Volume Three: Academy's All-Out Rampage - Wing of Plundering the Heavens

In the dimly lit hall stood an extravagantly designed throne. The back of the throne was extremely high, almost reaching the ceiling, and was covered with incomprehensible patterns. Looking down, the seat was also much wider than that of an ordinary throne, and the seat and armrests were covered with luxurious velvet, which was very soft and comfortable.

A man in his thirties or forties, dressed in a dark blue suit, walked over, his every step extremely careful, carrying a tray in both hands.

"My lord... my Leader..."

"... zzzzzzzzzz"

"My Leader, it's time for dinner."

"Zzzzzzz... hmm?"

The figure lying on the throne—yes, "lying"—moved slightly. His head was resting on the left armrest, which he used as a pillow, while his legs were on the right armrest, completely treating the throne as a bed.

"My Leader, it's time for dinner."

Seeing that his master had woken up, Gustav repeated himself.

"Just because this disturbed my sleep?"

"Eating on time is very important for your health, Leader Majesty." With that, Gustav knelt on one knee, bowed deeply, and respectfully raised the tray in his hands above his head, level with the man who was sitting upright on the throne.

"Ugh, you're so annoying... Never mind, what's today?"

The Leader picked up the lid from the tray, carefully examined the dishes, and then frowned.

"... What's this?"

"Prepared elm seeds and mugwort, candied potatoes with honey, and --"

"I'm asking, why are they all vegetarian?"

"Sir, your diet has been very unbalanced lately. You should eat more vegetables to balance things out and pay attention to a balanced diet."

"Are you my mother? And how many times have I told you to put in more chili! Throw this out and make it again!"

"Sir, wasting food is bad, and being picky about food is even worse."

"I'll kill you."

"If my death can make Leader Majesty realize the importance of a balanced diet, I would gladly die ten thousand times over."

"Then you should just die!"

Then, Gustav's body shuddered violently and he collapsed to the ground.

Even though he had fallen to the ground, his hands were still steadily supporting the tray.

Three seconds later, Gustav stood up again.

"My lord, I forgot to tell you, it's difficult to kill your subject using 'that level' alone right now. If you insist on killing your subject, please increase your firepower by about 40%."

"... You make me look like an idiot, you know? Fine... just leave the food here, you can get out."

"Yes, sir."

Despite being treated very unreasonably, Gustav showed no sign of displeasure. He bowed deeply and left.

"Hey, wait a minute!"

"What can I do for you?"

"You guys are going to the Central United Academy to get the Boundary Breaking Armor later, right?"

"Yes, considering that the Central United Academy also has another Divine Item Water Heart, and Void Realm, whom the Void Realm previously invited but failed to Fiaz, the two high-ranking officials, Chen Xia and Huang Huo, are currently confirmed to go. Yu He may also go. The Void Realm and Neumann will remain in place as usual."

"Is that so... Hmph, the Central United Academy and all that, it was just a piece of flat land that was casually cleared away back then, how did it develop into this... Gustav, how long has it been since I've been out?"

"The last time you left headquarters was to meet Ai Kasser on the West Saint Continent, which was about two hundred years ago."

"Ai Kasser? Who's that?"

"It's Blood Fiend."

"Her... she's always being called 'Blood Fiend, 'Blood Fiend I've forgotten what her real name is. I really don't know which idiot came up with such a tasteless nickname as 'Blood Fiend.'"

"It's you, sir."

"... Forget everything I just said, understand?"

"Clear."

"Let's not talk about that! Anyway, I haven't had any fresh air in a while... How about I come along to the Central United Academy this time?"

Gustav showed signs of wavering for the first time.

"Leader Majesty, are you serious!? Then I will immediately go and prepare the ceremonial procession--"

"Shut up! The honor guard thing isn't a joke! The only reason I want to go out is because I have a feeling I might get some... surprises there."

Boom!!!

A figure streaked across the sky like a cannonball, crashing heavily onto a building in the suburbs. Before the rubble could even hit the ground, a blue shadow, as fast as lightning, was already in front of Xiao Wu!

"This is so much fun, Xiao Wu!!!"

"--cut!"

A dazzling laser beam erupted from the muzzle, but Ling Ye dodged it the instant Xiao Wu pulled the trigger! The unpredictable movement combined with supersonic speed made a hit impossible! Xiao Wu whirled around and attacked Ling Ye, bayonet and dagger clashing again. Xiao Wu parried his dagger while simultaneously pulling the trigger. Ling Ye decisively released his dagger, leaping back and throwing several flying needles! Xiao Wu's reaction was equally swift; the instant Ling Ye's arm moved, she activated her Gun Array. The dense bullets and the needles traveling at three times the speed of sound collided and neutralized, but in the next instant, a flash of silver light sliced through the billowing smoke—

"Flash Sheath - Swift Severance!"

"Rhino Strike!"

A powerful punch, delivered with all her might, collided with the silver light. The dagger pierced through Xiao Wu's fist from the front, shattering even the bones. Crimson blood splattered, yet Xiao Wu did not flinch. Instead, she lunged forward to meet Ling Ye! Her Super Regeneration allowed the dagger to become lodged in her fist, and she clenched her fingers tightly, firmly gripping Ling Ye's hand!

In his free hand, the Black Star's bayonet emitted a dazzling yellow light!

"Got you! Blade Array - Bee Sting!!"

"Flash Sheath - Star Shattering Rush!!"

The bayonet left countless afterimages, unleashing no fewer than a hundred consecutive thrusts in a mere instant, like a deadly swarm of bees! The speed of the dagger in Ling Ye's other hand even surpassed it! Yellow and silver light clashed no fewer than a hundred times at extremely close range, each impact not producing a clanging sound of metal, but rather a deafening explosion like cannonballs! But this standoff was fleeting; Ling Ye's dagger was already shattered. The ultra-high-speed swings and the impacts with the Black Star bayonet were simply beyond the capabilities of ordinary daggers, even those made of special metals!

Xiao Wu seized the opportunity to press her advantage, unleashing the power accumulated in her pierced hand, disregarding the damage to her own body and shaking off Ling Ye's hand! At the same time, the gun barrel locked onto Ling Ye at extremely close range, spitting fire!

"Gun Array - Ziwei!!!"

Purple light exploded on Ling Ye's body, like a rose in full bloom! Countless petal-like soft lights enveloped him, rendering him unable to move!

"Li Erqi Style - Dust Wind!!!"

Releasing his pistols, he formed claws with both hands and hurled Ling Ye behind him—the speed was so fast that even Ling Ye didn't have time to react.

"Oni Transformation 30% % - Rei Sanichi Style: Meteor Fall!!!"

Xiao Wu's eyes flashed with a sharp purple light, and strands of her hair turned white! Her body transformed into a shooting star, and a powerful kick descended from the sky, crashing down towards Ling Ye!

There were five giant shadows in the sky.

Four of them gathered together, while the fifth confronted them.

A giant with a female face and a male body, wielding a thousand hands; an old man with white hair and beard, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom; a bald, tattooed, burly man wielding a chain blade; and a gigantic roc covered in gold.

Although they outnumbered each other, they were all seriously injured, especially the Golden-Winged Roc, who was already on the verge of collapse, while the person on the other side was almost unharmed.

That was Black Crystal with wings that had spread a hundred feet wide.

Snap, snap, snap.

Applause erupted, the sound of which, though soft, carried far.

"Truly remarkable. I must admit, Si Nan Xiao, you are an unexpectedly formidable opponent."

"Huff... Huff... Haa..." Xiao sat on Dapeng's back, panting heavily. Although she only suffered abrasions, it was obvious that she had exhausted all her strength.

"To run out of stamina before your spiritual energy in a battle like this, you're quite the oddball... I'll ask you one last time, are you willing to give up and join my Black Crow?"

"No... I won't!"

Xiao Mingming had difficulty even sitting up, but she still shouted at the Black Crystal with all her might.

"... Since you're so unwilling, then I have no choice but to say goodbye. As a sign of respect, I'll use my signature move to send you to your grave."

As she finished speaking, the enormous Black Wings, originally hundreds of feet long, suddenly exploded, disintegrating into countless extremely fine black particles and droplets. More of the same substance erupted from behind them like a volcanic eruption, the flow increasing rapidly, blocking out the sunlight, and even turning the sky above them pitch black!

"Freeze!"

With a soft shout, the eruption immediately stopped. The black substance that filled the sky gathered together and solidified, still in the shape of wings, but its size was far greater than before.

Xiao was so shocked she couldn't speak.

The scene before her was beyond her comprehension.

If I had to describe it in one word, it would be "night."

The enormous Black Wings stretched for several kilometers, like a black curtain hanging in the sky, blotting out the sun. There were thousands or even tens of thousands of black feathers on them, the longest of which was over a hundred meters long, and each one exuded a strong killing intent.

"Isn't it beautiful? My favorite move is called -- Wing of Plundering the Heavens!"

Stunned, Xiao was left with only a strange thought in her mind.

"Using this kind of force against me... isn't that a bit too extravagant?"

Then, the sky-like Black Wings curved, encircling her like a wall in the center, and countless black feathers turned and pointed at her.

It uses wings that can extend for several kilometers to completely block off the surrounding area, and then uses tens of thousands of kinetic energy weapons to surround and kill its prey.

The ultimate move was like a cruel joke, too detached from reality, and it didn't even give the feeling of being in a deep crisis.

"Have you thought of your last words? Then goodbye, 'book friend'..."

Tens of thousands of feathers jingled and chimed.

Then, out of biological instinct, Xiao closed her eyes.

Actually, she had a trump card up her sleeve that she hadn't used yet, but she was self-aware enough to know that her so-called ultimate move was incomparable to the Wing of Plundering the Heavens.

I heard the sound of wind breaking.

However, the expected death did not occur.

Xiao opened her eyes a crack.

Countless black feathers were still chiming, but they had lost their previous power and become somewhat chaotic.

"Ugh... cough cough!!"

Groans and coughing up blood could be heard in the distance.

"Damn it... who are you?!"

The Black Crystal seems to have suddenly become... very ominous?

The Wing of Plundering the Heavens Spin unfolded, and Xiao also saw the condition of the Black Crystal.

She was glaring fiercely at someone behind her, blood still dripping from the corner of her mouth, and her clothes were tattered.

Appearing behind her was a girl with long light brown hair, who gave off a gentle impression.

"You don't need to know who I am, just know that I'm your enemy. If your attention hadn't been completely focused on Miss Xiao, I wouldn't have had the chance to directly attack you..."

Givinia's phantom—which had been a solid figure just seconds before—floated in the air, teasing him in a tone as if greeting a neighbor taking a walk.

"The Leader of the Black Crows truly lives up to his reputation. It's a pity you noticed such a sneak attack at the last second; you couldn't kill him with one blow."

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Givinia Sorel, Hybrid Ability User-

First Superpower: Consciousness Projection

Second ability: Air Bomb

Third superpower: Stealing Heads (just kidding)