Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
For every 5 Patreon memberships I receive, I'll release 15 chapters all at once. Your support means a lot to me.
*****
In truth, Fini didn't care about Skye's identity, but he knew it was a knot in her heart. Even if she lived happily in this home, she still wanted to know why her biological parents had abandoned her in the first place.
"Skye, if one day you also had superpowers, what would you do?"
Fini asked suddenly. In this world, having power was always better than not. His eagerness to become stronger was precisely for the sake of protecting himself and his family.
"Eh!? Me!?"
Skye froze, then looked at Fini with some hesitation and said, "Fini, you know we aren't related by blood. I was adopted by Mom and Dad..."
Fini was stunned for a moment before he realized her train of thought. He couldn't help but give her a speechless look; if they actually were related by blood, it would be impossible for her to have superpowers.
"Don't overthink it. Just imagine you have a superpower. Hmm, let's say vibration. What would you do?"
"Vibration?"
Skye looked dazed, but seeing that Fini asked seriously, she began to think it over carefully. "I... I'd probably be scared first. I'd feel like a monster..."
As she spoke, Skye stole a glance at Fini. Seeing that his expression hadn't changed, she continued, "Then I'd probably be curious. Curious about where this power came from and what it could be used for."
"But vibration... it seems like it wouldn't do much."
Skye wracked her brain for a long time but still couldn't figure out what a vibration superpower could be used for, making Fini want to laugh.
"Vibration can cause earthquakes. If someone bullies you, you can make it so they don't even have a place to stand for ten miles around. You can also release vibration waves, like air cannons—invisible and colorless. It's great for sneak attacks."
Skye thought Fini was joking and gave him an annoyed glare without saying a word.
Seeing this, Fini didn't say anything more. Although his strength had increased greatly because of 'Incursio,' he was still far from being able to take on the "Snake" Shield alone.
Only when his strength grew further—ideally to the point where he feared no one—could he better resolve Skye's issues.
Fini had considered letting Skye learn magic with him to become a magical girl, but that sort of thing depended on talent after all. Moreover, since the Ancient One hadn't agreed yet, he couldn't make any premature promises.
After a brief chat with Skye and a quick lunch, Fini didn't rush off to find the New York Sanctum. Instead, he followed his routine and headed to the shop. Although they had experienced a robbery yesterday, it didn't affect today's business.
On the way, Fini thought about whether to hire a security guard or something, but then he realized that Skye only opened the shop when he was there. When he wasn't around, she was usually behind closed doors playing on her computer, so a guard wouldn't make much difference.
After a busy afternoon of accumulating a tiny bit more experience in the empty bar, Fini ended his weekend.
The next day, Fini went to school as usual. High school academics in America weren't as heavy as in his previous life, but with graduation approaching, he wanted to maintain his good grades.
However, as soon as he arrived at school today, he noticed people stealing glances at him and pointing. Upon listening in, he realized it was about the incident with Carson.
"Have you heard? The day before yesterday, that genius Halsey beat up Carson."
"No way, isn't Carson on the basketball team!?"
"Exactly! Who would've thought? They say Carson was beaten pretty badly, his face was covered in blood!"
"Why did they fight?"
"I heard it was over a girl. They say the girl is..."
Fini walked through the school feeling somewhat speechless, ignoring the curious gazes. He had already gotten used to it when he skipped grades and became the school heartthrob, so it wasn't worth bothering about.
Regardless, according to his projections, he would graduate in another month at most. He couldn't be bothered to explain.
Regarding college, Fini originally wanted to be like Skye and stop after high school. However, because he had earned top marks to skip grades, his parents firmly disagreed with that decision.
He had been worrying about where to go to college and what to major in, but after the encounter with the Ancient One yesterday, he already had an idea.
The school would still be in New York, and his major would be Archeology and Ancient Languages. This was to lay a foundation for learning magic; he wasn't naive enough to think all magic books were written in modern English.
Just as Fini had tentatively settled on his future plans, the other protagonist of the school rumors sought him out at the end of the day.
"Hey, Halsey!"
Carson, along with several basketball teammates, blocked Fini's path with an unfriendly expression as he was about to leave the school gates.
"What's wrong?" Fini frowned, looking at the several people surrounding him.
"Are you the one spreading those rumors in school?" Carson stared at Fini with a dark expression. Although the wound on his lip had healed a lot, the scar was still visible.
"Do you think I'm that bored!?"
Fini looked at Carson expressionlessly. He'd rather spend that time making Sumire Karaage Rolls to earn experience.
Carson remained silent, staring intently at him as if trying to determine if he was lying.
Seeing the silent Carson, Fini said impatiently, "Is there something? If not, step aside."
"Apologize!"
Fini froze for a moment, wearing a look of confusion.
"Apologize to me in front of the whole school, and we'll call it even."
Hearing this, Fini couldn't help but laugh out of pure annoyance. What was inside this guy's head? Although he understood that every student in school was obsessed with "saving face," that wasn't a reason to come and bully him.
"Go back to sleep. Maybe you can make it happen in your dreams."
With that, Fini shifted his body, intending to bypass Carson and leave. But before he had gone two steps, he suddenly sensed movement behind him. He immediately dodged to the side and turned around to find that Carson and his friends were trying to grab him.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Fini's expression turned grim. He essentially never caused trouble at school; he usually just carried the reputation of a genius. While he was highly regarded by the teachers, he didn't have many friends. There were no lack of people calling him a "nerd" behind his back, but he simply didn't care.
"Halsey, we don't want it to be like this. Just give a proper apology and that's it."
Carson said fiercely. His tall, burly frame made Fini look somewhat frail in comparison.
"And if I'm not willing!?"
Fini replied coldly. If Carson had come honestly to apologize for the other day and asked for help in explaining things, Fini might have helped him out.
But unfortunately, Carson chose the one option he shouldn't have chosen.
"Then don't blame me for being rough!"
Carson and his friends clenched their fists, putting on a threatening display. For a moment, many passersby turned to look.
Fini didn't waste words; he threw a punch straight at Carson's face, and blood splattered instantly.
Because of 'Ars Magna,' he didn't like getting angry or swearing. His words had the potential to become reality.
If an ordinary person curses someone by saying "be careful or you'll get hit by a car," usually nothing happens. But if he were to curse someone in the heat of the moment—and even subconsciously visualize it—it really might happen.
(End of Chapter)