After all the tests, scans, and science-induced headaches, Slade finally got what he'd wanted most — the best set of E.B.D.s (Essence-Based Devices). Real, glowing, dangerously cool gadgets. Straight out of some other-dimensional pouch.
Some of them were:
Force Field Gloves: Project a short-range Essence barrier — perfect for blocking or punching without touching. It was Slade's favourite toy from now.
Pulse Gauntlet: Channels Essence into a kinetic burst — basically a mini shockwave punch. Overuse causes numb hands. Slade would still spam it in future.
Multi-Weapon Rod: Shifts into different melee weapons — sword, spear, dagger — until the essence runs dry.
Jump Boots: Allow short levitation bursts or mid-air jumps.
And to no one's surprise, Slade was already itching to try them on literally anyone.
"These are amazing!" he said, eyes sparkling just like a little kid handed a flamethrower. "I feel like I just unlocked a cheat!"
Seeing his enthusiasm — and the potential for property damage — Richard calmly handed the entire gadget box to Amelie.
"Keep these with you," he said firmly. "He'll practice at home, under supervision, before going to Venus City."
Slade looked betrayed. "What? But I need to test them in real combat! For… educational purposes!"
Richard didn't even look back. "You can get educated in the training room at home."
Slade slumped dramatically. "Unbelievable. This is child abuse, you can't take his toys."
Still, through relentless pleading and shameless persistence, he managed to get a few prototype devices approved — a small victory for him.
His new toys included:
Amplifier Speaker: Makes voices louder based on Essence flow. Great for speeches… or shouting at villains. He will use it for a great purpose and the betterment of society, really.
Mist Capsule: Releases dense Essence fog — ideal for hiding, pranks, or skipping lectures. He will put dust in your eye.
Atmosphere Bubble: Creates a private soundproof dome. Perfect for secret plotting or complaining safely.
Later, as they reached the underground parking area, Slade turned to Amelie with narrowed eyes."Okay, hand over the Force Field Gloves. I swear I'll just look at them."
Amelie raised an eyebrow. "Just look?"
"Yes. With admiration. Please, I tell no one, it will be our little secret."
Without a word, three faintly glowing telekinetic threads shot from her fingertips, lifting the box neatly above his reach.
He stared at it, then at her. "Did you just triple my height in disrespect?"
She smiled sweetly. "Young Master, I'm only following orders."
Slade jumped once, twice, then sighed. "Fine! I'll remember this. When I get those gloves, I'll make you fly ten times higher."
As they got into the car, his new watch began to vibrate — a soft rhythmic pulse that caught both their attention.
He frowned, tapping it. "What now? Don't tell me it's broken already. I've had this thing for five minutes!"
Amelie leaned closer. "Young Master, someone's calling you. Tap the right side — you'll see who."
Slade did — and the holographic display lit up.
Incoming Call: Lia William
For a second, the basement went completely silent.
Slade blinked and turned to Amelie. "Uh… remind me. What did I call her in the past?"
Amelie hesitated, a faint blush colouring her cheeks. "You used to call her… my dear Lia."
Slade raised a brow. "Wow. Past me had bold taste," and didn't receive it.
Amelie looked down, trying not to smile.
The parking area hummed quietly. Slade settled into the seat, still sulking over confiscated gadgets.
"Come on," he tried again. "Just a quick look. I won't press anything."
"You said that about the drone," Amelie reminded him, keeping the box suspended with her telekinetic threads.
"That was different," he argued. "That one didn't explode — it just disassembled itself enthusiastically."
Before she could reply, his watch pulsed again, more insistent this time.
He sighed. "What now? An alarm for emotional damage?"
Amelie leaned closer. "It's still ringing. Look at the display."
He tilted his wrist — the name Lia William glowed brighter.
Both froze.
Slade blinked once more. "Right. My dear Lia. Got it."
He tapped accept.
A hologram shimmered to life before him — a girl with golden-blonde hair, calm blue eyes, and perfect features that could bankrupt makeup companies.
For two seconds, Slade thought, Wow… she's stunning.
Then she spoke.
"Slade," Lia said sharply, "if you're awake, why didn't you inform me? Are you playing hard to get?... Childish"
And just like that, beautiful turned into a nuisance.
Lia said with a cold, straight face that looked made Slade a little funny as he thought
"When will you return the money?"
She crossed her arms, looked at Slade and said. "I wanted to talk about college. I know you'll be joining Venus College, so I wanted to discuss something privately."
Slade exhaled. "Alright. What is it?" as he has to face her in future, so be it now, then later
"Did you awaken your power?" she asked as the time of awakening he didn't show any reaction.
"B-Rank," he said casually. "Tech Branch."
She blinked — just once — but that flash of disdain before her polite smile returned said everything."Actually, I'd prefer if no one knew about our engagement on campus. I want to enjoy college life properly. And I already told Damien not to make things difficult for you."
The moment she said that name, a voice echoed behind her — smooth, loud, and dripping with self-importance."Lia! Come on, we're late for battle-simulation training!"
Slade froze. That voice.The perfect example of a "young master" who thought the universe existed to orbit him.
Lia's expression flickered — then froze, guilt and hesitation written all over her face.
Slade smiled too sweetly. Dangerous thoughts began forming in his mind.Alright, let's have some fun.
"Ah, my dear Lia… "
Amelie blinked. "Oh no," as she thought about what just happened to Slade, his memory came back
Lia frowned. "What are you—" the sudden turn of his took her off guard
Before she could finish, Slade threw himself into full drama mode.
"When I woke up… you were the first thought in my mind!"
He pressed on, clutching his chest like a tragic hero." I kept seeing your face in my dreams!
Again, and again!
And when I learned I'd awakened a B-Rank ability, I felt guilty. "
"My heart started to pain when I thought about you"
"I feel like I was dragging you down"
"When you were trying to fly in my dream,....
...I was dragging you down again and again"
"I can't imagine what it would be like if it happens in reality"
"How could I, a mere mortal, hold back an angel like you?"
Amelie's jaw dropped. at his performance
Lia looked unsure whether to laugh.
Amelie's jaw dropped. "He's actually doing this…"
"So," Slade continued dramatically, "I've made my decision."
"For your happiness, even if it hurts my heart"
"My dear Lia"
"I must make the ultimate sacrifice!"
Lia blinked. "Sacrifice?" confused as she thought he would ask her to be with her at college, but the word "Sacrifice" caught her off guard
"Yes!" he cried." The sacrifice for your happiness"
"You are an angel, Lia"
"You must fly freely in the sky, soar like a crow—"
.
.
.
.
He stopped mid-sentence.
Amelie's mouth twitched.
"—I mean, a swan! A majestic swan flying far beyond my reach!"
He spread his arms like a martyr. "Please, break our engagement. I'll bear the pain. For you!"
Lia's hologram softened, and two tears appeared in her eyes. "Slade… I never knew you'd be so selfless. You don't have to do this. I don't look down on you because of your rank!"
Slade leaned forward with a grin. "So… you're not leaving me?"
"What? No, I meant—"
He turned proudly to Amelie. "See? She won't leave me. This is true love!"
Then looked at Lia," I know that you also love me, you have a special place for me in your heart"
Lia's expression glitched from stress. "Slade, no — listen — I think it's better if we move on—"
"Before what?" he thought lightly. "Before you realise I'm the one who actually dumped you?"
Spoke again, " Lia, I know it will be hard for you to be with me, I will drag you down"
Her composure cracked, but her face revealed the happiness she had tried to hide. "That's not what I meant—"
"Sure, sure," Slade thought cheerfully. "Go enjoy your battle simulations with your gravity-boyfriend. I'll survive. "
Again spoke " go Lia go, live your life, go where no one can find you"
He ended the call with a single tap.
The hologram faded. Silence filled the car.
Then he spat, "two-faced bitch."
Amelie just stared at him, her expression frozen somewhere between awe and disbelief, then she burst out laughing.
Uncle Hales, who had wandered into the room halfway through the "Dear Lia" performance, stood there clutching his tablet like it was a holy relic, shielding him from secondhand embarrassment.
Even Richard — the serious, composed father — looked as if he had just witnessed a live car accident in slow motion.
The silence stretched.
Slade looked up at the three of them with the calm dignity of a man who had just delivered a world-class speech." So…" he said confidently. "Was I looking handsome just now?"
All three shared the same silent thought: No. You looked like a shameless man who just cheated a child out of her candy.
Uncle Hales sighed. "I've seen many mental conditions, but this level of confidence might be a new one."
Amelie covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Young Master… even the swan flew away out of embarrassment."
Richard rubbed his forehead. "Son, maybe try not to turn every conversation into a stage play."
Slade grinned. "Hey, not my fault, I was born dramatic. Besides—" he winked, "—she started it."
No one replied. Somewhere in the corner, even the cleaning robot paused its work — silently judging him. And they sat inside, and the car started.
Slade was thinking that he had passed a great difficulty for himself.