SSS Cultivation: I Can Conquer Earth's Rank System
Chapter 52: Fight You? Accepted.

Chapter 52: Fight You? Accepted.

"what?!" Leo yelled out in shock. Even Ethan couldn’t believe his ears.

"You hear me right, Leo. Get ready to dance with me. I mean you have an amazing quirk, right?" Jaden said wickedly.

"I don’t know why you think I stand a chance against you, but everyone here knows I clearly stand no chance. Why are you facing me suddenly? I thought you came for me, Jade."

"What do you think this is? A romance scene where I come to save my lover? I’ve condoned your nonsense long enough. You have no choice now, boy. Fight me now!"

Silently, Jose slipped away from Leo’s side so he wouldn’t get noticed again by the angry and crazy Morningbolt boy. Leo was left alone to face Jade. But as if as an encouragement, Jose touched Leo’s broken arm firmly and instantly left him before slipping away. Another soothing feeling washed through Leo’s arm, and he saw his mangled arm suddenly start returning back to it’s normal form.

"Good boy Jose. Now you have no excuse, Leo."

Leo saw that this fight was inevitable since Jade was more angry and serious than he has ever seen him. He quietly reached for his pocket and felt for Loca’s Pen. If Jade wanted a fight, then a fight he shall get, even if Leo stood little to no chance against this born fighter.

He knew Jade had gotten into the Training ground through dubious means. If he can wave around his attacks and managed not to get hurt for a while, the authorities will be here soon to take him away.

"Jade has gone crazy. Why does he think a D-ranker is his equal? Does he just want to bully him as well?" Ethan thought.

"But, hey look. The boy is getting ready to fight him as well. Are we missing something? Does he really stand a chance?" Phil asked behind Ethan.

"If what we saw at the Arena that day was true, Leo might just survive well till the authorities appear. He might be a D-ranker but he has a powerful laser quirk. If only he has the mobility like Jade. It’s funny how Jade thinks highly of him though. He’s nothing but a weakling." Ethan said.

Leo stepped forward a few paces and stopped when he was at a fighting distance from Jade. He knew this distance was a dangerous one for him since he lacks the skill and mobility for close combat that Jade possessed. Still he went close.

There must be a reason why Jade hadn’t ever bullied him like he always promised. Did he really think he’s a worthy opponent against him? Or was he just toying with Leo in a long term game? If he really thought highly of Leo, then this fight was a testament to it...and there is no backing away now.

"I don’t know why you think I can fight you even when there’s a huge rank difference between us...but if you really want the fight, then a fight you shall get. Bring it on.

A sweat broke out Leo’s forehead even as he said this. No gher really was no backing away. He just hope he could stall for time by using the basic agility lessons he has received in one of Hunter Man’s classes. If he could dodge and survive Jade’s attacks for about fivr minutes or so, the authorities will surely come to take Jade away. But if not...

"I’m dead..."

"Good of you boy. Get ready to be smoked!" Jade yelled as he swiped his right arm forward in a wide arc. "Die!"

"Easy..."

Leo took a side step, moving away from Jade’s attack. If nothing, this only provoked Jade. He has been playing lenient with Leo this whole time even when the weakling has mocked him stylishly. He wasn’t going to accept that anymore.

It’s awkward to think of it, but Jade’s reason for coming here has been abandoned. Who he tried to save was who he was attacking now.

This was getting intense...

The training center became a battlefield of heat and light as soon as Jade powered up in readiness for another of his vicious attacks. Flames roared through the air as Jade advanced, each step sending waves of fire rolling toward Leo. The bright light reflected off the steel training equipments all around, casting wild shadows as Leo barely managed to weave through the assault.

Jade’s grin was sharp, almost excited. "C’mon, Leo! I know you can do better than this!" He hurled another blast, the fire twisting into the form of a streamy fire before it came crashing down.

Leo dove, barely escaping as the ground behind him exploded. His fingers instinctively went into his pocket and he reached for Loca’s pen, and carefully, the device was hidden beneath his sleeve. He needed to make his shots count.

Somewhere in the corner, Jose’s eyes grew wide st what he thought he saw, but he didn’t say anything.

"Thank stars, it is fully charged..." Leo thought. "You won’t get me that easily, Jade."

He sprang up immediately before Jade could attack again, aiming his palm at Jade, and a bright streak of blue light shot forward. The laser cut through the smoke, straight at Jade forcing him to sidestep.

"Now we’re talking!" Jade laughed, eyes burning with battle lust. He launched forward, fire coating his fists as he swung. Leo blocked one strike with his lasers, then another, but the heat seared through his jacket, burning into his skin. He clenched his teeth against the pain.

With a flash, Jade got close enough, weaving thought Leo’s continuous laser attacks. Leo seeing that Jade was now close decided to take a turn and create more sustjce between them since there was no way he would survive fighting Jade in a close combat...but it was too late.

A flaming uppercut caught him hard in the gut. Leo choked as he was sent sprawling across the floor, his back slamming against the cold tiles. His vision blurred for a second, his body screaming at him to stop.

"Not yet. Just a little longer."

Jade stood back with a fierce grin in his face. He was enjoying this more than he expected.

Leo forced himself up, dashing toward the far side of the room, toward Jose who was standing by the corner. The young healer was shocked at first but as Leo got close, he understood what he needed so he got ready, waiting. His hands glowed a full yellow with restoration energy.

Jose’s fingers barely brushed Leo’s arm before the warmth of healing surged through him. "You can’t keep this up," Jose muttered glumly. He wasn’t trying to be friendly.

"I just need more time," Leo rasped.

"I don’t care," Jose muttered, more to himself.

Jade wasn’t waiting anymore. Jose bolted away, seeing Jade approaching, leaving Leo to continue with his fight. The raging fire-wielder surged forward, launching a spiraling tornado of flames. Leo twisted his body at the last second, the heat licking at his skin as he slid beneath it. He fired another laser, this time at Jade’s shoulder. The impact forced Jade to be thrown a few feet back, but it didn’t slow him down for long. He was not too surprised though. He had expected that much from Leo, seeing how he had performed during the Test.

"You’re better than I thought," Jade admitted. "Maybe we really stood a chance."

"What?! Was that what he thought of me? How does he think I stand a chance when he’s many ranks ahead of me?!"

Leo didn’t answer. His chest rose and fell heavily as he positioned himself near the entrance, his back almost to the wall.

Then finally, he heard it. The sound of running boots talking against the floor.

"They are here..."

"You know what, Jade? I appreciate you for thinking I stand a chance against you. Sooner or later, I’ll be able to best you, don’t you think? Aha." Leo said mockingly.

"What the hell are you saying?!" Jade yelled.

"I’m saying, if you think I’m a worthy opponent even when I’m D-ranked, what do you think will happen when I level up? C’mon don’t look at me like that, I’ll level up, trust me. And I’ll surely teach you a lesson."

Jade was beyond angry, but he surprisingly didn’t attack Leo. If nothing, he was somehow shook by what Leo said. But he must not show it.

"Joke’s on you, boy. If you truly ever level up, which I don’t think is possible, you can’t level up more than the C-rank, Aha. And when you level up to C, what fo you think I’ll be doing throughout those period, you moron?!!!"

"I don’t know, licking Riley’s ass, I guess. You’re always in his shadow, isn’t that right?"

Jade tensed, his expression flickering just for a moment. Riley powered up with more rage than before, but Leo saw his opening.

With a final push, he fired another beam, aiming straight for the ground at Jade’s feet. The sudden blast cracked the tiles, making Jade lose his footing just as the doors burst open and the authorities rushed in with their beast weapons.

Jade growled, stepping back as officers surrounded him. His flames still flickered dangerously, but even he knew he was out of time.

"Jaden, you must stop right now. You have an explanation to give for all these. Why did you unlawfully barge into the Training centre?" one of the school guards asked rhetorically with grited teeth.

Leo was a little shocked at what he just heard. He had thought Jade would be apprehended because he caused a fight between them. But no, they only came here because he got into the Training centre without a pass.

"I could have died and the authorities wouldn’t have cared if he got in with a pass..? Earth keeps surprising me," Leo thought bitterly.

However relieved, Leo let out a long breath, his legs almost giving out beneath him.

Jade met Leo’s gaze one last time as the guards drew close and held him in a tight grasp. "Next time, I won’t hold back. I promise."

Leo wiped the sweat from his brow, his burns still stinging. He allowed himself a small smirk.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Neither will I."

"Good gracious," he exhaled deeply.

He looked behind him and saw that Ethan and the other two seniors have disappeared.

Only Jose remained.

The little senior stepped closer. Leo was about to thank him for the healing, but...

Jose stared at him with suspicious eyes...