"That's..." Hex barely got the word out when a sharp pain hit his torso. The force lifted him off the ground, sending him flying through the air. He hit the ground hard and rolled across the dirt before stopping with a heavy groan.

"Hey, stop it."

Argent had stepped forward, ready to follow up, but Amanda's voice cut in. She stood with her arms folded, her gaze firm.

"Enemies don't wait to strike," Argent said with an innocent look, pretending as if he had done nothing wrong.

Amanda shook her head. "But how will he show what he has if you go all out from the start? This is about testing him, not you enjoying beating kids."

"Oh… I forgot that part." Argent scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

Hex slowly pushed himself up, coughing as the pain lingered in his ribs. His breathing was heavy, but he steadied himself. He glanced at Amanda with a faint nod of gratitude before fixing his eyes back on Argent.

Amanda's voice cut through the silence again. "Now show us what you've got."

Hex lowered his stance, one foot sliding back into position. His fists tightened. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled, focusing his mind.

Argent smirked. "Good. That's better."

Hex rushed forward. His first strike was a quick jab aimed at Argent's chest, but Argent blocked it with ease. Hex followed with a kick, spinning his body for power, but Argent bent backward, letting the strike cut the air above him.

Hex didn't stop. He stepped in close and threw a punch toward Argent's jaw. Argent caught it, but Hex twisted his wrist and slammed his knee upward, forcing Argent to release him.

However before Hex's knees could touch a bang echoed.

And Hex dragged along the ground in tatters.

Hex took a deep breath and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

His body was sore, but his eyes carried determination. He knew this wasn't a match to win, it was a chance to prove that he could hold his ground. Amanda's words gave him that little push. He nodded and steadied himself.

Argent stood across from him, relaxed, hands hanging loosely by his side. His posture looked careless, but his sharp eyes stayed locked on Hex.

"SORRY!"

"I don't know how to hold back but I will try."

"Alright," Hex muttered under his breath. "Let's go."

He activated the agility booster. His legs moved faster, his body felt lighter, almost like the ground itself was helping him. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance. Hex threw a quick jab, followed by a sharp cross to Argent's chest.

Argent tilted his head slightly. Both punches cut through the air, missing him by inches. The sound of Hex's fist slicing through the air made his own chest tighten in frustration.

Without slowing down, Hex ducked and swept his leg low, aiming for Argent's ankles. Argent hopped lightly, landing just outside the sweep, then countered with a calm push kick that sent Hex stumbling back a few steps.

Hex steadied his feet quickly and clenched his fists tighter. "Not gonna let you throw me around," he whispered to himself.

He lunged forward again, this time feinting a punch to the head before driving his knee toward Argent's ribs. Argent caught the motion instantly. His hand came down, palm pressing against Hex's knee, diverting it sideways. Before Hex could recover, Argent twisted his body and drove his elbow toward Hex's back.

Hex reacted fast.

He activated hardening, his skin tightening and hardening like a shell just as the elbow connected. A loud thud rang out. The impact hurt, but it didn't break him. Hex gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and spun around, trying to catch Argent with a backhand strike.

Argent leaned back, letting the swing brush past his chin. His expression didn't change.

Hex pressed forward, using his momentum to throw a flurry of punches, each one stronger than the last.

His arms blurred as he launched a punch blast, the force behind it cracking against the air.

BANG!BANG!BANG!

A faint shockwave resonated in the air.

Argent weaved between them, his movements smooth and unhurried, like water flowing around rocks. Every time Hex thought he had him cornered, Argent slipped out of reach.

Hex's breath came faster. He shifted gears. Instead of attacking straight on, he circled around Argent, using his boosted speed to dart in from different angles. He aimed a quick strike at Argent's side, then pivoted and aimed for his jaw. Each strike was either blocked, redirected, or avoided.

Argent's counters were clean. A short punch to Hex's shoulder when he leaned too far forward. A sudden kick to his thigh to slow him down. Nothing over the top, just simple, precise hits that reminded Hex of the gap between them.

Still, Hex refused to stop. He ducked under another punch, rolled across the ground, and came up with a low kick aimed at Argent's knee. Argent shifted back, but Hex followed it up with a heavy hook to the body. This time, the punch connected with a dull smack.

Argent looked down at the spot where he was hit and raised his eyebrow. "Not bad," he said softly.

Hex used the moment to push forward. He grabbed Argent's arm, trying to pull him into a grapple. His hardened skin pressed against Argent's wrist as he locked his grip. For a second, it felt like he had him. But then Argent twisted his body smoothly, breaking the hold, and sent Hex flying with a shoulder throw.

Hex hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact. He groaned but got up again. His arms trembled slightly, his breaths sharp and heavy.

Amanda called out from the side, "Don't stop now! Keep moving!"

Hex nodded, spitting dust from his mouth. He dashed in again, using everything at once,boosted speed, hardened skin, and explosive force. His movements became unpredictable. He fainted left, dashed right, spun low, and struck with both fists.

Each hit carried desperation.

Argent still managed to dodge most of them, but Hex's persistence kept him engaged. A straight punch grazed Argent's cheek, leaving a faint red mark.

Amanda raised her brows seeing this.

"He actually touched him…"

Argent smiled faintly, almost proud. But then his knee shot up sharply, catching Hex in the stomach. The hardened skin absorbed part of it, but the force still knocked the air from his lungs. Hex doubled over, clutching his stomach.

Argent stepped back, not finishing the attack. "You've got spirit. Keep sharpening it," he said calmly.

Hex raised his head, sweat dripping down his face, and smiled faintly through the pain. "I'm… not done yet."

His legs shook, his fists tightened, and even though his body screamed to stop, he stepped forward once more.

Hex stood with his chest rising and falling heavily. Sweat ran down his face and his breath came out rough. His eyes stayed locked on Argent, refusing to look away. He clenched his fists tighter as if his will alone could push his body to keep moving.

He rushed forward again, his steps fast and sharp from the agility booster still working in his body. He threw a straight punch, his skin hardened for impact. Argent leaned aside and let the fist brush past. Hex twisted, throwing a second punch without pause. Argent blocked it with ease and pushed him back with a light shove that nearly made Hex stumble.

Gritting his teeth, Hex steadied himself and kicked low at Argent's legs. Argent raised his foot and blocked, calm as ever. Hex spun, aiming a punch blast to Argent's side. The air cracked as the force burst forward, but Argent slid back just enough for it to miss. The ground shook under Hex's strike instead.

"You're pushing too hard," Argent said, his voice even.

Hex's lungs burned. His arms grew heavier with every swing. His legs slowed even with the booster helping. Still, he fought on, sweat dripping into his eyes. He tried a last push, hardening his whole body and driving forward with both fists, but Argent caught him by the shoulders and then before Hex could react,he lifted him up and slammed him onto the ground with brutal force.

BOOOOOOOOM!

Hex groaned in pain as his back clashes against the hard floor brutally.

"That's enough kids!

....

Hardening (D)[★★★]

• Agility Enhancer (D)[]

• Punch Blast (E)[★★]

Permanent Slot:

• Chaos Absorption (B)

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