CHAPTER 1143: THE CANDIDATES

Billy felt the dread he had expected finally sink in. He had known that fighting something like this would be a challenge, but he had still believed he could put up a decent fight.

Part of him had even looked forward to showing off his prowess to the soldiers in the barracks, it was a rare chance to prove himself after all.

But now, that thought was gone. What stood before him wasn’t a mere usual opponent. It was a force of nature itself! He was furious, merciless, and bearing down on them with divine wrath.

How were they supposed to fight something like that?

"Brook, order the candidates who can fight to start getting ready. I think we’ll need them right now," Adrien said, his eyes never leaving the strange man hovering amid lightning and storm.

"You sure, Captain?" Billy asked, his voice tense. "Their powers aren’t stable yet. It might be dangerous for them."

"We don’t have a choice," Adrien replied grimly. "I don’t want them in this fight either, but the two of us alone can’t handle this thing. If we died, the whole facility goes with us."

Billy sighed heavily. He knew Adrien was right. Continuing this battle with just the two of them would be suicide. And if they both went down, there’d be no one left to guide the new candidates who were only beginning to grasp their Magic.

"Be careful until I get back, Captain," Billy said.

Without waiting for a reply, he dove down through the storm, Magic energy flaring as he descended toward the facility’s entrance.

Adrien kept his eyes on the enemy above. The man—if he could still be called that—shifted his gaze toward Billy, his expression darkening with murderous intent.

Adrien caught the movement just in time to see the man raise his arm, gathering lightning in his palm and aiming it at Billy.

Adrien reacted instantly. He hurled a fireball at him, the explosion briefly lighting the clouds before rain smothered it into steam.

The strike had barely distracted the foe, but it was enough to divert his attention.

Adrien gritted his teeth. His elemental Magic was useless in this storm and he knew it. They would be drowned overpowered, if he tried to use lightning , he wouldn’t be able to match that entity’s control over it. So he decided to rely on close combat instead.

The man turned his burning gaze on Adrien, blue-white light radiating from his eyes. The wound on his arm where Adrien’s fireball had hit was still raw, healing slowly. His fury deepened.

Adrien swallowed his fear, forcing it down into the pit of his stomach.

He tightened his grip on his machete, kicked off the air, and lunged forward straight at the glowing figure amid the storm.

—

Billy arrived at the facility entrance, water splashing under his boots. Inside, soldiers and the few candidates capable of fighting were already gathering.

Five candidates—three men and two women—stood ready, dressed in their tactical suits. These must have been the ones Jessica and the medical team had deemed fit for battle.

"The enemy is far stronger than we expected," Billy said sharply, his voice cutting through the noise of alarms and thunder.

The soldiers stared in awe at him floating slightly above the floor, his armor still crackling with energy. Fear and determination mingled in their eyes.

"We’ll need you five to fight now," Billy continued, pointing toward the candidates. "Gear up with your melee weapon and head to the roof, now!"

"Yes, sir!" the five answered in unison, their voices trembling but resolute.

Billy ascended back into the storm, hovering above the facility as the lift carrying the five candidates rose to the roof.

A minute later, the candidates stepped out into the roaring wind. Billy floated beside them, rain pelting his armor as flashes of lightning illuminated the chaos above.

High in the sky, Adrien was locked in a deadly struggle with the being of lightning. Their clash tore through the clouds, every strike shaking the air.

The sight made Billy’s gut tighten. Adrien was holding his ground but he wouldn’t last forever.

Billy clenched his jaw. He needed to go up there soon.

"Listen up," he called out, his voice steady but urgent as he faced the five candidates. "You’ve all awakened your powers, so I need to know exactly what you can do. Tell me your abilities now."

The candidates exchanged quick glances before stepping forward one by one.

The first, a tall soldier, spoke with a firm tone. "I can reinforce my body with metal. It hardens my skin and muscles, bullets and blades can’t pierce it easily, sir"

Billy nodded. "Good."

Next was a woman with cropped black hair and eyes sharp as steel.

"Speed, sir," she said simply. "I can move faster than the eye can track for short bursts. It drains my stamina fast, but I can dodge or strike before anyone reacts."

"Perfect," Billy replied.

The third, a man with pale eyes and faint static around his hands, stepped forward hesitantly. "I can disrupt energy flows. Machines, Magic channels, even barriers, I can overload or short them out for a few seconds."

Billy’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "That’ll be useful."

The fourth, a woman with a tight calm expression raised her hand. Vines of pure green light briefly sprouted from her palm before fading.

"I can manipulate living matter. Mostly plants and organic tissue. I can heal minor wounds or restrain an enemy if there’s something to grow from," she said.

Billy nodded.

The last candidate, this one looks like he was the youngest among them. He stood straight though his hands trembled slightly.

"My ability’s not very stable yet, sir," he admitted. "But I can create shockwaves by condensing air pressure. It’s strong, but... I can’t always control the direction."

Billy smirked faintly. "Unstable or not, that’s still a weapon. Just aim away from us. You are ready to fight!"

The five nodded in unison, determination flashing in their eyes despite the fear around them.

Billy looked toward the sky once more, where Adrien and the being clashed in bursts of fire and lightning.

"This is good," Billy said, his tone sharpening again. "We’ll move in soon. But remember, your job isn’t to defeat that being. It’s to help me and the captain and keep the facility safe. Leave the rest to me and him."

The wind howled across the rooftop as they took their positions.

Billy turned his gaze upward once more, his body tensing as he prepared to launch himself back into the storm.

—