The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 55 Aura to Aura

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The pressure was immense. Jack felt as though he were an ant standing before a mighty dragon, its fiery breath ready to consume him. His legs trembled under the invisible weight, every fiber of his being straining to remain upright. Behind him, the classroom faded into a blur—faces, voices, and whispers became distant echoes. All that existed was Hay, his piercing black eyes locking onto Jack's with an intensity that felt almost suffocating.

Jack couldn't look away, no matter how much he wanted to. It wasn't just Hay's gaze; it was the aura radiating from him—overwhelming, all-encompassing, and utterly crushing. It wasn't the type of force one could simply endure. It was ancient, tempered by years of battle and relentless practice. Jack could feel it in his bones, in the trembling of his muscles, and in the very air he breathed.

'So this is what the others felt?' Jack thought, his mind struggling to focus under the immense weight. Sweat dripped down his face, and his breaths came in shallow gasps.

But what Jack felt now was beyond what any of his classmates had endured. Each second was like having another mountain stacked on his shoulders, the pressure building, layer by layer. His knees threatened to give way, his legs screaming for relief, but he gritted his teeth and held firm.

Hay's stoic expression betrayed nothing, but inside, his thoughts were in turmoil. 'This boy… How is this possible?!' he marveled, struggling to maintain his composure.

Unbeknownst to Jack, he had already stood under the oppressive aura for thirty minutes—a feat unheard of among his peers, who had barely managed a few minutes before collapsing. And yet, Jack showed no signs of giving up.

'Could it be…? Is he from Alogra's bloodline?' Hay's lips curled into a faint smile as a realization struck him. 'If that's the case… Let's see how far he can go.'

Without warning, Hay's aura surged. A loud *boom* reverberated through the room, and Jack felt the force slam into him like a tidal wave. His boots sank into the wooden floor with a sharp *crack*, the planks beneath him splintering under the sheer weight. The oppressive energy clung to him like a suffocating blanket, pushing him closer to the edge.

For a moment, Jack's mind flickered with doubt. The pressure was immense—inhuman. But then, a memory surfaced, sharp and clear: Alogra. The overwhelming presence he had encountered before, far greater than this. A grin tugged at Jack's lips as the realization hit him.

'This is child's play,' he thought with a mental hiss. 'I've faced worse. I can handle this.'

The flames of resolve ignited within him, burning brighter with each passing second. His defiance wasn't just a mental fortitude—it was something deeper. Something primal. He straightened his back, locking eyes with Hay, his expression a mix of determination and mockery.

The other students watched in stunned silence, their faces a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"He's… a monster," someone whispered. "How can he stand for so long?"

"Even after Master Hay increased the pressure…" another murmured, their voice trembling. "This isn't human."

Kurt, still recovering from his earlier ordeal, stared at Jack with wide eyes. "He's not just standing," he muttered, almost to himself. "He's fighting back."

James, on the other hand, clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles white. His teeth ground together audibly as he glared at Jack. 'How is he doing this?' he thought, frustration and envy clawing at him. 'Is Hay going easy on him, or…?'

Jack, however, had no time for their reactions. His focus was entirely on the overwhelming aura pressing down on him—and on the growing realization that he could fight back. As the seconds dragged on, his mind sharpened. He felt something shift within him, a sensation he couldn't quite describe. It was as though his very soul had awakened to the challenge.

'Wait… this is similar to Alogra's aura,' he thought, the pieces falling into place. 'It's the same mechanism. If I can withstand his, then Hay's should be no different. Maybe… I can even turn it to my advantage.'

As if responding to his thoughts, a dark green energy began to stir within Jack. He felt it coursing through him, raw and untamed. He didn't need to summon it—it answered his call instinctively, like a wolf recognizing its master.

Hay faltered for the briefest moment, his sharp eyes narrowing as he felt the shift. The oppressive force he had directed at Jack began to meet resistance—not just defiance, but something more tangible. The flickering green energy surrounding Jack grew brighter, more potent, and it began pushing back.

'What… is this?' Hay thought, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. For the first time in years, he felt the stirrings of something he hadn't experienced in a long time: fear.

To Hay, Jack no longer seemed like a mere student. The green aura surrounding him burned with the ferocity of wildfire, consuming everything in its path. It clawed at Hay's own energy, devouring it, turning the tide of the battle.

"You're losing, Master Hay," Jack said, his voice calm but laced with unmistakable confidence. His smirk widened as he took a step forward, the shattered floor beneath him groaning in protest. "Is that all you've got?"

The room fell silent. Even the whispers had stopped. No one dared speak, too stunned by the scene unfolding before them.

Hay's eyes darted to the other students. He could feel their gazes—some filled with awe, others with disbelief. He couldn't afford to let this continue. He had to maintain authority, and this boy was rapidly turning the test into something else entirely.

With a sharp exhale, Hay withdrew his hand, severing the connection. The pressure vanished instantly, leaving the room feeling eerily light. He clenched his fists behind his back to hide the faint tremor in his hands.

"You've done well," Hay said, his voice measured but strained. "Return to your seat."

Jack inclined his head slightly, his smirk still firmly in place. "Nice," he said simply before turning back toward his seat. He could feel James's glare boring into his back, and he relished it.

'What can I say?' Jack thought, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. 'You're all just weak.'

Kurt couldn't contain himself any longer. The moment Jack sat down, Kurt grabbed his arm, his curiosity bubbling over. "How the hell did you do that?" he whispered fiercely. "What's your secret?"

Jack leaned back, feigning disinterest. "Practice," he said, though his mind was elsewhere, focused on the glowing notifications hovering in his vision.

[Lord's Aura – Level 2!]

[New Skill Acquired: Aura Manipulation!]

[Aura Manipulation – Level 1]

Jack's grin widened as he read the system messages. His victory wasn't just over Hay—it was over the limits of his own abilities. And this was only the beginning.

Hay, meanwhile, stood at the front of the class, his gaze fixed on Jack. 'Alogra…' he thought, his mind racing. 'What have you unleashed upon us this time?'

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