Chapter 74: Chapter 74 : Something Interesting?

After sharing a wholesome breakfast together, Silver and Hana engaged in a Fawkes family daily duel. Mismatched as it was, Silver and the duo that he was made up of greatly enjoyed these ‘battles’.

The looks of awe and delight that Hana would direct at them upon seeing or hearing about new techniques they had come up with was a delectable treat to their souls that they would never get tired of consuming.

It wasn’t just a heartwarming experience though. While sparring, Silver was allowed to practise his Oscillation Wave. The technique was one they had to practise in the outside world, and couldn’t be performed without the assistance of another Telekinetic.

All of the progress that had been made, had been due to Hana filling in as their assistant. This fact only furthered their already infinite gratitude and affection for their mother.

Fifteen minutes later, Hana’s Mental Energy called it quits. Silver lingered a bit longer before defusing. From there, the duo went about their usual endeavours; Rei worked on Mental Space stuff while Ralf did physical exercise.

An intense workout later, Ralf decided to pay a visit to his big-bellied neighbour.

“What’s next in the chronicles of Ralf Fawkes?” Greg asked as he stared at the multicoloured cube in his palms. “That’s the question on everyone’s minds right now. So,” he paused, shifting his eyes off the vexing puzzle to the biscuit devourer seated opposite him, “Ralf, how do you answer?”

“Who knows,” Ralf answered with a shrug.

The response left Greg wry.

Ralf wiggled his held biscuit. “I don’t know. Life is unpredictable, and so are my thought processes. I can barely see thirty seconds ahead, so to predict what will happen in a day or a week is just impossible. The future is uncertain after all."

“Haa, that won’t satisfy the masses. They’re hungry for more, you know.”

“I know. Walking around Ganurg is quite an experience,” Ralf said as a faint smile surfaced on his face.

Greg saw it clearly and shook his head. ‘This kid’s hopeless,’ his eyes returned to the cube, ‘and this is just as hopeless,’ Greg sighed.

“Still, having a problem with that? Toss it over, I’ll give you one more demonstration.”

Greg tossed the object over. Catching it, Ralf eyed the mess of colours on the cube. Giving it a quick spin, his impeccable mind registered all that there was to register while simultaneously working out the precise series of twists and turns needed to complete the puzzle in the quickest time.

Greg watched his guest at work with peeled eyes.

“Watch closely, three two one.” Following his countdown, Ralf began solving the Rubik’s Cube. With his enhanced physical body, he could manage it in under a second, and with Psi, within a blink. However, finishing quickly wasn’t his intention. Taking it slow, he allowed Greg to observe and digest how he solved the puzzle.

Fifteen seconds later, Ralf made his final turn, completing the puzzle. “Just like that,” he said as he had it spin on his finger.

“I still have no idea how you did it, it all looked random to me,” Greg said with a bitter expression.

“It does until you learn the method. Want me to sh-”

“No,” Greg quickly rejected. “I want to figure it out myself. Moriya did it, I’ll do it as well. No matter how long it takes,” he said, stubbornness echoing clearly from his voice.

Ralf smiled then blew towards the cube, causing the object to turn on all its axis, returning it to a chaotic state. He then tossed it back. “Have at it then.”

Catching it, Greg got to fiddling. “Rubik’s Cube, that’s what you called it, right. Quite a nifty thing. It’d definitely sell. Showed a buddy of mine, and he said the same thing. With how simplistic this thing is, it can be mass-produced in no time. Even sold cheaply, it’ll make you a mountain of gold.”

Ralf nodded.

The Rubik’s Cube was the most popular toy in Rei’s world. There was no doubt in his mind that the toy would sell well. In fact, he reckoned that it’d be more profitable here.

“I’m sure it will, but playing merchant is not my thing. Money won’t be an issue for me. I have hundreds of ideas more profitable than this toy, so I don’t want to work too hard selling it.”

‘' Hundreds, huh,’ Greg’s brows raised. It sounded absurd, and yet he couldn’t deny the possibility. “Then, how about my buddy and I arrange and manage everything. You won’t have to do anything, just get paid,” he offered.

“Mmm, sweet,” Ralf said as he downed his juice. “Yeah, that works. Since I’m not doing anything, you guys can take most of the profit.”

Greg’s eyes lit up. “Really? This will probably rake in a lot of mon-”

“It’s fine,” Ralf cut Greg off with a dismissive wave. “A bit more or a bit less means nothing to me.”

“I see,” Greg gave his beard a rub. “Ralf, is this okay though? I mean, this invention isn’t yours. Wouldn’t the original creator be angry?”

“No, that won’t be a problem.”

“It won’t?” Greg squinted.

“It won’t,” Ralf reassured. “I was given this information by the faction. I can do what I want with it. There won’t be any problem. Money isn’t the goal. The Rubik’s Cube is just to spread awareness, to get the Silver Path on the map, well…the official maps. It’ll make selling things like cellphones and computers easier in the future.”

“Hmm, hopefully, that day comes sooner rather than later.”

“Hopefully.”

Greg continued fiddling; his eyes searching for a pattern or method by which to solve the complicated contraption. Meanwhile, Ralf busied himself with clearing out all the delicacies on the tables.

Finally, all were devoured.

“Aaah, fantastic. These Popleight treats are a level above anything here, thanks, Greg.” Ralf cleaned up the area with his telekinesis then got up to leave. “I’ll be off for the daily adventure, see you later, oh, and have that puzzled solved by the time I come back.”

“See you Ral- oh?”

“Oh?” At the curious sound, Ralf’s march ceased and he glanced back with a look of inquiry. “Greg?”

“Hmm, I just remembered something. Ralf, what’s your schedule looking like?”

“I have a few things to do, but other than it, it’s basically empty.”

“That’s good to hear. Something exciting is going to happen not too long from now, interested in seeing it with me?”

‘Something exciting.’ Ralf jolted in place at the wonderful sequence of words. He was always in search of exciting things, so he would never turn down such an invitation, especially from Greg who hadn’t failed him yet.

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“I am, very much. What is it and when are we going?”

“It’s taking place on the first of December…as for what it is, that’s a secret. But I’ll say this,” Greg’s eyes narrowed and he emphasised his next words, “you’ll definitely enjoy it…everyone does,” the middle-aged man added with a subtle smile.

Ralf perked up at the claim, his mind already imagining several possibilities, each of them exciting his young heart further. “I see. Then, I’ll be patient till then. See you.”

With these words, Ralf made his exit.

***

Mind still fixated on Greg’s words, Ralf passed through the gateway. Psi Bike summoned, he hopped on and prepared to set off. But as his palms clutched the handlebars, a sight entered his periphery.

“Heading out, hop on,” he said to his mom as she passed by the gate.

Hana obliged with a smile, hopping on behind him and wrapping herself around him.

Ralf didn’t head off immediately but instead took a moment to appreciate the position he was in. He wanted to extend it beyond a ‘moment’, but Hana’s subsequent squeeze was understood loud and clear. He sighed internally at not awakening time stop powers instead, then twisted the throttle, sending the Psi Bike on its way.

The two chattered all the way to the marketplace.

“Stay safe out there, okay,” Hana ruffled her son’s hair.

“I will.”

“Also, make sure to have fun out there.”

“Of course.”

Hana gave him a final ruffle before pulling back her hand. Taking this as his signal, Ralf began rotating his tires.

“Oh, before I go,” Ralf stopped and glanced back. “Make sure to prepare your heart. When I get back, I have something cool to show you.”

Saying this, he raised his left hand and made a gun gesture. He brought it to his lips then kissed it. Upon doing so, Psi materialised and gathered on the hand. While it did, he aimed his barrel towards his mother.

Before her and everyone’s curious eyes, Ralf’s Psi moved to the tip of his fingers and a projectile began forming up. Taking the shape of a heart, it grew and grew until it was 2 metres wide.

Then, with a “bang” utterance’, Ralf sent it. Hana watched its approach with wonder in her eyes. No thought of blocking or dodging it surfaced in her mind. She was determined to take it all.

The speedy heart crashed into her figure and immediately shattered into thousands of particles which engulfed her for a few seconds before dissipating entirely. Ralf’s projectile attack had dealt no damage, and yet, a profound effect was stirred within Hana’s heart.

As if knowing the effect he caused, Ralf flashed a cheeky smile her way and said, “I’m off.”

With these words, he turned and blasted off. His figure disappeared from Hana’s sight in mere seconds.

In the aftermath, Hana stood, a sweet smile adorned her face, magnifying her already enchanting beauty dozens of times over.

Onlookers who had been focusing on the exchange between mother and son were flung into a trance at the sight. Chests warmed and hearts melted. Cupid seemingly traded in his bow and arrow for a machine gun as dozens were instantly love struck.

Still, even in this state, no one approached Hana. As blind as love made one, they could still feel the searing heat from the flames burning around the flower before them. They dared not get close, for one wrong move, could spell a fiery end. Fearing this possibility, they kept their distance.

***

Leaving his mother behind, Ralf stopped at the Adventurer Association branch and collected his daily mission.

Exiting through the archway ten minutes later, his eyes moved to a certain bench. Three people were seated on them, but they weren’t the trio he had come to expect. However, the trio wasn’t randoms. Ralf recognized these three’s faces well enough, they were Red Star members.

‘Why would they replace them? They should have done nothing wrong - unless…’

Frowning at his thinking, Ralf quickly approached the trio. When he neared, the person seated in the middle, a middle-aged man flashed a rotten smile his way before speaking.

“Ah, if it isn’t the great Ralf Fawkes,” Jacob started. “What great deed have we done to deserve the honour of your visit, don’t tell me, you’ve already acquired the last five gold. Excellent, as expected of one as great as you,” the gangster said, sarcasm and mocking drenched every word spoken.

His companions to his sides let off a few chuckles at his remarks while sending ridiculing looks Ralf’s way.

Ralf didn’t care for the group’s antics, instead, his mind honed in on the gangster’s words.

‘Five gold left, I see, they delivered everything perfectly then.’ Relief passed through the young man’s heart.

Settling the worry, Ralf refocused on the trio. “I’ll have to disappoint. I don’t have the last five gold on me.”

“Oh, you don’t,” Jacob’s cadence lost its energy as he narrowed his eyes.

Ralf stood unfazed by his intimidation tactic. “I don’t, but I will shortly. I have a big plan in the works that’ll bring in a ton of money.”

“Oh.” Jacob and his fellow gang members’ eyes lit up at the words. “Excellent, that’s good to hear. Boss Desmond will be thrilled,” Jacob said as he stood up and approached. His unwashed, smoke scented-hand fell on Ralf’s shoulder and began patting while saying, “Good good, as expected of genius. Right boys.”

“Yeah, as expected.”

“As expected.”

The two chirped in as they too stood up. Jacob gave his last pat, flashed a crooked smile then walked off.

Ralf’s gaze moved from their backs to the shoulder the other had touched. It would remain there for a good few seconds before it returned to the disappearing gangsters.

‘Count yourself lucky you dealt with me. That was Rei, your hand was lost, and if it was Silver…’

Ralf frowned as he imagined the other’s possible actions. There was a reason why unfusing was called defusing. Silver was an intense fellow when triggered. Shaking his head from such extreme thoughts, Ralf summoned his Psi Bike and continued on his way.

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