Animal Instinct was a unique ability that only fifteen percent of beastmen could have. All of them were born with animal parts on their bodies that made them superior to humans in some aspects, but with the unique ability, they could evolve even further. They couldn't literally turn into animals but could approach them in a humanoid form, and the more they evolved these forms, the easier it would be for them to become Alphas—their highest classification.
Just like orcs, most of their magic was used for physical enhancement, but beastmen had abilities directed toward whatever part made them stronger—like a rhino's horn or any other feature a beastman chose. That's right, they could also choose whether to improve that part or shift the enhancement to another area, like the person standing in front of Enrico.
"Ghhk—"
Spitting blood, Enrico was struck and sent flying, smashing through two walls before stopping in midair. Even disoriented, he rolled to the side and saw Danyana burst through the wall where he had been. He had to think of a plan, so he shrank his clone into a small, red-glowing form and sent it away.
From what I know about beastmen, having this ability is the only way to become a Circle Nine.
Creating his bow, he used almost all his magic to enhance his entire body. It was risky—his attacks wouldn't be as strong—but if he couldn't hit or dodge, it wouldn't help at all.
When she emerged from the hole, Enrico shot several arrows at her. Feeling a blow to his back, he turned and saw Danyana landing an electric punch, sending him flying into the air. Her speed was so monstrous that she was already above him, delivering another kick to his back and slamming him into the ground.
Even so, for some reason, beastmen can never reach Circle Nine—and the culprit is an evil god.
The Evil God of Beasts had placed a curse on their race so no one could surpass him, allowing him to rule over them forever. The only advantage left to beastmen was that their unique ability, at maximum potential, could allow them to fight on equal terms with a Circle Nine.
I have to find a way to break that curse… but first, I have to win this battle.
"Come on, entertain me more and don't disappoint me."
Switching places with his clone, her strike hit the ground, creating a huge crater. A short distance away, he began analyzing what he could do.
System, I offer a pact to improve something of mine, and in exchange I—
[You will have to permanently sacrifice 30 mana right now.]
This was terrible. His mana was already low for a Circle Two, and now it would drop even further. He really had no choice for the future—he would have to face that Kairom-level Nartheis to improve his mana, or at least get something from a true dungeon.
Damn, I don't have time—she's going to find me by scent… Alright, in exchange, I want you to improve my body. And don't forget I'm sacrificing 30 mana, so it better be a good upgrade.
Stopping the use of magic to enhance his physical attributes, he decided to wait a moment to take a deep breath.
"Found you."
"Tsk."
Blocking her strike—one that cracked the bones in his guarding arm—he almost let out a groan of pain, but quickly used water magic to heal himself and keep up appearances in the fight.
"You're incredible. Even being from Class A, you're managing to resist—so good to fight a Circle Two like me."
She tried to grab Enrico, but he locked her hands with his own. Feeling the strain from her grip, he tried to squeeze back, but when she realized he was weaker, he knew it wouldn't work.
"I guess this is as far as you go."
Enrico took a headbutt but didn't let go. She gave him another headbutt, then another, and finally a kick. She was getting irritated because her prey didn't seem to have any more strength.
He won't be able to make me evolve… what a shame.
Channeling magic into her hands, she squeezed harder, feeling his hands about to break—until suddenly, his grip returned the strength.
"What?"
Enrico headbutted her back, lifted her into the air, and hurled her into the wall, quickly following with a charged impact to break through the wall with her, just as she had done to him earlier. Both fell into a pit where water rushed beneath the rocks, each landing on a separate rock and staring at the other.
"You evolved mid-fight?"
"Well, it seems so."
Enrico had an amused smile. He wasn't like them—at most, he could adapt in a genius way to others, which was impressive, but he wasn't a prodigy. Improving like her kind was impossible for him.
This is good.
With everyone seeing this sudden evolution, he could now attract the attention of important people—especially from other territories—and Tianlong was surely watching closely, as he had noticed some students from there observing him.
"This is amazing—you gave me what I wanted, so now it's my turn."
Lightning enveloped her, and a tiger's head formed around her. Taking a runner's stance, she vanished, the tiger's head already inches from his face. Even though it was hard to dodge, he at least managed to protect himself, crossing his arms to block her double kick, getting dragged over the rocks by the tiger's head.
Seeing that Enrico could defend and withstand the blow with minimal damage, she decided to push even further and try new things.
"How long have I waited for this? Isn't it finally something fun?"
Crazy.
Just as the battle was about to continue, a loud voice echoed over the battlefield—it was the voice of Director Hao.
"All students, know that the battle between classes is over, so stop fighting immediately."
Valença, Serenya, Kai, and the others were surprised by the battle and, admittedly, relieved it was over, as it had become hard to follow with how fast it shifted from place to place.
"We need to talk to Enrico."
"Yes, let's go."
As they approached, they noticed that both fighters' faces were shadowed, their eyes fixed on the direction they thought Hao's voice came from. Speaking at the same time, their dissatisfaction was clear.
"Damn old man, why couldn't you wait a bit longer?"
And to everyone's surprise, both launched attacks at each other, landing strikes to each other's faces. Enrico couldn't waste the chance—after such a surprising evolution in front of everyone, the best move was to show even more of his difference by taking Danyana's rank. As for her, she would never give up on a fun fight that was about to push him to evolve.