Chapter 352
Aduke, covered in a green healing glow, was trying to mend her severed hamstring, but the process was slow. Struggling through the pain, she dug her claws into the earth. Drawing upon the last of her strength, she summoned a wave of thorned vines that erupted from the ground, wrapping around Garrock’s legs and immobilizing him momentarily. She gritted her teeth as she fought to maintain her focus, her limbs still unresponsive but her will unbroken.
Garrock let out a furious roar as the thorned vines twisted tighter around his legs, drawing fresh blood that ran down his stone-like skin. His body bulged with raw power as he strained against the restraints, and Torrent, struggling to his feet, could see that Garrock was quickly adapting, finding weaknesses in the vines to tear through.
"Not so fast," Aduke murmured through gritted teeth, her voice a mix of exhaustion and defiance. She pushed her energy into the vines, thickening them with layers of thorned roots, trying to keep Garrock immobilized just a little longer. This made her transform back to her apeling form.
Okon, observing the battlefield with calculating eyes, quickly recognized the students’ attempt to buy time. A cold smirk crossed her face as she lifted her whip, water gathering around it, forming sharp, ice-like barbs along its length. She turned her focus to Aduke, seeing her weakened state as an opening. With a flick of her wrist, Okon sent the whip cracking forward, the water-coated weapon snaking toward Aduke’s arms.
Aduke, unable to dodge in time, cried out as the whip wrapped around her wrist, slicing into her skin. The pain made her grip on the vines falter, and Garrock seized the chance. With a powerful burst of strength, he tore through the last of the roots, breaking free with a mighty stomp that shook the arena floor.
"Torrent!" Aduke shouted, struggling to pull the whip free. She could see Garrock charging toward Torrent, his axe raised for a devastating swing.
Torrent’s eyes flashed with determination, despite his injuries. He lifted his hand, summoning a torrent of water that spiraled up around him like a shield. But Garrock, already anticipating the move, adjusted his footing and swung low, his axe smashing through the watery barrier with brutal force.
Before Torrent could react, Garrock slammed his shield forward, the impact knocking Torrent back into the arena wall. Torrent gasped, struggling to rise as pain radiated through his body.
Meanwhile, Kuro reappeared behind Ndidi, who was still in his bird form, focusing on keeping Garrock at bay. With an eerie silence, Kuro’s dagger flashed, aiming for a swift strike to Ndidi’s wings. The blade caught Ndidi’s side, forcing him to revert to his Apeling form, clutching his injured wing-turned-shoulder as he fell to one knee.