Such a toy might seem childish to middle or high school students.
But for a 26-year-old soul who had just graduated, still retaining that pure foolishness, it felt just right.
Though he was a bit worried.
Without copyright, if they actually summoned that hero, would that even be allowed to air?
Lucas silently pulled the transformation stick closer, slipped it into his pocket, and cleared his throat.
"Well, it's not impossible to consider. Of course, that's secondary - mainly, I see potential in you, you've got talent."
Blake's eyes immediately lit up, though somewhat insecure, "Really? Can I really do it, bro?"
Lucas nodded, "But following me has some conditions."
Blake sat up straight, completely serious, "Tell me, bro."
Lucas said, "No starting fights, no bullying classmates."
Blake hesitated briefly, then nodded, "Don't worry, bro, I'll definitely change."
Lucas continued, "Most importantly, study hard and exercise regularly."
Hearing this, Blake became visibly uncertain.
For him, studying was particularly challenging, and exercise sounded exhausting.
Lucas explained, "Studying is so you can reason with people calmly."
"And exercise is so that those who won't listen to reason will become willing to listen calmly."
He maintained a mysterious expression, "You should know, making others willing to listen to reason is a really cool thing."
Blake seemed to have an epiphany, suddenly finding his direction, exclaiming excitedly, "That's exactly it! Bro, this is what I've been looking for!"
Lucas nodded, saying coolly, "When you become top of the grade, then you'll barely be keeping up with my pace."
Blake was fired up, feeling his life suddenly filled with endless motivation, "I understand, bro, I won't let you down!"
He didn't even finish his lunch, picking up his tray with determination, "Bro, I'm going to study!"
With that, Blake left directly.
Manipulating kids was too easy - just paint them a grand picture.
Lucas shook his head.
Sophia, who had been observing everything from the side, had hearts in her bright eyes as she tugged at Lucas's sleeve, "Lucas, I want to follow you too."
Lucas was exasperated, "What's there to follow? You're not like Blake, always bullying others."
Rejected, Sophia's face fell as she said weakly, "But I always feel like I'm being bullied."
Lucas fell silent.
So Sophia was actually aware of everything, she just never said anything.
"I think if I follow you, no one would dare bully me anymore," Sophia said, pursing her lips.
Lucas pinched her cheeks, truly unable to understand this silly girl's peculiar thought process, sighing.
"What, being my friend isn't enough face? They'd still dare to bully you?"
"You still have to 'follow' me?"
Sophia seemed to have a sudden realization, shaking her head, "Oh, right."
She immediately brightened up, swaying her ponytail as she chirped, "With Lucas here, no one will dare bully me anymore!"
Lucas: ...
Thanks, that was a critical hit.
Looking at Sophia, happy as a kitten, he suddenly realized that perhaps what he really should do was help this silly girl make some changes.
Teaching someone to fish was better than giving them fish - her weak personality was the root cause of her being bullied.
Of course, this was just equivalent exchange.
Lucas grabbed Sophia who was spinning circles beside him, "Alright, stop spinning, go rest, we still have tests this afternoon."
Sophia nodded obediently, "Okay!"
...
Time flew by, and the afternoon tests ended.
The teachers graded incredibly quickly, distributing the compiled results to students before the final class ended.
Lucas looked at his score sheet without surprise - he had secured first place in both the class and grade with perfect scores in all subjects.
And undoubtedly, for the next dozen or so academic seasons, he would continue to exceed standards, leaving these similarly-aged "prodigies" in the dust.
After Ms. Bennett announced some notes about tomorrow's parent-teacher conference, school was dismissed.
Sophia packed her little backpack and sat blankly at her desk, looking at the empty desk behind her with disappointment and sadness.
It seemed she would have to walk home alone today.
Though she was used to it.
But still...
Sophia let out a tiny sigh, comforting herself internally.
"Sophia, oh Sophia, even though you and Lucas are good friends now, he has his own things to do. You can't always think about walking home with him, that's not right, you'll be disliked."
But the next moment.
Someone knocked on her head.
Lucas stood there with his backpack slung across his shoulder, looking puzzled, "What are you spacing out for? Let's go."
Sophia was stunned briefly, then covered her head with a happy silly smile.
"Hehe."
Lucas pinched her cheeks, "What are you giggling about? Come on, let's go."
Sophia's eyes grew brighter as she followed closely behind Lucas.
She didn't understand yet that once something happens for the first time, it tends to happen countless times after.
Today Sarah was busy and his dad hadn't left work yet, so Lucas had to head home alone.
The walk wasn't far, so he didn't choose to take the bus.
This made Sophia even happier as she walked properly behind Lucas, just staring at the back of his head.
Lucas felt his back getting chilly from her stare and said irritably:
"Walk beside me, why are you always breathing down my neck?"
"Oh."
Sophia quickened her little steps and started staring at Lucas's profile while giggling.
Lucas felt uncomfortable and, remembering what he'd considered this morning, pinched her cheeks, "Do you know why others bully you?"
Sophia shook her head cluelessly.
Lucas said, "It's because you always act so silly. You need to be fiercer, understand? Only when you're fiercer than others will they be afraid of you."
Sophia nodded, seeming to half-understand, "Then... what counts as fierce?"
Lucas thought for a moment, then said seriously, "It's simple. If someone hits you, hit them back, and hit harder than they do. Don't be afraid of pain, it's normal to hurt the first time."
Lucas stood still, pointing at his chest, "Come on, I'll teach you. Hit me."
Sophia shook her head.
Lucas put on a stern face, "Hit."
Sophia looked pitiful as she experimentally swung her little fist at Lucas's chest, barely even wrinkling his shirt.
Lucas: ...
"Let's try insulting people then. You have to be harsh, understand? Try insulting me."
Sophia didn't want to insult Lucas at all, but still obediently tried, her face turning red as she struggled before bursting out, "Big dummy!"
"Anything harsher?"
"Big silly!"
"..."
Lucas was speechless, "Then try baring your teeth, like a tiger on TV, be fierce."
"Rawr... wuwuwu..."
"Who told you to act cute?!"
Lucas gave Sophia another knock on the head.
Sophia covered her little head, saying pitifully, "I feel like I was being really fierce already."
Lucas sighed helplessly.
"Never mind, let's just head home."
He knew this wasn't something that could be taught quickly.
Sophia let out a long breath, patted her little chest, and happily caught up.
At this moment, telephone poles stood in the sunset, their crisscrossing lines spreading across the sky.
Just like the very long shadows of two small figures stretched out behind them in the golden evening light.
Like destiny.
...