Meanwhile, back in the city, the trio of heroes – IM, Elang, and Liam – stood atop the tallest building, their gazes sweeping across the sprawling cityscape below. The night air was cool and crisp, the city lights twinkling like a million stars.
"G-Guys... this is so tall..." Liam stammered, his legs trembling slightly as he peered over the edge. The sheer height of the building was enough to make even the bravest soul feel a twinge of vertigo.
IM chuckled, his voice a low rumble. "Don't worry, Liam," he reassured the nervous newcomer. "You'll get used to it. Besides, with your luck, you're probably the safest one up here."
Elang snorted, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Yeah, right. Luck won't save him if he falls off this building."
Liam gulped, his grip tightening on the railing. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys," he muttered sarcastically.
Despite his nerves, Liam couldn't deny the thrill of standing on the precipice of the city, the wind whipping through his hair and the world spread out beneath him like a miniature diorama. The lights twinkled below, a mesmerizing tapestry of human activity.
"After our appearance, the crime rate has definitely dropped, hasn't it?" Lili remarked, her voice barely audible above the wind as she sat on the edge of the building, her legs dangling over the abyss.
Yolan sighed, adjusting her hero suit at the waist. "You're right. It seems like we can't do much tonight."
Meanwhile, Xian's clone stood silently beside them, his gaze sweeping across the city skyline. Though his physical form was present, his consciousness was still connected to Xian, who was back at home enjoying a movie night with Hanna.
"Xian, you're pretty quiet tonight," Elang observed, breaking the comfortable silence. He nudged the clone playfully, but there was no reaction.
"Usually you're quiet, but right now you're super quiet," Elang added, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. He waved a hand in front of the clone's face, but there was no response.
The clone's head snapped towards Elang, its eyes meeting his with a blank stare. "What do you mean?" it asked, its voice devoid of any emotion.
Elang raised an eyebrow, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "You're usually more... talkative," he replied, his voice hesitant. "You know, cracking jokes, making sarcastic comments..."
The clone tilted its head slightly, as if processing the information. "I am programmed to be efficient and focused during missions," it stated in a monotone voice. "Unnecessary chatter is discouraged."
Yolan and Lili exchanged amused glances. It was clear that Xian's clone was a far cry from the real Xian, its personality stripped down to its most basic functions.
"Well, I guess we'll just have to enjoy the quiet then," Yolan said with a shrug, turning her attention back to the cityscape below.
The silence that followed was a stark contrast to the usual banter and camaraderie of the Unveiled Family. The absence of Xian's playful energy was palpable, a reminder of the complex nature of his powers and the sacrifices he made to protect the city.
As the night wore on, the heroes continued their silent vigil, their eyes scanning the darkened streets for any signs of trouble. The city slept, oblivious to the watchful guardians perched atop its tallest building.
Meanwhile, far from the bustling city and the vigilant heroes, Bennett returned to her solitary apartment. She stepped into the quiet, dimly lit space, her footsteps echoing in the stillness.
"I'm home... I would say if I had someone here," she sighed, a hint of loneliness in her voice. She kicked off her shoes and walked further into the apartment, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders.
The apartment, though tastefully decorated, felt cold and empty without another presence to share it with. The silence was deafening, amplifying the sense of solitude. Bennett walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. She took a sip, the cool liquid a comforting contrast to the warmth of her loneliness. She leaned against the counter, her gaze drifting towards the window, where the city lights twinkled like a million distant stars.
"Hmm..." she hummed, the quiet of the night seeming to echo her own solitude.
Something's wrong... she thought, a sense of unease settling in her gut. Her heightened senses, usually attuned to the slightest hint of danger, remained eerily silent.
Usually, even from a distance, there's some kind of threat, but it seems because the Unveiled have become heroes, they've disappeared.
With a sigh, she turned away from the window and headed towards her bedroom. The soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminated the room, casting a warm, inviting light on the plush bed. She kicked off her shoes, shedding the remnants of her professional persona, and slipped into a comfortable nightgown.
As she settled into bed, her mind raced with thoughts of the Imaginary. His confidence, his power, his unwavering sense of justice - it was all so captivating. But she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was crossing a line.
"Damn... he's awfully young. I can't fall for him..." she mumbled to herself, a hint of frustration in her voice.
She tossed and turned, her mind replaying their encounter at the cafe, the way his eyes sparkled with mischief, the warmth of his touch as he held her hand. She tried to focus on the mission, on the importance of their alliance against the Seers, but Xian's image kept intruding, blurring the lines between professional duty and personal attraction.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered, burying her face in her pillow. "I'm a grown woman, a high-ranking official. I can't let a teenager distract me from my goals."
But despite her attempts to reason with herself, her heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and apprehension. She had never felt this way before, this strange combination of vulnerability and desire. It was a new experience, one that both thrilled and terrified her.
She closed her eyes, trying to will herself to sleep, but the image of Xian's smile lingered in her mind, a persistent reminder of the unexpected connection they had formed. The Unseen Alliance had brought them together, but it seemed their destinies were intertwined in a way that went beyond their shared mission.
The night stretched on, Bennett's thoughts a tumultuous mix of duty, ambition, and a newfound yearning. As the first rays of dawn painted the sky, she finally drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with the image of a young hero with a heart of gold and the power to reshape the world.
A new day dawned, and Bennett awoke to the harsh reality of her responsibilities. The dreamlike world of wind and flowers she had shared with Xian felt like a distant memory, a fleeting escape from the pressures of her life. She reluctantly dragged herself out of bed, the weight of her duties pressing down on her shoulders.
"Shit... it's morning already?" she groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I don't want to be awake in the morning..."
With a sigh, she trudged to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to wake herself up. The reflection staring back at her was that of a tired woman, her eyes underlined with dark circles, her usually impeccable hair slightly disheveled.
"Another day, another battle," she muttered to herself, forcing a smile.
She quickly dressed in her usual professional attire, a crisp suit and polished shoes, transforming herself back into the composed and confident Bennett the world knew. Grabbing her briefcase, she headed out the door, ready to face the challenges of the day.
As she drove to the Ministry of Defense, her thoughts drifted back to Xian. She couldn't deny the impact he had on her, the way he made her feel both vulnerable and empowered. She knew she had to keep her emotions in check, to focus on the mission at hand. But a small part of her yearned for another encounter with the enigmatic hero, a chance to explore the connection that had sparked between them.
Arriving at her office, she was greeted by the usual hustle and bustle of the ministry. Reports to review, meetings to attend, decisions to be made. The weight of her responsibilities settled on her shoulders once again, pushing thoughts of Xian to the back of her mind. But even as she immersed herself in her work, a flicker of anticipation remained, a silent hope that their paths would cross again soon.
"Bennett!" Parker's voice called out from the doorway, startling her out of her thoughts.
Bennett jumped, her leg accidentally bumping into the table. "Ouch... What!?" she exclaimed, rubbing her shin in annoyance.
"I don't sense any Seers today. Something's weird..." Parker said, his voice laced with unease.
Bennett's expression darkened, her suspicions from the previous night seemingly confirmed. Did Xian do this? she wondered, her gaze sharpening as she looked at Parker.
"Can you at least use the door?" she snapped, her irritation evident. "This building is tall, how did you even get in through the window?"
Parker shrugged, unfazed by her reprimand. "It was faster," he replied nonchalantly, stepping into the office and closing the window behind him. "Besides, I wanted to surprise you."
Bennett rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. Despite his occasional recklessness, she couldn't deny Parker's loyalty and dedication. He had been by her side since the beginning, a constant presence in her fight against the Seers.
"So, what's this about the Seers being absent?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Did you investigate further?"
Parker nodded, his expression serious. "I did. I checked all their usual haunts, their known hideouts, even their favorite training ground. But there's no sign of them. It's like they've vanished into thin air."
Gone huh... I wonder what Xian did... Bennett thought to herself, a flicker of intrigue crossing her face.
***
Meanwhile, in the middle of the afternoon, I was at the quiz competition, surrounded by a sea of eager students. I sat beside Pila, ready to face the intellectual challenge ahead. All I had to do was imagine myself being super smart, with an infinite IQ.
"Alright, we come to the first question..." the host announced into the microphone, his eyes glued to the monitor screen.
The host cleared his throat, his voice booming through the auditorium, filled with the nervous energy of the competing students. "In the field of physics, what is the fundamental force responsible for the attraction between masses?"
Before Pila could even process the question, I buzzed in, my hand shooting up instinctively. "Gravity," I answered confidently, my voice clear and unwavering.
The host blinked in surprise, his eyebrows raised. "That is correct! One point for team Rectangle Academy!"
A cheer erupted from our section of the audience, and Pila looked at me with a mix of awe and gratitude. The quiz competition had begun, and we were off to a flying start.
The quiz continued, each question a test of knowledge and quick thinking. But with my imagined intelligence, I was unstoppable. I answered every question with lightning speed and unwavering accuracy, leaving the other teams in the dust. The questions flew by, a blur of historical dates, scientific facts, and literary references.
"In which year did World War II begin?"
"1939!" I buzzed in before the host even finished reading the question.
"What is the chemical symbol for gold?"
"Au!"
"Who wrote the novel 'Pride and Prejudice'?"
"Jane Austen!"
Pila beside me was a mix of astonishment and amusement. She barely had a chance to even read the questions before I was answering them. The crowd was buzzing with excitement, their cheers growing louder with each correct answer. We were a spectacle, a dynamic duo dominating the competition.
The other teams, initially confident and eager, now looked defeated and demoralized. They had no chance against my seemingly infinite knowledge, my ability to recall facts and figures with pinpoint accuracy.
The competition ended with a landslide victory for our team. The judges, their faces beaming with pride, announced us as the champions, awarding us the coveted trophy and a generous cash prize. The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing through the auditorium, a testament to our overwhelming success.
As we walked off the stage, Pila couldn't contain her excitement. "That was amazing, Xian!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You were incredible!"
I chuckled, shrugging modestly. "It was mostly just common knowledge... but the math questions earlier were a bit challenging," I lied, downplaying my enhanced abilities.
We stepped outside the auditorium, the warm afternoon sun a welcome contrast to the cool, dimly lit interior. The schoolyard was still buzzing with activity, students celebrating the end of the quiz competition and enjoying the last few hours of the festival. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, music, and the enticing aroma of food stalls.
Pila and I found a quiet spot under a shady tree, away from the crowds. We sat down on the grass, the trophy resting between us, a gleaming symbol of our shared victory. It was a moment of quiet triumph, a testament to our hard work and dedication.
"I still can't believe we won," Pila said, her voice filled with awe. "I never thought we'd stand a chance against those other teams."
I smiled, nudging her playfully. "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"
She laughed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "We do," she agreed. "Thanks for helping me, Xian. I couldn't have done it without you."
"You're welcome," I replied, my gaze meeting hers. "But you did most of the work. I just... filled in the gaps."
Pila shook her head. "No, you were amazing," she insisted. "You answered almost every question, and you explained everything so clearly. I learned so much from you today."
Just then, the host of the quiz competition walked towards us, a smile on his face. "Xian... is it?" he asked.
I looked over at him and nodded. "Need something?"
"Yes, actually," the host replied, his smile widening. "I was quite impressed by your performance today. Your knowledge and quick thinking were truly remarkable."
He paused, his gaze lingering on me with a curious glint. "I was wondering... would you be interested in taking an IQ test? We have a professional psychologist on campus who specializes in gifted students. It would be a great opportunity to see just how high your intelligence truly is."
Pila's eyes widened in excitement. "That would be amazing, Xian! You should definitely do it!"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to draw more attention to myself. But then, a sense of curiosity took over. It would be interesting to see how my imagined intelligence compared to a standardized test.
"Alright," I agreed, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Let's see what this psychologist can tell me."
The host beamed, his enthusiasm contagious. "Wonderful! I'll arrange everything. The psychologist is available tomorrow morning. I'll let you know the details later."
With that, he excused himself, leaving Pila and me alone once more. She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I can't believe you're going to take an IQ test!" she exclaimed. "I'm so curious to see what your score will be."
I chuckled, shrugging nonchalantly. "Me too," I admitted. "But I'm not too worried. I have a feeling I'll do just fine."
Fuck... I thought, a wave of anxiety washing over me. The excitement of the quiz competition had faded, replaced by a sudden realization. Maybe I shouldn't have won... or used my power earlier.
The next day arrived, a crisp Saturday morning filled with the promise of a new adventure. While my classmates were enjoying their weekend, I found myself standing outside the school gates, a sense of nervous anticipation buzzing within me. I had decided to skip classes and take the IQ test, eager to discover the true extent of my enhanced intelligence.
The host, Mr. Jurgen, was waiting for me, a welcoming smile on his face. "Xian, good to see you," he greeted me warmly. "Are you ready for the test?"
I nodded, trying to suppress the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be," I replied, my voice a bit shaky.
Mr. Jurgen led me through the empty corridors of the school, the silence amplifying my nervousness. We reached a small, nondescript room, its white walls and minimalist décor creating an atmosphere of sterile efficiency. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant energy of the festival just a few days ago.
"This is where the psychologist conducts her tests," Mr. Jurgen explained, opening the door and ushering me inside. "Please, have a seat."
I entered the room, my gaze sweeping across the sparse furnishings. A single chair sat in the center of the room, facing a blank wall. A small table with a stack of papers and a pencil lay beside it. It was a simple setup, yet the air crackled with an unspoken tension.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. This was just a test, I reminded myself. A chance to measure my intellectual capabilities, nothing more. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a simple assessment. It was a test of my true self, of the power that lay dormant within me.
"Okay Xian, we'll start with numeric, verbal, spatial, logic, memory, and verbal-nonverbal questions," Mr. Jurgen explained, handing me a thick booklet filled with various puzzles and problems.
I nodded, taking the booklet and flipping through its pages. The questions ranged from simple arithmetic to complex spatial reasoning puzzles, each one designed to test a different aspect of my cognitive abilities.
This should be interesting, I thought to myself, a flicker of excitement replacing my earlier apprehension. With my imagined intelligence, I was confident I could handle anything they threw at me.
< Chapter 198 > Fin.