Worry spread across my face and even though we managed to dodge the frightful attack of the Alpha monster it didn’t mean we were out the clear yet. We still had to rush through the infested back exit that was crawling with the zombies still. A group of zombies only numbering a dozen was already able to make Leo in such a difficult state. Knowing this I couldn’t help but frown unhappily.

Although I could heard screams of the students echoing in my ears, to my surprise I also saw many rush after us. I wasn’t sure whether it was because they heard my words or decided to follow their idols, but nonetheless seeing the quick actions of the few dozen who followed still gave me a good impression of them. Although still cowards, they were at least cowardly enough to know how to save their lives by quick thinking. Which would definitely help us escape the surrounding zombies. We finally arrived at the door where Leo and Rebecca were still waiting.

Although I told him to get ready to clear them out it wasn’t like I expected him to rush out and fight the monsters himself. But currently I noticed that only Rebecca looked our way as Leo was currently holding onto a handrail as the metal at his hand started to melt and be sucked up! The moment the metal went into his hands his wounds started to heal! Although I knew he could absorb objects I was still surprised as not only was his body healing it now had a metallic shine to it! Flabbergasted I shouted at him.

“Why the hell didn’t you use this before you fought before?”

“Forgot?”

“Leo!”

Sasha gave him a reprimanding glare, and Leo returned a ‘well I just learnt my abilities’ innocent look. I couldn’t be bothered and knew we were short on time so I quickly asked him if he was ready to charge. He nodded and as I saw the students start to crowd around I finally for the first time gave them commands personally.

“Okay, we don’t have time to screw around, but if you want to live follow us and don’t cower! We need to work together and everyone needs to play a role. If you run out of [Aether Particles] move to the center of the group. I swear if I find out you’re hiding you still have some reserves I’ll throw you out as bait!

The threat made the students shiver all the way to their toes, and I knew that even though I wasn’t popular after shouting for everyone to run most of the smarter students had caught on I was already somewhat reliable. With a simple nod, I rushed out the door first. If one wants to act like a leader, one needs the courage to rush out first. A simple fact I found out by reading countless novels of generals in history books. I mean hey at least it worked, as the students, Sasha, Leo, Rebecca and Tyler all had a confident look behind as we rushed out!

“Ryker! Don’t go first I know you haven’t recovered your [Aether Particles] yet as even I feel somewhat tired after using half!”

Sasha yelled from behind, as expected of one of my best friends she immediately caught on that I was still exhausted and as she said that I slowed my pace as to let Leo take the lead. Just as he overtook me the 50+ zombies all noticed our presence and immediately rushed out to attack us. Like a bulldozer Leo ran right through the zombies without even a slowing down as we quickly followed behind. Sasha and the rest of the students were firing their magic towards the collapsed zombies as the current situation was looking good however, who knows when it could turn out for the worse. We could only for now keep running.

After Leo absorbed the metal his body was incredibly strong, as even the claws of the zombies were unable to make a scratch on his self made armor. Something I truly wished he tried out first, however I noticed that all benefits come with cons in this world. As such I could see that Leo was already starting to sweat. I then used my [Void Eyes]. The world around me started to turn black and immediately after the white contour lines appeared in front of me. Showing the spectacular shine of the [Aether Particles] I could see the lifelines of the zombies, the students, how low my particles were, and the decreasing amount of particles Leo had every second. Noticing this I yelled at Leo.

“Leo! Stop using your [Fusion] ability, unless you want to end up being a burden like me and passing out!”

Hearing my voice Leo immediately ceased using his [Fusion] ability. Although this didn’t stop him from being the train that led us to freedom he charged straight through any oncoming monsters taking injuries left and right, but it didn’t bother him. Seeing him in pain I looked towards the students to see if there were any that could remedy the situation. As I looked I noticed a few jocks and yelled to them who were the farthest in the back trying to go unnoticed.

“Hey jocks! Get up here if you don’t want Sasha to throw a fireball your way!”

Reluctantly they rushed forward after seeing Sasha was already preparing a fireball specially made for them. As they were jocks and our pace wasn’t overly fast that caught up to the front and charged forward along with Leo.

‘Truly cowards.’

I couldn’t help but look at them with disdain as they clearly were trying to take advantage of the situation to save their own pitiful lives. But as they weren’t stupid and knew we were the best chance of survival they came over to help. Running down the streets making random turns, still being followed by the zombies, in which we responded with a bombardment of magic. It was then that finally we managed to escape! I noticed a small convenient store and told everyone to hide in there.

As we all rushed in the store, I looked around the surroundings to make sure we weren’t being followed. Although it was night it didn’t matter to my [Void Eyes] as it was only there to detect [Aether Particles], as I couldn’t see any particles floating around besides the odd particles floating in the air, I knew we were safe for the moment. However after looking towards the students I knew it came at a huge cost. Clearly all their reservoirs had been completely used up, the students, Sasha and Leo included were all sitting huffing in exhaustion. Although it wasn’t nearly as bad as me they were still to the point where they could no longer move. The only ones full of energy were the few students who didn’t have attacking abilities such as the water users, Tyler and Rebecca, although I didn’t know what Rebecca’s ability was it was obvious it wasn't for fighting.

I cancelled my [Void Eyes] skill and noticed at that moment Rebecca was walking towards the injured Leo. To my surprise she started speaking a language that was unfamiliar to me. When she finished speaking, an animal, or maybe a spirit would be the better way to put it appeared out of thin air! It was a small animal that look much like a bunny. Although similarities, instead of a short tail it had a long bushy tail similar to that of a fox. The colour was a pure white with the tips of the ears being a light blue. I had no idea what kind of creature this was but I couldn’t help but be surprised seeing it now. As everyone noticed what Rebecca was doing she ended up cowering behind her our weak looking spirit. Truly an image that didn’t fit, however as she looked towards Leo and his pitiful sight she inhaled a deep breath and called out.

“Please spirit, heal this friend of mine.”

“Arooo!”

The spirit cried softly the next moment and the dim light covered its body, a light so pure that everyone felt at ease looking at it. The next thing surprised me even more as all the wounds on Leo’s body started to disappear! The cuts, even the blood started to disappear and although it took some time I was s focused I didn’t even realize when it was finished!

The moment the spirit finished it disappeared as fast as it appeared and with nothing bothering Leo anymore he immediately passed out on the ground. I could only tell because of loud snoring coming him his direction. As for the rest of the students they were too frightened to even think of sleeping. At this the exhausted Sasha went over to the girls and tried to calm them down, but as she did she too could no longer hold on and passed out. Tyler on the other hand walked over to me and spoke silently to me.

“Go get some rest, I know you’re tired as well, I’ll keep a lookout after all I still have my radar to look out with.”

Because I was tired I didn’t try and argue and I found a spot close to Leo and closed my eyes. The moment I did I was already in my own dreamworld asleep.