After beating up some of his peers in the academy using the pretense of training and giving pointers, Rei left the academy.
Of course, he finished laying the seeds about him going on a trip with Leo.
Those people included a few teachers and several students.
"Rei, wait!"
As Rei was leaving the gate, he suddenly heard a shout.
"Amelia…" Rei muttered before he turned around with a smile. "What's up?"
Amelia was one of the top beauties in the academy, with long natural light blond hair and a face without any blemish. She was slender and beautiful, physically attractive in all aspects.
"Rei, what did you think about my proposal? Once we marry, my father can arrange for us to enter Elite Sector in Rose Blade Space Station. We can learn and get stronger further."
Her clear amber eyes were filled with hope as she approached Rei.
She liked Rei ever since he arrived at the academy. Moreover, he was very talented in combat, and she knew he was intelligent and sharp too.
Her future seemed good with him, and she wanted to marry him.
Her father's condition was also not to send her there alone. Initially, he planned a marriage alliance with a top student from Phoenix City, but Amelia wanted Rei.
"Sorry, Amelia. I have different plans. You gave me time to think, and I've thought it through," Rei said with a polite smile.
Rei wanted to reject her proposal when she mentioned it first, but she insisted on him taking the time before answering her.
"B-But why? We are a perfect match! You should know that there are more supernatural ways to get strong. Do you know about Exceeds? They can harness magical powers; I've even met someone like that. We can become Exceeds too."
Amelia tried to convince Rei, but Rei was firm in his decision.
"Amelia, I am sorry."
Rei shook his head and turned around, internally rolling his eyes, 'I have more important things to do than entertain your dreams of a goody-goody future with your father's backing.'
"But…" Amelia wanted to speak, but seeing Rei's back, she felt a significant distance from him.
'Why? We could go so high together. I believed in our potential… So, why, why are you leaving?' Amelia thought, her eyes slowly becoming moist. But then disappointment and anger settled in them.
"You will regret this, Rei…."
Amelia muttered while gnashing her teeth. 'Just watch as I go high while you rot here. You will definitely regret not being with me.'
…
Rei reached his bike after an hour of walking and returned to his mansion after buying some clothes for Alice. He mainly bought traditional frock-like dresses of her size.
Alice was still sleeping, so he decided to order some food.
"It's five in the evening, and I have nothing to do," Rei muttered with a bored expression.
He was waiting for Alice to wake up, so they could get her revenge and leave the city searching for the plan's final piece.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
After he finished eating, Alice's eyes fluttered shortly before fully opening. She woke up and saw Rei sitting on a sofa chair beside the sofa she was sleeping on.
"Rei," Alice called out, looking wholly innocent and cute because of the blankness on her face.
Rei turned his head and smiled, "Morning again."
"Morning..." Alice's head was still a bit groggy, so she massaged her temples a bit and took a few breaths.
"Any more experiments, or…." Alice said as her eyes turned slightly distant upon trailing off. She wanted revenge, after all.
"I was waiting for you to wake up for that, haha. Let's go, we shall sacrifice two nasty lambs for your peace."
Rei stood up and walked in front of Alice before stretching his hand with a gentle smile, "Then you shall be reborn, Queen of Evolution."
Looking at Rei like this, Alice's smile bloomed with a hint of pink on her cheeks. It was pure happiness.
She didn't remember but felt that she may have longed for such peace and someone by her side like this.
"Yes, leader," Alice said with a grin.
"Leader, eh? Nope. Hahaha, call me boss," Rei said with laughter.
~Vroom~
After Alice changed into the new clothes that Rei bought, both of them left the mansion, and Rei started his bike.
"Hold on tight, Alice."
"Yes, Boss."
Alice wore the helmet and nodded before grabbing his waist.
~Vroommm~
After five minutes, Alice held onto Rei while leaning on his back and closing her eyes out of fear.
"R-Rei… Aren't we going too fast?"
Fortunately or unfortunately, Alice's bust needed to be developed. It was just A, which...allowed her to hold Rei tightly even with her short body frame.
"Hahaha, it looks like you forgot that you are a superhuman. Even if a minor accident happened right now, you wouldn't even get a scratch."
Alice's cheeks turned red out of embarrassment. She really forgot about it.
Opening her eyes, she looked at the scenery passing by quickly, but not as fast when she changed her view forward a bit.
Soon, she started enjoying it.
Even though it was just riding on a superbike, Alice felt the joy of having such an experience for the first time.
"Rei, thank you so much for finding me," Alice said, feeling grateful and glad for herself.
Rei just smiled and didn't reply. He knew that she was in terrible shape when he first found her. She was practically at death's door.
That's why he popped that Rejuvenation Capsule without thinking twice.
After driving for half an hour and crossing a great distance, they arrived at the Astro Market of Starrow City.
This vast market had powerful high-tech weapons of all kinds that were used in outer space. After Earth became a member of the Milky Way Alliance, people could get a job in outer space or become Exceeds through Exceed Shrines. Most chose to become Exceeds if they were a bit well off.
"Before meeting those old coots, I need a powerful sword," Rei said as he parked the bike.
"Okay," Alice nodded before adding, "Also, I know the location where they kept me. Since I ran away, I am sure they would have ordered another one to torture."
"Yeah, we will go there first," Rei said with a nod before grabbing Alice's hand and entering the big market.
The market had several entrances, and it was huge. A lot of people were here, but not enough to cause a human traffic jam.
After twenty minutes of searching in top armory shops, Rei finally found the type of sword he wanted.
It was a long katana made from an exotic metal found on Venus.
Out of all planets in the solar system, Venus had the most exotic types of ores. Weapons, especially melee weapons made from some of these ores, were the strongest on Earth's market.
After returning to their bike, Alice and Rei continued their journey.
Rei also knew the hideout of that couple with Leo's help. After all, those two old coots were the parents of Starrow City's Mayor.
As Rei neared the location of the remote farmhouse, he didn't stop and continued instead of turning to reach there.
"Why did we cross it?" Alice asked doubtfully. They were supposed to ride off there on a narrow path. The farmhouse building was also visible from the main road.
"Leo told me that there are guards inside now. We will go from another route, and I also want to evolve the sword first."
"There were no guards when I ran away, but they must have put them exactly because of that," Alice said, slightly frowning.
"Yep. But it's fine. You will see how strong I am today."
Rei replied with a laugh and continued driving. After he passed one kilometer, he drove the bike down a forest-like area but stopped at the periphery.
"I have a preference of how I want to evolve this sword, but I'll leave it to you," Rei said with a sharp smile as he handed the sword to her, "Alice, I want you to try your utmost to create a power sword that prioritizes exceptional melee capabilities.."
"Understood? This sword must shine through melee capabilities. Go, and take your time."
Rei smiled seeing Alice taking the sword with a firm nod.
"I will give you the best," said Alice. Her expression was serious and determined. She wanted to do her utmost to meet Rei's expectations.