**The mayor of Maplewood City slapped his son across the face, his heavy hand sending the young man sprawling. Blood sprayed as two front teeth flew out, leaving his son's face twisted with pain.**
"Jason!" a panicked voice cried out as a young woman rushed to his side, trying to help him up.
Jason Wood, the heir of the Wood family and the young city lord of Maplewood, clutched his head in agony. A look of despair spread across his face as he felt a strange emptiness within him.
"Father…no! My power! My Gift! It's disappearing!" Jason wailed, his eyes wide with terror.
The mayor, Gregory Wood, glared down at his son with an expression of cold fury. "Kneel! Apologize to Dylan now!" he barked, dragging Jason to his knees. His voice echoed like thunder across the field.
The crowd was stunned into silence. Even the eight legendary Guardians of Terra, standing nearby, exchanged surprised glances.
"Man, this guy doesn't hold back. They say even a tiger doesn't devour its cubs, but this guy?" one of them muttered.
Jason's defiance melted into humiliation and fury, though he didn't dare show it. Kneeling before Dylan Carter, the boy he had bullied just hours ago, Jason gritted his teeth.
"I'm… sorry. Dylan, I shouldn't have…taken what was yours. I…acted out of pride. Please, forgive me," Jason said, his voice barely above a whisper. The resentment in his eyes, however, told a different story.
Dylan looked at him with a calm, unreadable expression. "Don't worry about it. Everyone has free will. If someone chooses something—or someone—else over me, that's their right."
Jason clenched his fists. The words stung more than any slap. It was the sheer indifference in Dylan's tone, as if Jason wasn't even worth hating.
The mayor gritted his teeth as well, forcing himself to keep his composure. "Thank you for your forgiveness, Dylan. I'll ensure this will never happen again," he said, dragging Jason to his feet like a rag doll and turning to leave.
Above, as the mayor's jet prepared to depart, Gregory glared at his son. "Listen closely, Jason. Cut all ties with that girl. I don't care how much you liked her. Dylan Carter is someone we can't afford to offend. One word from him, and we're done. Do you understand me?"
Jason nodded mutely, the hatred in his eyes burning brighter. "If I can't touch Dylan," he thought bitterly, "then I'll destroy everything he loves. One way or another, he'll pay."
---
Back on the field, the Guardians watched Dylan closely.
"Kid, aren't you worried about retaliation?" one of them asked, his tone curious.
Dylan shrugged. "What's there to worry about? The guy's already lost his Gift. Even if he wanted revenge, what could he do? If I'm scared of a washed-up mayor's son, how will I ever lead humanity to victory against the Shadow Demons?"
The Guardians exchanged impressed looks. "This kid's got guts," one of them said with a grin.
"Guts and brains. He's my apprentice!" another Guardian declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
"Yours? Dream on! He's clearly my apprentice!" shouted another.
Dylan chuckled quietly to himself as the Guardians began bickering like children.
---
As the ceremony resumed, Dylan decided to stay and watch his best friend, Luke Daniels, awaken his Gift. Around him, people whispered in awe, taking pictures of him like he was a celebrity.
"Isn't he handsome?" one girl gushed.
Even an older woman in the crowd boldly approached him. "Young man, are you single? I've got a lovely daughter who'd be perfect for you," she said, holding out a photo of a striking young woman.
Dylan smiled awkwardly and shook his head. "Thanks, but I'm not looking."
A familiar voice interrupted. "Dylan…"
He turned to see a beautiful young woman standing hesitantly before him. It was Claire, the girl who had publicly dumped him just weeks ago.
"I'm sorry," she said softly, tears brimming in her eyes. "I was foolish… I let myself get swept away, but I've missed you so much. Please, give me another chance."
Dylan stared at her, unblinking, as memories of their breakup replayed in his mind. She had walked away without a second glance, laughing with Jason as she climbed into his luxury car.
With a calm smile, he replied, "It's fine, Claire. I don't hold grudges. I wish you the best."
Then, without another word, he turned and walked toward the awakening platform, leaving Claire sobbing behind him.