The four bullies lay sprawled on the floor, and Lily gazed upon them with a sense of triumph, as if they were her own artistic creations. Their heads humorously replaced by their butts, they all bore the marks of their defeat, with Vincent being the only one slightly less worse off.
Luke couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort at the scene, yet he swiftly realized that if they didn't become stronger, they might find themselves in a similar predicament again.
The system warned against resorting to killing them, as it would only invite trouble. Luke was acutely aware that if the noble families ever found out about their children being beaten, they would unleash an unending pursuit of vengeance.
Fully aware that the powerful regarded them as worthless, Luke understood the importance of devising a plan to avoid any repercussions in the aftermath.
An idea flickered in his mind, though he recognized its potential danger. He knew that mishandling it could lead to trouble for himself.
The situation grew more complicated as Luke realized he was nearly depleted of energy. However, amidst his exhaustion, something else caught his attention. A strange sensation began to emanate from within him, a foreboding aura that seemed to have a malevolent intent.
As he attempted to explore this unsettling presence, he felt his self-control slipping, the sinister force almost overwhelming him. Fortunately, Lily keenly noticed his distress and instinctively reached out, taking hold of Luke's hand. In that moment of connection, his turbulent emotions found solace, and he was able to regain composure, the distraction providing a much-needed respite.
Alarmed by the unsettling revelation, Luke promptly inquired of the system to understand what was happening to him.
The system's response came swiftly.
[ Due to the host's overpowering anger, you've experienced overheating. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't have significant effects, but it can be considered an anomaly.
Any overwhelming and intense actions, unlike your usual demeanor, can trigger overheating. To resolve this, you must address the current issue which caused you to overheat. ]
'Wait a minute, doesn't that just mean I have anger management issues?' Luke can't help but think like that.
As he grappled with the current dilemma, he found himself troubled by the fact that his plan relied heavily on his skills, yet he was nearly depleted of energy.
However, amidst the uncertainty, a daring and hazardous thought emerged in his mind.
'What if I seize this opportunity and take advantage of this overheat?' he pondered.
The notion was undoubtedly risky, but it held the potential for a significant breakthrough. He couldn't ignore the possibility that this heightened emotional state might amplify his abilities, even if temporarily.
Finally, he closed his eyes and sought to harness the intense energy surging within him.
With a deep breath, the powerful energy once again enshrouded Luke. As his eyes turned bloodshot, he could sense a different force taking hold of him.
Worry etched on her face, Lily couldn't help but approach Luke. In response, he seemed to pause momentarily, as though engaged in a battle within himself.
At last, he opened his eyes, and a crimson glow emanated from them. Despite this intense display, his eyes reflected an unusual calmness, and a serene smile graced his lips, as if to reassure Lily not to fret.
In that pivotal moment, it became evident that Luke had indeed tapped into this extraordinary overheat, harnessing its immense power. However, a lingering sense of vulnerability loomed within him. He couldn't ignore the nagging fear that if he lost control, he might be completely engulfed by this overwhelming energy.
With a resolute mind, Luke decided to execute his plan swiftly.
Crouching beside the nearest bully, he placed his hands on the bully's head.
Focusing his thoughts, he concentrated his energy, determined to channel it effectively. The crimson glow intensified in his eyes, reflecting the magnitude of the power he held within.
Earlier, Luke had unleashed his skills subconsciously, driven by a surge of anger. In that heated moment, he lacked a proper grasp of controlling these powers, allowing his emotions to govern his actions.
Now, a dangerous thought crossed his mind.
If he let anger coursed through him, he grappled with the disconcerting thought that using his powers in the heat of the moment might inadvertently snuff out the lives of his adversaries.
The very notion sent shivers down his spine, filling him with dread at the potential consequences of such a reckless act. Yet, he swiftly realized the absurdity and implausibility of such a drastic outcome.
Additionally, the idea of resurrecting the dead by powering them on seemed equally fantastical and improbable.
Moreover, he understood that even using his skills to their current extent consumed a considerable amount of his energy. The thought of taking a life or attempting to bring someone back from the dead through his powers filled him with trepidation. He questioned whether such actions would come at the cost of his own life force.
The weight of this moral dilemma pressed upon him, reminding him of the gravity of his choices and the responsibility he held over his abilities. He realized that venturing into such uncharted territory was not worth risking the delicate balance of life and death.
With determination, Luke brushed off his previous ridiculous thoughts and honed in on the bully before him.
His hands firmly grasped the bully's head as he concentrated on his intent.
This time, he centered his focus on what he truly wanted.
"[Power Off]"
A faint, dim light materialized on Luke's hand before gently entering the bully's head.
Nervous anticipation fluttered within him as he hoped for the desired outcome.
Undeterred, he proceeded to apply the same technique to the other bullies, one by one, determined to put an end to their torment once and for all. The atmosphere around him seemed charged with the weight of his actions, yet his resolve remained steadfast. He was determined to do what was necessary to protect Lily and bring about a positive change in their lives.
With a sense of accomplishment and relief, Luke approached Lily, taking slow and deliberate steps. As he reached her, he gently patted her head, offering a reassuring gesture of comfort and gratitude.
"You should wake them up now," he advised, his voice gentle and caring. "Don't worry, they won't remember a thing about what happened today. In fact, they won't recall anything from the past ten years. *Cough, cough."
With profound consideration, Luke made a momentous choice - he decided to let the bullies forget not only the events of today but also the entirety of their past ten years, including Vincent. He recognized the significance of this decision, opting not to adjust his skills to modify their memories. It might have been troublesome, but he believed it was the right course of action.
His hope lay in the belief that by wiping away the memories of their harmful behaviors, they could start anew. Children, he thought, were more malleable and receptive to change. Luke envisioned a future where, given a fresh start, these former bullies might transform into kinder individuals, leaving their harmful actions behind.
Lily stood astounded by Luke's decision, unable to fully comprehend the depth of his compassion and wisdom. Yet, she respected and trusted his judgment wholeheartedly. With a continuous nod, she expressed her support for his plan, knowing that he had Lily's well-being and the betterment of those bullies at heart.
As Lily gently woke the bullies, an unforeseen reaction took place.
To Luke's surprise, as soon as they opened their eyes, they began bawling uncontrollably, crying like little children.
"Oops," Luke murmured, caught off guard by their emotional outburst.
"Hmm Lily, you should probably take them to their dwelling place in the academy. Don't let others see you," he suggested, a hint of amusement in his voice.
It seemed that wiping their memories of the past ten years had also brought out their childhood emotions, revealing a vulnerable side that Luke hadn't expected. Despite their previous bullying behavior, seeing them cry like this evoked a mix of emotions within him - compassion for their pain and a glimmer of hope that they might change for the better.
•••
After Lily and the group departed, Luke's countenance transformed, but not for the better.
The overheat had come to an end, yet he was left in excruciating pain. Collapsing to the floor, he let out anguished screams as his muscles strained under the weight of his depleted energy.
Every fiber of his being seemed to ache, and an overwhelming tiredness enveloped him. The burden of his recent actions had taken a heavy toll on his body, pushing him beyond his limits.
Despite his resilience, the pain proved too much to bear. Luke's consciousness slipped away, and he succumbed to unconsciousness.
As his body lay motionless on the floor, the system's voice resounded.
[ Achievement: Chase off troublemakers ]
[ Hidden Achievement: Harnessing the Overheat ]
[Calculating Rewards... Please be on standby....]