The group stopped by the hotel and stepped inside. Alex blinked, surprised.
"Wait… this place was our Ace Squad hideout?" he muttered.
A crowd of students had gathered there—big bullies, school toppers, and the usual 'hot babes.' Alex frowned internally.
"What the hell? Why is the entire spotlight squad here?" he thought.
When they spotted Alex, their expressions changed instantly—switching to classic bully-mode theatrics.
Alex gave James a cold glare. "Tell them to stop."
James sighed. "Guys, enough. He knows everything already."
The crowd relaxed, dropping the act. One of them greeted Alex, "Man, you're making us go crazy! Can't you act normal for once?"
A boy leaned in. "Hey, you fought with our captain. Who won?"
Alex shrugged. "It was a draw. We both lost."
A tall girl with silver hoops and bubblegum-pink hair slid a juice box across the table with a sly smirk.
"Not gonna lie... thought you were just some spoiled prince with daddy's credit card."
Alex raised an eyebrow, took a slow sip, and smiled like he'd been waiting for that jab.
"You're not wrong. I am spoiled—spoiled enough to help people who actually need it. And I don't waste time where it doesn't matter. I stick to my priorities."
He leaned back, still sipping, eyes scanning the room like a lazy hawk.
"I barely know anyone here. I stick with my squad, roam the halls like a ghost. Nobody cared, so I didn't either."
She tilted her head, lips twitching into something close to respect.
"Smart move. Less drama, less dead weight."
Alex smirked.
"Exactly. Drama's for the bored and the bitter."
Another girl asked, "Why are you so close with Gwen Windall?"
Alex blinked. "She's my friend. So are Athina and Ben. Sometimes we even crash on the same bed. What's the big deal?"
Another girl chimed in, teasing, "Half the girls in college have a crush on you. After yesterday, it's out of control."
"They're burning with jealousy after Gwen spoon-fed you," someone added.
Alex laughed. "Relax. I'm not hers. But please, take care of her when I'm not around—she turns into a crybaby."
"Aww, so sweet!" the girls teased in unison.
A girl giggled. "No wonder everyone's falling for you—and your friends too."
Alex turned to them . "Hey, tell me—who's crushing on you?"
A guy pointed toward the restroom. "Her."
Just as a girl stepped out, Alex's jaw dropped. It was the class topper in combat strategy—Avery's favorite student.
He burst into laughter.
The girl's face turned red. "Hey! Green hornet! Stop laughing!"
Alex wheezed, picturing Avery's face if she ever confessed to Ben.
James nudged him. "Alex, we need to talk."
Still chuckling, Alex said, "I'm listening."
"The bullies are sniffing around about our fight. Your name's already out there. Just... don't fight. Got it?"
Alex nodded. "Fine. But if it happens—I won't hold back."
A student nearby muttered, "They're aiming for your friends now since they can't touch you."
Alex's mood shifted. "If they try, warn them—through that fangirl or anyone. I won't go easy."
James frowned. "Idiot. If anything happens, you'll be forced to leave your family."
Alex froze. "What? Why?"
James sighed. "Your family's been hiding you. I overheard your sister—someone powerful is watching over you. If you get hurt, he'll come for you personally."
Alex's face darkened. "Who could they possibly mean? Who can take me from my father and uncle?"
"Just don't let a single scratch land on you. The seniors know your protectors aren't nearby—they'll try something," James warned.
Alex exhaled slowly. "Fine. If anything happens, call Mark, Troy, Guild Leader John, or Aunt Amber."
James smirked. "If you end up fighting, I'll reveal who I really am. From then, I'm officially just the Ace Squad captain. But when that day comes—we don't hold back. Look after this fool's work and mess !"
Alex smiled. "Enough about tomorrow. Let's enjoy tonight."
James orders the food and everyone starts eating. Alex couldn't hold back, he started eating everything he saw.
Alex cracked the lobster shell with his bare hands like it was a training dummy. Juice dripped onto the plate as he devoured the tender meat, eyes lighting up like he'd found a new religion.
"This," he said, pointing at the plate, "is what heaven tastes like."
The waiter leaned in. "Kid, that was the red one. The blue lobster? That's the real devil's delight."
James paled. "Alex. Don't. You ate a lot! It was too costly!"
Alex glanced at James with confidence.
James shot him a look. "No, Alex. Don't you dare."
"Too late, bring us that dish!" Alex said.
Alex slapped his black credit card on the table. Everyone at the bench froze, then bowed slightly at the sight.
The gang ordered whatever they wanted—lobsters, steaks, desserts. Alex didn't hold back either.
After dinner, Alex packed some food to take home. James saw him pull out a syringe.
"Are you nuts? You keep injecting that stuff—it's gonna kill your pain sensors!"
Alex just laughed and jabbed it into his arm, breathing steadily. Afterward, he paid the bill and left with the food bags in hand.
James dropped him off. Ethan stood waiting at the door.
He ran up, snatched the bags, and scanned Alex. "Seriously?! Hurt again while I was gone?"
James stepped forward. "Ethan, since Sir Sam isn't here... keep an eye on the problem."
"Who the hell are you?" Ethan asked.
"Just a friend. Captain of the Ace Squad," James replied, smirking.
Ethan raised a brow. "Junior spy."
James laughed. "Sorry, sir—no seniors left. I tried talking sense into him. It didn't work."
Alex stepped inside. Amber saw him but turned her face away.
Ethan crouched and whispered, "She's upset. Go talk to her."
Alex approached her. "Aunt... I'm sorry."
Amber turned, her voice sharp with worry. "Why did you fight again, Alex? You think this is a game?"
Alex gave a weak smile. "I couldn't ignore it. I was too foolish to see how weak I really was."
Amber's expression shifted.
"Old man Mark helped me realize it... during the fight with James. I found my domain—lightning. If I forget that, I'm worthless."
She handed him a glass of water. "Alex, remember this—you were born weak. That was your gift."
"It taught you empathy. It gave you reasons to protect others. It gives you a chance to grow stronger—every day. If you ever feel weak, remind yourself: you are stronger than yesterday. And your hard work will never betray you."
Alex nodded and drank.
Amber glanced at the bags by the door.
"Did you bring these?"
"Yeah," Alex replied casually. "Went out with James for a squad meeting. The lobster was too good not to share."
Amber crouched and opened one of the bags. Her eyes widened.
"Wait—Alex, are these blue lobsters? Where the hell did you even find them? You brought back six!"
Alex blinked at her like it was no big deal.
"Why are you so surprised? They're just lobsters... but blue."
Right on cue, Ethan sprinted over and peered into the bags, jaw dropping.
"No way! Blue lobsters? Dude, do you have any idea how rare these are? They're like the unicorns of seafood!"
Alex scratched the back of his neck, nonchalant.
"James and I rode down to that hotel by the harbor—The Lagoon. The shop owner was chill. Gave us a 10% discount too."
Amber looked at Ethan, smirking.
"Go call Lilith. We're having a feast tonight."
Upstairs — Alex's Room
Alex flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling fan, lost in the blur of the day. Ethan followed him in and immediately gravitated toward Alex's gaming setup like a moth to RGB light.
He powered everything up, joystick in hand, setting up the racing game with laser focus.
"C'mon, let's race," Ethan called out.
Alex groaned.
"Nah. Not in the mood."
But Ethan wasn't having it. He grabbed the gaming chair and wheeled Alex into position. Alex sighed, picked up the controller, and muttered:
"Alright, time to drive like an old man."
The countdown hit zero. Engines roared through their headsets. Gears shifted, tires squealed. Ethan's car surged ahead—but Alex wasn't done yet.
He remembered something—how Xander used to drive in the simulators. Calm hands. Sharp instincts. He downshifted, holding back just long enough… then hit the nitrous at the perfect moment.
His car screamed forward, a blur on the virtual highway.
"Wrong move, kid!" Ethan shouted, laughing, as he activated his own boost.
But Alex's timing was flawless. He upshifted with precision, slammed the pedal, and flew past the finish line just ahead.
The screen flashed:
MONSTROUS RACER 2 — VICTORY
Ethan threw his hands up.
"How the hell did you win?!"
Alex grinned, pointing at the screen.
"Downshift. Wait for the speed to climb. Then hit the boost and the pedal. Timing's everything."
Ethan leaned back and nodded slowly.
"Exactly. Whether it's a game or real life… success takes patience. Great patience. The right moment. And a whole lot of hard work."
Ben burst through the door, his eyes blazing.
"Dad! How dare you leave me alone and play without me?!"
Eathen laughed and scooped him into a hug.
"Kid! How are you? Holding up alright?"
Ben hugged him back tightly, grinning.
"No big deal. We've been training—but we still can't win!"
Eathen ruffled his hair, smiling like a proud general.
"You're not using your power yet, Ben. Once you tap into your aura, you'll feel it surge through you. Until then—train your body, your mind. Build the foundation."
Ben nodded seriously…then turned to Alex with a pout.
"Alex! Why're you playing without me?!"
"Hey, idiot!" Alex called, tossing him a bag. "I brought the blue lobster from the hotel. Go eat it—and hurry back!"
Ben whooped, grabbed Eathen's hand, and sprinted downstairs. Alex watched them go with a quiet smile before stepping out onto the roof.
He lay back on the tiles, arms behind his head.
"Whoa… what a beautiful moon," he whispered.
The silence wrapped around him like a blanket, and soon his eyes fluttered shut. He fell asleep under the stars.
Later, John stepped onto the roof, saw Alex sleeping peacefully, and carried him to bed like a father would a tired soldier.
Not long after, Gwen, Ben, and Athina crept into Alex's room. He was out cold. Without a word, they crashed onto the bed beside him.
Gwen slid closer, gently took his hand, and stared at his sleeping face.
"…Why do you always look so sad when no one's watching?".