Facing the unrelenting-looking youth that doesn't look like one, William feels every inch of his Vectors going at their peak condition. His heart pounds fast, his stomach aches in action, and his brain focuses on every second.
It is, as if the Arcanite in his bloodstream, flowing through his muscles and nerves, never halts. In fact of these feelings, it is prone to action, forming a rush of adrenaline that wakes up the brain or increases the reaction for the Walker.
William likes it as one would think. Noticing how much strange it feels from the regular activity or training, he does think of it as something else. It is a bit similar to Roman's training, but it also has some differences in clarity and pressure.
It resembles excitement when one stands before executing something hard. His Vectors are looking forward to this fight, or so he thinks.
His earlier hesitation in his eyes disappears when he realizes how Zech is much stronger than both of the previous students combined together. He is unsure whether it is indeed the truth or not, but at least in the realm of experience, and pressure, Zech seems stronger. He has no doubts that the unnamed girl from before was holding back a lot because she had to, but Zech hits a different kind of pressure. His eyes are serious, his stance firm, and his vision of battle vigorous. It is the difference in approach that makes this change.
“You are better than I assumed to be, for a Walker around my age,” William says, wincing his steps on the ground in impatience.
“That's a rather funny joke when you say it to me, but I'll take that.” Zech chuckles as he remains steady in his own Vector flow. “You aren't half bad either, considering your "age" as a Walker, but a 75? Are you lying to me because you are hoping to make me less serious? Is that glitter around your body the Inner Enchantment I see few have? You use it in conjunction with your crimson claw. Isn't it taxing?”
A few questions follow, giving William a few things to consider. “Are questions necessary? I am not lying since my own capability is mine to worry about. But when I see you, I feel like I should go all out against you unless I want to suffer the consequences.”
“Fine.” Zech accepts his words in his own way and decides on his move. Unnoticeable to William's own eyes, he cracks the ground in a web-like formation and jumps forward as if something slapped him behind his back. The speed he moves with resembles flying, while Zech bends his knees, forming a fast-moving body slam.
A knee is met with the Inner enchantment on William's chest, as he doesn't have time to put his claw for better defense. It happened too fast, and the momentum behind Zech's attack strains William's Inner Enchantment.
Grunting, William stumbles behind, before his steps waver until he shoots agast the distant wall. Zech's whole body weight is behind this sort of attack, so this is not a wonderful opportunity to try some things out. Zech's legs are the source of this strange movement, depicting a support skill called Limb Enchantment, which he still has at Rank 1.
It allows him to strengthen the flow of Arcanite in his both limbs to great strengths and speeds, giving him the option to act unexpectedly in unnatural ways. This one has been forward, which is the easiest, and the most direct. Enchanting his own mass behind the momentum of this Limb Enchantment pounce, it gives his whole body the strength of a huge boulder.
Just now, he used this on his legs, and particularly the feet, which he used to gently scrape the ground, pushing his body 15 feet forward in a single second.
“Tough...” Zech grunts, as he halts in the position when he clashed with William. Watching his successful attack hasn't made him happy. “It's really Inner Enchantment. I felt it to my bones since it felt like shaking the tough metallic armor of the Rhants... You lucky fella, this is one of the best defensive skills a brawler could ask for.” Zech says and pulls his knee upwards.
From the dust and the small debris of the destroyed wall, William rushes forward, swiping his Claw toward Zech's upper body, but he pulls his defense with his already prepared knee.
The Claw shakes Zech's knees, causing him to frown and almost lose his balance. With one hand on the ground, it is quite impressive that he could take this sort of attack. William puts quite a pressure on this slap, giving Zech part of his own medicine, but he fails. Flexing his arms, he pushes more Vectors at him, but Zech clutches his Claw next with his own Vector-filled arms.
William feels his strong grip and tries to escape with it, but his grip is stronger than his. Zech forces his right hand down, causing William to bend his knees. He feels completely defeated in his own strength because Zech's serious power is bigger than his own lackluster tries to gouge his opponent. It is no wonder, again. William isn't going all out after all, yet the foe can't care about it. It gives him a tough realization that curiosity kills the cat.
He shouldn't be constantly wondering about his own capabilities. He should rather work for what is important and not for his own curiosity. It should be the right attitude to have, as the girl from before stuck him with quite vigorous words. It didn't wake him up before, but now? Feeling Zech's strength, he more or less understands what he should do.
However, the present situation is more up to Tiberon, rather than anything else. This duel with William against Zech is in the line of a good counter-opponent against William. Both are similar, but one is vastly better than the other. Though, some things aren't as clear in this sort of matchmaking. William hasn't revealed his cards, which causes Tiberon to force things up.
Another factor to consider would be the surprising amount of vigilance in Zech's attitude. It wasn't present in the last bouts. It creates another interesting variable that Tiberon hasn't expected, giving this match an interesting touch.
So, with the power of Zech's clutch against his own Claw, William does pretty much the only thing he could do. That is to change his own poor attitude and give it some proper one. He clutches his teeth, forming a firm decision to take Zech's with proper power.
With the claw still in his grip, Zech looks down at William, curious about what he would do next. He doesn't press his hand further, waiting instead. That almost changes when he feels an incredible rush of power flows through his right hand that clutches William's claw. The flow of Vectors skips a beat, changing color to deep crimson, and a sudden pressure in his grip jumps up a notch.
William uses his fusion skill that has the form of gears. His System took note of it yesterday, halfway through the last day of Roman's training, creating a specialized form of his unique powers. It gives him an easier time recognizing his shifts in Vectors, which creates 3 Gears from his fusion. Each is similar to their origin but with vastly different results and vision.
William follows up on the call of his mind, flexing his body straight, and pushing his knees back to straightness. Power rushes through his veins, jolting his body with strength. His claw changes shape to a deep colorful crimson, becoming smaller yet stronger. This is Gear 1 of his fusion skill of Annihilation Claw, which can change according to his desires. It is something he used against the 1st foe, but not against the 2nd.
Zech watches it happen right before his face, yet he doesn't lose his grip. Instead, he feels the scorching feeling through his right hand, forcing his own vectors to shake. William's Annihilation Claw doesn't damage his own hand, but its Vectors do make something to his own Vecotrs for sure. He could tell and feel this is much more powerful than the one before.
William strengthens his back, using a twist in his hips to push himself forward. He uses his regained stability along with his right hand, which he wants to wince from his grasp, but fails. Zech also changes his mind, grinning in confidence so he clutches his claw's palm, and goes against William's grip.
A fight that isn't like any other, appears on the 15th Floor. The upcoming clash is strange, a lot like something wrestlers would do in the past, or like the arm wrestling that was popular before the apocalypse.
Though, the youths don't think of that. Their view of strength and power is rather simple, so they take their unfounded pride to test themselves. Using their grip and power against each other, they smile as their Vector-covered palms go against one another. Zech's strength is rawer, while William's claw is smaller in Gear 1 than without no gear at all.
Though his Annhililation Claw is still very dense, focused, and piercing in its structure, it also acts as a powerful form of his Vectors. In this form, the Vectors are the densest of their forms, forming a smooth image, while the Vectors are noticeable only at a handful of reaches. It is a different kind of power, but not one bit weaker than Zech's, as both youths reach a standstill.
Though, Zech doesn't use his fullest potential, since he can't do that. It isn't as if he has to, because he doesn't care much about these Trials, but as the youngest students of the Academy, they are required to do this. He dislikes the idea that goes against his own will, yet William reignites some of his lost passion.
Zech is yet to upgrade a lot of skills toward the next rank, but his body strength is vastly different than William's. But that isn't what makes this duel not that good. The biggest difference is the main mold of his emblem, which isn't this 2 handed form. Yet he doesn't find this too bad since this clash is simple in nature. It is manly, in his silent approval of this clutching fight takes some hit on his pride since this isn't even his final form.
It's now a question, of who has stronger endurance, power, and following courage to continue going. It is a test of hands, grip, and power of their Vectors. With decisive faces, the youths are glaring into each other's eyes, uncaring about the consequences or anything else. They grin, pushing their bodies to their limit, cracking the ground with their pressure and only one hand is all to this fight.
Zech doesn't use his right hand since he finds this unfair. Williams has only one, so he uses one also.
This strength comparison continues for a minute, while Zech slowly began to lose some of his footing, or strength over his arm. His face is more and more ashen, while his lower body begins to sway.
In a moment of his loss, he lowers his body and changes his stance to push his grip lower along William's body. Using this change of momentum that even William doesn't follow, he releases his hand and swiped his leg to strike William's ribs. However, the strike that strives to his win doesn't come.
William stomps the ground with his feet, not collapsing or losing his footing. Instead, he swipes his right arm to the leg kick, grabbing the sudden attack with his claw.
Clutching Zech's leg, William pushes his upper body strength to his limit by lowering his lower body before swinging Zech's body to the wall. In all of this, his face is serious, and his body aches in straining veins. This throw is probably the most his Gear 1 could take, but the majority of this throw goes to his body instead. A good posture, stance, back, and feet have to be perfectly aligned. If they wouldn't, he wouldn't throw him as well as he does. There could be also a possibility of injury or a counterattack from Zech instead.
William knows all of this would happen, so he does his best this time around.
Turning his face, he sees how Zech flying to a close wall, cracking it with his sturdy body. This throw has been quite destructive in its momentum since WIlliam didn't hold back, while what he threw away was Zech, who isn't some lightweight. Though, he would lie if he isn't surprised, as this throw is nothing that he would expect him to do.
Releasing his clutched claw, William awaits for Zech to go back to his feet. This isn't some street fight where he will pounce at this youth willy-nilly. He kind of respect Zech for doing this thing without some bothering emotions behind it. His strength, power, and vision are all clear, and in truth, Zech is his senior. He is worthy of some respect.
Dust and debris tremble, revealing Zech who shakes his head as he gets to his feet rather easily. His upper body is fine as majority of his body. He doesn't have Inner Enchantment, but that doesn't mean he is weaker in defense as one with one. His body has almost 6 months' worth of Vector flow behind it, giving him defenses on their own, while his Vectors flow over his upper body.
“I am sorry... That was unexpected.” Zech says. “Not many newcomers could body slam me like that, but who am I kidding? Not many students like me would do it too. I guess your technique isn't that shabby when your vectors seem incredibly powerful.” he tells, walking forward and revealing his face and body that has no injuries at all.
William looks at him calmly, and sneers instead. “You are tough-looking fella, as you would say. I would expect nothing else from this sort of person. Now, wanna continued gouging our strength or we can have a fistfight instead?”
“Fistfight?” Zech frowns, stopping 6 feet before him. “Where in the world did you grow up dude?”
“Outside,” William tells without any hesitation.
“Outside? Are you the one who we heard is a talent from Outside?”
“Talent?” This time, William frowns. “I don't know what you heard of, but talent is subjective, isn't it? No Walker is the same, while the Outside is quite a wild place, isn't it?”
Scratching his head, Zech replies. “I guess you are right, but I haven't seen a lot of it, so....” and then, an air about him changes, as another quick step jolts his body forward. A quick jab with his right fist strikes no one because William's side steppes to the left before another jab follows him behind. A right dodge lets the Zechs first miss him by 4 inches, but another fist follows next.
William sees them as a light sheen of crimson appears within his eyes. It goes along the Inner enchantment in his body, but it is a unique skill on its own. Velvet Eyes have incredible potential in combat support. It creates better vision, giving his head some headache in the middle of the fight, as he figured it against Roman, but it is great. Using 3 Skills at the same time, his courage to fight is adamant. William goes all out against Zech, who sees a sudden change in this boy's attitude and eyes.
It isn't the kind that he was prepared for, but he keeps sending jabs like a storm, attacking regardless of dozens of missing jabs. He even tries to change the attacks, giving him angled jabs, uppercuts, straights, and so on. A change of directions follows up when Zech pushes forward with his striking, causing William, who dodges everything to back up. Zech is attacking with both hands but it doesn't seem to bother him.
Without blinking a single time, William underwent a series of dozens of attacks. He is waiting for the opportunity to counter some of them, but Zech is fast and each strike is dangerous. He could tell it from the speed, and how each fist moves the air.
The topic of counter-attacking has been a very serious topic that Roman taught him the day before this. It's a form of fighting method that he assumed to be perfect for William's current needs, so he sparred with him for 4 hours to get it to his brain. Since William has no toughest, nor smallest build, he is somewhat average to his age as a Walker.
Though, it will only change as the Walkers grow up differently than the regular youths. Especially the kinds who undergo the forceful Awakening, which adds quite a bit of change in the upcoming months.
Roman's lessons included quite an ordeal of real attacking patterns, that William had to endure because Roman was the attacker. It was then that William began to use the Velvet eyes in real combat situations. Roman recommended getting the hang of it sooner than later. He was saying that the might of the earliest comfort outweighs anything better, so William does exactly that.
Now, he is using everything he has at the same time, while his cycling calculations could barely go for up to 5 minutes in this state. It would be more if his will would be strong, but if hit, or in pain, the number would decrease as he figured that out many times yesterday.
Zech notices the unbelievable nimbleness and great dodging capabilities William possesses. It is giving him a headache in his rather serious attacking patterns that he hopes to strike him, but he fails every damned time. It's anything but incredulous to him, as dodging his barrage of attacks isn't easy and he knows it because of his own practises.
Though, William does exactly that and his body moves according to his intentions.
But, then, Zech gets a sudden idea, as he notices some opportunity. He changes his attacking pattern by stepping to his left, aiming at the corner of the hall, but William still dodges this attempt by slimming under his straight punch. Not even the wall that Zech thought would corner him is successful. Wiliam only hops behind his back, thinking of countering.
With a fist deep in the wall, Zech goes with the second motion of swiping his other hand behind his back. William wastes the potential counter by backing away from this swipe.
“Not yet. This is a great time to see the results of my training.” He thinks again, not caring about his previous promise to not do this again. He lightly jumps on the tip of his toes, focusing his unblinking eyes on Zech who turns around.
Without commenting on anything, Zech chuckles and follows up with another series of attacks.
They strike nothing, but a change occurs when Zech begins to attack Wiliam's lower body with one peculiar striking method. A most deadly kind. The lower kicks to the shin, calves, or knees.
“Damn. You already figured it out?” Wiliam laments as he defends with his knee high and thigh to go against his kick. He isn't that fast to dodge this sort of attack, because Zech is quite a fast attacker when aiming at the legs that are long and harder to defend against a leg kick.
The case of backing with the legs is best against such lower attacks, but with Williams's eyes, he can't properly watch Zech's whole body up close. His whole attention is just enough to view his Vector-enchanted fists.
“That doesn't mean you can lose though,” Zech tells and then a jab goes toward William's face. He dodges by wincing his upper body and neck to the left, but he is still on his left foot.
Another jab follows, but this time, William deflects it with his claw, which secures his position to back away for 6 feet. Another series follows while Zech incorporates some kicks here and there, giving William a much tougher time. Because of them, there are more openings to his upper body. It's a small change, but it's enough for William to grab this opportunity to think of another counter. Zech has to care for 2 attacking patterns right now, giving rise to a possible counter since he has to attack with his first and kicks alike.
William has to think of something fast, otherwise, he will succumb to his time limits or the lower kicks.
So, with a quick lower kick from Zech's right leg, William jumps a little, dodging his leg completely while a fist is yet to arrive. He places his body as close to Zech as he could, but it is for his palm instead. Then a change so fast, that Zech couldn't react to it, occurs.
The flow of the Vectors in William's Gear 1 changes from 0 to 100. A massive change turns the dense and robust claw, which bubbles up with Vectors as if a true explosion occurred inside of it. The Gear 1 turns larger like a mountain. Its fist is almost as big as Zech's upper body, appearing like flickering vectors in not do dense appearance.
Not expecting this sudden change, Zech watches as a sea of crimson enters his eyes, slamming him far into the distant wall.
This time, blood flowed and power pushed to his bones, giving him dizziness that he couldn't get rid of.
This is the end of this match, much to his lacking will.
“Hey! You alright?” William hurries to him, after ceasing his big clawed kind of Annihilation Claw that is Gear 3 away.
Shocked and a little drowsy, Zech is hesitant to answer, as he is quite frankly, spend and speechless.
Behind William, he could see a butler appear.
“This is the end of the 3rd round. The winner is William Gale,” the butler proclaims, while William scratches his head, uncaring about him, so he watches Zech with worry instead. This sort of attack is quite powerful as he knows, but he only used his palm and not much power behind it, so he figures it isn't that bad. He turns after striking more apologies towards Zech who waves a hand in the air, pointing William to follow the path forwards.
“It's nice to meet you, Zech. You are quite strong, so sorry for my lack of holding back,” William tells and disappears around the corner. “Well, Rank 2 Skills would make things more entertaining, so I hope to try you again someday in the future. Bye.” his face tells, before disappearing behind the corner again.
Zech sights and gets out of the crevice that is the wall. Spitting some blood, he swipes his nose with his finger, which also has some residual blood. The dizziness is yet to go out, and his neck and breath aren't fine too. This push of Gear 3 gives him quite some things to consider, as well as a rather serious mental blow.
Is this seriously an attack on a Walker less than 10 days old? This question appears in his head, but the butler walks toward him, asking the question he expects.
“Score?”
“5,” Zech utters while patting his clothes clean with the hopes of this headache disappearing sooner rather than later.
“No comments?”
“None.”
“Then you are to go to the 14th floor in the lower left corner. The last one to get the 3rd one will be there before you will move upwards.” the man tells and turns around. His hand faces the opposite of Zech, conjuring a strange-looking arcanite fog that flows from the palm. It grows stronger, bigger, and faster until it resembles a tornado in the middle of the room.