CHAPTER 205: NEW BODY 2

The scarred man, Edward, saw him coming. His eyes went wide with surprise. In addition to surviving his assault, the boy was now charging back, prepared to engage in combat.

He squinted, a smile emerging on his face. He clenched his fist and ran forward, directly confronting Adam’s charge. There was going to be a great power struggle.

However, a new figure appeared between them at an impossible speed just before they could collide. Ricky was there, his red hair a fiery banner against the village’s dusty background. He had suddenly materialized, directly in the line of their two assaults.

When Adam noticed him, he made an automatic attempt to stop him, but it was too late. Already released, the whirling ball of magical energy in his hand was a lethal projectile yelling at his new father.

He noticed that Edward was in the same situation at the same moment. He was unable to stop either, coming within inches of hitting Ricky in the chest with his own strong blow.

Adam’s thoughts were racing, "I have to reroute this attack." A teleportation spell, a brief flash of movement to move himself or the attack away, was what he was about to use. Then he paused.

He turned to face Ricky, the man who was now well his father. No, he thought as an odd protective instinct arose inside him. I must defend the father of this body. Regardless.

However, Ricky moved before Edward’s fist could land and Adam could take action. With unbelieveable speed, he arose both of his hands out. He did not block. He did not avoid.

He managed to capture them. Both attacks were halted when one hand closed tightly on Edward’s fist and the other engulfed Adam’s glowing hand.

The combined force of the two canceled-out attacks had nowhere to go. It erupted outwards, a violent shockwave of pure force that blasted through the clearing. A wall of wind tore through the village street, kicking up a storm of dust and debris, causing the nearby houses to groan and shudder.

Adam was stunned. He was absolutely certain that his attack had been powerful enough to launch Edward clean out of the village. He had been completely confident in his magic. Yet, Ricky had absorbed the full impact without so much as flinching. This man’s strength was on a completely different level.

Edward, however, did not seem surprised. He pulled his fist back from Ricky’s grip and bowed his head, a look of genuine apology on his face.

"I’m sorry, big brother," he said. "I got too excited."

Ricky turned to him, his expression stern. "Edward, how many times have I told you to control your emotions?"

Edward lowered his head further, a chastised child before his elder. Adam slowly pulled his hand back, the green magical energy fading from his palm.

Ricky then turned his gaze to Adam. He said nothing. He just looked at him for a long, silent moment, his eyes filled with a strange, unreadable expression. Then, he turned and began to walk away. Edward watched him go, a bewildered look on his face. He had seen something unexpected, something that did not make sense.

As Ricky walked, he glanced down at the hand he had used to stop Adam’s attack. It was trembling slightly. Something has changed, he thought to himself, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. This... this is not the same Adam. That attack... it was powerful enough to damage even me.

A short distance away, Anastasia appeared in the doorway of their house. She had seen the entire exchange. She stormed towards her father, her face a mask of indignation. "Aren’t you going to punish him for this?" she demanded, pointing an accusing finger at Adam.

Ricky completely ignored her. He just continued walking towards the house. Anastasia, incensed, grabbed his arm. "He made a mistake! He attacked Uncle Edward!"

Suddenly, Ricky whirled around, his eyes blazing with a fierce, unexpected rage. "Are you trying to order me around?" he growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

Anastasia was so startled by his sudden fury that she instantly let go of his arm. She lowered her head, her own anger immediately extinguished by fear. "I’m sorry, Father," she said softly. "I spoke in anger."

Ricky stared at her for a moment longer, then turned and disappeared into the house. Anastasia was left standing there, her fear quickly turning back into a boiling, impotent rage. She turned and glared at Adam, her eyes filled with a venomous hatred.

Adam was confused. What is this girl’s problem?

Edward glanced at Anastasia, then smirked. He spoke to Adam without looking at him, his voice low and amused. "Looks like she’s mad at you again. Just like always."

Fuming, Anastasia stormed towards Adam. "Once again, you had to appear in front of me," she spat, her voice sharp and dripping with contempt. "I have always hated you!" Her words grew colder, more pointed. "I told you last time to die... and yet you’re still here. You couldn’t even respect that wish of mine."

Adam was truly stunned now. Did this boy... did he really do something so terrible to her? He didn’t know. He had received none of the memories of the body he now inhabited. The history between these two siblings was a complete mystery to him.

Just then, Edward’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. "You’re forgetting the rules, Anastasia."

She did not respond. She just shot Adam one last look of pure loathing, then turned and stormed away. As she left, she threw one last, venomous comment over her shoulder. "I wish you had never been born."

Adam watched her disappear, a strange feeling settling in his chest. This boy... he has lived such a harsh life.

Edward walked up to him, his expression now gentle, concerned. "Don’t take what she said too seriously," he said. "But I do want to ask... does she always treat you like this? And have you ever told anyone?"

Adam looked up at his new uncle, at the powerful man with the scarred face, and for the first time since his arrival, he was at a complete loss for words.

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We are so grateful to each and every one of you for joining the adventure! Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I appreciate each and every one of your Power Stones, which are like mana potions that keep me writing if you are enjoying the story.

Let us have some fun now! I want YOU in this world. The new signature technique is about to be named by our hero. What ought it to be called?

Leave your most inventive suggestions in the comments section! I will choose my favorite, and it will be included in the story’s canon with a special mention for you.

I am eager to read your insightful recommendations!

Alphaboss

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