Animal Instinct was a Unique Skill that only fifteen percent of Beastmen were able to possess. All of them were born with animal characteristics in their bodies, making them superior to humans in certain aspects, but those who awakened this Unique Skill could evolve even further.
They could not literally transform into animals. Instead, their animal characteristics developed while their bodies remained humanoid. The more they evolved this form, the closer they came to earning the title of Alpha, the highest classification among Beastmen.
Just like orcs, most of whom possessed magic focused on physical enhancement, Beastmen had their abilities directed toward whatever made them stronger. It could be a rhinoceros horn, feline claws, or any other animal characteristic.
And there was something even more interesting: they could choose whether they wanted to continue improving that same characteristic or develop another part of their bodies.
'Ghhk...'
Spitting blood, Enrico was struck and sent flying, destroying two walls before managing to stop in the air. Even disoriented, he turned his body to the side and saw Danyana breaking through the wall where he had stopped.
He needed to think of a plan.
For that reason, he made his clone shrink in size, taking the form of a small red glow, and sent it away.
'As far as I know about Beastmen, having this ability is the only way for someone of the race to reach the Ninth Circle.'
Creating his bow, Enrico used almost all of his magic to strengthen his own body. It was a dangerous decision, as his attacks would become weaker, but there was no point in increasing his offensive strength if he could not hit Danyana or even dodge her attacks.
As soon as she came out of the hole, Enrico fired several arrows.
However, before he could continue, he felt a blow to his back.
He turned his face and saw Danyana hitting him with an electric punch, sending him flying through the air again. Her speed was monstrous. Before Enrico could even regain his balance, Danyana was already above him and delivering another kick to his back.
The impact made Enrico plummet and crash into the ground.
'Even so, for some reason, Beastmen never manage to reach the Ninth Circle. And the culprit is an Evil God.'
The Evil God of Beasts had placed a spell on his own race to prevent any Beastman from surpassing him. That way, he could continue ruling his race forever.
Even so, something had remained for the Beastmen.
When brought to its maximum potential, the Unique Skill could allow one of them to fight on equal terms against someone from the Ninth Circle.
'I have to find a way to break this spell. But for that, I first have to win this battle.'
"Come on, entertain me more and don't disappoint me."
Enrico switched places with his clone the instant Danyana's attack hit the ground, opening a large hole. A short distance away, he began analyzing everything he could do.
'System, I offer a pact in which I want to improve something of mine. So, in exchange, I—'
[You will have to permanently sacrifice 30 mana now.]
That was bullshit.
His mana quantity was already low for someone from the Second Circle, and now it would have to decrease even further. Enrico really would have no choice in the future. He would need to face that Kairom-level Nartheis to improve his mana or at least obtain something in a dungeon. A real dungeon.
'Damn it, I don't have time. She'll find me by my smell... system, in exchange, I want you to improve my body. And don't forget that I'm sacrificing 30 mana, so it has to be a good improvement.'
Stopping the use of his magic to strengthen his physical attributes, Enrico decided to wait for a moment and take a deep breath.
"Found you."
"Tsk."
Danyana appeared in front of him.
Enrico managed to defend against the blow, but the force was enough to crack the bones in the arm he had placed in front of himself. He almost let an expression of pain escape, but quickly used Water Magic to heal the injury and restore his appearance, making it seem like he was in better condition than he really was.
"You're amazing. Even though you're from Class A, you're managing to resist. It's so good fighting someone from the Second Circle like me."
She tried to grab Enrico, but he held her hands, interlocking his fingers with hers. Feeling his own hand creak from the strength of the grip, Enrico tried to squeeze back.
Danyana immediately realized that he was getting weaker.
He also knew that continuing that way would not work.
"I think this is as far as you can go."
Enrico received a headbutt but did not let go of her. Danyana realized that he was still holding on and delivered another headbutt. Then a third. Finally, she used a kick to try to push him away.
She was beginning to become disappointed.
Her prey did not seem to have any more strength to continue evolving.
'He won't be able to make me stronger. That's a shame.'
Using magic in her hands, Danyana squeezed even harder, feeling that Enrico's fingers were about to break.
Then, suddenly, his hand squeezed back.
"What?"
Enrico returned the headbutt. Then, he lifted Danyana into the air and threw her against a wall. Before she could react, he used Charged Impulse and broke through the wall together with her, repeating the same movement he had suffered earlier.
Both fell into a huge hole, where water was flowing rapidly beneath the rocks. Each landed on one of them and immediately looked back at the other.
"You evolved in the middle of the fight?"
"Well... it seems so."
Enrico opened an amused smile.
He was not like the Beastmen. At most, he could adapt to others in a way he considered ingenious. That, in a way, was a characteristic worthy of a genius.
But it was still not enough to be considered a prodigy.
Evolving in the same way as someone like Danyana would be impossible for him.
'This is good.'
Everyone was seeing that evolution that had happened practically out of nowhere. Now, Enrico could attract the attention of important people, especially from other territories.
Tianlong was certainly keeping an eye on him.
After all, Enrico had noticed that some students from there had been watching him quite a lot.
"This is incredible. You managed to accomplish what I wanted. So now it's my turn."
Lightning covered Danyana's body, while a tiger's head appeared around her.
She assumed a position to run.
The next instant, she disappeared.
The tiger's head was already only a few centimeters from Enrico's face. Even though it was still extremely difficult to dodge, he managed to at least protect himself. Crossing his arms in front of his body, he endured Danyana's double kick and was dragged across the rocks by the force of the impact.
When she realized that Enrico had managed to defend against the attack and withstand it, suffering only minor injuries, Danyana decided to go even further.
She wanted to try new things.
"How long have I waited for this? I don't know, but finally something fun after months!"
'Crazy.'
When the battle was about to continue, a loud voice echoed throughout the entire battlefield.
It was Director Hao's voice.
"All students, know that the battle between classes is over! So stop fighting immediately!"
Valença, Serenya, Kai, and the others had been surprised while watching that battle. They had to admit that they were relieved that it had ended, because the fight had reached a point where it was becoming difficult even to follow the movements of the two, who went from one side to the other without stopping.
"We have to talk to Enrico."
"Yes, let's go."
When they approached, they realized that the faces of the two were grim. Both were looking in the direction where they believed Hao's voice had come from.
Then, to everyone's surprise, they spoke at the same time, showing the same dissatisfaction.
"Fucking old man, why didn't you wait longer?"
And, to everyone's surprise, the two launched an attack at each other, striking their respective faces.
Enrico could not let that opportunity pass. After achieving that unexpected evolution in front of everyone, the best thing he could do was demonstrate even more of the difference between himself and the others, obtaining Danyana's rank.
As for Danyana, she would never give up on a fun fight, especially one that was about to make her improve.