encountered only by those who never returned.

Humanity, exept from natural evolution, underwent genetic modifications that resulted in the division into seven distinct houses, each endowed with a unique ability. Ordinary citizens were those who chose not to take part in this.. 'genetic experiment'. House Amaral, distinguished by its members' energy manipulation ability, possesses the capability to generate and control electricity.

At Aaron's current skill level, he can generate sufficient electricity to swiftly deal with an E-class beast, while a D-class creature may be temporarily stunned or potentially incapacitated with sustained attacks. However, confronting a C-class beast alone, would prove ineffective due to its formidable nature.

Approximately 150 years ago, advancements in technology signaled the era of spiritual enhancement devices (SEM). These systems not only enhance physical capabilities but also amplify the unique abilities of individuals from the seven houses. Despite their potential, mastering SEM technology remains a complex and rare feat, achievable only by a select few.

These particular scorpions were renowned for their cunning and agility, distinguishing them as apex predators within the animal kingdom's hierarchy. Their exceptional traits surpassed mere physical strength, encompassing specialized skills finely tuned through survival and adaptation.

Aaron's heart raced as he braced himself for the danger. Encounters with such predators in the untamed wilderness were tests of survival. With a deep breath, he readied his instincts and sharpened his mind, knowing that this encounter would push him to his limits.

As the seconds ticked down before the scorpions attack, Aaron's mind raced with strategic calculations.

"It's almost impossible for me to be able to kill them all."

"Take out the big one first or the two little ones?"

"If I start running, I'm sure he'll use Radiant Carapace to alert all the scorpions around."

The critical moment arrived, the first to attack were the two little ones.

Aaron right now was ready to accept whatever happened against the menacing scorpions. Their chitinous forms poised to strike. The two smaller creatures surged forward with surprising agility, closing the distance between them and their target.

With lightning reflexes, Aaron leaped to the side, narrowly evading the scorpions' initial onslaught. As they skittered past, he seized the opportunity, channeling his energy manipulation ability into a focused burst of electricity. A crackling arc of lightning surged towards the smaller scorpions, striking one squarely and causing it to convulse momentarily, its movements disrupted by the electrical shock.

The second scorpion, undeterred by its companion's situation, rushed forward with its pincers snapping. Aaron twisted away, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike, but not without feeling the sting of a glancing blow against his shoulder. The impact agitate him, but he maintained his footing, fueled by a surge of determination.

Meanwhile, the larger scorpion, identified as a formidable Category C predator, watched from a distance, its stance calculating and predatory. Sensing the imminent threat posed by Aaron, it readied its own defenses, its exoskeleton pulsing faintly with a subtle luminescence.

If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Aaron's mind raced as he assessed the situation. He knew that a direct confrontation with the Category C scorpion using conventional means would be futile. He needed to exploit his unique abilities and tactical acumen to gain the upper hand.

"Chances are they won't use 'Radiant Carapace' because they want the snack for themselves."

"I have to think quickly how to keep them unconscious at least for a while. Ten seconds. All I need is ten seconds!"

"Alright you little f*ckers, let's see how many slaps you can handle!!"

In a desperate struggle against the two smaller scorpions, Aaron knew he needed every advantage to prevail. With a quick mental command, he activated his SEM, feeling a surge of enhanced strength through his muscles.

As one of the scorpions launched towards him with snapping pincers, Aaron met its attack head-on. With a grunt of effort, he seized the scorpion's pincer, the SEM-enhanced strength allowing him to wrestle the creature back momentarily. The scorpion thrashed and clawed, its chitinous exoskeleton scraping against Aaron's grip.

Feeling the strain, Aaron exerted his enhanced strength further, pushing against the scorpion's resistance. With a sudden burst of power, he managed to throw the creature off balance, sending it crashing to the ground with a satisfying thud.

Meanwhile, the second scorpion circled around, sensing an opportunity. Aaron turned around, his enhanced reflexes allowed him to anticipate the attack. He countered with a swift, powerful kick, leveraging his strength to deliver a decisive blow.

The impact sent the scorpion reeling, its exoskeleton cracking audibly upon impact. Aaron didn't relent, following up with a series of calculated strikes, each one fueled by his heightened strength. The scorpion, now visibly weakened, struggled to regain its footing against Aaron's relentless assault.

The colossal scorpion, as he saw that his companions could not cope with Aaron, decided to enter the battle. His downside though was that he decided to start with an attack that needed charging. And this was exactly the moment Aaron had been waiting for. And not only did the moment come, but the beast with its choice of attack, gave Aaron a huge gift.

"I think now is the right time!"

Aaron immediately activated the SEM to boost his energy manipulation abilities to their maximum potential. With a deep inhalation, he focused his inner energy, held it in his stomach, passed it into his lungs and channeling it into a concentrated surge of electricity aimed directly at the colossal scorpion's head. The intense shockwave struck with precision, causing the beast to stagger back, momentarily stunned.

In a split second, Aaron recalibrated the SEM device, preparing for the next phase of his plan. Another deep breath fueled his determination as he was thrown towards the two smaller scorpions, which were still recovering from the earlier battle. It was a critical moment for Aaron to demonstrate his mastery over the SEM.

After engaging in a prolonged struggle with the smaller scorpions, Aaron realized a strategic advantage. He discerned that a 30% reinforcement from the SEM would provide sufficient strength to lift and carry the two scorpions. With this understanding, he allocated the SEM's enhancements accordingly—70% to speed and 30% to strength.

Executing his plan with precision, Aaron swiftly grasped each scorpion by its tail, handling them with care despite the adrenaline-fueled urgency of the moment. With the weight of the scorpions in tow, he sprinted like hell in the direction of the academy.

Barely ten seconds had elapsed when the colossal C-class scorpion regained consciousness. Enraged and desperate, it unleashed its powerful ability, casting a radiant glow across the desert landscape. Aaron, already 200 meters away and pushing the limits of the SEM's capabilities, knew the danger posed by this formidable display.

Radiant Carapace had an effective range of 100-150 meters, but the sudden illumination triggered a chain reaction among scorpions of its kind. From the golden sand emerged several D and E -class scorpions, drawn by the signal of their superior's 'Chitinous Defense' skill.

Despite the growing swarm of scorpions, Aaron's swift movements and enhanced speed allowed him to maneuver through the chaotic scene. Before the beasts could fully comprehend the situation, Aaron had already evaded their grasp, darting between them with the finesse of a seasoned tactician.

As he vanished into the shifting sands, halting the SEM devise boost to speed and strength, Aaron redirected the device's energy management towards his energy manipulation ability once more. With precision honed through practice, he channeled this time aiming to induce a state of unconsciousness in the two smaller scorpions.

As the electricity coursed through his fingertips, he carefully directed the charge towards the two ffellows, causing them to slump into a temporary sleep-like state. He gently tossed them aside, ensuring they posed no immediate threat and vanished into the shifting sands. Aaron's mind raced with the intensity of the encounter. The close call served as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking here in Africa—and the precarious balance between survival and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

"Hahahahahaha!! HAHAHA! Oh my God!"

It was the laugh of terror.

"What just happened back there? Unbelievable. How will I even begin to explain this? What a rush am i feeling! My blood is pumping, my body's on overdrive, and my mind is blank. I've got to reach the academy fast. We've got class in an hour, and I definitely need a shower."

As he pressed forward, the adrenaline slowly subsided, replaced by a sense of relief mixed with lingering disbelief. The encounter with the scorpions had left him exhilarated yet exhausted, eager to return to the academy grounds.