Chapter 10: Defeat
While Lake and Gregory stood in the center the surrounding students were excited and awaited a good beat down.
"Hey do you think Lake will beat Gregory?"
"Huh? Are you kidding me, that waste won't even last a minute."
"I bet he won't even last 10 seconds against Gregory."
The audience was eagerly discussing the fight between Lake and Gregory. Though none of them believed that Lake could win. It wasn't their fault for not believing though, it was common knowledge that a person without an ability could't possibly defeat someone with one.
It was especially so with Lake since he preferred to keep a low profile, if it wasn't for Gregory's tendency to pick on the weak, no one would've even noticed Lake.
As he stood within the ring surrounded by his classmates, he sent his gaze around and observed every expression that appeared.
Excitement, pity, and even gloating appeared among them. They were the same faces four years ago, whether it was the expressions on their faces or the contempt in their voices.
For someone like Lake it was nothing new and he didn't care about any of the conversations around him.
Taking the initiative to speak Gregory said, "I'll be kind Lake and not use my ability, otherwise this would end too quickly."
"Let's just get this over with." With the same cold tone Lake responded.
"Okay, just remember that anything can happen in a spar so don't blame me if you get hurt." Gregory had a malicious glint in his eye.
This didn't go unnoticed by Lake however, yet he could feel something else in Gregory's gaze.
'Blood lust!' Lake mind shook, in his head he was extremely puzzled. Even if Gregory disliked him it wasn't to the extent of wanting to kill him, so just why?
Though Lake had endured all the insults to him throughout the years, he wasn't really someone that would just lie down and take abuse. He let it go for so long because he knew his opinion wasn't worth a damn without a future.
But now he had the chance to change his fate, he wouldn't have to endure their insults. And since someone wanted to kill him, how could he possibly just stand there and let it happen?!
'Okay Gregory, since you wanted this 'spar' so badly, don't blame me when something happens.' A mischievous smile arose on Lake's face when he thought of this.
He had thought of the consequences that would come after the fight, but he knew that if he compromised right now, Gregory would never stop coming after him. What Lake lacked most compared to Gregory was backing. So he needed to firmly show off his talent to gain a good backer to protect him until he became strong enough.
There was one student on the outside that would signal the start of the fight.
"3, 2, 1, Fight!"
Even before the student finished Gregory had already charged forward with a push of his leg.
Lake meanwhile, stood there motionless until Gregory finally reached him. To the students outside it seemed like Lake was too afraid to move.
"Ha! What a joke, and he looked so arrogant just now. What bullsh*t"
"The trash is too scared to even move, haha!"
Gregory pulled his right arm back and punched out with full strength but Lake completely disregarded it as he swiveled his body to the right still sticking close to Gregory's body.
Before Gregory could react Lake activated Quick Feet and thrusted his knee straight into Gregory's stomach.
*PA*
"Ugh!" A groan escaped Gregory's mouth as he was sent into the air in the shape of a U.
Lake didn't let up as he immediately squatted down to jump into the air. When he reached Gregory he did a front flip and landed a powerful axe kick onto Gregory's back.
Gregory shot down like a rocket and landed with a loud bang. The impact created a string of cracks coming from the center of the ring.
Silence.
Everyone stared slack-jawed as Lake landed back onto the ring. Not even 5 seconds had passed yet Gregory was already sent into the ground. They could hardly believe the display of strength by Lake just now.
Slowly Gregory got up from the ground while his gaze never left Lake's body,; if looks could kill, Lake would've died a thousand times by now. He had never felt so humiliated before.
Gnashing his teeth Gregory immediately ignited his hands and wrists with fire. There were gasps in the audience as the students backed away hurriedly.
"Hey Gregory, weren't you the one who said no powers?" Lake restated what Gregory had said earlier.
"Shut up you trash! You think just because you know a couple tricks you'll beat me? Without powers, you shouldn't even dream of believing that!" A crazed look shone in Gregory's eyes as he charged forth with a blaze trailing behind him from his arms.
Lake's eyes narrowed, this was the first time he fought someone who used their powers, yet he was surprisingly calm. Taking a deep breath Lake started sprinting around Gregory in a circle.
Only one word could describe his movements.
'Fast!' They had no idea Lake could move so quickly.
Gregory saw Lake dash and stopped in place as he had no way to reach Lake. He knew he needed to wait for an opportunity.
And that opportunity came when he saw Lake seemingly mess up his footing and fall.
'Chance!' When Lake's body was nearly perpendicular to the floor, Gregory rushed forward and thrusted his flame covered palm at Lake's back. As his palm reached Lake's back his eyes shone with excitement, but he failed to notice a cunning glint in Lake's eyes.
Just as the flames started to singe his clothes, Lake spun his body in an almost impossible way causing Gregory's hand to hit the floor instead. Subsequently Lake supported his body with his arms before sweeping his leg out to trip Gregory.
Taking advantage of the moment Gregory was in the air Lake got up and clasped his fist into his hand and slammed straight down onto Gregory with all his strength.
*THWACK*
A loud rumble rang throughout the gym and even more cracks littered the surface of the floor. While the surrounding students went wide-eyed in disbelief.
As silence reigned in the gym, an aura of strength began radiating off of Lake's body. It was at this moment that the students knew, they'd unleashed a beast.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone