Miles and Malcolm sparred for half an hour, yet Miles couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes. Malcolm was controlling his strength, yet he was still too fast and experienced for Miles. Any technique Malcolm was using was low-tier, yet when executed by him, they had different charms.

For example, Malcolm was using Baron Green Knight’s Charge too, but the distance he could travel, the execution time of the technique, and the movements he was doing to execute the technique were times and times better than Miles.

In an analogy, it was like drawing a house. With the same pen and paper, Miles had to draw a hundred lines to form the house, while Malcolm was able to do it by drawing 50 lines. His speed of drawing and quality of the lines were much better than Miles’s too. In the end, Malcolm could deliver a better painting in less time by using fewer materials.

Of course, that was all thanks to his vast experience. Miles would catch up with him sooner or later.

“Seems like you will not be able to touch me.” Malcolm grinned after noticing Miles was sweating bullets. The energy wasn’t infinite after all, and Miles was executing techniques bountifully. He was running out of energy and his movements were getting clumsy.

“Alright, my final attack,” Miles said and raised his hand in the shape of a claw. His nails protruded from his fingers like fine claws. Miles raised his hand above his head and vanished with Charge. He was a few steps away from Malcolm when he swung his hand downward.

The claws cut the air like beams of light, and five beams shone in Malcolm’s eyes. He was so shocked, he forgot to evade the attack, but luckily his body was too strong to get hurt by Miles. Five beams landed on his body and made him take a step back, but he didn’t seem to notice it. He was still looking at Miles with bewilderment.

“This attack?” He asked. Couldn’t finish what he wanted to say.

“Yeah, it was alien’s. I was trying to mimic it for the last six months, and finally managed to do it.” Miles smirked.

Malcolm’s face twitched for a while then laughed heartily. “I have a genius son. Haha!” He was beaming with joy. “Let’s go. Your mother was worried about you.”

Soon, they left the training grounds and Miles grabbed Coin. They moved to the study room. Mercer, Evelyn, and Merlin were there too. Marcela started her obligatory service in the Police Force when she turned 20 a few months back. Of course, Mercer found her a safe place to laze or enter the Portal World all day, but she still had to be there most of the time.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Congratulations, brother. Now you are a real hunter!” Merlin was the first to greet.

“Thanks, Merlin.” Miles smiled happily. Soon others congratulated too. Miles thanked them and exchanged pleasantries. “Where is Rayen?” Since he was training with Malcolm for the last half-year, he was living there. He brought Rayen with him.

Just last month, Rayen’s school took them to Portal World through a controlled portal. She, for the first time, experienced a new world and saw monsters with her two eyes. She was also breaking out of her shell although slowly. She even had friends she was invited to house, or she was going for overnights.

“She was practicing with Kenway. She was having trouble with a technique.” Evelyn said.

“She has a pretty good talent. She learns techniques quickly when she grasps the basics.” Malcolm praised her. Miles somehow felt proud.

“By the way, what are you going to do now, Miles? Do you have any plans?” Merlin asked.

“Why do you ask?” Miles was confused. Merlin wasn’t a person who would ask meaningless questions.

“You know the academy we own right?” Merlin asked. Miles noticed an unusual expression on Mercer’s face. Although he looked as indifferent as he always was, Miles could feel his ears were perked to their conversation.

“I do. But I have other plans.” Miles shook his head.

“What other plans?” Mercer asked with anger, then said with his listless expression, “Not that I am interested or anything, just curious.”

“I will take the test for Beast Breeding Academy,” Miles said with a resolute face.

“What!” Mercer, Malcolm, Evelyn, and Merlin, all four at the same time asked with shock.

“Are you out of mind, Miles? Do you know what that academy does…” Evelyn.

“Miles, you have to think this through. That place is a hell hole…” Merlin.

“Son, are you sure about it? Do you know how they test right?” Malcolm.

“Hah! As if you can join there.” Mercer.

“You shouldn’t worry about it. I will be taking the alternative test since I don’t have any superpowers.” Miles said with a bright smile.

“Oh, right.” All four of them exclaimed at the same time.

“You can’t!” Mercer shouted after a while. “You are a Cross and you should attend our academy!”

“Father!” Evelyn stopped Miles while stopping Mercer. “We talked about this.”

“At the time he was just an…” Mercer started but didn’t finish his sentence.

“An what?” Miles smirked as he looked at his grandfather. “An Oafish? A useless person? A cripple?

Now that I proved to everyone that I am not inferior, you want to control me once again?”

“I am just doing what is the best for the family,” Mercer answered back with a righteous expression. “Daughter of the Barretto Family will start our academy this year. I want you to accompany her during her stay. She will also visit this week. You two can get to know each other.”

“Mercer!” Miles called out his grandfather in an ominous tone. He looked at the old man in a cold manner. Although he was a lot weaker than the old beast, he was truly angered.

“Father!” Malcolm too looked at the General with a disappointed look. “You lost all your rights over Miles when you stopped him from using the name of Cross. I told you over and over again, Miles is free to do whatever he wants.”

“Fine!” Mercer waved his arms as he stormed out. “Fine. Go and die in that stupid test! See if I care!”