Wednesday was a long day for Zeke, who, after officially entering the Rankings, was now obligated to attend the Practical lessons of Professor Nayro. To make matters worse, the Zyth was particularly keen on observing him after what he had witnessed during the three tests.

The lesson itself was decently informative, but Zeke was different from his classmates. Technically, he was able to manifest superhuman powers with the use of Aether, but the fundamental functionality of the procedure he relied on was drastically different from the norm, therefore, the training all the students would be subjected to wasn't useful.

In fact, Zeke kept getting jealous stares from his classmates as they did not like how Nayro was paying close attention to him, clearly showcasing favorability born out of morbid curiosity.

The subtle and non-verbal hostility notwithstanding, the Aether Manipulation practical lesson was a waste of time for Zeke, who was incapable of imitating either Nayro or even the below-average students. Still, he didn't feel that disheartened and, for the most part, ignored the Zyth's incessant remarks and corrections.

...

In the evening, as he was making his way home, he stumbled upon an interesting and slightly predictable sight. There, in the middle of the busy main road of Kethra's Arms, he saw the same con artists from before. The paraplegic kid was on the ground and his mother was shouting at a student.

Surprisingly, the victim this time was Samuel, who reacted the same way as Zeke. The teenager was having none of it and was in a heated argument with the mother. Even when the familiar three thugs showed themselves, Samuel wasn't the least bit fazed.

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? To use your sick kid to con people? Absolutely deplorable!"

"Calm down, kiddo."

The baldy tried to intimidate Samuel by facing him with his oppressive physique, but even that did not work. Samuel kicked him in the knee then pushed him to the side as he walked toward the unresponsive paralyzed boy.

"Hey... kid, is this really your mother?"

"W-what? Of course I am! What do you think you're doing?!"

The red-faced woman attempted to shove Samual but he caught her hand and coldly glared at her.

"I didn't talk to you. Also, I'm contacting the authorities right now."

He took out his phone and immediately contacted a relative of his while crouching next to the boy and keeping an eye on him. The call lasted half a minute, in which the crowd watched in silence, the thugs were grunting in annoyance as they backed away. Only the mother was shrieking and yelling at the top of her lungs, but since she had long since become notorious and almost everyone in Kethra's Arms knew about her shady dealings and poor attempts at tricking people.

'It seems my warning wasn't enough.' Thought Zeke to himself as he squeezed through the crowd and inconspicuously followed after the fleeing thugs. It seemed their encounter with him made them more careful and less inclined to publicly threaten Erys' students, which was why they did not confront Samuel even after he had kicked their leader.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Zeke wasn’t the only one who noticed the thug’s timely retreat. Samuel beckoned one of the bystanders, a middle-aged tall man, instructing him to keep a close watch over the woman and her child.

Then, he too, chased after the thugs, unwilling to let them escape.

The pursuit was relatively brief as the baldy and his friends delved into the dirt and unfrequented backstreet. It was the same spot Zeke was attacked in by the dangerous black mist, as well as the place where he had helped Amelia.

Instead of recklessly following them to the dark and eerily backstreet, Zeke stayed back and hesitated. Although Kethra’s Arms was bustling with students and residents alike, he still did not forget the murder scene he had unwittingly stumbled upon.

Strangely enough, there was no mention of it in the media or anywhere else, which led him to believe that it was being covered up.

Unlike him, Samuel dashed through the alley and caught up to his targets, shouting at them from behind.

“You don’t think I’m letting you go, do you?”

The baldy’s body twitched as he turned around and, with dangerously narrowed eyes, he glared at Samuel. His two companions, one of which had a thick bandage over his chest, cowered in fear and lacked any sort of bravado.

“You will be going with me to the station… willingly or not.”

Samuel grinned at the thugs as he slowly approached him, his right arm raised and his hand emitting a resplendent golden light, one which frightened the baldy and co.

They were simple people, unable to manipulate Aether. Additionally, they had been beaten by Zeke two days ago, therefore, when they saw Samuel use his abilities from the get-go, their dread multiplied and any thought of fighting back was abandoned.

Eventually, after a brief silence, the baldy raised his hands and apologetically said,

“We’re sorry. We’re just trying to make ends meet.”

“Hah! That doesn’t validate you using a disabled child! The poor boy was clearly malnourished and in need of treatment. Excuses will avail you naught in here.”

‘I’m not needed, I guess.’

As was his wont, Zeke hid in the back and watched the scenes unfold. He knew nothing about Samuel’s ability, but it should be enough to deal with the thugs.

“On the ground… now!”

Hearing Samuel’s warning and seeing his flashing golden light, the three men laid on their stomachs and did not dare attempt anything. Meanwhile, the student fished out his phone again and called his father, who was actually a Detective.

Everything proceed smoothly and without violence, but, Zeke soon noticed something appear from a broken metal fence a short distance away from Samuel and the surrendering thugs.

At first, it was only an uncommon distortion, followed thereafter by the appearance of an ominous swirling black mist. It crept from behind Samuel and was soundlessly drifting toward him.

Zeke was surprised and the panic kicked in instantly, but that didn’t stop him from revealing himself.

“Watch out!”

His warning didn’t escape either the thugs or Samuel’s ears. The latter turned around and saw a thick black mist coming right at him, causing him to drop his phone and use both hands to create something akin to a protective barrier made of his brilliant golden light.

As for Zeke, he used ‘Voltage Zap’, sparing no Aether as a thick bolt of lightning shot at the mist, stopping it at the last moment.

Fortunately, his timely interception did stop the mist but it resulted in a burst of crazed and bone-chilling laughter to reverberate across the backstreet.

The thugs, pale-faced and shocked to the core, shouted fearfully as they sat up and tried to make a run for it. Alas, the mist was a step faster as it exploded forth and enveloped the whole place, trapping all five people inside.

Zeke rushed to Samuel’s side, frantically looking around as lightning currents crackled around his hands.

“W-what’s going on?!”

Samuel did not have time to think about Zeke’s abrupt appearance, he was staring at the mist revolving around them, trying to make sense of the situation.

“Stay close! CLOSE!” Zeke beckoned the thugs to not touch the mist, and they were unexpectedly obedient. Like frightened chickens, they grouped near the two students, shaking in fear.