The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 57 I want to fight!

Jack glanced to his side, sizing up his opponent. James stood rigid, his eyes barely concealing the simmering rage beneath a calm façade. Jack chuckled inwardly, 'He's stubborn. Telling him no won't cut it. Fine, I'll pair with him—but I'll need to stay sharp.'

"Alright then," Jack said nonchalantly, as though the decision had no weight.

The two strode to a corner of the class hall, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. Their gazes locked, the air between them brimming with unspoken tension.

Meanwhile, Kurt stood fuming nearby, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "Damn it! That church rat beat me to the punch!" he muttered, casting a venomous glance at James. Forced to find another partner, Kurt reluctantly paired with a red-scaled beastman who towered over him.

"I don't think this is fair," the beastman said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as his tail flicked in irritation. "Avalonians already know this technique. What's the point of pairing up?" His frustration was shared by a few others, but no one spoke out too loudly, unwilling to provoke Hay's wrath.

Jack ignored the commotion, his focus pinned on James. His opponent unsheathed his blade with a slow, deliberate motion, the steel glinting menacingly under the classroom's dim light.

'Has more blessings than the Lady? Tch, what a joke,' James thought bitterly as he lunged forward, his blade aimed straight for Jack's chest.

James moved with intent—his strikes were calculated, but his fury was apparent in the sharpness of each motion. Jack, however, remained unshaken. His lips curved into a smirk, one meant to needle his opponent further.

'If I could hold my own against Alogra, even if only barely, what makes you think you stand a chance?' Jack thought, sidestepping the first attack with ease.

James snarled and pivoted, slashing diagonally toward Jack's torso. The blade whistled through the air, but Jack deftly stepped back, dodging the strike by a hair's breadth.

"Fast, but not fast enough," Jack teased, his tone light and infuriatingly smug.

'Since Hay used me as his demonstration dummy, I already understand the basics of the hop technique. Now's my chance to put it to the test.' Jack's thoughts raced as he observed James' movements. 'All I have to do is mimic Hay's moves, maybe tweak them a bit. Let's see if this idiot can keep up.'

James lunged again, this time aiming for Jack's legs in an attempt to unbalance him. Jack responded instantly, hopping back with a fluidity that left James stumbling forward, his blade slicing through empty air.

A ripple of frustration crossed James' face as he growled, "Don't get cocky just yet!"

With a fierce shout, James unleashed a powerful arc of energy from his blade, the slash hurtling toward Jack like a wave.

'So, he's pulling out all the stops now,' Jack mused, his smirk widening. He hopped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack as it scorched the ground where he'd been standing.

'Hay was right—this technique is about more than just quick feet. A clear mind, sharp eyes, and steady nerves. It's like the boxers back home, hopping and weaving through punches. Except here, one mistake could mean losing a limb.' The thought brought a flicker of memory—a fleeting image of Jack sitting in front of a screen, watching UFC fighters dance around their opponents.

The memory left a pang in his chest, but he shook it off. 'Focus, Jack. You've got work to do.'

James charged again, his blade glinting with renewed determination. Jack darted forward, his fist cocked back for a heavy punch. James twisted his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the strike, and retaliated with an upward slash aimed at Jack's gut.

Jack hopped back just in time, leaving James overextended and off-balance. Jack seized the opportunity, his leg shooting upward with the force of a battering ram.

The impact landed squarely on James' chest, sending a deafening crack echoing through the hall. James staggered, gasping for air as the sheer force of the blow rattled his ribs.

'That's for being a member of the church,' Jack thought darkly, his grin turning feral.

He didn't stop there. A second kick followed, then a third, each strike heavier than the last. James' body crumpled further with each blow, his gasps turning into choked whimpers.

'That's for messing with my story's main character.'

Another kick.

'That's for all the stress you people have put me through.'

And one final, devastating strike that sent James airborne before he crashed to the ground with a sickening thud. His sword clattered uselessly beside him as he lay motionless, his eyes rolled back in unconsciousness.

The room fell silent, every pair of eyes locked on Jack.

Jack wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest rising and falling with adrenaline-fueled breaths. A wild grin spread across his face, one that bordered on insanity. 'I've been waiting for a punching bag like you. Thanks for volunteering.'

The spell was broken as James' allies, members of the same religious order, rushed forward to surround Jack.

"You lunatic! What the hell was that for?!" one of them shouted, kneeling beside James to check his condition.

Jack tilted his head mockingly. "What? We're all here to learn, aren't we?" His grin widened. 'What's the matter? Want me to apologize? Fat chance.'

"You Avalonian scum always take things too far!" another spat, drawing two short daggers from their belt.

Jack raised an eyebrow, his hand resting casually on his sword's hilt. 'They've confused my origins because of my sword. Typical idiots.'

He took a quick headcount. 'Five of them. Not bad.'

Before he could respond, Kurt stepped forward, placing himself between Jack and the advancing group. "Are you all deaf? He did nothing wrong. Your idiot friend just couldn't keep up."

The tension escalated, glares sharpening as weapons were drawn.

"If he didn't want a fight, he shouldn't have attacked like that!" one of the acolytes growled.

"Well, I won't lie—I *do* want a fight," Jack said, his voice dripping with challenge. "Why don't you come and give it to me?" He cracked his knuckles, the sound like miniature explosions in the tense silence.

The five acolytes hesitated, their anger warring with caution as they sized Jack up.

Jack's grin turned predatory. "What's the matter? Too scared? Church rats always bark louder than they bite."

This was a side of him he had locked up for so long, he feared possible enemies, but at this point, there was no need.

[Hop Technique Mastered!]

[EXP Earned: +150]

He grinned. 'This day just keeps getting better.'