Mind games
The tension in the air was palpable as Ryan and Draco faced off in a battle that extended beyond mere physical strength. It was a clash of captains.
Draco's eyes crackled with electric energy as he prepared himself for the fight. He couldn't wait to get it over with.
Meanwhile, Ryan, who was now a master manipulator after fusing with biocore, smirked, his eyes glinting with a sinister gleam.
"Draco, my dear friend, it seems you've unleashed a storm within you. But don't you see? Your power is nothing compared to the true might of the mind," Ryan taunted, his voice dripping with confidence.
"Don't you dare look down on me," Draco yelled.
"Alright boys, the rules are simple," Sergeant Malcolm's called out, "get the other to surrender their spot or take it by force by knocking them out."
"Ryan is one of those lucky ones who got a really found faire. Records has him as a level four mind reader and manipulator. Draco has to be careful to hold a candle to this guy," Zen said to Lin as the duel was about to commence.
"Hold still, and I will get it over in an instant. I know I am capable of disaster and have been holding back but not today, " Draco said as he began raising into the air, electricity crackling in his eyes.
Before Draco rain down barrages of fire storm, he felt a split in his head, Ryan finding a doorway into his head.
Draco gritted his teeth, attempting to block out Ryan's influence. He focused on the raging fire within him, channelling his magic to create a protective shield. The flames danced around him, forming a barrier against Ryan's intrusion.
"Is that all you've got, Ryan? You may have the ability to read minds, but I have the power to manipulate fire and lightning. Your mind games won't work on me," Draco retorted, his voice laced with determination.
Ryan chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing. "Oh, my dear Draco, you underestimate the power of suggestion. While you're busy controlling the elements, I'm delving into the depths of your mind. I can twist your thoughts, bend your will, and make you doubt your own abilities."
Draco's mind suddenly became clouded with fog. He became a prisoner of his own mind.
Draco's brows furrowed as doubt began to creep into his mind. His grip on his magic wavered for a moment, causing his flames to flicker. He shook his head, trying to regain control. "No! I won't let you manipulate me, Ryan. I am stronger than that!"
Draco tried staying on his feet, but he couldn't as Ryan kept knocking him around and disrupting his focus.
As the battle raged on, the intensity of their mental struggle manifested in the physical world. Sparks flew from Draco's fingertips, colliding with Ryan's telekinetic force. The ground shook with the impact of their powers, creating a spectacle that drew the attention of the onlookers.
Lin watched in awe and concern, his eyes darting between the two combatants. Lin's heart pounded with worry for Draco. He sought to find a solution to counter Ryan's mind-altering abilities.
"Draco, stay focused! Don't let his words get to you," Lin called out, his voice filled with determination.
Lin's mind raced, searching for a way to counter Ryan's manipulation. Suddenly, an idea sparked within him.
He stepped forward, his voice steady and confident. "Draco, remember who you are. You're not weak. You're a strong, capable mage, and your true power lies in your resilience and belief in yourself. Have you already forgotten you came first place during the tournament?"
Draco's eyes widened as Lin's words pierced through the fog of doubt. He took a deep breath, his gaze locking with Ryan's. "You may have the power to manipulate thoughts and steal punches, but I have the power to control my own destiny. I won't let you define who I am."
"Seems I should have finished you off when I had the chance," Ryan said . He walked towards Draco. He had been dealing punches.
With renewed determination, Draco unleashed a torrent of lightning and fire, surging towards Ryan. The sheer force of his magic overwhelmed Ryan's mental influence, breaking the hold he had over Draco's mind. The flames engulfed Ryan, forcing him to defend himself with all his might.
Draco rushed at Ryan before he could get into his mind again.
Ryan threw out a fist to defend himself, Draco seized him by the arm and swang him to the floor.
Draco knelt over Ryan, dealing blows after blows to his face.
"It is such a pity you were this close to going to Grenguard but wouldn't make it. At least, you put up a good fight," Draco said at the groaning Ryan.
As Ryan lay defeated, his powers weakened, and Draco approached him with a mixture of relief and defiance. "You thought you could control me, manipulate my thoughts, and turn my own power against me. But you underestimated the strength of my mind and the power of my will. I am not just a vessel, Ryan. I am Draco, and I am in control."
Silence arrested the area, and the spectators were stunned.
"A lot of unbelievable events has been happening in the academy but this is out of this world astonishing, I was willing to throw in a white flag for him,"an onlooking cadet said referring to Draco.
"Remind me to stay out of that guy's way," another cadet said in reply.
"That is Draco from class 1B, right? Seems like he just fought his way into Grenguard. Well, since he is leaving, you will not have anything to worry about," another cadet added.
Sergeant Malcolm stood up and walked to where Ryan was sitting, blood in the corner of his lips.
"Son, you know what happens now," Sergent Malcolm said, leading Ryan a hand.
"That was quite a show. You will get him next time," Sergeant Malcolm added, but Ryan rejected the Sergeant's assistance.
The onlookers erupted into cheers, applauding Draco's victory. Draco and Lin exchanged proud smiles.
"Now that Draco has secured a spot, who is next? Lin seems to also want a spot," Sergeant Malcolm said to the ranger's.
"I will do it," Choi, the blind ranger, said as he began walking to the front of the crowd.
"No, not him!" Lin thought.
"We meet again, Choi. I hope we call it even after this," Lin said as he walked up to meet Choi.