Chapter 158: Chapter 158: I Want to Take Charles as My Apprentice
"Alright, this student must be Charles." Ethan said as he looked at Charles. I'll need you to come up and assist me with the teaching in a moment!"
Charles nodded in agreement and walked to the practice area under the gaze of everyone.
"Is there anyone here who wants to spar with Charles, keeping in mind that you cannot summon your mystical beasts?" Ethan asked the students outside the area. He was quite curious about Charles's practical experience and skills, after all, someone who earned the title of strongest new student was no ordinary competitor.
After a moment, no one raised their hand. They didn't want to embarrass themselves, they knew very well Charles's strength. With only three mystical beasts, Charles could defeat a fourth-level Beast Master.
Moreover, every student who had watched Charles compete knew of his combat style. His close-quarters combat power and technique were unmatched, even Zachary and Camilla felt inferior!
The only one present who could possibly match him was Catherine. The other students turned their gazes toward Catherine, hoping she would step up to challenge Charles.
Unexpectedly, Catherine kept her head down, lost in thought, showing no desire to step forward.
Ethan was somewhat surprised by the situation.
As far as he knew, few who could enter Cyber Academy were not proud and ambitious. They were all geniuses, and it was normal for them to not back down from one another.
Now, however, no one dared to confront Charles. It seemed that this Charles had already subdued all the talented students in the audience!
Suppressing his surprise, Ethan helplessly said, "Since no one is willing to step up, I will personally spar with you, Charles. You all watch closely from down there."
After saying that, Ethan turned to Charles and reminded him, "Try to control your strength as much as possible, but you need to give it your all so I can see what you've got!"
Charles nodded, he was also curious about the physical prowess of a seventh-level Beast Master.
Opportunities to spar with a seventh-level Beast Master were rare.
"Good, get ready. Let's begin!" Ethan initially took it easy, remaining in a relaxed state. After all, no matter how strong Charles was, he was still facing a seventh-level Beast Master!
However, as soon as the word "begin" left his lips, Charles's figure suddenly moved like a ghost, quickly launching an attack on Ethan.
His target was clear: he threw a punch aimed directly at Ethan's throat!
This was a vital area of the body and one of the most vulnerable spots. In Charles's mind, even if Ethan was a seventh-level Beast Master, the defense of the throat would surely be weaker than that of other areas!
Charles's thinking was correct. The battle-hardened Ethan quickly reacted. Before Charles's fist even reached him, Ethan had already placed his palm in front of his throat, praising, "No wonder you're the strongest new student, you've surprised me right off the bat."
However, just as Ethan's satisfied expression appeared, he noticed that Charles's body seemed a bit unusual as he approached.
Before he could think it through, Charles instantly changed his attacking posture!
The punch aimed at the throat was merely a feint!
The real intention was to make Ethan let his guard down, thinking he had figured out the attack pattern, thereby distracting him.
Charles, now right in front of Ethan, resolutely lifted his leg and kicked toward Ethan's groin.
There was no denying that this area was also one of the most vulnerable spots on a man's body.
A strike to this region would bring enough pain to make anyone abandon their defenses and fall into agony.
Ethan's expression became even more satisfied. He had to admit that Charles's combat skills and choice of attack targets were impeccable!
In a real battlefield, one must strike the enemy's most vulnerable points with lightning speed!
Ethan remained unflinching in the face of Charles's attack. He neither defended nor retreated, instead, he launched a counterattack at a similar speed.
After Charles delivered his kick, Ethan executed a whip kick, but it was much faster than Charles's attack.
His target was the leg that Charles was using to support his body. If he landed the hit, it would definitely cause Charles to lose his balance and control, ending the match!
Even the students watching from below felt a sense of regret. They could clearly see the situation on stage, even Zachary and Camilla didn't believe that Charles could continue to struggle. Only Catherine's expression remained unchanged, as if she wasn't worried at all.
Camilla noticed Catherine's demeanor and felt puzzled. Could it be that Charles had some way to change the situation?
Then, the unexpected happened!
The leg Charles had initially used for his attack suddenly changed direction mid-strike, as if he had anticipated this very moment.
He quickly accelerated toward Ethan's attacking leg.
In the next instant, their legs collided together, producing a dull thud.
"How is this possible? Did Charles foresee this situation? If the punch was a feint, then what was the true attack?" Camilla and Zachary were filled with questions. If it had been them, they would have already been defeated.
At that moment, Ethan seemed to sense something and quickly raised his arms to protect his chin.
Sure enough, in the next instant, Charles's supporting left leg had somehow left the ground.
Using the momentum from the collision with Ethan's leg, combined with the power from his core, Charles's left leg traced a beautiful arc in the air, striking Ethan's blocking arm!
Unfortunately, that strike was also blocked by Ethan. In mid-air, Charles could no longer maintain his balance and fell to the ground.
"Wow, incredible! No wonder it's Charles! Good thing I didn't go up, otherwise, I would have been kicked away!"
"Wait, what just happened?"
"I don't have time to explain, just know that Charles is amazing!"
"After that series of attacks, I doubt anyone besides Teacher Ethan could have withstood it!"
Ethan had returned from a defensive posture to a relaxed state. He looked at Charles, his expression complex, and said, "That strike you just made? A fourth-level Beast Master would absolutely not be able to withstand it. As a fourth-level Beast Master, your physical fitness, combat skills, and experience are already at the top tier!"
When Charles heard Ethan's words and hadn't yet reacted, the students below couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "Teacher, Charles is a third-level Beast Master, not a fourth-level Beast Master!"
A third-level Beast Master?
Ethan looked at Charles and nodded, unsure of what to say. Could a third-level Beast Master possess such strength?
"Are you really a third-level Beast Master, Charles?" Ethan asked again, uncertain.
Charles felt a bit helpless. He was almost used to others not believing him. He replied, "Yes, teacher, I am a third-level Beast Master."
"A third-level Beast Master, a third-level Beast Master..." Ethan kept repeating it, and his gaze toward Charles grew brighter. He said anxiously, "Students, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."
Amidst the puzzled looks from everyone, Ethan ran outside, quickly pulled out his phone, and dialed the principal Jamie's number.
Ethan spoke rapidly, "Principal, I've discovered a true genius in Beast Mastery in Class A!"
"Class A, a true genius? Are you talking about Charles?" Jamie thought for a moment and realized who Ethan meant.
Ethan hurriedly continued, "Yes, Principal! Charles's physical fitness, combat experience, and skills are exactly what I'm looking for. I'm wondering if I can take him as my apprentice."
Fearing that Principal Jamie would refuse, Ethan patted his solid chest and assured him, "Principal, you can trust me, I will teach him well!"
"Ha ha ha, you? Ethan, you aren't worthy to be his teacher." Jamie replied with a laugh.
He hadn't expected that just after their first meeting, Ethan would want to take Charles as an apprentice. After all, geniuses shine wherever they go.
"What? I'm not worthy? Does that mean the principal wants to take Charles as an apprentice?"
Ethan considered this possibility. If the principal took Charles as an apprentice, then he really couldn't compare to Principal Jamie, especially since he was only a seventh-level Beast Master.
Jamie was straightforward, "Not me, I want to take him as my apprentice too."
"What? Not even you, Principal? Then who else could it be? Could it be..." Ethan thought of someone who definitely had the qualifications to be Charles's teacher at Genosha Cyber Academy.
"Exactly, you're not mistaken. It's Ezra. If you think you can compete with him, go ahead and try to get Charles." Principal Jamie joked.
Ethan felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment. He had finally encountered a genius who suited him, only to find out that someone had already taken him as an apprentice!
Meet Ezra?
He wanted to live a few more years!
After hanging up the phone, Ethan returned to the practice area with a dejected expression. The other students looked at the changes in him, puzzled and confused.
Ethan didn't offer much explanation and continued with the lesson, but he was clearly distracted.
His peripheral vision was filled with regret and disappointment as he occasionally glanced at Charles.
Finally, the morning combat class came to an end.
Charles walked out with Catherine, and just as they were about to head to the cafeteria, Jace suddenly ran over, panicked, and shouted, "Charles, trouble, trouble!"
"What's wrong? Don't rush, take your time." Charles replied.
Jace took a breath, calming himself with a few deep inhales before saying, "Charles, there's someone outside with a large group, specifically looking for you. They seem aggressive and don't look like they have good intentions."
"Someone is looking for me? A whole group?" Charles was very confused. He had no idea who it was, but he knew he had to go out and see what was happening.
Unexpectedly, just as he reached the entrance of the academy, a particularly arrogant voice rang out,
"Where is that coward Charles? Why isn't he coming out? Is he afraid?"