ã€ŠPowerless? Think Again!ã€‹


 Chapter 1: Kai Ciphera

    Derek, a brute of a guy towering above Kai Ciphera, glanced over his shoulder in disdain and said: "Hey, Kai! Still powerless, huh? No ability in your family tree, no ability in you, nothing to show for yourself. Tough break for you, dude."

    "So pathetic," said Jake, a different kid who was cracking his knuckles. "Why are you even showing up for school? You got no powers; therefore, you got no future."

    Kai ground his jaw and looked down. Then, words of mockery were eventually followed by demands.

    "Hand it over," Derek was saying, smacking a hand into Kai''s chest. "All of it."

    Kai hesitated for a second, gripping the measly few bills left in his pocket. He didn''t think this very much. Even a weak Level 1 Super Strength user would squash him in seconds. Kai''s pride was set aside as he drew the money and put it in Derek''s hand.

    "Now that''s better," Derek said, snatching at the cash with a grin. "See? You do have a use, after all. Our little ATM."

    The group roared with laughter as they pushed Kai one last time against the wall and walked away, still taunting him until they vanished down the hall. Kai exhaled sharply, rubbing his arm. He knew he could never stand up for himself. In a world where power decides status, he could never hope to fight off a superpower user. He was indeed powerless.

    Ever since middle school, he had been a target for his lack of powers. He was the guy of behind-his-back whispers, while others turned to outright bullying once word got about his family never having produced a single ability user. It was a rarity in the Nova Continent¡ªa world ruled by those endowed with supernatural talents.

    Abilities like super strength and superspeed were the most common. Second were elemental users who controlled fire, water, or lightning and were revered in elite clans. The royalty of an elite specialty was at the top of the hierarchy, with the ability of families to monopolize powers so rare. But it wasn''t just able users Kai hated. Further away was another menace: Monsters.

    Creatures that tore their way through portals randomly and wreaked havoc on the continent. Their appearance two hundred years ago marked the birth of ability users, leading scholars to theorize about a connection between the two.

    Ironically, the very people who bullied those below them were the very ones who held back the monsters. Clans and monopolist families controlled the various defense forces while growing wealthier through government contracts under the Avery Government. Kai clenched his fists.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    This was the world he was in, a society where power meant everything and the powerless were trod underfoot. But something deep within refused to accept that fate. Anyway, he turned back to walk home since his house was a couple of blocks from school. Kai had only one parent. His mother died of an illness when he was young, and his father is just an underrated writer who hardly earns any money from his books.

    Meanwhile, echoing through the empty streets were hurried footsteps as a lone man sprinted through dark alleyways, ragged and uneven breath. Clothes were torn, blood soaking his garments, as he clutched his side, where a wound lay hidden. Behind him, shadows shifted in pursuit, clad in black coats and featureless masks.

    "Damn it¡­!" he hissed under his breath, staggering as pain shot through his body. "Early levels of Ergokinesis are too weak¡­ I can''t fight them like this!"

    His mind raced. He only spent a few weeks honing his power. It was undoubtedly still not enough. Against assassins trained to eliminate ability users, he was outmatched.

    "I''ll get caught at this rate," he muttered bitterly. ¡°No¡­ I can''t let them erase my master''s legacy.¡±

    A surge of determination flared within him as he reached into his core, channeling the last remnants of his energy. His body trembled as he extracted the power, shaping it into a glowing orb of pure energy.

    "I''m sorry, Master," he whispered. "I wasn''t strong enough to protect your legacy¡­"

    With a final push, he released the orb into the night sky, letting it drift away unseen. The moment it disappeared into the darkness, a voice echoed behind him.

    "There you are."

    The man turned sharply, his breath catching as he realized he was cornered in a dead-end alley. The assassins moved in, their masked faces void of emotion.

    "No loose ends," one murmured before a blade gleamed in the dim light.

    A sharp pain pierced his chest. He gasped, his vision blurring as he collapsed onto the cold ground. The last thing he saw was the darkened sky above him, his final hope vanishing into the night.

    One assassin tapped a communicator in his ear.

    "The job is done. All Ergokinetics have been eliminated."

    There was silence on the other end before a voice confirmed, "Understood. Return to base."

    Without another word, the assassins disappeared into the shadows, leaving nothing behind but a lifeless body and a secret now floating far beyond their reach.

 Chapter 2: The Glowing Orb

    "Kai! Go grab some ingredients from the store," his father called out from the kitchen as Kai descended the stairs. Kai groaned. "Now? I just woke up." His father shot him a look. "Unless you want dinner to be just rice and air, I suggest you hurry up."

    Sighing, Kai snatched the list from his dad''s outstretched hand. "Fine, fine. Be back in a bit."

    Outside, in the evening air, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, he set off to the nearby convenience store. The streets were calm, with only a few pedestrians here and there. A routine trip: there would be nothing special today.

    At the store, he had picked up the items from the list: some vegetables, seasoning, some meat, and he had paid at the cashier. He stepped out with the bag in his hand when a bright flash of light zipped across the sky.

    "What the¡ª?"

    Before he could react, a glowing orb shot straight at him, slamming into his chest with incredible force.

    "Ugh-!"

    The impact threw him backward, crashing onto the pavement. His vision became blurry, and his head spun. For a few seconds, everything went black.

    Then-gasp!

    He opened his eyes and found him sprawled on the ground with the grocery bag not far away. His heart was racing, and tingly sensations ran up and down his skin.

    "What¡­ the hell just happened?" he muttered to himself as he sat up and glanced around. The street was empty¡ªno sign of the orb, no sign that anything unusual had even happened.

    Shaking his head, he rubbed his chest. "Weird¡­ Maybe I imagined it?"

    Shrugging, he grabbed the bag and dusted it off. There was no point in thinking about it. All he wanted right now was to get home.

    That night, while Kai slumbered peacefully in bed, his body began glowing with a faint golden sheen, a soft light pulsating in waves. The light flickered¡ªbrightening, dimming, and then brightening again¡ªwhile some kind of invisible metamorphosis was taking place within him.

    The next day, amidst a sea of chatter, clinking trays and clattering utensils echoed in the school canteen. Kai stood in a line, waiting for his lunch. A sigh slipped from his mouth as he reflected on yet another day in the life, just another lunch hour.

    "Well, look who has arrived!" A devilishly sneering voice emanated from behind.

    The reflex was automatic: Kai stiffened. He knew it by heart. Tap, tap, tap behind him: Derek, Jake, and Mark. They were the reason why his life could be miserable, anywhere, anytime.

    As Kai traversed the aisles, just putting on his bravest face to reach an empty table, Derek extended his foot, sending Kai tumbling to the floor. Kai''s lunch tray flew out of his hands, and its contents splattered all over the floor, causing quite a ruckus.  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    Laughter erupted from the canteen.

    "Way to go, Ciphera. Can''t even walk straight!" Jake laughed with deadly amusement.

    "Guess that''s what happens when you don''t use your powers," Mark jeered, chuckling along with the rest.

    Hot flames of humiliation graced Kai''s cheeks as he clenched his fists, stomach twisting. This was getting much too familiar. He was done with this already: the comments, the ridicule. It was always the same.

    But somehow, this time... It did feel different.

    "You think you really can stand above me?" Kai whispered, fury lining every syllable.

    "Look at this," Derek continued, coming closer. "He''s really upset. Maybe we should teach him some more."

    At the moment of Derek''s push, something snapped inside of Kai:

    A furious howl burst forth, echoing like a guttural sound from the jaws of some beast. His body was shaking with some energy he knew he had never felt before. His eyes radiated brilliant golden light, glowing fiercely bright.

    Before he could take in what he was implying to himself, a fist flew across, connecting with Derek''s chest. It sent Derek backward to a table some meters away.

    The whole canteen fell silent.

    Kai stood there, chest heaving, gazing in disbelief at the spot where Derek had fallen. That was not meant to be. He hadn''t even thought about it. It just¡­ happened.

    Derek groaned from the floor, yet as for the other two bullies, they were buckling mad. They came charging toward Kai from two sides, powered up¡ªliterally¡ªby their ability, Super Strength.

    "You''re gonna regret that, Ciphera!" Jake snarled at him, fist glowing with energy.

    Mark came charging in for a punch aimed at Kai''s face.

    Kai stood there, still stunned, and closed his eyes.

    He braced himself for an impact, but nothing happened.

    Kai opened his eyes in confusion. The punches weren''t going through.

    His heart raced, pumping adrenaline through his system. He didn''t know what was out, and yet suddenly, his body reacted out of instinct. Fast and hard, he retaliated.

    His fist collided with Jake''s chest, sending the bigger boy crashing across the room. Without a second thought, Kai spun toward Mark, who had tried to grab him. Another punch landed, this time hurling Mark into a wall.

    The entire canteen was deathly quiet, almost as if time had warped. The two bullies who had pounded on him for so long were on the ground unconscious, and now their bodies lay sprawled like ragdolls.

    Kai stood there breathing heavily, looking at the scene before him. The shock in the room was evident. No one dared to stir or speak. Even the teachers who had ignored everything stood glued to the spot.

    But Kai could hardly hear their gasps. His mind was swimming. What just happened?

    He was unable to grasp all of it. He had just knocked out three ability users, while he had no real power to boast about.

    His heart raced as he tried to avoid his schoolmates'' eyes and stepped back. He reflexively grabbed his things and dashed out of the canteen, traversing the hallways.

    He finally stopped in the deserted gym, far, far away from everyone. The sound of his shoes on the floor echoed within the emptiness.

    Kai tripped and sat down on the floor, his mind racing. He stared down at his hands.

    "What... What just happened?"

 Chapter 3: Revalations

    Kai sat uncomfortably outside the principal''s office, clenching his fists in his pockets. Next to him, his father, Lucas Ciphera, paced back and forth with an unreadable expression on his face. It had been some hours since the incident at the canteen, and from this, they were approached by the principal himself. Kai was clueless about anything that would occur; the stinging knot in his stomach suggested that it would not be good.

    The door to the office creaked open.

    "You may come in now," the principal said, beckoning them forward.

    Kai followed his father inside, sitting down on the chair across from the principal''s large wooden desk. Leaning forward, the man clasped his hands together.

    "I suppose you have an idea why you are here," he began, glancing at Kai. "What happened today was¡­ unexpected, to say the least."

    Kai remained silent, not knowing how to respond. His father, however, was not inclined to wait.

    "My son has no powers," Lucas said bluntly. "Our family has no history of ability users. This must be some kind of mistake."

    The principal sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Mr. Ciphera, that may have been true¡ªuntil today. Believe it or not, Kai awakened his ability in the canteen. The fact that he took down three Super Strength users without a scratch is proof enough."

    Lucas protested. "That doesn''t make sense. We''ve never had an ability user in our bloodline."

    The principal tapped his fingers against the top of his desk. "It may not be entirely true. An ancestor of yours may have had an ability; it just never resurfaced in your family until now. Powers can skip generations."

    Kai''s brows knitted together. "So... you''re saying I was a late bloomer?"

    "Exactly," the principal said with a nod. "Normally, abilities manifest at seventeen. Over a year has passed since that window for you, making your awakening rare, not impossible."

    Shifting his jaw, Kai wondered if, a year before, the whole scenario would have been played out differently.

    The principal, with a change in tone, said, "Under the circumstances, I am prepared to pardon your actions for today. I understand it was self-defense."

    Kai slit his eyes. A little bit of kindness now? The suffering had been ignored for so long by the school, and now he was all of a sudden worthy of protection because of his powers?

    Yet he bit his tongue and said, "Thank you, sir."

    The principal waved a hand. "In any case, you should see an ability specialist to find out exactly what you have awakened. It is important to be aware of what you can do." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    To which Lucas replied, "We''ll look into that."

    That said, the meeting was over, and the father and son left the office.

    A few hours later, Kai and his father found themselves in Dr. Magnus Vale''s small, dimly lit office. The walls were adorned with photographs of successful cases and clippings of testimonials. The ability specialist was quite well known, being skilled in the Appraiser field. The man, possessing the Appraiser ability, adjusted his spectacles as his glance moved from the toes up to the crown of Kai''s head.

    "I think it''s time we find out what we have here," Magnus said quietly as he placed his hand slightly above Kai''s forehead.

    Faint light erupted from his palm as he utilized his Appraiser ability, and his countenance changed almost instantly as his eyes widened in surprise.

    "Incredible..." whispered Magnus.

    Kai and Lucas shared glances.

    "What is it?" inquired Lucas.

    Magnus leaned back, eyeing Kai anew with interest: "Mr. Lucas, I believe your son has a unique ability called Ergokinesis."

    "What does that mean?" Lucas curiously asked.

    Then, Magnus answered, "It''s the power to manipulate energy in all its forms."

    Kai blinked. "Energy? As in electricity?"

    Magnus smiled. "Electricity, kinetic energy, thermal energy¡ªlife force-energy is all you can manipulate."

    Lucas''s eyes turned dark with worry. "That sounds... rare."

    Magnus responded, "Rare? That''s an understatement. This kind of talent is comparable to the elite family- the ones who monopolize their power. You are not just some ability wielder, Kai. You are...different."

    Kai swallowed hard. He ought to have felt excited, but a discouraging thought had prevented him.

    Lucas stood up abruptly. "Then, we can''t let anyone find out."

    Magnus raised an eyebrow. "You want to hide it?"

    Lucas shook his head defiantly, "It would look suspicious if my son, an alleged non-ability user, suddenly developed a power of this magnitude. People will start asking questions¡ªdangerous ones."

    Kai looked at his father. "So what now?"

    Lucas looked to Magnus. "Can you help us cover it? Say his ability is something clear-cut¡ªlike Super-Strength?"

    Magnus stroked his chin, deep in thought. "It''s not impossible. If Kai plays it smart, he can convince other people that all his powers are enhanced strength."

    Kai breathed out slowly. "So I have to lie."

    Lucas placed a hand on his son''s shoulder. "It''s not a lie. It''s survival."

    Kai nodded. He understood that if word got around about his Ergokinesis, the situation would really change. And not for the better.

    From now on, he would have to conceal it from everyone.

 Chapter 4: Expectations

    At school the following day, Kai felt an air of change. Whispers enveloped him from behind, accompanied by the odd furtive glance before his eyes were quickly downcast. Fear, trepidation, uncertainty¡ªnothing new; after all, he had been an outsider for more than a couple of years. However, this time, it felt different. He was no longer being laughed at. They were scared of him. Kai sighed heavily on his way down the hallway, adjusting his bag strap.

    "So this is what it takes to get them to stop laughing?" Kai muttered to himself.

    He took his seat in the class, unaffected by the masses. Just as he put his head on his hand, in came the homeroom teacher, Mr. Denzel, who tapped the whiteboard twice.

    The screen popped to life.

    "Alright, class, listen up," Mr. Denzel announced, all murmurings silenced by deep resonance. Graduation is one month away. It''s time to start thinking about your careers."

    "As you are aware, there are three major career paths in the Nova Continent after high school," said Mr. Denzel. "First, the government. The function of the government is to regulate the ability of users and maintain balance in society. So, if you''re in an elemental clan or some prestigious family, you certainly have a one-way ticket to being a Government Agent."

    Kai inwardly scoffed. "Balance? More like control."

    Mr. Denzel''s fingers moved. "Second, blue-collar jobs. These are mainly for Super Strength or Super Speed users¡ªjobs requiring brute force."

    Mr. Denzel''s voice grew slightly gravely. "Thirdly, a licensed whatever-mercenary. They are in charge of eliminating monsters."

    The class looked alive. Mercenaries are wild cards¡ªable to ignore the strict demands of the government and live an exciting yet dangerous lifestyle.

    "But, of course," added Mr. Denzel, "the trade of mercenary is not for everyone. You need to pass the entrance exams for Mercenary Academy and undergo intense training for one year before getting your license for mercenary work."

    Someone raised their hand. "Sir, what about university?"

    "Good question," nodded Mr. Denzel. "Those wishing for white-collar jobs¡ªscientists, engineers, teachers, doctors¡ªof course, you must pass the entrance exams before integrating in full measure into their profession."

    Kai drummed his fingers on the desk while half-listening.

    He knew how things were.

    If you were gifted, you had choices.

    If not? Then you were bottom-of-the-food-chain.

    People such as his father, Lucas Ciphera, a writer, were classified as no-hopers because they had no abilities and did not make it to university. That thought hurt Kai.

    Had I not awakened my powers, would it have been like that for me?

    Then, Mr. Denzel clapped his hands: "One more reminder! Government Agents and Mercenaries, like most of you know, have semimonthly tournaments to establish who among them is the strongest fighter. These tournaments help to engage one another and encourage others to grow stronger."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    There was a buzz from the class, and excitement was in the air.

    "I advise you all to catch a couple of bouts. It might give you some idea of the type of warriors who run the show in this world," Mr. Denzel continued.

    In the full glare of the afternoon sun, everything appeared to be cast in a golden halo, and, in contemplation of certain events, Kai ambled across the pavement, hands in his pockets, minding his own business. The calm within the setting was soon shattered.

    There was a blur past him, another blur, and yet another. Before he could even fathom the incident, a force slammed into his legs and sent him crashing down hard onto the ground. Laughter rent the air.

    "Heh, look at this loser," said one of them.

    "Yeah, thinkin'' he''s some big shot just ''cause he got lucky against those bullies," a second snarled, cracking his knuckles.

    Kai groaned, rolled over to his back, and stared up at the three figures hovering above him.

    "Super speed types; level twos by the look of them¡ªfast but predictable," Kai calculated in his head.

    Kai sat up slowly, brushing the dirt off. "Oh, you were talkin'' about that?" He grinned. "Didn''t realize beating up weaklings counted as luck."

    The trio stiffened. Their smiles slowly faded, each disappearing into grimaces of rage.

    "You cocky little-"

    Kai broke in, his grin ever mocking. "I mean, I get it; you''re slow on the head and even in speed."

    That... hit the nail on the head. The first one lunged at him, the blur of speed closing the gap in an instant. The others were right behind him.

    Kai stood there and did nothing.

    As they hit him, the fists and feet stopped. Kai barely moved as he absorbed all their kinetic energy, holding it for one split-second before releasing it back at them.

    BOOM!!

    Three speedsters tumbled like ragdolls in the air, landing like a bag of bones on the pavement. They groaned, failing to push their way back up, weighed down by their own bodies.

    Kai released a satisfied breath and flexed his fingers.

    He did his research.

    He might only be a Level 1.5, but against hotheaded Level 2s with speed as their only asset? It was more than enough.

    One of them coughed and scowled at him. "H-How the hell did you¡ª?"

    Kai chuckled. "What, you thought I was going to stand there looking like an idiot?"

    The realization hit them all at once. Their confidence was shattered.

    Kai cracked his knuckles. "You guys were real tough a minute ago. What happened?"

    They tried scrambling to get up too slowly. Kai was already on them.

    An awful crunch radiated across the courtyard as he stomped down on one guy''s leg. The speedster screamed in anguish. Another one tried to crawl away, but Kai caught him by the collar and smashed him onto the ground.

    "Come on," Kai teased, a predator grin plastered across his face. "Where''s all that speed now?"

    They begged. They pleaded. But Kai didn''t stop until bones splintered and blood pooled beneath them.

    When he was done, the bodies were still limp, barely conscious, shaking with pain. Kai stood over them, uniformly stained in red, breath calm.

    He peered down at them with eyes cold and devoid of emotion. Then he turned on his heel and walked away as if nothing had ever happened, leaving behind a graveyard.

    They will never run again.

 Chapter 5: A Path Forward

    That night, Kai lay sprawled atop his bed, gazing at the ceiling. His head was a whirly constellation of thoughts.

    "What should I do with my life?" he thought. "The government? Nah... Those ability supremacists cared only about maintaining their control and keeping the poor beneath them. "University? Just a waste of time."

    Spending years in a class just to get a job one could never really command was an absurdity he would reject.

    That left him one option: Mercenary.

    Indeed, it was dangerous, but the pay was crazy worth it. High-risk, high reward; since he would be using his new powers, why not engage in slaying the Monsters? That way, he wouldn''t have to take orders from the government.

    When he was sure, Kai pulled himself up from the bed and across the living room to where his father sat at the desk, illuminated by the soft glow of his laptop screen.

    "Dad, can we talk?" Kai asked.

    Lucas looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Of course. What is it, buddy?"

    Kai inhaled deeply. "Well, I''ve been thinking about my future, and I want to become a mercenary."

    Lucas stiffened, his fingers hovered over the keyboard. "A mercenary?" he said, with a voice that gave little away.

    Kai nodded. "Yep. It pays well, and now that I have the ability, I actually have a chance of making it out. Unlike the government, mercenary work don''t care where you come from; all they see is how strong you are."

    Lucas took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. "Kai, I understand. You want to show your worth, but do you really think this is the best choice? The government keeps people safer; if you would join them, you would be protected."

    "Protected by who? The same people who treat non-ability users like trash? No thanks."

    "Yeah, the government cannot be perfect or even really good, but at least it does mean some sort of stability. Being a mercenary is a losing game. Those who walk into the battlefield could well be walking to their deaths, and for what? Money?" Lucas scowled.

    Kai gritted his teeth. "Money is not the main concern here. Freedom is. If I work for the government, those elite families have me under their thumb. At least working as a mercenary, I pick my own fights."

    Lucas regarded him for a long moment before he sighed with resignation. "There is no talking you out of this?" Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "No." Kai plainly replied.

    The silence grew heavy as they sat interlinked in their own thoughts for a moment longer when finally Lucas spoke again, "Okay, I guess I''m not going to stop you, but if you''re really serious about this, then you need to do some training. You might have a little ability now, but that doesn''t mean you are anywhere near being ready."

    "Then guess l better get going."

    A few days later, Kai was allowed to join P.E. class for the very first time in his life.

    Standing on the training field, he watched his classmates stretching and warming up: "So this is what I have been missing out..."

    The very fact that he had no powers at all had exempted him from such training. While the rest of his classmates tested their abilities in Super Strength, Super Speed, or Elemental abilities, Kai was stuck in classrooms with theories that meant nothing.

    Now, he was finally here.

    But now came the flat-out fact that he was one year behind in everything.

    Coach Marden stood with his barrel chest, arms folded, and the same scowl plastered across his face. "Ciphera!" he shouted, digging his calloused fingers into his muscular arms. Since you have only now awakened your powers, we shall start way back at the beginning. You got that?"

    "Aye aye, Coach," Kai saluted.

    "Good," Marden said. "The first lesson is Mystic Energy Absorption. Get comfortable and meditate."

    Kai blinked. "That''s... it?"

    Marden shot him a stern glare. "You want to level up your abilities or not?"

    So he knelt fast. By then, everyone around him had already closed their eyes.

    For all ability users, Mystic Energy is the energy absorbed from the surrounding environment for empowerment. The higher the capacity to absorb the energy, the faster the progress.

    Kai closed his eyes and concentrated.

    For a moment, it felt as if nothing was happening. Then, suddenly - power rushed into his body. The energy was flooding into him. Faster than he expected, whilst his classmates were inhaling very slowly and exhaling knowingly. They absorbed tiny wisps of Mystic Energy-Kai absorbed it four times.

    Kai clenched his fists, gathering the energy that was settling in him. "Why is it so fast?" he thought.

    And then he realized...

    Kai has the power to manipulate energy; therefore, he can absorb energy with even greater efficiency than others.

    "If this is my base rate... what happens when I level up?" he thought to himself.

    If his level of absorption increased with every rank, he would surpass his peers in no time.

 Chapter 6: Prey to Predator

    A short whistle, followed by an exclamation from Coach Marden, "Water break!"

    Kai breathed out sharply before making his way to the washroom. Meanwhile, the other students sat on the benches sipping water, but Kai could feel eyes glaring at him.

    They were following him.

    He didn''t need to turn and check. There were four of them. The footsteps were light, but the intent was loud and clear.

    A smirk formed on Kai''s face as he walked on. He stopped just outside the washroom, near the sinks, in an empty area, waiting.

    CREAK...

    The door behind him opened, and four classmates stepped inside, the expression on their faces one of sadistic glee.

    Through the mirror, Kai glanced at them. "So¡­ trying to gang up on me?" he taunted, spinning around, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. "What? Jealous ''cause I''ve got powers now?"

    The four Pyrokinetics laughed softly. One broad-shouldered guy smiled cruelly. "Powers or not, it''s four against one. You think we''re scared of you?"

    Kai shrugged with a smirk. "You should be. Four faggots ganging up on me? What a bunch of wussies!"

    It was that last answer that darkened their expressions, the smile replaced by fury.

    "You little-!" One extended his hands, flame erupting from his palms.

    Kai stared back, his smirk only widening.

    WHOOSH!!

    All four Pyrokinetics engaged at once, flames surging toward Kai from every direction.

    Kai didn''t bother moving.

    The flames engulfed him, filling the washroom with thick smoke. The Pyrokinetics were cheering, believing they had already won.

    "That was easy," one of them commented mockingly.

    But then-

    A footstep rang out in the muffled air, announced by the smoke.

    Another footstep fell.

    Followed by yet another.

    As the air began to clear, Kai stood there unharmed. He had already set up a barrier that covered his whole skin and could automatically nullify Kinetic and High Thermal Energy.

    The four bullies stared at him with devilish fervor.

    "W-What...?!"

    Kai smirked.

    "Was that it, you dickless faggots?" he said, slapping the dust off his sleeve.

    His pupils glinted with menace. "Heh! My turn!"

    Before they could fully react¡ª

    BOOM!

    He was out of their view.

    When they snapped back to reality¡ªSupport creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    CRACK!

    One was thrown into a sink; another was sent hurtling towards a stall, causing the metal door to contort with the force of impact.

    The last two barely had time to scream before Kai''s fists buried into their guts and sent those two skidding across the tiled floor.

    Burnt energy and blood filled the air.

    One of them, still slightly conscious, tried to crawl away.

    Kai approached him, crouched down, and whispered, "Don''t ever try that again."

    Then, just for fun, he flashed the guy a smile that would forever haunt his dreams.

    Cracked walls, the floor scattered with debris, and pain-filled moans echoed in the restroom.

    Then¡ª

    "CIPHERA!" Coach Marden''s voice rang out from the entrance.

    Kai dropped his expression and quickly turned, pretending to be innocent. He clutched his side and winced. "Coach! They attacked me!"

    Coach Marden''s frown softened. "Tch. Damn, brats... All right, you''re going to the nurse''s office." He glared at the others. "All of you, class is dismissed!"

    Kai allowed them to take him out.

    But right before his exit, he glanced back at the barely conscious guy on the floor.

    And smiled.

    The boy went rigid, body trembling with an overwhelming sense of gut-wrenching fear.

    Kai didn''t need to say anything.

    He had made his point clear.

    He wasn''t the prey anymore. They are!

    The afternoon sun stretched shadows across the school grounds while Coach Marden went toward the principal''s office. His mind was on the earlier business: Kai Ciphera had wiped out, single-handedly, four Pyrokinetic, all Level 4.

    And Kai? He was barely Level 2 at best.

    Something just didn''t seem right.

    Marden knocked on the door, and from the inside came the voice of calm.

    "Come in."

    He entered to find Principal Raines seated behind his wooden desk. The man didn''t even look up as Marden came in.

    "What is it, Coach?"

    Marden cleared his throat. "It¡¯s about Kai Ciphera."

    At this, the principal finally raised his head, expression unreadable: "Go on."

    "I was saying..." Marden said, with arms crossed, "that during P.E., Ciphera fought and defeated four Pyrokinetics. All over Level 4. He made it look so easy."

    The principal hummed and leaned back in his chair. "And?"

    The frown on Marden''s face deepened. "And you don''t think that is odd? A powerless brat who just suddenly awakens his ability and fights like a seasoned warrior? Would you believe him to be just a late bloomer?"

    Exhaling through his nose, Principal Raines then leveled a somewhat scathing stare at Marden.

    "Forget about it."

    Confusion was plastered upon Marden''s brow. "Forget about it?"

    "Yes,"" the principal said firmly. Your job is to train ability users, not delve into how they acquired their powers. Just concentrate on Kai''s growth."

    Marden clenched his palms. "And if there is more to this than we think?"

    A steely look shot from the principal. "Then it none of your concern."

    Tense silence ensued in the office.

    Marden kept on studying the man in front of him. Principal Raines remained ever so calm and collected. The ease with which he brushed aside this subject was troubling.

    At last, Marden huffed out through his nose and stepped back.

    "All right," he muttered. "I''ll train him. But I''m not stupid, Raines. There''s something not normal about that kid."

    Principal Raines managed a slight smile that was hard to decipher. "Then train him well, Coach."

    Marden narrowed his eyes, turned away from him, and walked out of the office.

    As the door clicked shut behind him, Raines sighed softly to himself and allowed his chair to lean back. "Looks like Ciphera''s going to be more trouble than I thought."

 Chapter 7: Kai vs Jacob Igna

    Kai Ciphera had not yet taken his seat when an announcement blared out the speakers, summoning him to the principal''s office.

    He had a gut feeling that it would not be a friendly chat.

    Upon entering the office, Five figures in red robes with flaming insignia on their backs, faced him, and they were a colossal presence in the room. They stood like solidified stone.

    The Fire Clan.

    Kai''s eyes narrowed. "So this is what it is all about," he muttered.

    "Ah, Kai, you are here," Principal Raines said in his usual noncommittal way, ushering the man at the front of the row forward. "Let me introduce you to Jacob Igna, branch head of the Z City Fire Clan."

    The look on Kai grew more impenetrable. The Igna Family. These were one of many government-backed ability supremacists who considered themselves above anyone else they came across.

    "I assume you already know why we called you here," said the principal.

    Kai smirked. "Let me guess... this is about your precious little prince."

    A vein pulsed ominously on Jacob''s forehead, but he maintained his composure.

    The principal sighed and rubbed his temples. "Jacob''s son sustained severe injuries in your... disagreement a few days ago. They''re demanding an apology."

    A short, bitter laugh escaped Kai.

    "Are you serious?" Dropping back against the doorframe, Kai sneered. "He was the one who tried ganging up on me; he deserved to be crippled."

    The air in the room grew tense.

    Jacob''s men moved in closer, glaring murder at Kai, with their hands twitching as though they were ready for an imminent assault. One even took a step forward, yet Jacob''s hand was raised before him.

    "You sure got a tongue on you, boy," Jacob said, his voice smooth enough yet dripping with irritation. "Say¡­ why don''t we settle this another way?"

    Kai had his arms crossed and his smile unfaltering. "Oh? Let me guess. You want to beat the crap out of me yourself?"

    Jacob chuckled. "You read my mind. I''d like a perfectly organized spar with you¡ªI want to see how strong the boy who humiliated my son truly is."

    Kai threw his head back with a mocking laugh.

    "Drop the act! You don''t give a damn about a spar! You just want to make an example out of me! You really have no shame¡ªchallenging someone younger and weaker than you! Very typical for someone who works for the government!"

    One of Jacob''s men suddenly lost his temper and lunged toward Kai.

    But Kai remained still.

    "Stand down," Jacob commanded. His voice brooked no argument, and the man stepped back reluctantly.

    Kai let out a smile. Pathetic.

    Another deep breath from Jacob. "Fine, now we make it serious."

    He stepped right up, his eyes boring into Kai''s. "If I win, you will be banned from entrance to any kind of establishment¡ªuniversity, jobs, all of it. Blacklisted!"

    Kai''s grin grew wider. "You''re finally showing your true colors, huh?"

    He turned to Principal Raines. "Fine then. If I win, I want an instant graduation from this school. No classes, no bullshit."

    The principal hesitated for a moment and then nodded.

    "Very well," he said. "The fight is set for today."

    With a grin, Kai cracked his knuckles.

    "Just don''t cry like a little boy when you lose, old man."The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    The school stadium was full of students. Their voices mingled with the heavy roar of the crowd that had come to witness the match. Yet, none were cheering for Kai.

    They wanted him to lose.

    They wanted the arrogant ''late bloomer'' to be crushed under the fury of Jacob Igna, Level 6 Pyrokinetic.

    So there, in the center of the stadium, stood Kai, calm and composed.

    Across, Jacob smiled, cracking his knuckles while little sparks danced upon his fingers.

    "You''ve got guts, kid," Jacob said, advancing a step. "But in the end, that''s all you have. No talent. No future. Just an arrogant fool."

    Kai chuckled, "That''s rich coming from a washed-up geezer hanging onto his family name." Slowly, he stretched, cracking his neck. "Tell me, old man¡ªdo you always talk this much before getting your ass kicked?"

    Jacob¡¯s smile twitches.

    The referee moved in, raised his whistle, and¡ª

    FWEET!

    The match had begun.

    Jacob breathed fire first.

    A single finger snap unleashed a roaring wave of flames, crashing toward Kai. The heat shimmered through the very air, and hellfire scorched upon the face of the earth.

    Kai dodged.

    He rolled onto and then along the ground; the flames scorched the cemented floor where he had stood a split second before. In the mind of the onlookers, he needed to act weak. Act clueless. Convince them he was merely applying Super Strength, not Ergokinesis.

    Fireballs, some bigger and hotter than the ones before, rained down from Jacob, and the crowd only cheered on.

    Kai gritted his teeth as he barely lowered his invisible energy barrier so the flames could touch his skin for a moment and cause him some minor burns. He clenched his fists, pretending to be struggling.

    Jacob laughed. "What''s wrong, boy? Feeling the heat?"

    Kai smirked through the pain, precisely what he wanted: chasing that cocky grin off Jacob''s face.

    A subtle glance from Kai fixed on a scorched battlefield and a small fist-sized piece of loose debris.

    "Perfect!" Kai mumbled.

    Jacob was too busy taunting to notice anything about his defense.

    Kai snatched the earthenware debris, clenched it in his fist, and then¡ªwithin a blink¡ªdirectly threw it.

    Kinetic Energy amplifies the speed of the propelling debris.

    Suddenly, there was a loud crack as the object zipped through the stadium and ripped itself straight through Jacob''s right arm.

    SCHLICK!

    The Fire Clan leader''s arm was now severed.

    There was a momentary still in the arena.

    Then¡ª

    "AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Jacob screamed as he staggered backward while trying to hold the bleeding stump where his arm had been. Blood spewed all over the battlefield.

    This caused the crowd to gasp.

    But Kai wasn''t done yet.

    Instantly, he was right next to Jacob.

    He grabbed Jacob''s head and smashed it to the ground, driving it down over and over.

    THUD! THUD! THUD!

    Before the referee finally intervened, Jacob was well on his way to unconsciousness.

    Possibly suffering from brain damage.

    A muffled sound in the arena came after that.

    The referee hesitated, arm raised, as if trying to piece his verdict together. "Winner: Kai Ciphera!"

    No one cheered.

    The students were paralyzed by fear.

    Kai smirked down at the cratered body of Jacob while grinning at the trembling audience.

    "So... Who''s next?" He opened his arms.

    There was only silence.

    No one dared do so.

    Kai laughed. For the first time, everybody knew their places.

    His eyes roved over the quaking students before narrowing.

    "I''ll say this once," his voice dripping with cold menace. "If you dare come after me again, I''ll kill you in cold blood."

    With no further words, he turned and strode out of the stadium.

 Chapter 8: Mercenary Exam

    Kai had scarcely stepped through the door when he heard heavy footsteps thundering down the stairs.

    "Kai!"

    His father came rushing toward him, looking very worried and incredulous. He looked like he had aged ten years within the hour.

    "What the hell did you do?" Elias cried, gripping Kai''s shoulders while appraising the bruises and burnt skin. "I just got off the phone with the principal. You practically killed Jacob Igna!" Kai rolled back his aching shoulders and sighed.

    "Chill, old man. He had it coming."

    "Had it-?" Elias put a hand over his face. "Kai, do you have any idea what you just did? You just made an enemy out of the Fire Clan! They''re connected with the government! This isn''t merely about school; this is politics!"

    Kai scoffed and brushed past his father before dropping himself onto the couch. "Politics? Spare me. They''ve been stepping on us for too long already. I just shoved them back." His voice turned dark. "They''ll never treat us like trash again."

    Elias sighed in anger and pinched his nose. "And what now? Do you think you''re untouchable?" Kai said with a smirk, "I graduated, didn''t I?"

    His father stared at him, horrified. "The principal acknowledged it," Kai explained, leaning back into the couch. "I''m officially done with school. Besides, I have my next move all planned- I''ll be going for my Mercenary License."

    Elias sighed again, rubbing his temples and shaking his head in defiance. "You really have your mind set on this."

    "You''re goddamn right," Kai said, smiling.

    For a moment, Elias just stood there, and then he did not say anything, moving towards the hallway closet. A moment later, he reemerged, holding a first-aid kit.

    "Sit up," Elias ordered.

    Kai blinked. "Huh?"

    His father threw him a scowling gaze. "You heard me. Sit up."

    Kai hesitantly complied with the orders.

    Elias knelt beside him, opening the kit and applying antiseptic with gentle strokes to Kai''s burns and cuts. His motions were deliberate and practiced.

    Kai winced from the sting of the disinfectant.

    "You are reckless, just like your mother," said Elias with a sigh. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Kai blinked at the mention of her but remained silent. The two sat in silence while Elias tended to the bandaging of Kai''s wounds. After a long pause, his father''s voice drifted to him, softer this time. "Just... be careful, Kai. The world isn''t as simple as you think."

    Kai smirked. "I never said it was."

    Kai found himself on the following day standing before the towering Mercenary Guild building. Unlike government institutions, the Guild held an unrefined, gritty feel about it. The people assembled around him were not the organized, disciplined types-they were mercenaries. Some raised cold, hardened gazes, while others bore a strong hint of a shady, dangerous aura.

    Almost a completely lawless organization.

    But he had no qualms about that. It''s better than being government lapdogs. No one is watching him, and no one is giving him orders like he is some obedient dog.

    As Kai walked in, they were shown into the larger-than-life conference hall with all the other examinees.

    Entering was a large-bellied instructor with scarred arms and a missing eye. His deep voice rolled forth, silencing everything around him.

    And thus went the next hour in an extensive lecture on the various responsibilities of a mercenary. Contracts, levels of danger, and jurisdictional rules are the fundamentals.

    Then came the written test.

    Brief answers were all that mattered, no details. He flipped through the pages and completed his exam in a hurry.

    An hour later, they proceeded to the combat test.

    One by one, examinees entered a vast reinforced combat chamber.

    When, at last, Kai''s name rang out, he ambled into the chamber and paused for a moment, taking in the stark and immaculate white walls, floors, and ceiling. Everything seemed spotless as if having been washed clean over and over again with the blood and carnage of thousands of such test sessions. Far across this vast chamber, a dull metallic sound resounded as a door began to rumble into existence.

    A voice savage and hoarse-not quite human, yet so terrifying, resounded from the door.

    Out came the Cyclops. The brute ambled forth with its one gigantic eye directed towards Kai. Muscles rippled, claws scraped along the ground, and the creature''s foul breath was strong.

    Kai cracked his knuckles. Ten minutes to kill or ten minutes to survive. Just when the Cyclops was about to launch itself upon him, Kai disappeared.

    The monster hardly had time to react before...

    BAM!

    Kai appeared in midair and, with supersonic speed, threw a punch straight at the giant eye. The punch created a pressure wave that spread through the chamber.

    With a ghastly screech, the Cyclops''s skull imploded. Brain matter sprayed onto the white walls, and the creature shuddered grotesquely before collapsing.

    The room fell silent.

    Kai blew the gore off his hand and turned towards the exit.

    "Next!"

    The test was over. He now had some days to wait for the official license.

 Chapter 9: First Hunt

    "Old man! Guess who is now a licensed Mercenary?"

    His father slouched on the couch with his feet up, reading a book. With an exaggerated sigh, he set the book down.

    "Who''s the idiot that just broke the door open?" he said flatly.

    Kai chuckled as he tossed the card to him. "Damn right, I did! I took the test and smashed a Cyclops! It¡¯s legit!"

    His father examined the license with his finger, smoothing the surface. "Okay. Congratulations, Kai. But-" he shifted to a serious, almost dangerous expression-"don''t get cocky."

    "Too late for that!" Kai stated proudly.

    Just as he reached for his license, it beeped.

    They froze in place.

    The next moment, the card released bright light, and a holographic projection appeared to meet Kai''s and his father''s startled expressions.

    "Portal detected. Danger Level: C. Location: Four blocks east."

    Kai''s eyes widened.

    "That was fast," he muttered.

    And without another thought, he rushed out the door.

    "Kai! Wait-" his father called after him, but he was already gone.

    Upon arriving at the scene, he was faced with havoc.

    People screamed and ran for their lives while minor, scaly beasts came through with destruction.

    The kobolds. These short, ravenous beasts wrestled their way through the streets, smashing windows and even breaking into stores while clawing at anyone too slow to escape.

    A smile spread across his face; he knuckled up.

    "Now, this is some action."

    With that, he charged.

    The first Kobold had barely enough time to turn before Kai''s fist cracked its skull, sending blood splattering across the courtesy of the pavement.

    Another charged him with an old dagger. Kai sidestepped, grabbed it by the throat, and smashed it into the ground with enough force to crack the pavement.

    More Kobolds began to swarm him.

    Claws lashed out. Kai wove through their attacks with ease.

    Fangs snapped at his neck. He grabbed one by the snout and tore its jaw clean off.

    He chuckled while holding another one by its legs and swinging it around like a bat to take the rest down.

    It was a slaughter.

    Within minutes, the last Kobold fell, twitching.

    As soon as the final enemy fell to the ground, the portal flickered and collapsed.

    Kai sighed and stretched his arms. "That was fun."

    His Mercenary License chirped again.

    "Congratulations. Monster Portal Subjugated. Credits Transferred."This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Checking his new balance, Kai smiled.

    "Not a bad first job," he murmured, already looking forward to the next fight.

    Another few unexpected beeps flared from Kai''s mercenary license, followed by another holographic projection.

    "Portal detected. Danger level B. Location: Z City Academy."

    A glint of excitement lit up in Kai''s eyes.

    "Well, well, well¡­ What do we have here?" he muttered, sneering.

    It was time to throw those arrogant bastards a slap to the face with his success.

    He dashed forward, unhesitant, blurring past the world towards the academy.

    The academy was in a state of utter pandemonium upon Kai''s arrival. Ogres rampaged on the school grounds. Their dissonant roaring made the air shiver, and their big clubs smashed through walls like paper.

    Students and teachers were fleeing for their lives.

    Some tried to counterattack with strikes that merely tickled the beasts. Others chose to run but were tragically squashed, flung, or devoured within seconds.

    With that, Kai cracked his neck and stepped forward. Then came the action.

    A flash on the field and an explosion.

    One Ogre''s head exploded when Kai''s fist met its skull, splattering blood and brains all over the ground.

    And before the others could make a sound, he was already amongst them, ripping through their ranks.

    One swung a club at him¡ªKai intercepted it in mid-air and splintered it into tiny pieces before throwing a punch that cleaved through the Ogre''s chest.

    Then one more attempted to grab him; he went on to rip off its arm and used it to beat the Ogre to death.

    In just a second, the last Ogre lay twitching lifeless.

    The Portal flickered and collapsed.

    Kai sighed with dissatisfaction. "Is that it? How boring."

    He brushed himself off, looking at everyone''s stares. But rather than gratitude, their eyes held fear.

    "Come on!" he scoffed, holding his arms up. "Not even a thank you? I just saved your asses!"

    There was silence. Then¡ª

    WHOOSH!

    A fireball came toward him, aimed squarely at his head.

    Or at least it was supposed to.

    Kai''s Energy Barrier snuffed out the fire instantly.

    His expression darkened. "Who the fuck did that?" he asked in a cold and dangerous voice.

    At that time, he turned his gaze toward the assailant-

    John Igna, the son of Jacob Igna.

    "You bastard!" John shouted, his voice twisted with rage. "I''ll kill you for what you did to my father!"

    Kai was lost for words. "...Killed?"

    "So, I really did kill him. I thought Dad was just exaggerating," Kai thought to himself.

    Then, the moment of doubt faded, and he laughed. A laugh that felt dark and twisted, sending a shiver down everyone''s spine.

    "Well, he deserved to die!" Kai said with a sneer. "You ability supremacist scum are nothing but filth in this world!"

    Malice slowly gleamed in Kai''s eyes. "Even better-"

    His body tensed, muscles coiling like a predator about to strike.

    "-I¡¯ll kill all of you you! Starting with you!" he shouted and charged, intending to kill John with a single blow.

    But just before his fist connected, a hand clamped around his wrist.

    "Enough, Kai." Principal Raines intervened

    "If you do this again, you will make an enemy out of the entire government," the principal stated as he tightened his grip. "And their target will not only be you but your father, too."

    Kai¡¯s  burning anger blazed down.

    "I see..." Kai''s voice was low, barely audible, with a growl.

    John was still boiling with rage.

    "You''re lucky the principal is here," Kai said, shooting him the cruelest of smiles. "Or your head would be rolling."

    He made one last look around him, leaped away, and was gone from sight¡ªleaving a school full of frightened students behind.

 Chapter 10: Mercenary Tournament

    Loose bottles and burning crates flew everywhere, and the only sound was dry, harsh laughter melding with thunderous shouts of the Fire Clan soldiers that echoed the entire street length.

    "There he is! Get him!" one of them shouted as he launched a swirling fireball toward Kai.

    Kai''s sarcasm echoed: "You guys really need to work on your aim!"

    He sprang off a crate, twisting in midair to propel himself off the wall of a building, gracefully sidestepping the attack. The fireball smashed into the stone-paved street, flinging embers into the air.

    The chase, indeed, was on. But Kai had perhaps considered the whole affair an amusing game. With ease, he now arrived at both great, enormous walls, bouncing off walls, somersaulting over laundry lines strung over streets, and sliding down slanted roofs as though defying gravity itself.

    "Hold still, you damn pest!" another soldier cursed menacingly, throwing a lance of flame at him.

    Kai just laughed, flipping in midair to land lightly on a wooden beam, "But where''s the fun in that?" He gave them a cheeky salute and sped away again.

    The recruits couldn''t keep pace with him. Kai turned a corner and disappeared into a secluded alley, making their frustration grow¡ªif that was even possible.

    Panting, the lead soldier held up a hand for the others to slow, "Where did he go?"

    "Did we lose him?" a soldier asked, looking around the vacant corridor.

    Just then, a voice hissed right behind them, "Looking for me?"

    Before they could blink, Kai became a flash of black. A well-placed shot to the temple, a swift kick to the ribs¡ªwithin seconds, the entire squad lay unconscious on the ground.

    Dusting his hands off absently, he thought, "Too easy."

    Kai had no spare time. The tournament of the Mercenary Guild was about to start, and he had his own business. This was a chance for him to see how far he could go using nothing but amplified kinetic energy and an energy barrier without fully unleashing his ability''s true power.

    Upon arriving in the grand arena of the Mercenary Guild''s tournament, Kai found the crowd''s roar to greet him like a thunderous wave. The battles were on, and the air was charged with tension and excitement.

    He looked up at the tournament bracket displayed on a jumbo screen. Twenty-six contestants. All at least level 5 or above. Some names were already crossed out and eliminated.

    He was next.

    The crowd¡ªmercenaries mixed with gamblers¡ªwas shouting into one another, making bets on the outcome. Snatches of conversation reached Kai''s ears as he walked toward the fighters'' waiting area.

    "I''m betting 500 credits on the Pyrokinetic!"

    "Nah, the Gravity user is going to win!"

    "Wait, who''s that low-level guy? Kai, right? Tch, he won''t last a round."

    Kai smirked to himself. "They always underestimate me."

    A sudden eruption of cheers pulled his attention back to the arena. The previous match had ended, and the announcer''s voice reverberated through the speakers.

    "And that''s a match! The winner is... GARETH, THE IRON FIST! Now, for our next fight... an underdog of mysterious origin¡ªKai Ciphera!"

    Kai slowly exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he stepped onto the battlefield. His opponent stood at the other end: a tall, muscular man with piercing blue eyes, while water wafted around his hands like living serpents.

    "So... You''re that level 2.8 guy?" the Hydrokinetic sneered. "This should be easy."

    Smirking, Kai flexed his fingers. "You talk too much."

    The bell rang.

    Immediately, his opponent unleashed a high-pressure jet of water¡ªsharp enough to slice through solid steel.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Kai did not move even the slightest.

    A dim veil shimmered for an instance in front of him, Energy Barrier. Upon impact, the water jet ceased in that fraction of a second and plopped harmlessly at his feet.

    The Hydrokinetic was taken aback. "What?!"

    Before he could recover, Kai blurred.

    With an audible crack of sonic disturbance, he reappeared before his opponent, hand pulled back to strike.

    BAM!

    The Hydrokinetic flew backward like a ragdoll, crushed into the stadium wall hard enough to crater it, slumping unconscious to the ground.

    There was silence.

    Then uproarious cheers filled the arena.

    The announcer hesitated but yelled, "And Kai wins in one hit!"

    Kai exhaled and retreated into the waiting area, ignoring the surrounding stammered astonishment.

    "Four more rounds to go," he muttered to himself.

    He couldn''t care less about their incredulity; he couldn''t care less about the money changing hands.

    The only thing that mattered was growing stronger. Strong enough that no one would ever be able to bully him again.

    Kai had wreaked havoc amongst his opponents with a storm-like fury, claiming victory in the next three rounds without breaking a sweat. In speed, aim, and manipulation of kinetic energy, he had left even high-profile mercenaries in his wake. Now, with only two fights left standing between him and the finals-to face the reigning champion of Z City''s Mercenary Tournament, Desmond Benjamin.

    A Level 7 Electrokinetic. Ranked 20th in the Mercenary World Tournament.

    It did not scare Kai. On the contrary, he was looking forward to it.

    But for the time being, he needed a break.

    Holding up one of his hands casually in his pockets as he strolled through the guild halls, he had found himself stopping beside a small vendor shop. After buying a skewer of grilled meat and a cold drink, he ate leisurely.

    "Not bad," he muttered through bites.

    At that moment, a shadow befell him.

    "Impressive fights, kid."

    Kai turned his head slightly. In front of him stood a tall, broad-shouldered man in a crisp white suit. His fingers glinted with gold rings; two bouncer-bodyguards flanked him on either side, dark shades and all, professional hired muscle indeed.

    Kai wiped his mouth with one hand and leaned casually against the counter. "And you are?"

    The man chuckled smoothly. "Giorgio Guido. Maybe you''ve heard of me?"

    Kai''s eyes crinkled. He definitely had.

    Giorgio Guido was the boss of a notorious crime syndicate. From drugs to extortion to illegal arms trade, he ran it. A character like him, walking into the Mercenary Guild like it was a walk in the park; that right there told you just how unsecure the place was.

    Guido smirked and sat down beside Kai. "Hope you don''t mind me crashing your little snack time. After all, I just had to meet you in person after seeing your fights."

    Kai remained quiet and sipped his drink.

    "Quite a rare talent," continued Guido. "And that talent can be... very lucrative."

    He then took out a black-and-silver-looking card and slid it toward Kai. "Join me, and I''ll see to it that you''re paid properly. Power, connections¡ªwhatever you want with the snap of a finger."

    Kai glanced at the card but made no effort to touch it. He already had lots of information about Guido''s business.

    He blew air out of his nose and tilted his head. "Not interested."

    For a moment, Guido''s smile faltered, and then he chuckled. "Are you sure? Because you could go far with us. Way beyond this tournament."

    Kai held his gaze: "I work alone."

    For a while, the two glared at each other¡ªKai with hard precision while Guido was inscrutable.

    Then Guido sighed, reaching out and picking up the card that had gone untouched. "What a shame. You could have been a king." He idly flicked the card between his fingers before pocketing it.

    His smirk came back, but the eyes turned cold and calculated. "Anyway, good luck with your match. I''ll be watching."

    He turned on his heel and walked away, his entourage trailing him.

    Kai watched them all leave, his jaw clenching slightly.

    Guido''s crew is infamous for dealing in Amplification Pills that could raise the level of an ingester temporarily by three levels but at the price of a chunk of your lifespan.

    Kai had seen desperate mercs use it before; that never ends well.

    He tossed the skewer away, exhaling. "This place is so fucking rotten."

 Chapter 11: New Champion of Z City

    The stadium was buzzing with excitement as it neared the time to kick off the final match of the Z City Mercenary Tournament. At one end of the ring, Kai has his shoulder rolled while at the other end across the ring, Desmond Benjamin was stretching his fingers, arcs of electricity crackling between them.

    Desmond was not just a champion but a Level 7 Electrokinetic and number 20 in the World Mercenary Tournament. The blood, sweat, and determination of two victors in the ring will yield the next champion.

    Kai slowly breathed out. Then the bell rang.

    And just like that, the battle erupted.

    Desmond took no time. He thrust out his hand, and lightning bolts flooded towards Kai.

    There was barely any reaction time for Kai. Those attacks were too fast.

    While he dodged a few, moving at maximum sonic speed, he quickly understood that his speed couldn''t keep up with lightning.

    One grazes the side, burning and searing the flesh. Followed by another, then another. There was something wrong. The powerful electrical energy can''t be nullified by the barrier.

    Sparks crawled all over his body.

    Kai''s eyes widened. "It''s bypassing the barrier!" he thought to himself. "I haven''t programmed my barrier to block electrical energy!"

    For the first time in this tournament, Kai was on the back foot.

    A brutal blast hits him down right on the chest, and he is pushed backward into the air. His body convulses, muscles fettered and locked up for a split second before he forced it to move again.

    His fists tight clenched, with curses under his breath. "Damn it! If I had just leveled up my ability..."

    But he couldn''t dwell on that now.

    Desmond had a weakness.

    Electrokinetics are long-range fighters. They''re great at fighting at a distance, but close up? They really fall apart.

    He wiped blood off his lips and breathed in deeply. "This time, I''ll get really close," Kai muttered.

    Ignoring the burning sensation in his limbs, he dashed towards the danger, zigzagging through the next stormy barrage of lightning.

    Desmond gave a smirk. "You think you can get near me?" a massive shockwave of electricity exploded from him, blasting Kai backward.

    Kai fell onto the ground; smoke wafted from his body like his burnt jacket and raw skin. His vision blurred for a moment.

    Gasps filled the crowd.

    But Kai wasn''t done yet.

    He gritted his teeth and struggled to stand. Every nerve in his body screamed for him to stop.

    He refused to lose.

    He needed the money so that no one would ever look down on him again for being poor.

    He had held back for too long, relying only on his Kinetic Energy control.

    But he had one more trick left up his sleeve.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Kai exhaled sharply. His pupils dilated.

    His body heat soared.

    He had another sub-ability¡ªThermal Energy Control. The ability to manipulate heat and cold.

    He had never used it for attacking, but now?

    Now, he had no choice.

    Heat radiated from his body, distorting the air around him. Then¡ªflames erupted from his hands.

    Desmond''s smirk vanished. "What?!"

    Kai didn''t give him time to react.

    He thrust his arms forward, unleashing a massive wave of fire.

    Desmond tried to move and counter, but it was too late. The firestorm consumed him.

    He screamed as the flames consumed his body, sending him careening backward. He hit the ground, rolling, smoke rising from his charred clothes.

    Then¡ªsilence.

    The referee rushed over. After checking on the unconscious Desmond, he raised his hand and yelled¡ª"Winner: Kai Ciphera! The new Z City Mercenary Champion!"

    The cheers and gasps bubbled from the crowd. Nobody saw it coming.

    No one believed that this was the only power that Kai possessed.

    Giorgio Guido was glued to his VIP seat, his fingers tapping a rhythm on the armrest while everything was happening in the ring. His face, however, did not show the expression of the crime boss.

    He just watched and then silently stood up. His bodyguards followed him as he walked toward the exit.

    One of them stood still for a bit before speaking. "Boss... What do you wanna do about him?"

    Guido didn''t answer immediately. He glanced one last time at the arena, where Kai was basking in the cheers of the crowd.

    Then he smirked.

    "Not now," he murmured, adjusting the cuff on his suit. "But soon."

    With that, he disappeared into the darkness of the stadium halls.

    Come the following morning, the news of Kai''s victory was everywhere.

    A low-level fighter defeats a level seven champion. The gossip spread through the mercenary guilds, the underworld syndicates, and the great family houses.

    It was blowing the rumors spread like fire in Z City.

    "Did you hear? That Kai guy took out Desmond Benjamin in one hit!"

    "One hit? I heard it was a full-blown firestorm!"

    "Wait-he can use fire now? I thought he was just a speed freak!"

    "Man, someone like that shouldn''t be left unchecked..."

    Not every whisper was full of praise.

    In back rooms, lit only by dim light, gang leaders chuckled darkly over glasses of whiskey.

    "That kid''s getting too cocky. Someone oughta teach him a lesson."

    "A little...'' welcoming party'' might be in order."

    "Let''s see if he''s really that tough when he''s outnumbered."

    Meanwhile, during an evening dinner, prestigious families whispered amongst themselves in their splendid halls.

    "This guy could be useful."

    "Or dangerous if left unchecked."

    "We should keep an eye on his activities in case someone else gets to him."

    Little did Kai know that he was walking through a brewing storm. He had won 2 million credits, but more than just money had been gained that night.

    He had won a crowd.

    And in a city like this?

    That could be far more dangerous than any tournament.

 Chapter 12: A Fathers Burden

    As Kai opened the front door, the cramped, dimly lit home was filled with the smell of sizzling meat. His father was at their battered wooden table, looking tired, and stirring pot roast over the ancient stove.

    "Dad, I won!" Kai blurted before he could hardly contain himself.

    His father, without looking, replied, "Won what?"

    He stepped forward, dropping his bag on the table. . . "The Z City Mercenary Tournament. I''m the new champion. I took down Desmond Benjamin in front of thousands of people."

    His father stood frozen. Slowly, he turned around. The expression on his face was unreadable.

    Exhaling heavily, he let out, "You damn fool."

    Kai''s grin faltered. "What?"

    With a loud gyration, his father smacked the ladle on the top counter, filling his sleepy eyes with anger. "You know what you have done?!"

    That frown turned into a scowl for Kai. "I won the tournament. I got 2 million credits!"

    His father just kept shaking his head while rubbing his temples. "You don''t get it. You have just carved a big target on your back. Clans, mercenaries, gangs - all of them will come for you now."

    Kay scoffed, "Then just let them."

    His voice tightened as he advanced toward his son. "This isn''t the kind of street fight, Kai. These people won''t come on with you equally. Instead, you should have just remained incognito under the guise of subjugating monsters like you always did!"

    Kai clenched his fists. "Low profile? Stranded at the bottom forever? I did this for us! This is our one ticket out of poverty! And you should be happy!"

    But the face of his father remained cold. "I''d rather be poor than bury my son."

    The words hit Kai like a punch to the gut.

    He stared at his father, anger boiling in his chest.

    His voice was low but threatening, "Are you really serious? Would you rather remain at the base of society and feel worthless than let me fight for something better?"

    His father stood staring into his eyes. "If fighting means risking a life for scraps of glory, then yes."

    That was it. That was all that was necessary to break Kai''s mind.

    Kai let out a bitter laugh, shook his head, and said, "Unbelievable. I work my ass off to get us out of this hell hole, and you won''t even support me."

    The silence grew thicker than words between them.

    "Fine. If you don''t want my help, then I won''t waste my time."

    Without a word, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

    His father just stood there, staring at the closed door for a long moment.

    Then, he sighed and returned to the stove.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    The stew had begun to burn.

    Kai flew over the rooftops, flowing and effortless, while the wind rushed past his body when he leaped from one building to another. His mind was still clouded with the last remnants of frustration from the argument with his father. Then, all of a sudden, something caught his attention¡ªshouting. He stopped in mid-air on the edge of a rooftop and turned his head the other way, eastward.

    "What''s going on over there?" he muttered.

    Curious, he followed the din. Upon arrival, he spotted a girl on a street, cornered by men dressed in Ice Clan uniforms. Kai crouched down with his arms on his knees as he watched the scene from above.

    "Well, this is going to be a good show," he said to himself.

    The Ice Clan members moved in; their hands glowed blue-white, and they began launching spears of ice at the girl. But she wasn''t helpless. Her incredible agility allowed her to dodge their attacks, twist, and roll across the narrow alleyway, retaliating with little bursts of ice from her Kryokinesis. Her every movement was precise, but one must admit numbers do overpower.

    One of the men stepped forward, icy breath leaving his mouth in the cold air. "You''re coming back with us. Stop resisting."

    The girl held her ground, her torn sleeve stained with blood from a minor wound, but still glared at them defiantly. "Like hell, I will."

    But just as they were about to hit her again, a massive column of fire shot from the sky.

    The flames engulfed the attackers, setting their uniforms ablaze, screams filling the air as they crumpled to the ground unconscious. From atop the building, Kai stood up and leaped down into the alley.

    The girl coughed, watching him in shock after the smoke cleared.

    Kai turned his back on her with his hands in his pockets.

    "You''re welcome," he said nonchalantly, already walking away.

    "Wait!" called the girl after him.

    Kai came to a stop, but he didn''t want to turn back.

    "I have nowhere to go," she said, her voice trembling. "Please¡­ take me with you."

    Kai had only the slightest hesitation. "No," and he jumped off.

    He had to deal with more significant problems.

    As he hopped from rooftop to rooftop, Kai took deep breaths to clear his mind.

    "I better go back home and apologize to Dad," he thought.

    Then, a noise followed him.

    A faint, rhythmic whooshing sound.

    Kai''s eye twitched. "No way..." he muttered.

    He turned his head mid-leap and saw her.

    The same girl from before gliding above streets beneath him, using her Kryokinesis to skate on ice that she created beneath her feet.

    Kai groaned. "You''re actually following me?!"

    She smirked up at him. "Yeah"

    Kai gritted his teeth. He moved faster.

    So did she.

    "Stop following me!" Kai shouted.

    Please take me with you!" she hollered back.

    She begged again.

    And again.

    And again.

    Finally, Kai relented with a loud sigh.

    "Fine!" he snapped, rubbing his temples. "Just¡ªjust stop talking!"

    The girl grinned as if she had just won the war, and Kai grumbled for the entirety of his journey back home.

 Chapter 13: Unexpected Visitor

    Kai pushed the door open and entered; Celine followed behind him. His father raised his eyes from the already worn couch, jaws dropping in shock as he beheld the girl standing next to Kai.

    "Kai... who is this?" his father asked, brows narrowing. Celine did not fail to sense the abrupt tension; thus, she smiled politely before announcing, "My name is Celine Cyro. It''s nice to meet you, sir."

    "She''s an old friend from high school," he said. "She''s got nowhere to go, so she will be here a while."

    "Friend?" His father''s eyes narrowed. "Since when did you have friends?" Kai forced a grin. "Since now."

    Kai''s father sighed. Not a shred of belief in it. But finally, he heaved a defeated grunt. "Fine," he muttered. "Let her stay. But don''t come home with any more strays."

    Celine smiled warmly. "Thank you so much, sir."

    Kai''s father only grumbled and turned away.

    An hour later, in that house, full of quiet, Kai found his father alone in the kitchen. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the walls, making the room feel smaller than it was. Kai fidgeted awkwardly on his feet.

    "Uh.. Dad." His father did not even look up.

    "What?"

    Kai took a deep breath. "Sorry... for earlier."

    There was silence in between.

    Then, finally, his father sighed. "You''re forgiven."

    Relief washed over Kai. He even shared his plans to move them out of their run-down home and give them a better life. His father did not argue this time; he just nodded.

    Later that night, Kai found Celine sitting on the floor in the small guest room, her back against the wall.

    "Alright, what''s going on?" Kai asked. "What and why are you hiding?"

    Celine hesitated, then muttered, "It''s better if you don''t know." and looked away. "I''m leaving tomorrow anyway."

    Kai''s expression cast a shadow of anger. He wasn''t taking any of it. In a heartbeat, he had her by the neck and thrust her against the wall.

    "I''ve got my ways of making you talk," he growled fiercely yet without shaking her too much.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Sparks of electricity crackled around the idle hand.

    "I''m not letting some random girl stay in my house if she could be dangerous."

    Celine''s eyes went impossibly wide. "Okay! Okay! I''m gonna tell!"

    Kai let her go and took a few steps back.

    She rubbed her throat before breathing in deeply. "I''m the daughter of the Ice Clan''s branch head. My family has arranged for me to marry the second son of V City''s Ice Clan branch head. So, I ran away."

    Kai frowned, "That''s it?"

    Celine nodded.

    Kai exhaled sharply. "You would have to be kidding me¡­ Did you even meet the guy? Maybe give him a chance or something. Some people out there get no bitches, you know."

    Celine turned fiery red. "No! You don''t understand! I already like someone, okay?!"

    Kai raised an eyebrow. "And?"

    "I don''t want to marry someone I don''t love! Most of all, a guy who''s ten years older than me!"

    Kai recoiled immediately. "Oh. My bad. Sorry."

    He narrowed his eyes and then asked, "Say... how old are you?"

    "Sixteen."

    Kai froze. Then he snapped. "What kind of father gives his daughter away like that?!"

    Celine''s face turned serious. "About that . . . My father is dead. It was my uncle who arranged the marriage."

    Kai clicked his tongue. "Figures... Why don''t you ask your boyfriend for help?"

    Celine''s face reddened immediately again. "Actually... he''s not my boyfriend... yet."

    Kai''s eye twitched, and he rubbed his entire face with both hands.

    "But I really like him!" Celine insisted.

    Kai sighed heavily. "Fuck... You''ve got to be kidding me..." he muttered under his breath. "This is more complicated than I thought."

    Celine looked up at him. "Um... I haven''t gotten your name yet."

    Kai blinked. "Oh yeah, I totally forgot." He straightened up. "I''m Kai Ciphera, eighteen years old and a Mercenary."

    Celine was amazed. "You are really young for a Mercenary!"

    Then something clicked in her mind. Her face immediately beamed with realization. "Wait¡­ You''re the new Mercenary Champion of Z City! The Kai Ciphera! It''s an honor meeting you!"

    Kai groaned. "Oh great, another annoying fan¡­"

    Celine suddenly bombarded him with questions. "So, what kind of ability do you have? Did you really kill the Z City Fire Clan head? Are you really a late bloomer, like everyone says?"

    Kai immediately shut her down. "That''s top secret. Yes. And yes. Now shut up and go to your room. I still want to maintain my beauty sleep."

    Celine saluted playfully. "You got it! Goodnight!" Then, she happily skipped away.

    Kai just stood there, scratching. "This is going to be a long week," he silently mumbled.

 Chapter 14: Cold Ambush

    The cold air enveloping the Ice Clan Branch HQ was heavy with tension. A soldier marched through dimly lit halls, footsteps echoing against the icy floor. He approached a set of richly decorated double doors, inhaled deeply, and knocked twice.

    "Enter."

    The soldier began to walk, bowing deep before Trevor Cryoson, the branch head of the Ice Clan. Trevor sat at the head of an imposing frost-covered desk, his sharp eyes spearing anyone with his brand of intelligence and quiet menace.

    "Speak," Trevor commanded, his voice smooth and controlled.

    The soldier straightened. "Sir, we''ve confirmed that Lady Celine has escaped. The squad sent to retrieve her was ambushed by an unknown Pyrokinetic. All were incapacitated."

    Trevor was immovable. He leaned back in his chair, fingertips pressed together, thinking.

    "Pyrokinetic?" he murmured. "Interesting. Do we have an identity?"

    "Not yet, Sir. Witnesses only recall a sudden overwhelming fire attack."

    Trevor exhaled through his nose, his lips curving slightly. "Hmph. It appears my dear niece is more trouble than I anticipated."

    He stood up and walked over to a large window, looking down at the training grounds below. Soldiers sparred in the courtyard, their breath visible in the cold air.

    "Do you know why I wanted this marriage arranged?" Trevor asked, voice deceptively calm.

    The soldier hesitated before replying, "To strengthen ties with the V City Ice Clan, sir."

    Trevor smirked. "That is the surface reason. It is a fact that an arranged marriage would bring our survival. This alliance will become our shield, the benefit from our rivals. It''s to support our economy and military. For if our clan was ever in decline, it would lift us back up. And all this offers... for one girl alone."

    He sighed dramatically as he shook his head. "It''s unfortunate that stupid brother of mine had to die. Unlike him, I''m ready to sacrifice for the family even if it means sacrificing my own blood."

    The soldier swallowed hard and stood absolutely still. Trevor sat back down, fingers tapping against the armrest.

    "Order another search." His voice was low but very commanding. "I want her found. And this time, we won''t rest until she is."

    The soldier bowed. "Understood, sir."

    As the soldier turned to leave, Trevor''s cold chuckle echoed through the room.

    BANG!

    A deafening sound came in the dead of the morning. The wooden walls quivered from the force, which was then augmented by the heavy tread of the intruders.

    Kai''s eyes flared open, and his instincts, already vigilant, acted upon him immediately. Celine, who was in the next room, also jerked up; her shaky breath accompanied it.

    "What in hell was that?" she muttered.

    Kai was already up; he hurried down to the succession of stairs. What he found there made his blood boil.

    Several Ice Clan soldiers stood in the wreckage of his living room, weapons drawn, breaths frosted in the cold air they carried with them. In their grasp-his father, Lucas Ciphera, struggling against their hold, a blade of ice pressed dangerously against his throat.  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "Get her!" one of the soldiers barked, pointing straight at Celine.

    Kai''s eyes darkened. "No one-" his muscles tensed, his knuckles whitening, "-barges into my house and threatens my family!"

    In one explosive movement, he shot forward. The shockwave from his sheer speed blasted through the room as he punched the nearest soldier directly in his chest. The man didn''t even have time to scream before it sent him flying through the front door and crashed onto the frozen ground outside with a sickening crunch.

    The remaining gave him scant time to react before Kai followed up, grabbing one by the skull and slamming his face into the wooden floorboards. Blood sprayed across the ground, mingling with the frost creeping in from outside.

    "Dad, Celine, get out through the back!" Kai barked as he crushed yet another soldier''s throat with a devastating elbow strike.

    Lucas and Celine hesitated.

    "Now!" Kai roared, setting the air afire with the sheer force of his presence.

    Celine grabbed Lucas by the arm and dashed toward the back door. But the moment they stepped outside, more Ice Clan soldiers were waiting.

    "Found them! Take them both!"

    Celine shoved Lucas behind her with hands raised while a thin layer of ice coated her palms.

    "Stay behind me," she ordered.

    The first soldier lunged at her. Celine ducked under his blade of ice, twisting as she delivered a swift kick to his ribs. She summoned a shard of ice and drove it into the leg of another attacker, making him scream as he collapsed. But there were too many.

    She was fast.

    They were stronger.

    Inside, meanwhile, Kai was drenched in blood, hands slick with it as he crushed an Ice Clan soldier''s head against the splintered remains of the dining table. The wooden shards impaled through the skull, eyes rolling back as the soldier slumped down to the floor. House tally: ruined, scorch marks, blood, shattered wood, and ice-covered walls. Kai had felt the boiling inside him rage and turned towards the back door. Celine was struggling. Lucas was not in a defensible position.

    Ice Clan soldiers were closing in.

    Not on his watch.

    "Duck!" Kai roared.

    Celine barely had time to react as he unleashed a hell storm of fire. Flames erupted from his hands, engulfing the Ice Clan soldiers in a fiery inferno. Their skins bubbled and peeled away to lie as smoldering husks. The air was soon filled with the sickening smell of burnt flesh.

    Kai stood there, chest heaving, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles cracked. Celine immediately coughed, fanning the smoke away from her face.

    "A little warning next time?" she muttered.

    Kai exhaled sharply. "This place isn''t safe anymore."

    Lucas, still trembling, glanced at his son with suspicion. "Where are we supposed to go?"

    Kai wiped the blood off his face and sighed, "Somewhere, they won''t find us."

    A few minutes passed, and soon, they found themselves sitting in a dimly lit hotel room on the city outskirts. The air was tense, mainly because Celine was staring at Kai, who was on the bed''s edge, lost in his musings.

    After a long silence, he suddenly broke the quiet with, "Celine, that boyfriend of yours¡ªwhere is he?"

    Celine flinched, "He''s not my boyfriend!"

    Kai shot her a deadpan look. "Just answer the goddamn question."

    Celine huffed. "He''s probably in Z City High School, Class-C. Why?"

    Kai leaned forward, fingers laced together. "I need all the help I can get. I can''t fight them while protecting both you and my dad.

    "You want to find him?" Celine asked.

    Kai stood, reaching for his jacket. "Protect my dad while I go get him."

    Before Celine could argue, he was already out the door.

 Chapter 15: Enemies Everywhere

    Kai was hiding right outside Z City High School, his gaze sweeping through the perimeter. The soldiers of the Fire Clan were guarding the gates. They probably added security because Kai tried to kill John Igna a few days ago.

    Kai scoffed. "Like I would just walk through the front door."

    It would be a waste of time to face them. So he waited for the right moment¡ªwatching, analyzing. When the guards looked aside for a moment, he leaped over the wall and landed silently on the other side.

    He easily navigated the school hallways like it was the back of his hand, easily avoiding Fire Clan soldiers along the way. He spent years skipping classes and sneaking out of detention; breaking the rules just comes naturally to him.

    He recalled Celine''s words: Her childhood friend is in 11th Grade, C-Class.

    But there was one problem.

    Kai never asked for the guy''s name.

    Finding the classroom, he knocked once and then kicked the door open.

    Students inside jumped in shock as their heads snapped toward him.

    "Is Celine''s boyfriend in here?" Kai asked, tone flat.

    Silence reigned.

    The students exchanged worried glances as if they had just seen a ghost. Finally, a boy raised his hand hesitatingly.

    "I... I know Celine, but I''m not her boyfriend. Just childhood friend...."

    Kai shrugged. "Good enough for me."

    Before the boy could respond, Kai lunged forward and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, dragging him out the window.

    The boys screamed in terror as they glided through the air.

    Fire Clan soldiers below heard the noise. Their heads snapped up¡ªand the moment they saw Kai, their hands ignited in flames.

    "It''s him! Attack!"

    Fireballs soared through the air, streaks of orange and red blazing across the early morning sky.

    Kai twisted mid-air, kicking a fireball straight back at the soldiers, making them scatter.

    Hurling himself across to the other side of the rooftop using the force of the explosion.

    "By the way, what''s your name, kid?" Kai curiously asked.

    "Pyrus Cryoson. You could call me Pi for short."

    "Um... W-Where are we going?!" Pi stammered.

    "I''ll explain when we are there."

    And off he went from rooftop to rooftop, dodging fire attacks and leaving the Fire Clan soldiers choking on their smoke.

    Eventually, they shook the Fire Clan soldiers off their tails before they arrived at their destination. When they entered the hotel room, Pyrus stopped.

    His small face was as pale as death, and his big eyes focused on the moment; before anyone could utter anything, he bolted towards her and strapped his arms around Celine as tightly as he could.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    "Thought you were gone," his voice muffled against her hair.

    Celine hesitated for a moment¡ªthen hugged him back.

    "Okay, lovebirds, break it up," said Kai, leaning against the wall, looking bored. "Here''s the deal."

    He told them everything about Betrothal, how he found Celine, how the Ice Clan wrecked his house, and how his old man nearly died.

    Pyrus and Lucas had been silent listeners till now, hearing the entirety of the tale.

    "I... I''m really sorry about your house," Pyrus managed to squeak out.

    Kai shrugged. "Not a big deal. I will buy another one as long as my dad is safe."

    Then came the bombshell.

    "I''m going to raid the Ice Clan''s HQ. Alone."

    There was silence.

    Celine''s eyes were wide in disbelief. "By yourself?! That''s suicide!"

    Kai grinned. "I wouldn''t say that if I wasn''t confident in wiping out an entire clan." "You don''t mind that I destroy it, right?"

    Celine hesitated.

    She exhaled slowly. "There''s no other choice. We can rebuild it afterward, even if it takes a long time. Just... don''t kill them."

    Kai smirked. "When you said ''we,'' you mean you and your boyfriend, right?" he teased.

    Celine''s face turned bright red.

    "Oh my god! Just shut up!" she yelled, flustered.

    Kai chuckled, stretching his arms. "Alright, I''m going to meditate. I haven''t reached Level 3 yet. It''s better to power up a little before fighting an army." "Come on, Dad."

    Kai then walked to the other room with his father, leaving Pyrus and Celine alone.

    Pyrus turned immediately to Celine, eyes wide with shock, once the door closed. "...Did he just say he''s not even Level 3?"

    Celine swallowed. "No way... He''s that powerful even at a low level?"

    Tension settled between them as Pyrus hesitantly added, "And... they left us alone in this room."

    They both blushed, and neither of them dared to say another word.

    In the office of the Ice Clan Branch HQ, a soldier knelt before Trevor Cryoson, with a burnt and tattered uniform and drenched with blood. Breathing heavily as he made his report.

    "We''ve located Lady Celine, Sir."

    Trevor, seated behind a big desk, hardly raised his head. "Go on."

    Swallowing hard, the soldier went on to say, "She was reported to be in an old, worn building in Z-City. The property belongs to Kai Ciphera¡ªthe new Mercenary Champion of Z City. However, we''ve failed to capture them."

    Trevor drummed his fingers and silently cycled through thoughts of Kai Ciphera.

    He had heard that name before. The self-proclaimed champion seemingly had his fame come from nowhere.

    The soldier hesitated before continuing. "We suspect that Ciphera was the one who aided Lady Celine''s escape and... killed our entire platoon single-handedly."

    As Trevor stared out through the dark, his face remained inscrutable. He leaned back, pondering.

    "No man can take out an entire squad. Even a high-level ability user would struggle against that many opponents." he thought to himself. "Was Ciphera really that strong? Or were my men simply a bunch of incompetent fools?"

    Trevor decided not to underestimate him. If he attacked head-on, there would be vast casualties.

    He needed to approach this with intellect.

    Then inspiration struck, and a grin curled on his lips.

    "I will not engage him directly," he said, standing from his seat. "We would only need leverage."

    This time, he turned back to the soldier. "Find Celine''s friend, the one that sucked up to her ever since they were kids, and take him hostage."

    The soldier nodded. "Understood, sir. I will send a team immediately.""

    Trevor''sface broke into a wide grin. "He may be strong, but even the strongest men have weaknesses."

    The plan was unquestionably going to work.

    Unfortunately for Trevor, what he didn''t know was that Kai had gotten to Pyrus first.

 Chapter 16: New Friends

    A day has gone by. The hotel room looked haunted, filled with dead silence after an eerie echo of Kai''s breathing. Sitting cross-legged, the boy remained still in the silence, mouth shut, his mental focus intently on one point.

    BOOM!

    Suddenly, an energetic shock blasted from his body, sending a very medium shock wave against all walls.

    The lamps began flickering while static was in the air. Leaving him dizzy with excitement, sparks blinked on and off from his fingertips. Kai felt that a bright new flow of power surged through his veins with the constant thrill.

    His eyes snapped open, faintly glowing with electric blue for a moment before returning to their normal state.

    "Finally! Level 3!" he exclaimed, flexing his fingers to see tiny arcs of lightning flicker between them.

    It was weak: a short-range electric discharge somewhat stronger than a taser. But for an up-close and personal fighter like him, it wasn''t a disadvantage.

    In Through the door crashed Lucas Ciphera, worry varnishing his face. "Kai! Are you alright?"

    Kai turned to his father, who was very close to smirking. "Yeah, Dad. I''m fine."

    Lucas relaxed a little but was not relieved. "You better not be tearing your body apart doing this leveling crap."

    As Kai stood up and rolled his shoulders, he replied, "I know my limits."

    Lucas was not convinced, and before he could reconsider, Kai picked up his jacket and headed out the door.

    "Where are you going?"

    "Ice Clan HQ. I''m going to end this."

    Lucas blocked his path. "Kai, wait."

    Kai loured. "What now?"

    Lucas hesitated for a moment before saying, "You don''t have to do this."

    Kai''s expression grew dark; "What do you mean?" Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    After yet another sigh, Lucas opted for a gentler tone. "I mean¡­ you''re not obligated to fight for them."

    "So you want me to just sit back and do nothing?"

    "I want you to think about yourself for once, Kai." Lucas took a step closer. "You''re a mercenary, not a hero. You don''t owe them anything."

    For a moment, silence took over their vicinity.

    Then Kai exhaled harshly and ran a hand through his hair. "Dad¡­I finally found people who needed my help. People other than you."

    Lucas blinked in surprise.

    Kai clenched his fists. "For once¡­ someone actually relies on me. And when I look at them, I see myself," His voice softened. "Helpless. Powerless before the strong."

    He raised his gaze, and his eyes burned with resolve. "I can''t turn away from that."

    Lucas remained silent as he stared at his son.

    Kai did not bother waiting for a reply. He shoved his way past his father and exited the door, disappearing into the night.

    Lucas stood there and exhaled a tired sigh before speaking without looking. "I know you two are listening. Come on out."

    The door connecting the two hotel rooms creaked open, and Pyrus and Celine stepped out as if dragged forward with heavy shame.

    They were eavesdropping the whole time.

    Lucas turned to them. "You two heard everything, huh?"

    Celine looked down. "Mr. Ciphera... I really apologize. It was never our intention to involve you and Kai in this mess."

    Lucas sighed. "Well, this isn''t an issue anymore."

    He gave them a serious look. "My son''s out there, putting his life on the line for people he''s barely met. So...I have a favor to ask."

    Pyrus straightened, saying, "Anything, sir."

    Lucas''s demeanor softened. "Be his friends."

    Celine and Pyrus exchanged surprised glances.

    "Kai''s...not exactly good with people. Even when he was a kid. He got bullied all the time before getting his powers."

    Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "But... he''s a good kid. He just doesn''t know how to connect."

    Celine''s expression brightened suddenly with her smile, laden with gratitude. "Don''t worry about it, Mr. Ciphera." She stepped up. "Kai is not just a friend. He is our biggest benefactor."

    Pyrus bobbed his head vigorously. "We''ll always have his back, whenever, wherever."

    Lucas chuckled softly. "You better be. He''s a pain in the ass when he gets moody."

 Chapter 17: Defeating the Frost

    The Ice Clan Branch HQ was alive with tension. The bright yellow glow of electric lamps lit up the hallways as soldiers patrolled the perimeter.

    In the main office inside, Trevor Cryoson leaned against his desk, narrowed eyes trained on the soldier before him.

    "What do you mean he''s gone?" Trevor''s voice was dangerously low.

    The soldier hesitated. "Sir, Pyrus Cryoson is nowhere to be found. We suspect he''s already escaped¡ª"

    BOOM!

    A violent explosion rocked the building, shaking the walls and shattering the nearby windows. The alarms blared awake, and then, all at once, fire tinted the night sky outside.

    Trevor''s eyes widened, "What the hell¡ª"

    Outside, a dark figure stepped out of the fire, wearing a black jacket and a skull mask.

    He calmly walked forward, his silhouette flickering in the firelight.

    The Ice Clan soldiers instinctively opened fire using Cryokinesis, their hands giving off a frigid blue glow as jagged shards of ice shot toward the intruder.

    But the moment the ice came near him, it melted.

    Water splashed onto the ground, dissipating in steam as the figure didn''t even flinch.

    "What the hell?! Our ice isn''t working!" one of the soldiers yelled in horror.

    "Who is this guy?!" another soldier screamed.

    But just as they were about to react further, the masked man hurled himself forward.

    CRACK!

    A soldier collapsed at the force of a perfectly placed blow to the throat.

    WHAM!

    Another soldier was flipped over backward, his head slamming into the pavement.

    THUD!

    The poor last one barely managed to scream before he was knocked unconscious by a brutal elbow to the temple.

    The masked figure, however, didn''t seem even the slightest bit winded.

    It was obviously Kai in disguise.

    He walked right through the front door like a specter, dodging guards with the ease one would expect from a professional mercenary. Kai took them down one after another, but he was careful not to kill them.

    His promise to Celine repeated in his mind.

    Trevor was already on his feet when Kai kicked the door open.

    The wooden frame splintered as Kai kicked it off its hinges.

    But a soldier next to Trevor panicked and threw out a desperate ice attack at Kai. But before the soldier could even finish his action¡ª

    Kai grabbed the man by his collar and smashed his face against the wall.

    He collapsed on the floor.

    Kai turned his gaze to Trevor. "So¡­ You''re the bastard trying to sell off his own niece." His voice dripped with sarcasm, but his eyes seethed with restrained rage.

    Trevor smirked, folding his arms. "Cut the act, Ciphera. You think a mask can fool me?"

    Kai canted his head. "Oh? You''ve heard of me?"If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "You''re the Mercenary Champion of Z City; of course, I''ve heard all about you. But if you think you can just walk in here and order me¡ª"

    Kai advanced. "Let''s cut to the chase. Give up your position to Celine, and I won''t break every bone in your body."

    Trevor''s eyes blazed with anger. "Over my dead body!"

    The moment Trevor''s hand shot out was to send a whirlwind of ice and frost that covered the room in an icy tempest. The frost spread up the walls as the temperature plummeted ever lower.

    Half of the HQ was covered under a thick pile of ice.

    Trevor smiled. "Hah! Let''s see you survive that."

    Out of the icy mist came a low chuckle.

    "That''s too bad."

    Trevor''s smile faded. "No way..."

    As the freezing fog began to clear, Kai was revealed¡ªcompletely unharmed.

    "Say¡­ as a Cryokinetic, how much cold can you handle?"

    Kai had quickly blurred forward, snatching Trevor by the throat and lifting him off the floor with one arm.

    And then the freeze clamped down¡ªfrom Kai.

    The temperature within the room dropped, and Trevor froze even more.

    Under ironic circumstances, his very own skills, which had so far attributed to him great menace, were inadequate in stopping his own freezing¡ªwhich nonetheless hit him.

    Turning blue, with icing constricting every inch of his exposed skin, his mouth gasped for air as he clawed at Kai''s arm.

    But then¡ª

    Trevor''s hand jerked, and before Kai could react, he plunged a foreign object into his mouth.

    A pill.

    A split second later¡ª

    An explosive surge of ice energy burst from Trevor''s body, forcing Kai to let go and leap backward.

    On his knees, Trevor broke into a tremor, followed by torrents of unstoppable and chaotic energy.

    Almost instantaneously, his wounds healed, and his eyes blazed with icy white light.

    "Heh¡­ those pills really do the trick," Trevor murmured, clenching his fists, frost crackling all around him.

    From Level 7.4, he was now at 9.4.

    Kai''s eyes widened. "No way... he just took an Amp Pill!"

    "Time to die," Trevor said wickedly, smirking as he lifted his hands.

    With a swing of his arm, he sent massive spikes of ice ramming into the HQ, launching Kai straight through a wall. Kai even felt the frost bypassing through his Energy Barrier; Trevor was too strong. He can''t handle temperatures that are too low in the negatives.

    The fight spilled out of the windows and onto the rooftops of adjacent buildings.

    Trevor chased after him, raining down huge frozen lances that Kai eluded by leaping from rooftop to rooftop.

    "Even though you''re the new Mercenary Champion," Trevor snarled, "you can''t beat an experienced fighter!"

    Kai barely dodged another of Trevor''s icy spears, skidding across the rooftop as steam rose up around him.

    The city caught fire beneath a storm of ice, water, and destruction amidst the furious firefight going on between Trevor and Kai.

    Minutes later, Kai noticed it¡ª

    Trevor''s attacks were coming slower, losing precision.

    "The pill''s effects are wearing off..." Kai thought. "Just need to make it last a little longer."

    They continued the fight, and then Kai saw Trevor faltered mid-attack. That was his opening!

    Pushing every bit of power left in him, Kai sped forward, fist full of lightning.

    Trevor watched in horror as the punch collided with his chest, charged with electricity.

    A cacophony of thunder smashed through the air. Trevor was launched backward at an incredible speed, crashing into the HQ.

    Kai dropped to one knee, fatigued. But he managed to get himself back up.

    He figured that his final attack wouldn''t be enough for the kill against Trevor.

    Pushing himself forward, he found Trevor writhing on the floor, foaming at the mouth, twitching his relatively wild body along the stonework beneath it.

    Kai frowned. "What...?"

    Then it all clicked. It wasn''t his attack. It was the side effects of the Amp Pill.

    "Hey," Kai said carefully, placing a finger on Trevor''s neck.

    There was no pulse. Nothing.

    Trevor Cryoson was dead.

 Chapter 18: Kingpins Game

    Two days after the battle, the Ice Clan Branch HQ of Z City lay in ruins. The frozen rubble and scorched debris of the battlefield told the grim tale of the hot fight where one Kai Ciphera and one Trevor Cryoson clashed. Kai still remained tired after helping Celine Cyroson and Pyrus Cyro clear the debris and repair whatever they could. Direct descendent of the Ice Clan, Celine was naturally appointed as the new branch head. The burden was hers to bear, and though a rightful title, she didn''t think she would have to shoulder it so soon. While standing before their eyes, commanding the rebuilding effort, Kai walked toward her.

    "Celine," he called.

    Dust rolled off her sleeves as she turned to him. "What?"

    Her expression was unreadable. "I thought you should know¡­ Trevor didn''t die from my attack."

    "What do you mean?" Celine frowned.

    "The Amplification Pill he took¡ªit was what killed him. The side effects were too much for his body to take." Kai explained.

    Celine was silent for a moment.

    Then suspicion darkened her eyes.

    "Amplification Pills aren''t easy to obtain. Only someone with a definite underground connection could have supplied these."

    "Do you have any idea who might''ve given it to him?" Kai asked.

    Celine drew in a long breath, and her jaw tightened. "Only one name comes to mind¡­ Giorgio Guido."

    Pyrus flinched. "You mean the kingpin?"

    Kai raised an eyebrow. "I met him once during the Mercenary Tournament, but who is he?"

    Celine crossed her arms. "Giorgio Guido is one of the most powerful and untouchable criminals in Z City. The government''s been trying to take him down for years, but his money, influence, and sheer manpower make it impossible. Even with a 10-million Credit bounty on his head, no bounty hunter has been able to kill him."

    Kai smirked. "Ten million, huh? Didn''t know he got a bounty like that. If I knew back then, I could''ve taken him down."

    Celine gazed at him, almost burning him with her stare. "Don''t get any ideas, Kai. Taking down Giorgio isn''t as simple as fighting some cryokinetic soldiers."

    Kai chuckled half-jokingly. "I wasn''t planning on it¡­ yet."

    Celine sighed and shook her head. "Either way, we''ll deal with that later. Right now, you should come with me."

    Kai tilted his head. "Where to?"

    "The Mystic Array."

    Celine led Kai through the deeper chambers of the Ice Clan HQ, passing through heavy iron doors that were accessible only to Clan Heads. The atmosphere thickened with frigid air, and traces of ancient energy were felt from the walls.

    At length, they entered a dimly lit chamber in which a vast circular platform faintly showed ethereal runes.

    "This is the Mystic Array," Celine explained. "Every Clan must have one, as required by the government. It allows our people to refine their abilities and level up faster. The higher your level, the harder it is to grow stronger¡ªbut this array helps accelerate the process."

    Kai stared at the glowing formation, intrigued. "So this is how you guys get stronger."

    Celine nodded. "You can use it anytime you want, Kai. Consider it a gift."

    Kai sniggered. "I won''t say no to free power-ups."

    Without another word, he walked into the center of the array and sat down, shutting his eyes.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Almost immediately, the array bathed him in a rush of energy as his abilities began to receive eldritch refinement far beyond normal.

    Celine watched him quietly for a moment, then turned to leave.

    "Take your time. You''re going to need all the strength you can get."

    She departed the chamber, leaving Kai to meditate alone.

    While Kai was meditating in the Mystic Array, the scene shifted to Don Giorgio Guido''s grand villa¡ªthe most feared and untouched crime lord of Z City.

    Inside his heavily furnished office of mahogany wood, Giorgio Guido sat in high-back leather comfort, a cigar lazily smoldering between his fingers. Across from him stood John Igna, the fiery and ambitious leader of the Fire Clan, his face dark with a vengeance.

    The two men locked their eyes upon each other for a nonverbal exchange of power and intention.

    "So, you want to buy Amplification Pills?" Giorgio asked, his voice smooth yet dripped with amusement.

    "Fifty pills," John replied.

    A slight lift came to Giorgio''s brow. "Fifty? That''s quite a lot... even for a man of your standing."

    Giorgio smiled at him, taking another slow draw from his cigar, "Ah... So this is about Kai Ciphera, isn''t it?"

    John''s eyes flashed with rage as he said that name. "That bastard humiliated me. I will not let him go unscathed."

    Giorgio chuckled, flicking off the ashes onto a golden tray beside him. "Revenge, huh? An expensive obsession, Young Master Igna."

    He gestured to one of his men, who stepped forward and placed a sleek black briefcase on the table. The man carefully unlocked the briefcase with a soft click to reveal rows of small metallic-red capsules¡ªthe infamous Amplification Pills.

    "Five thousand Credits per pill," Giorgio said. "Fifty pills. That brings us to two hundred and fifty thousand Credits."

    John snapped his fingers, ordering the soldier next to him to place another briefcase on the table, one stacked with neatly arranged cash.

    "The money''s all there," John said coldly. "Now, hand them over."

    Giorgio leaned forward, staring at the briefcase full of credits with a glint in his eyes.

    "Pleasure doing business with you, " With a nod, Giorgio signaled his man to slide the briefcase of pills across the table.

    Without a moment of hesitation, John grabbed the briefcase, turned on his heel, and marched out of the villa without another word. His footsteps echoed through the marble hall into the darkness of the night as he was consumed with the one single thought of destroying Kai Ciphera.

    Once the door clicked shut, Giorgio reclined in his chair, still grinning at the sight of the money.

    "What a fool," he whispered while chuckling.

    A shadow shifted beside him. Giorgio''s Consigliere, Niccolo Stewart, stepped forward and leaned in, whispering something into the kingpin''s ear.

    The smile on Giorgio''s face faltered.

    "So Trevor''s dead, huh?" he muttered as he stood from his chair and turned to view the massive window behind him.

    The city lights of Z City glimmered and twinkled before him, but his concentration lay on something else.

    "Who killed him?"

    "From what I¡¯ve gathered, he was defeated by an unknown masked fighter... but it wasn''t the battle that killed him. It was the drug that you sold him."

    Giorgio took a long, slow pull on his cigar, exhaling once more against the cold glass, his breath clouding for a moment. "How poetic, " he mused.

    Niccolo continued. "With Trevor gone, the Ice Clan of Z City is significantly weakened. This is an opportunity to start moving in from the shadows."

    Giorgio raised a hand. "No."

    "We still have to wait," his gaze pinning Niccolo.

    Niccolo frowned. "May I ask why?"

    Giorgio tapped his cigar against the ashtray. "Trevor had been in talks with the V City Ice Clan Branch before his death. If they decide to take action, we can''t risk exposing ourselves too soon. We need to see how they react first."

    Niccolo thought for a few moments and then nodded in agreement.

    Giorgio reclined back in his chair, a slow, devilish grin creeping over his face. "Besides," he said, "We already have the Fire Clan in the palm of our hands. With John Igna and his men relying on our pills, they''ll dance to whatever tune we play."

    He chuckled lowly, satisfied with himself. "All we have to do... is wait for them to burn themselves out."

 Chapter 19: Inferno Battle

    Two days have passed since Kai''s fight with Trevor Cryos Kai, and Z City has gradually returned to normal.

    Having finally made a small fortune because of his mercenary work, Kai decided to buy a very lavish apartment in the most prestigious high-rise condominium in the city. It would serve as an abode for him and his father, Lucas Ciphera¡ªjust a gesture of gratitude, proof that he had made something of himself.

    Of course, Kai conveniently left out the part where he had spent almost all his money on it.

    That afternoon, Kai moved across the neon-drenched streets of Z City, racing through mission after mission, hunting, hunting down monsters, closing dimensional portals, and subjugating weird creatures in his way while pumping himself to an even better state. His power went up to Level 3.7 in record time with the Ice Clan''s Mystic Array and his Mystic Energy absorption multiplier.

    Just as he was about to take another mercenary job, something erupted around him. Waves of heated fire surged from all directions, forming a towering inferno that engulfed the whole area.

    Screams filled the streets as civilians ran for their lives, the flames consuming everything in their path. But as the dust settled, a lone figure emerged from the fire unscathed¡ªhis silhouette with a glint of his barrier reflecting.

    Kai smirked. "It''ll take more than that to kill me."

    Surrounding him stood over fifty Fire Clan soldiers. And then, stepping forward from the ranks, John Igna appeared, his face contorted with rage and vengeance.

    "Kai Ciphera!" John bellowed, his voice echoing through the ruined street. "Tonight, I will take my revenge and this shall be your grave!"

    Kai tilted his head and taunted. "Revenge? By ganging up on me? You really are a fucking coward."

    John grinned, his confidence unshakable this time. He turned to his soldiers, raising a clenched fist. "Take them!"

    Without hesitation, every Fire Clan soldier swallowed an Amplification Pill, their bodies instantly surging with immense power. Flames erupted from their skin, their eyes glowed with an unnatural red hue, and their power levels skyrocketed¡ªonce Level 5 or 6, now reaching Level 7 and even 8.

    Kai''s smirk faltered. "Are you crazy?!" he shouted.

    John replied, "Just enough to kill you!"

    All soldiers of the Fire Clan attacked at once.

    Massive fireballs loomed at great distances. Buildings burst into embers and melted, as did the pavement under them. The whole street became a hellish battleground, lit with raging fires.

    John stood back, grinning and observing how Kai dodged and weaved through the hell inferno. "Struggle all you want, Ciphera," he sneered. "By the end of this, you''re dead!" You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    The flames were no harm with Kai''s Energy Barrier, but too many foes to fight all at once was a big deal because this was getting out of hand.

    "Damn it," Kai thought. "It wouldn''t be long before Z City is in ruin."

    He had no other choice. It''s time to show them a trick he had been hiding.

    With one mighty leap, Kai jumped onto the roof of a nearby skyscraper, encouraging the Fire Clan soldiers to chase him.

    Standing at the edge, Kai turned back, his hands zapping with electricity.

    "Fuck off!" his shout echoed and followed a thunderous boom as a torrent of electricity shot out from his body and simply surged through the soldiers, immediately obliterating half of them.

    Their charred bodies crumpled forth, all unconscious before they even knew what hit them.

    John staggered back, his eyes wide in disbelief.

    "E-Electricity? " he stammered. " How can he control lightning, too?! No, that''s impossible! He wasn''t that strong before! And his speed¡ªdon''t tell me he has super speed, too?!"

    While John was distracted, Kai was nowhere to be seen. John noticed this and panicked but barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his gut, sending him crashing into a wall.

    Kai stood over him, his fists crackling with electricity, his glare piercing through John''s soul. "I''m going to kill you."

    John tried to struggle, but Kai''s grip already had him by his throat, lifting him off the ground. Then, a blurred vision came to him with the sensation of life draining away.

    Just as Kai would have executed him, a deafening roar reverberated through the city.

    There loomed in the distance a huge shadow. A Red Dragon.

    Kai groaned in frustration before casting John aside like an object, his body landing in the middle of the road.

    "You''re damn lucky," Kai growled. "If you''re still around after I kill that dragon¡­ You''re dead!"

    Before John could even respond, Kai was gone¡ªa blur heading straight for the dragon.

    The Red Dragon was a monstrous beast, its scales glowing like molten rock, its eyes filled with primal fury. It let out another roar, shaking the very foundation of the city.

    The people of Z City screamed in terror, believing this was the end.

    Before the dragon could release a torrent of fire, Kai appeared before it in mid-air.

    With a single punch, he pierced through the dragon''s skull.

    A gigantic dragon had lurched forward and crashed onto the street below, thundering in its fall.

    Kai landed beside the carcass, dusting his jacket.

    From a distance, John Igna watched the whole thing, trembling secretly in his legs.

    This was not a mere mercenary.

    This wasn''t even human.

    This was a never-so-far beyond anything that he could understand.

    So, without wasting any more time thinking about it, John started running for his life, disappearing into the night, knowing that if he saw Kai Ciphera again, he wouldn''t be so fortunate the next time.

 Chapter 20: Dons Intuition

    The fragrant atmosphere of Don Giorgio Guido''s luxurious villa reeked of fine cigars and aged whiskey. Seated behind his grand desk, the owner leaned back in his chair.

    His Consignee, Niccolo Stewart, stood in front of him, his expression that of a concerned man.

    "Can you say that again?" Guido said in a dangerously calm voice.

    Niccolo calmly went on, "John Igna and over fifty Fire Clan soldiers ambushed Kai Ciphera in Z City, and half of them are dead, the rest barely breathing."

    "Fifty ability users," he muttered, rolling the words over in his mind. "All enhanced by Amplification Pills... And they stood no chance?"

    Niccol¨° nodded. "He effortlessly annihilated them."

    Guido''s fingers froze, and his jaw muscle twitched. By his assessment, this was insane. "How could one low-ranked mercenary beat an entire squad of enhanced warriors?" Guido thought.

    After all, Amplification Pills were not some cheap o-drug-popping street drug, just temporarily pushing its users beyond their natural limitations, allowing them to punch above their capacities. Even for a prodigy, this should be impossible. But Kai Ciphera wasn''t just any fighter.

    "Too bad he didn''t join me," he murmured. "And too lucky that I didn''t provoke him at the Mercenary Tournament."

    Niccol¨° continued. "Our spies in the Ice Clan confirmed that Ciphera has been frequently going in and out of the Ice Clan''s HQ. Not just like a visitor but someone who belongs there. We suspect he has a close relationship with the new Ice Clan Branch Head, Celine Cryoson." Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Guido fell silent as the puzzle pieces clicked into place.

    "Of course, the Ice Clan''s Mystic Array. That''s was how he leveled up so quickly," Guido mumbled. "So, he is the one who defeated Trevor Cryoson."

    Much information went on as Niccol¨° continued, "We even dug into his past."

    "He came from nothing, raised by a single father who''s a failed writer, while his mother died of illness when he was young. No known mentors. No bloodline ties with any strong clans. And... he was a late bloomer. His ability didn''t awaken until after he became a mercenary."

    Guido simply looked up, eyebrows up. "His ability?"

    "Officially listed as Super Strength."

    Guido snickered without any humor. "Officially?"

    Niccolo''s eyes darkened. "Sir, I don''t believe that his true ability."

    Guido stared at him. He drew a deep breath, then remembered the Mercenary Tournament, the way Kai fought, the raw speed, the flames, the unimaginable Strength. Super Strength wasn''t enough to account for what he had seen.

    Guido''s mind raced- no ordinary nobody could become so powerful so quickly.

    There was indeed only one explanation.

    He leaned back, swirling the whiskey inside his glass. "A lab rat."

    Niccol¨° frowned. "Sir?"

    Guido''s voice was like steel. "Kai Ciphera is not normal. No poor kid from a failing family wakes up one day with multi-high-tier abilities. Either he was a failed government experiment or a homunculus, a genetically engineered weapon."

    "If that is true...." Niccolo stammered. "Then he''s the most dangerous person in Z City."

 Chapter 21: Successor Crisis

    The halls of the Z City Ice Clan Headquarters were strangely quiet as Celine and Pyrus entered the Branch Head''s Office. Behind the desk, Rei Cryoson, Celine''s Secretary, was buried under a mountain of paperwork.

    Celine smiled. "Rei, you should take a break. Pyrus and I will finish the rest."

    Rei exhaled in relief and stretched her arms. "You have no idea how much I needed that. Thanks, Celine." She stood up, rolling her shoulders before heading out of the office.

    As the door clicked shut, Celine''s eyes wandered toward the wall-mounted television screen. The news blared across the office, drawing their attention.

    "Breaking News! John Igna, former head of the Z City Fire Clan, has been detained by the government for possession of illegal enhancement drugs and destruction of public property."

    Pyrus smirked. "Serves him right."

    Celine sighed. "But this means new leadership is coming."

    The news continued. "In his place, the Fire Clan''s main branch has appointed the third son of the F City Fire Clan to oversee the Z City branch."

    Pyrus snorted. "Huh, just like you said."

    Then suddenly, a sound like thunder erupted from the walls, shaking the building and rattling the windows. Celine rushed to the window and looked down. Three black Cadillacs had parked outside the entrance of the HQ.

    Something was wrong.

    Without waiting, Celine and Pyrus dashed to the lobby, only to be greeted with utter chaos. Ice lay everywhere. Several Ice Clan soldiers were sprawled on the ground, groaning with frozen limbs and battered bodies.

    Standing in the middle of the destruction was a man with icy silver hair and a sharp, twisted grin on his face; even just his presence was oozing with arrogance and malice.

    "Who in the hell are you?" was Pyrus'' question as his fists clenched.

    The man smirked, spreading his arms theatrically. "My name''s Nemu Cryoson. The Second son of the V City Ice Clan''s Branch Head."

    Celine''s blood ran cold.

    Nemu stepped forward, motioning to the remaining Z City Ice Clan soldiers. "I''ll make this simple. Bring me Celine, or I''ll level this building to the ground."

    Before anyone could react, Celine''s voice rang out, firm and steady: "I''m already here! Now stop hurting my people!"

    Nemu''s grin widened. "Ah, there you are, my lovely fianc¨¦e."

    Celine''s expression darkened. "I am not your fianc¨¦e!"

    Nemu laughed mockingly. "Oh, but you are. It was decided long ago by your uncle¡ªand the government."

    Celine''s eyes widened. "The government? What does the government have to do with this?"

    Nemu smugly explained. "Clans are part of the government, my dear. If both parties agree to an arrangement, it''s legally binding. Your uncle signed a contract¡ªif he died, the Z City Ice Clan would fall under my control. By law, women are not permitted to be Clan Heads. So congratulations! You belong to me now."

    Celine''s fists trembled, ready to unleash all the rage boiling in her veins. "Fucking ass shit...!"Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    At that moment, Pyrus stepped boldly forward, his eyes ablaze with fury. "To fucking hell with that! I challenge you to a duel for Celine and for the clan!"

    Nemu''s smirk vanished, replaced with an ugly expression twisted by fury. In a heartbeat, he conjured an ice sword. Without so much as a warning, he slashed at Pyrus across the chest. Pyrus stumbled back, blood spattering down from the wound. And just when his vision began to blur from the shock, Nemu swung Pyrus by the collar and hurled him through the revolving doors out onto the pavement below.

    Celine screamed, "Pyrus!"

    But Nemu still wasn''t over.

    An incoming wave of frost energy charged from his palms and firmly froze his opponent in place. With no hesitation, he conjured several sharp ice lances and sent them flying toward his defenseless target.

    Pyrus gritted his teeth. He was paralyzed, and at that moment, he realized, "This is bad..."

    Celine''s scream ripped through the chaos. "Wait! Stop!"

    Nemu did not acknowledge her protest. He advanced on Pyrus with an ice sword raised, eyes glowing with sadistic delight.

    But just as he was about to cut Pyrus¡ªa voice cut through the tension. "What the fuck is going on here?"

    Everyone turned.

    At the entrance stood Kai Ciphera, his glowing eyes burning with fury as he saw the scene before him: Pyrus bleeding, Celine terrified, and Nemu menacingly poised above his friend in pain.

    Pyrus coughed, the blood dripping from his lips. "K-Kai..."

    Kai''s face turned dark. He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled. "I''ve been ambushed once today already... and now my friend is going to get killed in front of me?"

    His voice dropped to barely above a murmur. "Why does God hate me?"

    "Tch. Another nobody?" Nemu''s brows twitched in annoyance. But before he could finish his sentence, a hand shot out, gripping his throat in an ironclad grip.

    Nemu''s eyes were wide with horror as he felt his feet leave the ground.

    With one hand, Kai lifted him effortlessly.

    "W-What?!" Nemu squirmed, clawing at Kai''s fingers and accidentally dropping his ice sword. "You damn commoner¡ªlet me go!"

    "Don''t just stand there! Kill him!" Nemu yelled to his soldiers.

    The soldiers of the V City Ice Clan unleashed a flurry of frost attacks, but as soon as they struck Kai''s Energy Barrier, all of them were sent reeling backward as the attacks rebounded.

    Kai stared daggers at Nemu, who was sweating bullets at this point. And then he squeezed again; suddenly, heat was radiating from his palm. Nemu screamed as his neck was burned, the flesh searing underneath Kai''s grip.

    Celine rushed forward. "Kai, stop! If you kill him, you''ll start a war with the V City Ice Clan!"

    Tightened behind gritted teeth, Kai''s muscles turned taut with rage. Then, with a deep, savage growl, he hurled Nemu across the street.

    Wham!

    The Ice Clan heir crashed into a lamppost. As he groaned in pain, Kai turned to Pyrus and nullified the ice lances, turning them into steam.

    He knelt beside him and asked. "What the hell happened?"

    Pyrus coughed. "I challenged him... but he caught me off guard."

    Kai sighed and lifted Pyrus with ease. "Celine, get him to the Healing Tank."

    Then, Kai turned his attention back to Nemu. His voice echoed loudly. "Hey, You piece of shit!"

    Nemu flinched as he attempted to steady himself.

    Kai declared, "My friend Pyrus here wants to challenge you to a battle for his girlfriend and the Z City Ice Clan. If you refuse... I''ll kill you right here, right now, without mercy."

    Nemu''s face paled. He shook, spattering blood as he said, "Fine! I''ll fight him... in two weeks! After I recover!"

    Kai grinned savagely. "Good. Cause If he loses..." His eyes glowed with an ominous light. "...your damn head is mine."

 Chapter 22: Pyrus Preparation

    Black Cadillacs whizzed down the streets of Z City, reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights on their lustrous surface. Somewhere in one of the cars sat Nemu Cryoson in furious silence, his burnt neck still stinging from Kai''s searing grip.

    The once-smug heir of the V City Ice Clan clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his own palm. His icy blue eyes blazed with humiliation and rage.

    He slammed his fist against the leather seat, and the soldiers inside were startled by the sound. "Who the hell is that bastard!? Where did he come from?!"

    The soldiers exchanged worried glances. One of them hesitated, then said, "W-we don''t know, sir."

    Nemu gritted his teeth. "Find out everything there is to know about him! I want his entire biography! Once I''m done with that nobody... I''m going to make that bastard regret ever interfering."

    The soldiers nodded stiffly, feeling the temperature drop within the Cadillac by several degrees.

    A soft humming sound charmed the sterile and dimly lit recovery chamber. The walls were lined with healing tanks, awash in a soothing green glow. Inside one of the tanks floated Pyrus'' wounded body, suspended in a thick, green medicinal liquid, with an oxygen mask attached to his face.

    His arms were limp, his breathing slow, and the gashes across his chest were already beginning to heal- but four days would pass before he would be able to even think about fighting again.

    Kai Ciphera and Celine Cryoson stood in front of the tank, two onlookers gazing at their sick friend in silence. The beeping of the vitals monitor provided a soft echo in the empty room.

    At last, Celine broke the silence. "Thanks for helping us back there. Pyrus could have died without you."

    Kai exhaled loudly, putting his hands in his pockets. "No problem." His eyes flickered toward Pyrus. "The real problem is... how the hell is he going to beat that guy?"

    Celine''s expression tightened. "That''s what I''m worried about. According to what I''ve gathered, Nemu''s Cryokinesis is already at Level 8.4. A true prodigy."

    Kai snickered. "8.4... Really?"

    Celine replied. "Yeah. But Pyrus is only at Level 3. Even if he trained and leveled up before the fight, it''s not gonna make a difference."

    Kai cocked a smile. "Unless it''s me."

    Celine gave him a look. "Not helping."

    Kai chuckled but quickly sobered up. "We got two options."

    Celine turned to him expectantly. "What is it?"

    Kai raised two fingers. "Plan A: training him like hell and pushing him to his limits under my supervision. Plan B: cheating the fight."

    Celine narrowed her eyes. "Cheating?"

    His smirk turned devious. "I never said I was going to play fair."

    Celine glared, warning flashing blue. "If you even think of giving him an Amp Pill, I''ll fucking kill you."

    Kai sighed and raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender. "Oh, come on, I''m a friend, not a drug dealer."

    Four passed, and the healing tank had finally drained its brilliantly green liquid; Pyrus breathed his first deep breath outside it. His wounds had healed completely, yet a dull ache only reminded him of his close-to-dead experience at the hands of Nemu Cryoson.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Nevertheless, the fire in him burned hotter now than ever before.

    Now, inside the Ice Clan Training Arena, the frozen ground beneath him bled an icy blue glow. The air was cold and crisp, but sweat had already dribbled from Pyrus'' forehead. Across from him stood Kai, calm and composed, whose bright golden eyes scanned Pyrus''s body like a predator analyzing its prey.

    Kai rolled his shoulders, limbering. "Alright. We''re going with Plan A. I''ll train you until you can''t get up."

    Pyrus cracked his knuckles. "Bring it on."

    Kai smirked and lifted his fingertips. Immediately, the temperature plummeted, and icy blue energy crackled around him. Using his Ergokinesis, he disturbingly mimicked Cryokinesis.

    A mass of ice spikes rose out of the ground and aimed straight at Pyrus.

    With barely a narrow escape, Pyrus rolled away from Kai''s advances. But another javelin-like, jagged-edged lance of frozen crystals shot toward him, and he called out his own ice, countering the attack, but the sheer force with which Kai unleashed proved too much, crushing his defenses into shatters.

    The next thing he knew, Kai was already behind him.

    An ugly, sharp kick to Pyrus''s ribs sent him gliding against the icy floor. He groaned, holding himself, but managed to stand.

    Kai tilted his head to the side, unimpressed. "You''re too slow. If I was Nemu, you''d be dead by now."

    Pyrus wiped the blood dripping from the corner of his lip and, without a word, charged once more, this time freezing hands and aiming a strike right at Kai''s jaw. Just when the fist was inches away from connection, Kai vanished.

    A vicious axe kick smashed into Pyrus''shoulder from above, crashing him down onto both knees.

    "You''re too predictable. You can''t rely too much on your own ability against an opponent of a higher level."

    Pyrus gritted his teeth. "Then I''ll stop holding back."

    "Oh? So you have been holding back?" Kai mocked.

    Pyrus clenched fists; the blue aura intensified. The density of his ice increased, and so did the sharpness. Firing himself to boost speed and close the gap, he launched a spinning leg kick encased in hardened ice.

    But even when Pyrus made a comeback, the energy from his attack was just absorbed by Kai''s Energy Barrier.

    "What?!" Pyrus exclaimed in shock.

    "Not bad."

    Before he could finish, Kai twisted around and slammed his elbow into Pyrus'' stomach. The impact caused Pyrus to be pushed away.

    Pyrus coughed, wheezed, and gagged, only to rise again. His whole body ached, but his spirit never wavered.

    Kai finally smiled, placing his hands in his pockets. "That''s it for now. You''ve definitely improved."

    Pyrus sighed in relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Damn right, I have."

    "Now go meditate in the Mystic Array. It will help you level up while resting."

    Pyrus didn''t argue. He walked to the lights and dazzling letters, sat, and closed his eyes, allowing the energy to flow inward.

    As Kai walked away, Celine approached. She smiled as she came closer to Pyrus, looking worried with her eyes. Leaving quietly, Kai smiled to himself as he walked out of the arena.

    Celine knelt beside Pyrus, her stare soothing as she gazed at his face. "You''re trying too hard," she said.

    Pyrus chuckled weakly. "Really? Doesn''t look like it..."

    Then she sighed and pulled out a white kerchief, drying the sweat and blood off his face. "You''re reckless, you know that?"

    With a lopsided grin, Pyrus replied, "Yeah, but I am your kind of reckless, right?"

    Celine rolled her eyes, but in them danced the humor. "Shithead."

    They both laughed, forgetting the tension of battle for a moment.

    Outside the arena, Kai leaned against the wall, listening to all this.

    He smirked to himself sarcastically. "That kind of love will never find me."

    A bitter chuckle escaped him.

    "Guess I''m dying alone."

 Chapter 23: Ice Princes Rage

    In the dimly lit meditation chamber of the V-City Ice Clan HQ, Nemu Cryoson sat alone in the center of the glowing Mystic Array. The frosty symbols inscribed into the ground pulsed dimly beneath him, sending Mystic Energy into his body that refined his Cryokinesis. His eyes were closed, his breathing steadier by the moment¡ªuntil a fierce knock rang through the chamber.

    A soldier hesitantly entered, his breath visible in the freezing air.

    "Sir, we have the information you requested," announced the soldier, holding forth an iPad.

    Nemu''s eyes snapped open, irritation flashing across his face. "You dare disturb my meditation for this?"

    The soldier did flinch, yet he stood his ground. "Sir, it''s concerning the man who attacked you. His name is Kai Ciphera."

    And that changed everything on Nemu''s face. He now stood, grabbing the device out of the soldier''s hands.

    "Kai Ciphera," he muttered, the name dripping with contempt.

    His gaze skimmed through the screen:

    <ul style="text-align: justify">

    <li style="font-weight: 400">The New Mercenary Champion of Z City.  </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Graduated early from high school.  </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">Defeated the Z City Fire Clan Head in a duel.  </li>

    <li style="font-weight: 400">A late bloomer¡ªawakened his ability a year after his 17th birthday. </li>

    </ul>

    Nemu tightened his grip on the device. "He killed the Fire Clan Head? Why wasn''t he arrested?"

    The soldier straightened himself. "Sir, we investigated that the duel was sanctioned. The Fire Clan Head and the principal of Z City High signed an agreement that the fight would have no consequences. The government had no right to intervene."

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    Then¡ªNemu laughed. A cruel, mocking guffaw that resonated within the chamber. "That old fool really underestimated this bastard."

    But upon dying down, Nemu''s brows tightened into a deep scowl as he scrolled down.

    Kai Ciphera was below Level 2 when he beat the Fire Clan Head.

    Nemu stopped scrolling, his fingers hovering instead over the display of his device.

    "How?" Nemu muttered.

    He remembered his encounter with Kai¡ªthe crushing strength, the heat that emanated from his grip, and the intimating aura surrounding him. It was impossible for a mere Level 2 to do that.

    "Was it Amplification Pills?" he surmised quickly but dismissed it.

    If Kai were relying on drugs, he wouldn''t have remained so composed.

    "Super Strength?" Nemu scoffed, rereading Kai''s listed ability. He instinctively reached up to touch the spot on his neck where the burn had already healed. "Super Strength doesn''t generate heat. Kai Ciphera is hiding something."

    The soldier awaited subsequent orders, but Nemu''s fury erupted and threw the iPad, splintering into shards of metal and glass.

    The soldier took a step back.

    Nemu''s fists clenched with rage. "Even if that son of a bitch has hidden abilities, I will kill him after I''m done with that ant who dares call himself a Cryoson!"

    The temperature in the chamber swiftly began to plummet as he generated a cold aura around himself, leaving a frosty trail on every wall with an undercurrent of vengeance.

    "Get the fuck out of my sight!" Nemu ordered with a glare as the soldier immediately exited the room without further ado.

    Nemu was finally alone again and attempted once more to close his eyes and breathe deeply to calm himself. But the smug image of Kai still burned in his mind.

 Chapter 24: Battle of Cryosons

    Pyrus and Nemu Cryoson took their places on the Z City Ice Clan''s Training Arena''s white surface. On the opposite side, Nemu Cryoson glared at Pyrus maliciously.

    Celine was in the stands with some Ice Clan soldiers, wandering her eyes across the arena with impatience. She was worried about being a burden in the battle. She had heard so many things about Nemu''s viciousness and raw power. Celine could not help but glance at the unoccupied space where he should be, feeling her frustration rise.

    "Come on, Kai," she muttered under her breath. "Don''t let him do this alone."

    But, unbeknownst to her, Kai was actually miles away from the arena, presently subjugating Monsters around the outskirts of Z City, focusing on clearing the area. He had traversed halfway back when suddenly, a flash of lightning came crashing down before him, pulling him to a standstill.

    "Alright, who the fuck threw that?" Kai muttered as he narrowed his eyes and turned to face the source of the lightning.

    Standing before him was the former Mercenary Champion of Z City, Desmond Benjamin, who glared back at him with flames of hatred in his eyes.

    "Ciphera! You''re the reason I fell from the top!" Desmond roared with fury, "I''ve been training for weeks just to get my revenge!"

    Kai frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Do I know you?" he asked with a mocking tone.

    Desmond''s eyes bulged with rage, and he charged forward without a second word, striking at impossible speed like a bolt of lightning heading for Kai''s face. But Kai simply didn''t move; his Energy Barrier absorbed the attack without a dent. Desmond skidded to a halt, dumbstruck.

    "What¡­?!" Desmond gasped, his fists crackling with fury. "How-how did you block that?!"

    Kai shrugged nonchalantly, "Look, I need to get going. We can do this later."

    Then, with a slight flick of his finger, Kai sent a burst of kinetic energy through Desmond''s body, launching him into the air and slamming him into several nearby buildings. Desmond''s body crashed destructively through walls and debris, which sounded like a clap of thunder.

    Back in the Training Arena of the Ice Clan, the referee''s whistle cut through the tension-filled air. It was about to begin.

    Pyrus and Nemu found themselves in front of each other, across the length of a white expanse. As he conjured up two glowing ice swords, the air around Nemu grew colder, in stark contrast to the blinding sunshine that poured across both blades.

    Nemu dashed forward, feet trailing frost behind him.

    "I''ll fucking rip you to shreds!" Nemu yelled, bloodthirsty.

    Pyrus waited as he gripped his fists and conjured an ice sword, even if the form was trembling compared to Nemu''s finely crafted swords. The two clattered swords, making an explosive sound. The sound of sharp cracking ice echoed in the arena as the two used their swords blow after blow.

    Clearly, it was a losing situation for Pyrus. Every movement of his was slower and less practiced than Nemu''s, and soon, each of Nemu''s slashing movements left his skin with a cut across it. Nemu laughed while he watched Pyrus struggling to catch up.

    "Fucking Pathetic!" was Nemu''s taunt as he slashed across Pyrus''s shoulder. "Did you really think that you could beat me in a swordfight?!"

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    Blood gushed from the wound, causing Pyrus to stagger back.

    Celine winced from the sidelines, but Pyrus gritted his teeth, not letting himself fall.

    Nemu was smiling and overly confident, and that one moment, Pyrus made himself think about Kai''s training. A sudden blast of ice was shot from Pyrus'' feet, freezing Nemu''s legs in place. With a quick surge, Pyrus formed his ice fist gauntlet and punched Nemu in the stomach, sending him sliding backward.

    Nemu''s anger flared. "You cocky bastard!" he bellowed, an echo noise traveling across the arena.

    He slammed his ice swords into the ground, and suddenly, a blizzard erupted. The howl of winds filled the soundscape as snowflakes blurred the air while the temperature plummeted.

    Pyrus'' body shook. Despite his resistance to the cold, frostbite would soon appear on his exposed skin. Quickly, he summoned a protective ice dome around himself.

    But Nemu was unrelenting. With a swipe of his arm, he shattered the dome and sent icy shards flying into Pyrus'' body. Alone, the frigid air was enough to rip through Pyrus'' flesh, rendering him bleeding and gasping for air.

    The difference between them was egregiously clear; Nemu was too powerful.

    But Pyrus was not finished yet. With the last of his strength, he began to absorb that cold, pulling it into his body.

    Nemu''s eyes widened as he understood what Pyrus was doing. "Crazy motherfucker!" he shouted, taking a step back.

    Pyrus kept going, straining through the pain. It was tearing him apart, but his body began to shine from the ice energy he had absorbed. His breath became ragged, his hands trembling, but he still refused to stop.

    Nemu sprinted, running towards Pyrus, thinking that, at last, Pyrus was finally worn out.

    He was wrong.

    In a flash, he was suddenly at Nemu''s side, leaving a trail of ice blasts in his wake as he redirected himself at incredible speed. Just before Nemu could react, Pyrus released all absorbed ice energy¡ªhis own as well¡ªinto one gigantic raw beam aimed directly at Nemu''s face.

    The beam covered Nemu''s whole body, pushing him backward, with the force of the blow blasting through the walls of the arena. Ice flew to all sides, and the explosion froze the area outside the Ice Clan HQ.

    As the frozen mist began to settle, they saw Nemu standing there with a body frozen to the core, encased in ice. The only thing that remained of his haughty smugness was the cold, lifeless expression on his face.

    Celine and the soldiers of the Z City Ice Clan erupted in cheers. Pyrus had done it¡ªhe had beaten Nemu Cryoson.

    Yet as the V City soldiers began to carefully move Nemu''s frozen body, they shouted their threats: "The Head of the V City Ice Clan will hear of this!"

    The threat lingered in the air as they exited, and the crowd hushed.

    Celine ran toward Pyrus, her heart racing from the adrenaline of pride. She pulled him down and held him in a passionate kiss.

    "You did it," she whispered, her voice trembling.

    But just as they were kissing, a familiar voice broke the tension.

    "Well, well..."

    Kai stepped into the arena, grinned at the sight of Nemu''s frozen body being carried off, and chuckled.

    "You seem to handle the situation just fine," Kai said with amusement.

    Celine wheeled around with her anger firing. She charged at Kai with a flurry of punches and kicks, each landing harmlessly on his Energy Barrier.

    "You damned asshole!" Celine yelled, "You promised you''d watch the fight!"

    Kai just shrugged as his barrier absorbed each strike. "Sorry, I got held up. Some idiot decided to fight me on the way here," he said casually.

    Celine glared at him, her frustration bubbling over, but finally, she sighed.

 Chapter 25: Betrayal

    Kneeling on the marble floor of Don Guido''s villa, Desmond Benjamin pleaded with his hands together. Sweat slipped down his forehead, spatters of blood from an earlier encounter staining his cheek; his breath was hazardous, his voice trembling.

    "Please, Don Guido¡ªplease! I can still be useful!" His head fell low in respect.

    Across from him on a grand leather chair sat Don Giorgio Guido. The shadows of the dim light slunk across the opulent room.

    Guido let out a soft breath, standing from his chair with a whisper of a sigh. He adjusted the cuffs of his immaculate white suit, his sharp, calculating eyes looking at the prostrate man before him.

    "You disappoint me, Desmond," spoke Guido, calm and terse with an undercurrent of menace. "First, you lose the Mercenary Championship. Then, a surprise attack on Kai Ciphera; not only did you fail... you fail twice."

    Desmond flinched at the words, fists clenching from rage, nails biting into the flesh of his palms.

    Guido simply shook his head. "Tell me, Desmond... if you can''t win, if you can''t even kill one man with the element of surprise¡ªwhat use are you to me?"

    Desmond''s eyes widened in terror. He threw himself forward, grabbing onto Guido''s pristine shoes as his voice cracked from panic.

    "No! Please! Don''t kill me¡ªI can do better! I swear on my life!"

    A long silence passed.

    Then Guido smiled. "Stand up."

    Desmond blinked, stunned. After a moment of hesitation, he scrambled to his feet, hope flickering in his chest.

    "I''m not going to kill you," said Guido smoothly, hand placed on Desmond''s shoulder.

    Desmond laughed with relief, almost too exhausted to remain standing. "Thank you! Thank you, Don Guido! I swear, I won''t disappoint you again!"

    Guido chuckled. "You''ve been under too much stress lately. You need a vacation. How about this? Let me take you to a fine restaurant. My treat."

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    Desmond grinned and relaxed. "Really? Thank you, sir!"

    Guido waved his hand dismissively. "Go on, freshen up. My men will take you there."

    Desmond bowed low once again before leaving the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Guido''s warm smile disappeared. All signs of warmth vanished as he sank back into his chair.

    "It''s time I make a move on you... Kai Ciphera," Guido said to himself.

    Moments later, Desmond slid into the backseat of a slick black car waiting just outside the villa. The leather upholstery felt slick and cold against his sweaty skin.

    He expelled his breath and allowed himself to relax.

    "Man... I really thought I was dead," he murmured, nervously laughing.

    The driver did not respond. Neither did the three other men who sat in their seats in the car.

    Desmond cast a slight frown. It felt... off.

    Before he could say anything, a sharp, searing pain exploded in his throat. His eyes widened in horror as he felt a gleaming knife sunk deeply into his neck, the blade tearing through muscles and arteries.

    Blood gushed out in torrents, splattering the backseat while his mouth opened in a silent scream.

    Another man clamped a handkerchief over his mouth, muffling his gurgling cries as his body convulsed violently. Fingers crackled with electricity as Desmond tried to summon his power¡ªbut before he could unleash it, two more blades plunged into his chest, twisting torturously. With utterly unbearable pain, his body shuddered, and his vision swirled. He kicked and thrashed, but the men held him down, his knives stabbing again and again¡ªhis ribs, his stomach, his lungs¡ªuntil his strength and breath began to fade. Blood poured across the seats, pooling beneath him in a growing puddle of crimson death.

    His heart pounded painfully, working as hard as it could to keep him alive.

    His sight blurred.

    His body felt cold.

    His last thoughts were about betrayal. Not revenge, nor the Mercenary Championship he had lost, and definitely not about Kai Ciphera.

    As his body grew limp, the men wrapped the corpse in a thick sack and bound it shut with some cord.

    One of them lit a cigarette, inhaling lazily and exhaling slowly. "He put up more of a fight than I expected."

    The driver scoffed. "Didn''t matter. He was already a dead man the moment he walked into that car."

    And with that, they drove toward the docks, where Desmond''s last place of rest awaited¡ªa cold, dark abyss at the bottom of the ocean.

 Chapter 26: Leashed

    There lay a gaping portal hovering above cracked asphalt, spewing out hordes of decaying, snarling zombies. Their rotting flesh dripped with blackened ooze, and their hollow eyes were fixated on the prey.

    But, indeed, Kai Ciphera stood there, completely unfazed.

    His energy barrier shimmered while he delivered a devastating punch that blew apart the remaining zombie''s skull into a spray of blood and shreds of bone. The headless corpse twitched a little before it collapsed at his feet and finally went still.

    Kai exhaled and shattered the remnants of gore from his fist. "I know you''re there. Come out before I make you."

    From somewhere around a nearby alley, a lone figure stepped up.

    He looked like a man out of a murder mystery, wearing a sleek black suit and a fedora. He didn''t even bother glancing at the mountain of dead-turned-undead on the streets but only cleared his throat.

    "Kai Ciphera." His voice was smooth, almost casual. "Don Guido wants to talk to you. Go to Rosetta Restaurant at 6 PM sharp."

    "And what if I don''t?" Kai asked, cracking his fingers.

    The messenger did not flinch but instead flashed a knowing smirk. "Well, there''s always your friends. Or perhaps... your father?"

    Kai''s eyes flickered dangerously, but his lips curled into an easy, nearly amused grin.

    "Okay, I''ll play along." He dusted off his jacket.

    The messenger tipped his fedora. "Wise choice." After that, he turned on his heels and disappeared.

    Kai watched him walk out, his expression unreadable, but chuckled later to himself. "Guess it is now time to claim that bounty."

    After all, Don Giorgio Guido''s head was worth 10 million Credits, and Kai had just been given the perfect opportunity.

    The Rosetta Restaurant was eerily silent in the dead of night.

    No soft chatter. No clinking of wine glasses. No waiters bustling about.

    Only Don Giorgio Guido, seated at a table draped in pristine white linen, bathed in the dim glow of an overhead chandelier. The air carried the aroma of fine cuisine, but it did nothing to ease the palpable tension between him and her.

    Kai''s eyes scanned the empty dining hall. The place was too quiet.

    His instincts were screaming that it was a trap.

    Still, he played along. Casually, he slid into the chair across from Guido, who was slicing into one of those prime steaks with elegant, unbothered movements.

    "Pick whatever you want," said Guido smoothly, gesturing to the open menu. "I own this place. You won''t have to pay a dime."

    Kai stared at him. "I''m not hungry." His voice was sharp. "Let''s get straight to the point. Why the hell am I here?"

    Guido dabbled his mouth with a white napkin before putting down his knife and fork. His look remained unreadable as he leaned forward.

    "I just lost my Mercenary Champion," Guido began. "Which means I lost quite a lot of money."

    Kai smirked, tilting his head. "So, what''s next? Are you gonna leash me up? Or just kill me for screwing up your plans?"

    Guido did not flinch at the provocation. He just kept on saying, "The semi-monthly World Mercenary Tournament is coming up."

    Kai released a dry laugh as Guido went back to sipping his wine.

    "Money?" Kai''s smirk widened. "You mean my money, right?"

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    Guido placed the glass down and locked eyes with Kai. "You don''t seem to understand. I''m not asking you to work for me-I''m ordering you."

    There was a brief silence. Then, Guido lowered his voice. "You''ve become a hazardous thorn in my side, Ciphera. So you either join me..." Guido''s eyes darkened. "...or die."

    Kai''s amusement vanished. He scoffed. "You really think you can take me down?"

    Guido just smiled.

    Then, with a snap of his fingers-

    Discomfort, but there was no pain.

    It was as sudden as that.

    "What the hell did you do?" Kai''s voice came tinged with confusion.

    Just before he could react-

    BAM!

    Guido smashed his fist against Kai''s face. A savage, bone-crunching punch that sent him tumbling onto the floor.

    For the first time in months, he felt a sense of pain.

    His head was spinning, and a warm trickle came down his lips.

    He touched his nose. There was blood.

    Kai''s blood.

    His mind reeled. "My Energy Barrier...didn''t activate?"

    That single brief moment of distraction was all Guido needed for a vicious kick to the gut, which sent Kai slamming into a wooden table, flipping it over on impact. He gasped, the wind knocked out of him, struggling to process the sudden loss of his powers.

    "What... did you do to me?" he growled as he leaned into the floor to push himself upright.

    Guido casually loosened his tie and stepped forward, towering over him.

    "This wouldn''t have happened if you had just complied." His tone was mocking, as if scolding a misbehaving child.

    He grabbed Kai by the jacket, hoisting him up, then slammed him down onto another table, shattering it beneath his weight.

    Kai gritted his teeth. His body refused to respond the way it should.

    Guido leaned in with his breath chillingly near. "Let me spell it out for you, Ciphera. I am Don Giorgio Guido, the most powerful mafia boss in Z City. I have my hands in every single clan-including your precious Ice Clan."

    Kai''s eyes widened a little as Guido continued. "Half of their men are under my payroll. Your friends... your father... none of them are safe as long as I''m here."

    Guido let those words sink in, then pulled a sleek, silver pistol from his coat and pressed it against the side of Kai''s head.

    "So let me ask you one more time."

    CLICK!

    The cold steel dug into Kai''s temple.

    "Join me... or die?"

    A heavy silence filled the air.

    Kai clenched his fists. His pride screamed at him to fight, to rip this bastard apart.

    Gritting his teeth, he forced it out. "Fine! I''ll work for you!"

    Guido let out a satisfied sigh, then hurled Kai across the floor like trash.

    Kai crashed through two more tables, splinters cutting into his arms as he lay there, battered and bloodied.

    Guido straightened his suit, brushing dust off his sleeves. "Good." Without another word, he turned and walked out of the restaurant, his leather shoes clicking against the polished floor.

    Kai lay on the cold tile, watching the mafia boss disappear through the doors.

    His fingers twitched.

    His mind burned. "I''ll fucking kill you for this!"

    Meanwhile...  Inside a luxurious black Cadillac, Guido sat comfortably, lighting a cigarette in his hand.

    His driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "Did it work, Boss?"

    Guido exhaled in relief. "Like a charm."

    Behind them, a white van followed closely. It contained the Ability Tampering Device (ATD) Prototype, a cutting-edge weapon developed by Technovaire Industries of A City.

    A marvel of cyber warfare.

    It nullified the abilities of anyone Level 4 and below.

    "However, it has a flaw," Guido muttered. "If a person ever reaches Level 5... the device will be useless."

 Chapter 27: Devils Orders

    The Ice Clan Headquarters shimmered under the pale moonlight, its tall spires gleaming in the frosty night air. It was a fortification and a sanctuary for the clan''s warriors; however, tonight, for Kai Ciphera, it felt anything but safe.

    His body throbbed with pain with every step he took. The cool night breeze dried the blood on his black jacket while bruises painted his skin violet and black.

    With vision blurred from exhaustion, he walked through the entrance when¡ª

    "Kai?!" Celine''s voice rang out from across the hall.

    Before he could answer, Celine and Pyrus rushed to his side and grabbed both of his arms.

    "What the hell happened to you?!" Pyrus asked. "You look like you just got jumped."

    Celine latched onto his other arm and held him up. "Who did this to you?"

    Kai hesitated.

    They moved deeper into the fortress. Kai felt being stared at by the eyes of several Ice Clan soldiers. He could not make out their expressions, yet he was definitely uneasy with their lingering gazes as Guido''s words echoed in his mind.

    If Guido really had spies here, telling the truth was tantamount to suicide.

    Kai let out a pained chuckle. "Just ran into someone stronger than me."

    Celine''s furrowed brows were disbelieving. "Stronger than you?"

    Pyrus barked a laugh. "Bullshit! You''re limping like someone took a sledgehammer to your ribs!"

    Kai put on a grin that seemed to hurt his face. "Not the first time I''ve had a bad fight."

    "Whatever, dumbass..." Celine replied.

    When they reached the Healing Chamber, which was starkly contrasted by the vast expanse of glowing green tanks filled with a substance meant to heal injuries, Celine let out a loud sigh. "Get in before you drop dead."

    Pyrus and Celine helped Kai enter the Healing Tank, induced by a cool liquid brushed against his feet before he was submerged.

    Things before him faded and blurred¡ªhis pain dulled; his thoughts began to drift¡­

    Then, just as the tank vibrated with healing energy, he focused on one thought.

    Guido.

    "That bastard was messing with me! One second, my ability was gone... but the moment he walked out, it came back."

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    Kai felt his jaw clench.

    Kai''s chest tightened. "Guido must have some kind of ability... An Ability Nullifier. If I had anything to counter his ability..." he clenched his fist.

    For the first time in what felt like ages, it was as if he were indeed exposed.

    For now, he had no choice. "For now, I would play along and be Guido''s so-called dog. But when an opportunity arises? I would rip out his throat!"

    Days after his recovery, Kai sat cross-legged in the center of the runes on the floor, glowing a deep azure. His body was motionless, but within, his power was whirling like a furious storm. Then came the moment when there was an upward current of energy unlike any Kai had known before.

    Shaking his body violently, he exploded shockwaves from inside his chest, smashing the walls and ceiling of the chamber. The atmosphere turned around him distorted, the air filled with kinetic energy before he let out a slow exhale.

    He finally leveled up to Level 4.

    His eyes opened, glowing with an intense, almost-predatory light.

    However, he did not have a chance to reveal so long into his powers because the door to the chamber slid open.

    An Ice Clan soldier, a spy of Don Guido, stepped into the chamber. This person wore a strange stiff attitude over his face that depicted frivolity, but Kai wasn''t a fool. He could even feel the discomfort hidden behind those emotionless eyes.

    The soldier simply extended a small black gadget towards him in silence.

    Kai took it without a word, and the soldier turned on his heels, walking out possibly as quickly as he had walked in.

    Kai observed the device in his palm for a short moment before activating it. A flickering blue light appeared, and a hologram formed in front of him.

    It was a pre-recording of Don Giorgio Guido.

    Guido was seated behind his desk, capped with the same aura of tranquility, equal dominance to which even veteran killers would cower.

    "Kai, my boy," Guido''s voice was smooth yet laced with menace. "I''m sure that you have already healed from your wounds? You are of no use to me if you are broken."

    Kai gritted his teeth but kept his mouth shut.

    "Alright, let''s get straight to business."

    The hologram blinked, and a picture of a tall man in a crisp white lab coat and glasses reflecting the light appeared. His name flashed beneath the photo: Isaac Technovaire.

    "Your target," Guido continued. "The Head of the Technovaire Family. Too great of a threat for the world to remain alive."

    The image was then followed by a vast underground server room, which was busy with supercomputers humming away and filled with encrypted data.

    "And not only will you eliminate him," Guido told him, "but you will upload all of the data of the Master Computer owned by the Technovaire Family into my servers. Every blueprint, every secret, every project-everything."

    Kai''s glared. He knew what Isaac Technovaire meant: an incredible scientist, a brilliant innovator-and possibly a man who could help him escape Guido''s grasp.

    "Disappointment is not an option, Kai. Good luck," the hologram flickered and disappeared.

    Kai stared at the empty space where Guido''s image had been, his fingers curling into a fist.

    Then, without even a second thought, he crushed the device in his palm, disintegrating it into ash with a mere pulse of his flames.

 Chapter 28: Technovaire Heist

    Night at A City was glistening with neon lights and steel. Cyberpunk skyscrapers dominate the streets, their holographic billboards and neon signs reflecting against the rain-slicked roads. But the city, alive, in the cowl, was the figure of Kai Ciphera gliding in silence, wearing his signature skull mask.

    A silhouette did flash from the skyline all but across extant rooftops, landing on the ledge of some nearby skyscraper. From here, he could view the Technovaire Tower, the enormous green logo shining in the dark.

    Kai squinted. That was his target.

    He activated his Stealth Mode, bending light, deflecting thermal radiation, and nullifying sound with his Energy Barrier to fool both the naked eye and security cameras into thinking he wasn''t there. Thus, he breached the building and slipped through the glass vents.

    But there was one problem.

    The Technovaire Master Computer is underground, locked in behind piles of security working for biometric access only from upper management.

    Luckily, Kai had an idea. He positioned himself near the entrance. Within moments, a scientist made his way through the door.

    As the door started to close, Kai slipped through the gap like a shadow.

    Inside the server room, huge data processors buzzed with so much energy, their flickering lights barely able to keep up with the endless streams of encrypted information. Kai walked to the Master Computer interface and placed his palm against it.

    Blue electricity arced sharply from his fingertips.

    His Ergokinesis interfaced with the system and accessed the secured database.

    While files were transferring into Guido''s private server, something caught Kai''s eye: A classified file about his power.

    Kai''s breath hitched as he scrolled through the data. His eyes were wide with incomprehension.

    The database contained the names of others with his power¡ªterminated, obliterated from existence by the government. His predecessors were the origin of almost every power existing today.

    "Why were they killing them?" he thought to himself.

    Then, another piece of information came out, saying that Ergokinesis can be passed on to others. If this power spread to the masses and the wrong hands, it could end the world.

    A sudden realization hit him. "I didn''t awaken it... I inherited it. From the Glowing Light that knocked me out before."

    Just as he was tying the knot on the truth, the sirens blared through the server room.

    "Intruder Detected!"

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    The door slammed shut with reinforced metal, locking him in as the system lit up in red alerts.

    Then came the drones.

    Two sleek flying Sentinels flew into the room with their multi-barrel laser cannons aimed at Kai. The drones figured him out even when he was in Stealth Mode.

    A barrage of high-powered laser fire chipped down.

    Kai brought up his Energy Barrier. But the beams were too pure and potent. In an instant, a sharp, burning pain shot through his hand.

    "Ah! Fuck!"

    He couldn''t move his left hand away from the terminal, which was still transferring data. So, with his right hand, he fired a barrage of lightning bolts at the drone, but they had no effect.

    Those Sentinels quickly increased in numbers and continued their onslaught, forcing their way through Kai''s defenses, fighting until he endured their burn.

    "I''m not going to last!" He surveyed the transfer progress. Completion: 55%. It was not quite enough, but he would die if he stayed.

    Kai growled in frustration, pulling his palm free from the terminal, thus severing the connection. Then he lunged at the nearest drone and crushed it in his bare hands as sparks and metal shrapnel burst from its core.

    The second drone retaliated, but it was too late.

    With a deafening blast, Kai blew the vault door off its hinges, sending shard after jagged shard flying as he sprinted into the main hall.

    "Alert! Alert! Security Level Maximum!"

    The entire building was now on complete lockdown.

    Then-a metallic thud shook the ground.

    On the opposite end of the hall, a massive humanoid mech stepped into view. Its mechanical joints whirred, and a power core pulsed with energy in its chest.

    A Titan Class Sentinel.

    The robot lunged. Crashed down a steel fist the size of a car, but Kai dodged it at the last moment and rolled along the floor. With all his might, he countered by delivering a devastating punch to the mech''s chest.

    CLANG!

    Kai''s strike hardly made a dent.

    Then, two hover disks flew off the mech''s back, discharging beams of gravitational energy.

    Kai was immobilized and locked completely.

    No matter if he pulled with all his might, it could not budge him an inch. Muscles tensed, and energy flared, but freedom never came.

    The mech''s arm opened, releasing a canister of thick purple gas: Sleeping Gas.

    Kai''s vision blurred. He swayed as the gas pooled into his lungs, numbing his senses.

    Footsteps approached.

    Through his fading vision, Kai saw a silhouette emerging from the darkness.

    A man.

    He couldn''t figure out who it was.

    His mind forced him to move, but everything faded and went black.

 Chapter 29: Isaac Technovaire

    A sharp, sterile smell entered the scene as Kai''s consciousness relapsed into his surroundings.

    His body was numb and stiff with whatever was done to him¡ªthough for a short while, he had lost consciousness for quite some time. He felt dull throbbing pain all over his limbs, and while trying to move, the cold clamp of metal restraints reminded him of his present predicament.

    All Kai saw was white.

    This was pretty much the only color that showed up: white walls, a white ceiling, and the bright metallic platform he was strapped down to, which looked pristine and clinical.

    Then his eyes fell upon the single object fulfilling that description of a thing that was not white.

    It was a large transparent window with an observation room from the other side. Then, the sound of the door to that room slid open with a hiss. Someone finally entered.

    Isaac Technovaire.

    Head of the Technovaire family. One of the most brilliant, ruthless, and unpredictable scientists in the world.

    Isaac tipped his head as he tapped the microphone within the confines of the console in front of him. His piercing green eyes were studying Kai with the novelty of a scientist studying a rare specimen.

    "Kai Ciphera," Isaac''s voice echoed from the intercom, "You''ve got a lot of nerve breaking into my private property and trying to steal top-secret information. Frankly, I''m impressed."

    Kai flexed his fingers, testing his ability. This did not give him any sign of movement, but he felt nothing, just like before.

    Just like at Guido''s restaurant.

    His energy had been completely suppressed.

    "Look, I''m not looking for trouble¡ª"

    Suddenly, pain exploded through Kai''s body as the electrical surge coursed through the restraints, causing him to convulse, his jaw clenched tight as every nerve screamed in agony.

    Not enough to kill him. But quite enough to make him suffer.

    "I''m not done talking," Isaac said in an utterly calm tone, sounding incredibly casual. It was almost like this was just another routine experiment for him.

    Kai drew in a sharp breath as the shocks ceased, his fingers twitching in the aftermath.

    "Listen," Isaac continued. "I''ll do the asking. When I ask, you answer. That''s how this works. Clear?"

    Kai exhaled, his angry eyes burning. "Whatever."

    Isaac smiled. "Good."

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    He tapped a few buttons on his wrist-mounted holographic device. A blue screen materialized, showing a live data feed.

    "Now¡­ Who sent you?"

    Kai held back for a moment but then shrugged. "That fucking bastard, Giorgio Guido."

    Isaac''s eyes darkened.

    "I see..." His hands flew over the console. "Well, I suppose it''s about time I bomb his hideout in Z City."

    Kai''s smirk faded. "What?"

    Isaac''s voice was low, drawing a chuckle from him. "Thanks to your little stunt, I pinpointed his exact location."

    He gestures toward the data stream on his screen and lets out his pent-up anger. "That motherfucker stole my Ability Tampering Device Prototype! And now... he''ll pay for it with a thousand bombs!"

    Isaac grinned maniacally. "That fucker won''t see it coming."

    Kai snorted despite himself. "You sure do talk a lot."

    BZZT!

    Another shockwave ripped through him, forced into a strangled grunt from his throat.

    Isaac shook his head. "Sharp tongue." He smirked. "Try not to let it get you killed."

    Kai''s mind raced. "So Guido was using stolen tech to suppress my abilities," His fists clenched. "Sneaky bastard! I was stupid to think that he had an ability that surprised other abilities."

    Isaac pressed the hologram again, and a fresh holographic interface presenting Kai''s biodata popped up.

    "Now, this is interesting."

    Isaac''s gaze darted between the screen and Kai.

    "Level 4.1 Ergokinesis."

    Kai simply stared with no violent reaction. "...And?"

    Isaac whistled. "Never in my whole lifetime have I seen one like you, an Ergokinetic." He leaned in closer, eyes glinting in curiosity. "Guess you''re lucky I''m not killing you. You''re... special, more like endangered, to be exact."

    Kai looked glum. "Why? Aren''t you part of that government?"

    Isaac laughed. An honest, genuine, mocking laugh.

    "The government? They can lick my fucking ass!"

    Isaac''s smirk widened. "I''ve been their lapdog long enough!" His voice turned bitter. "If they think they can control everything, then they''re fools! If they come after me, then so be it!"

    Then Isaac folded his arms.

    "As for you, Kai Ciphera..."

    His gaze turned.

    "...I know you want to learn more about the origins of your ability."

    Kai''s heartbeat quickened.

    Isaac leaned forward. "So, how about we make an alliance?"

    A grin stretched across Isaac''s face as he deactivated the Ability Tampering Device.

    Kai felt his powers coming back instantly. His energy came roaring back to life and surged through his veins like an untamed storm.

    Kai stared at the window.

    For the first time in a long while, he had a stroke of freedom.

 Chapter 30: Knowledge is Power

    The crackle of a flickering fluorescent lamp droned in the silence between them in the break room, where Kai and Isaac lounged on a tattered leather couch.

    "Alright, you damn asshole, you''ve already tortured me, freed me, and now you want to make a deal... What is it that you fucking want?"

    Isaac snickered while he leaned closer. "I want to study your abilities. I''ve never seen such versatility before, and, luckily for you, you''re still low-level¡ªmeaning you''ll be able to unlock even more powers in the future."

    Kai frowned. "And what do you get from this?"

    "Knowledge. Understanding. Power," Isaac''s voice dropped, becoming serious. "You don''t have a clue about what you are, do you?"

    Kai hesitated a moment and said, "Fine. So tell me this: What is it with the Ergokinetics? Why is the government hunting for them?"

    Isaac glanced around and then lifted his hand, activating his Technokinesis. There was a bass hum as some invisible barrier folded around them. "Soundproofing, just in case someone is listening."

    Kai did not say anything.

    Isaac took a deep breath. "The Ergokinetics were originally a family, calling themselves the Energons. For that matter, they were treated like royalty, for they had no equal regarding their abilities. But all that was changed when the son of the late head of the Energon family went rogue. It was unthinkable that he shared his powers with people without abilities."

    Kai stiffened. "So you are saying...I am one of those?"

    "You are living proof of it," Isaac replied.

    Kai ran a hand through his hair, slowly absorbing the information. "If the government knew all that, how come they don''t know more about their powers? More importantly, why don''t you know?

    Isaac sighed. "Well, my family wasn''t given full access to that information. The higher-ups were scared that if the information became public, somebody would construct an Ergokinetic Homunculus, an artificial life with the same powers. That kind of being could wipe out the Earth."

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    Kai released a loud breath. "Well, what''s your take?"

    Again, Isaac adjusted his glasses. "As far as I know, Ergokinesis is divine power. For me? It''s just a puzzle to solve."

    Kai scoffed. "You sound too relaxed about this."

    "You want revenge on Guido, right? Then we have the same goal."

    At the mere mention of Guido, Kai''s jaw clenched, and his blood began to boil. Isaac pulled a sleek metallic bracelet out of his coat pocket and tossed it to him.

    "Put this on. It will nullify the effect of the Ability-Tampering Device."

    Kai caught it and studied the smooth surface covered in energy pallor.

    He then looked up at Isaac. "I want you to do me a favor."

    Hours later, in Guido''s extravagant villa, a heavy knock reverberated through his grand office. The messenger stepped forward to place a holographic device on the polished desk.

    Guido reclined on his leather chair and impatiently asked. "Well? What is it?"

    The device cast a flickering light and showed Kai''s smirking face.

    "Hey, Guido. Hope you''re comfortable, ''cause tomorrow, I''m coming for you; I''ll fucking rip your guts out and kill you myself."

    Guidos''s features darkened.

    Kai proceeded on, "Feel free to call in all the spies you''ve got from the different clans. You are going to need every one of them."

    The message was cut off.

    For a long moment, silence reigned in the room. Then, like an angry lion, Guido grabbed the device and threw it against the wall, breaking it into pieces.

    Niccolo Stewart, his consigliere, watched in silence while the boss turned his burning rage to him. "Gather all of the Capos and Soldiers! I want every single one of them here in the villa right now!"

    "Yes, sir." Niccolo calmly replied.

    As he turned to leave, Guido clenched his fists in fury and muttered. "Kai... you just made the biggest mistake of your life."

 Chapter 31: Approaching Storm

    By the following day, Guido''s villa had turned into a bastion. All of Guido''s spies from different clans in Z City were gathered in his villa: Fire Clan, Water Clan, Ice Clan, Earth Clan, Wind Clan, and Lightning Clan. Each one brought in with their Capos and elite elemental soldiers as well as non-elemental fighters with superhuman strength and speed.

    There was tension on the grounds as the soldiers shifted uneasily, anticipating their foes.

    Niccolo strode into Guido''s office with a morose visage. "All troops are assembled, sir. But there''s more... Our spies from the Ice Clan are reporting that Kai''s father and his friends were nowhere to be seen. They''ve probably left since yesterday."

    Guido scoffed. "Of course they left. Kai would never make a threat against me without ensuring he''d be fine. I suspect he joined hands with Isaac Technovaire. That son of a bitch must''ve helped his friends escape."

    Then, a thundering sound shattered the air and swayed the earth. Outside, the dissonance of screams and banging feet erupted. He rushed to the balcony to get a view of the courtyard.

    A heavy cloud of dust rose from the crater right at the center of the villa grounds. Moments later, as the dust settled, the figure stood tall: Kai Ciphera, grinning with complete confidence. His icy gaze fell on Guido.

    "Activate the Ability Tampering Device. Now!" Guido furiously shouted.

    A sharp whir filled the atmosphere as the ATD was activated. For a moment, the soldiers lost their powers and staggered. But Guido had made preparations for all of this.

    "Take the pills!" he yelled.

    The warriors gulped down the Amplification Pills, regaining at least some of the lost strength. Truly, as weak as they were, their sheer number should help them outweigh Kai.

    Yet Kai acted undisturbed, shrugging casually. Isaac''s bracelet was flaring up with power, negating the ATD''s effects on him.

    He smirked at them, giving them the middle finger, which was all the provocation they required.

    The elemental counterattacks were flying toward him: fireballs, shards of ice, wind blades, and boulders burying him.

    Yet nothing reached him.

    In view of that, every attack repelled harmlessly off an invisible Energy Barrier, ricocheting back toward the soldiers. Screams penetrated the air as their own powers struck back, shooting them down into the earth.

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    "You call this an army?" A dark chuckle escaped Kai''s lips.

    He bolted into action, moving at lightning speed through the chaos. He tore apart soldiers, every swing dismembering limbs and crushing bodies. One warrior came rushing at him, fists enfolded in flames; Kai caught him by the throat and snapped his neck as though it were the most delicate thing to do.

    Guido watched in horror from above. For the first time in years, he felt a chilling cold running down his spine.

    With the realization that they had no chance, the soldiers began to flee.

    "You''re not getting away," Kai grumbled.

    He literally vanished before reappearing behind them like some deathly specter. Before one could even blink, a hand was thrust through the chest of a warrior and protruded on the opposite side amidst a rain of crimson.

    Another soldier fled, and Kai shot forth like a bullet and, with a single strike, smashed the man''s skull.

    Panic spread like wildfire. Soldiers scrambled in desperation, but to Kai, there would be no mercy. One by one, he hunted them down, laying his prey with terrifying efficiency.

    Within the mansion, Guido and Niccolo were speedily moving around the hall corridors, trying to escape. Suddenly, a roar rocked the very foundations of the mansion.

    Kai, swinging his arm, released an earth-shattering wave of energy. When half the villa exploded, the walls and a roof turned into rubble within the blink of an eye as dust and debris filled the air.

    Guido staggered from the impact, coughing up blood, as he looked up to face Kai, the embodiment of fury, standing before him.

    "No-" was all Guido managed. Niccolo pushed ahead, gun drawn, and fired three shots.

    The bullets halted in mid-air, then turned around. One wedged itself between Niccolo''s eyes. He crumpled, dead before he ever hit the ground.

    Kai ignored him. Grabbing Guido by the suit, he lifted him off the ground like a feather.

    "How does it feel?" Kai spat. He slammed Guido onto the busted-up floor.

    Guido gasped as the pain rippled through his body. "P-please¡ª"

    Kai sneered, "Begging? Didn''t sound like that when you beat me up."

    Electricity crackled around his hand. Then, a surge of lightning ripped through Guido''s body. He screamed and began convulsing violently as arcs of energy caged through his veins.

    It didn''t end there.

    More power flowed into the attack, watching as Guido''s screams turned hoarse, causing his body to twitch involuntarily, with smoke curling off his clothes, skin burning, and muscles seizing.

    A few minutes went by, and Guido''s lifeless body sagged at his feet, the final breath of a tyrant exiled to the ruins of his underground empire.

    Kai stood above him, breathing heavily. Then, without saying a word, he turned away and stepped into the dawn.

 Chapter 32: Unspoken Bonds

    The day after Guido fell, news spread like wildfire through every media outlet. Headlines boomed about the underground mafia empire he had built, shuddering at the news and sending shockwaves throughout the criminal underworld. But the world didn''t hear the entire incident.

    "Giorgio Guido, a mob leader of repute, has been taken down by none other than Isaac Technovaire from the eminent Technovaire family, who has now grasped the bounty cash. Z City sighs for relief from Guido''s reign of terror," the news anchor reported.

    The light of several screens added to the darkness of the high-tech office, where Isaac slumped back in a chair with a satisfied smirk on his lips as he watched the broadcast. Sitting across from him was Kai, who was also watching the news.

    "Damn, Kai, you really outdid yourself. Watching Guido squirm? Priceless," Isaac chuckled. "You really took me by surprise when you killed him. Never knew you were the killing type of guy."

    Kai said nothing.

    Isaac took a sip of his coffee. "You should be thanking me, you know. I covered up your name. Now, I''m the hero of the story, and you get to stay in the shadows."

    "Yeah, thanks for that. The last thing I need is the government breathing down my neck," Kai replied.

    Isaac waved his hand away. "Anyway, I will be transferring the bounty money to you soon. I expect you to attend my experiments and research."

    Kai sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I figured. Fine. You''ve done a lot for me-guess I owe you."

    Isaac leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Damn right, you do."

    Meanwhile, Pyrus was sitting cross-legged, lost in deep meditation, deep in the Ice Clan''s Mystic Array. The air around him became as frigid as that of the Arctic; frost climbed the stone floor. Then, in a sudden pulse of energy, a vast wave of cold emerged from his body, sending ice crystals scattering in all directions. In a piercing instant, his eyes snapped open, glowing with newfound strength.

    He grinned, flexing his fingers as the cold energy crackled around him. "Level 4 Cryokinesis... Finally!"

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    The lazy, heavy doors of the meditation chamber creaked open to reveal Celine walking inside. She shut the door behind her and moved closer, her expression bemused.

    "What''s up with that smug look?" she asked.

    Pyrus arose and stretched his arms. "Just broke through to Level 4."

    "Oh? That''s wonderful. Congratulations," Before Pyrus could say anything, she smirked and added, "Although I''m already at Level 4.3."

    Pyrus moaned. "Oh, come on! That''s just 0.3 levels above me! There''s hardly any difference!"

    Celine laughed. "Tell yourself that when I''m freezing, you mid-combat."

    With a sigh, Pyrus changed the subject. "Have you heard about Kai? Apparently, he slaughtered Guido''s whole army."

    Celine''s face darkened. "Yeah, and we weren''t there to help him."

    Pyrus rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. "To be fair, Kai can take care of himself."

    "That''s not the point!" Celine snapped. "He never lets anyone in. He keeps it all to himself and takes everything alone. Even when we went to A City, he did not mention anything¡ªeven the fact that he ran from Guido without us knowing the reason. It''s all frustrating! We are not just mere bystanders!"

    Pyrus sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I understand. We all have an idea about how he is. He carries too much weight on his shoulders, and that''s why we got to be stronger to prove our worth to him so that we can stand beside him, just as we promised to his father."

    Celine blew out her frustration and said, "Yeah. You''re absolutely right."

    Pyrus took a moment''s pause and then cleared his throat awkwardly.

    "Hey, uh.. what about going on a date later? Might lighten up the mood."

    Celine looked startled. "Did you just-?"

    "Look, I just thought-"

    A smirk crept onto her lips. "Sure. But only if you can keep up with me in training first."

    Pyrus groaned. "Great. Just set myself up for a beating, didn''t I?"

    She laughed as she walked by him toward the meditation circle. "Better start stretching, tough guy."

 Chapter 33: The Extent of His Power

    Time passed, and Kai frequently commuted to A City, where he worked on Isaac''s nonstop experiments. A massive, high-tech lab stocked with machines and scanners and observation decks floating with holographic displays was the lab. Isaac had thrown every test against him: pure strength analysis, energy-output tests, and even battle creativity tests.

    "Alright, Kai," came Isaac''s voice from the control room intercom. "Try punching the kinetic gauge one more time. Only this time, don''t hold back."

    Kai took a sharp breath and rolled his shoulders. The machine before him loomed in its height like a steel wall, reinforced with the strongest known materials.

    After a forward step, he smashed the knuckles against the machine.

    BOOM!

    The impact was not just powerful; it was catastrophic. A shockwave traveled through the testing chamber, shaking the walls, while the reinforced metal of the kinetic gauge was turned into scrap. Smoke and sparks filled the air; Isaac could only watch as the holographic displays showed the numbers spike into impossible domains.

    "Jesus Christ," Isaac muttered to himself, eyes flitting from one screen to another. "That was beyond Level 7 Super Strength..."

    Kai flexed his fingers, shaking off some residual energy. "Is that good enough for you?"

    Isaac, still staring at the busted machine, blinked, followed by his usual smirk. "You just turned a billion-dollar device into confetti, but yeah, I''d say that''s good enough."

    Kai continued the tests for hours¡ªhe ruined high-grade training dummies, ravaged waves of summoned monsters such as trolls and ogres, and displayed his complete dominancy over many forms of energy.

    Meanwhile, in the observation room, illuminated by floating holograms and cascading data, Isaac murmured and analyzed Kai''s performance.

    "Kinetic, Thermal, Chemical, and Electrical Energy... and he''s only Level 4?" Isaac mumbled incredulously. "His Kinetic Energy manipulation itself is on par with a Level 7 Super Strength user¡ªmeaning he could level mountains or toss battleships like pebbles. His electrokinetic output is at Level 6, which can black out an entire city."

    He navigated to yet another screen, reposting a slow-motion playback of one of the earlier tests¡ªwhere Kai had transmuted his own sweat into a dangerously reactive liquid, Chlorine Trifluoride, the most flammable substance known to man, as a fuel and then superheating it using Thermal Energy to unleash fire as hot as the sun''s surface.

    Isaac smoothed a hand down his face. "Who even thinks about something like that?"

    But what fascinated him more than Kai''s highly destructive abilities was the Energy Barrier.

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    "This is not merely a defensive mechanism," he said as he pulled up a number of slowed video clips of Kai in action. "It is somehow reactive¡­ somehow automatic. It just filters attacks without conscious activation. He understands his own power to a level no one else does. With that being more, he seems to be better at innovating than most ability users. He can be quite dangerous."

    And then, as he dwelled on all that data, a thought suddenly came to him that made his stomach tighten with a mix of excitement and dread.

    "If he is only at Level 4 right now, what happens when he gets to Level 5? Level 6?" There was a flare in Isaac''s eyes as he jotted down notes on a rapid scale, "Should my guess turn out to be correct¡­ his next unlock could be Seismic Energy or worse... Gravitational Energy. Either way, it''s both catastrophic if misused."

    The long day of experiments had turned into a night full of thoughts for Kai as he returned home. Kai slumped against the couch, staring at the ceiling and replaying all the events that had taken place in the lab in his mind.

    In the mind of Isaac, he had seen it all, had everything worked out; there was not much to Kai, he thought.

    But he was wrong on that one.

    Kai smirked.

    Kai let Isaac think that he was only limited to Kinetic, Thermal, Electrical, and Chemical Energy. It was the best decision he could make. Isaac was an ally now, but this didn''t mean he would always be one.

    Kai glanced around for a moment. A shimmer of light distortion rippled around his hand. Light Energy. This was how Kai had entered Isaac''s building in Stealth Mode; he could bend the light, nullifying the sound, completely masking his presence¡ªsomething he had never shown in the tests. However, that''s the only length of what he could control over Light and Sound Energy. Isaac was clueless.

    But that wasn''t his only secret.

    The Ability Tampering Device¡­

    In the tests, Isaac was so busy focusing on Kai''s raw ability that he ignored one significant fact: Kai had copied the energy frequency of the bracelet Isaac had given him, the one that could nullify the ATD''s effect. But that was not all.

    Kai had done research on the ATD itself. He realized that it emits a frequency of Mystic Energy. That frequency disrupts the Mystic Energy inside ability users, blocking their powers.

    But in that case, there was a way to neutralize it.

    "If I match that frequency... I''d be able to override it," a grin spreading across Kai''s face, having already reprogrammed his Energy Barrier to mimic the Mystic Energy frequency of the ATD.

    Now, he was completely immune to it.

    "He still thinks I need that wristband to resist the ATD''s effects," Kai muttered.

    Then, his expression hardened. It wasn''t a matter of trust; it was that trust was a luxury.

    If Isaac ever turned against him and tried to use the ATD as leverage, it would be far too late for Isaac to learn that it did not work.

    Kai sprawled back on the couch, closing his eyes. For now, he would play the game. Keep training; keep growing stronger. He would let Isaac think he was still figuring Kai out.

    Because when the time would come¡­ he would be ready.