Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Training
"I've actually encountered him once before, but I just ran away."
Shinoa told me once we teleported to the rooftop of one of Gotham's buildings.
It was cloudy as usual in Gotham, and that was normal.
"Batman?"
"Yeah."
Shinoa nodded.
"I think now he'll try to catch me... It'll just be more fun."
Shinoa smirked.
"What's this?"
Shinoa scraped off some frozen foam from her scythe, but there was still plenty of it.
"Apparently, he planned to stop us this way."
I used alchemy to simply wipe away the foam and a couple of bugs that he attached to Shinoa.
"It's too bad it's pointless."
"You said he's mentally unstable. Is that true?"
Shinoa asked curiously.
"And what's our next move?"
"Well, let's put it this way, a sane person wouldn't dress up as a bat and beat up people on the street while instilling fear in everyone and just behaving like an emo jerk who can't even talk if he doesn't like something. He's not a bad person, but we're just not on the same page with him."
Black Mask knew nothing about the recent attempt on Lena's and my lives.
However, this is what I expected.
There are many different people who might not like what we're doing, especially in Gotham as we've already said that we'll assist the police in this city.
Moreover, soon this help will take on a more material aspect in the form of ammunition, special equipment, and weapons.
...
"Master Wayne, perhaps it's time for you to stop jumping around rooftops in your armor and think about starting a family?"
Alfred asked Bruce in a steady tone.
"We've already discussed this... This city needs Batman."
Batman replied while holding a bag of ice slightly below his chest, where a bruise was visible.
"People like this guy in the mask do whatever they want, whenever they want. They shoot, they kill people...
"Does the city need Batman, or do you?"
Alfred closed his eyes for a moment and whispered.
"As far as I know, only the worst criminals have died at his hands."
Alfred decided to say.
"That doesn't change the fact that he spills blood. And you heard him... He knows who I am."
Bruce said, staring tensely at the monitor screen beneath his mansion in the Batcave.
"And that scares me."
Alfred sighed and picked up a glass from the table, placing it on the tray in front of him.
"Master Wayne, you've met him already; he's clearly superhuman and fighting him one-on-one..."
"I understand. But how did he find out about me? And this assistant of his... judging by the voice, she's a girl, but the voice is clearly changed. She runs around the city almost every night and..."
"... does the same thing you do that creeps around the places and beats up criminals. This city is getting more restless with each passing day."
"Indeed."
Bruce nodded and inspected his bruise.
"She also has super strength. She might know who's behind the mask if they know each other. So, we need to find her first.
"Hmm, what about Bane?"
"He's lying low... After our last confrontation..."
Batman grimaced at the memories.
If he hadn't had experience with someone super strong like the one in the mask before the fight with Bane, he wouldn't have been prepared for what happened.
He was lucky he only broke a couple of ribs, not his spine.
"...he's lying low, waiting and preparing for something."
"But you have to admit, your life has become easier without the Riddler and especially without the Joker."
Alfred couldn't help but remark.
"Yes, but at what cost... If he goes down this path, innocent blood will be on his hands at some point. I've seen it before, and it never ends well. Once you start killing, you can't stop."
...
"Administrator-kun, are you trying to propose to me again?"
Shinoa feigned embarrassment when I offered her a ring.
"This ring is made of Eighth Metal. It'll make you slightly stronger."
I said, rolling my eyes.
We were both in the LuthorCorp building in Gotham. I had already given the same ring to Lena and Cortana.
"Go to bed now; you have to study tomorrow."
"Hmm, only after you punish that naughty girl... punish her a few times."
Shinoa whispered seductively in my ear.
How could I refuse in such a situation?
After the "punishment," Shinoa fell asleep with a silly smile on her face, and I took a picture of her and sent it to the chat.
Recently, Hermione broadcasted the first task of the "Triwizard Tournament," but Fleur won as she managed to retrieve the egg with a small loss.
Harry's dragon almost broke loose from its chain because people could have been hurt If it weren't for Dumbledore.
Rias Gremory: When she sleeps, she looks very innocent and cute.
Winter Schnee: Taking pictures of sleeping people is not the best idea.
Rias Gremory: Oh, come on, Winter-chan, don't be such a grump. It's cute!
Erina Nakiri: It's a little...
Anthony (Administrator): That was the purpose of the photo.
Hermione Granger: Tony, I was thinking... maybe we could all meet up outside of a mission? I mean, all of us from the chat.
Anthony (Administrator): Hmm, I don't mind. Of course, I have plenty of tasks, but not so many that I couldn't find time for a meeting. Who's in? Shinoa definitely won't object.
Rias Gremory: I'm in, training and studying have become boring...
Winter Schnee: I don't mind as long as it's not for too long.
Erina Nakiri: Where do you want to meet?
...
In a somewhat famous camp where culinary students strive to improve, Eerina abruptly stood up and rushed out of the class.
She had passed all the tests before this one with honors in a short period of time, and no one said anything to her.
It was clear from her face that she was excited about something.
...
"A m-meeting? I'm ready... at my place?"
She said it abruptly as if trying to hypnotize herself with the received message.
Anthony (Administrator): I suggest meeting in Erina's world if she's okay with it. I wanted to take a couple of cooking lessons from her. She's an expert and the world is mostly peaceful, where we can relax and talk without any gods or anyone else interfering.
"I'm n-not against it. Why should I be against it? It's just a meeting of friends and nothing more. Besides, he wants to learn to cook well and he's going to me for that because I'm Erina Nakiri."
Erina said with "big" eyes out of excitement while calming her breath.
Erina Nakiri: Why not? I'm in the camp right now; we'll be back in a few days, and I'll prepare rooms for you.
Anthony (Administrator): Let me know when you're back.
"Hmm, another to do added... but at least it's pleasant."
I said that and teleported to Zatanna.
I promised to help her decipher some books from her father's collection.
These books were written in ancient Atlantean which was no problem for me.
We already knew from training that Zatanna had been cursed, and we even figured out what kind of spell it was... which made Zatanna curse the one who had cast it on her.
Allura cast a spell on her father and on her.
They will both die if they meet in person.
The closer her father is to her, the more pain she will feel... So yes, Zatanna had a reason to curse to her heart's content.
"And it doesn't say here how to lift the curse..."
Zatanna said wearily.
"It's very tricky, especially since even your father couldn't lift the curse."
I responded while floating in the air and surrounded by books.
This curse is really not removable without causing harm to Zatanna. At least, it's just not possible based on my current knowledge.
"I understand perfectly well."
Zatanna snorted and stared disapprovingly at the book while sneaking glances at me.
"What? I can feel your attention even with my eyes closed."
I informed her.
"I just wanted to say thank you... for helping me."
Zatanna said.
"You're welcome."
I waved my hand as if it were a normal matter.
After a few hours, I went back to Metropolis and decided to fulfill my promise.
I teleported Cortana, Lena, and myself to my office and reached the spacious room where I used to train my powers.
"So... where do we start? I couldn't even walk half a year ago, so, little brother, be gentle with me."
Lena said she was a little nervous.
"Lena, if you keep talking like that, we'll do something else."
I sighed, and she just smiled "innocently."
"I support your sister's questions."
Cortana spoke up.
"Let's start with examples and from the very beginning — stances."
I said, and began demonstrating the movements of Bang's techniques, with which my assimilation reached forty-five percent.
I had enough Gacha Points to play again, especially since a new month started a couple of days ago, but I'm postponing it now.
"Hmm, Cortana, you remember the movements well especially when you practice."
I praised Cortana, causing her to shyly lower her head...
"You're just a very good teacher as if you've done this before."
Cortana said, hitting the nail on the head. Bang's experience is priceless in such moments, even if it is incomplete.
"I can feel your movements even with my eyes closed... like everyone else in the surroundings, but I'm usually used to not paying attention to them."
Cortana explained.
"I told you that you're capable of sensing the electromagnetic spectrum of radiation. Even with your eyes closed, you should still be "seeing" everything."
I said this as we began a little sparring session.
At first, her movements were clumsy, but even then, they carried a force capable of easily piercing through a building.
She proved this when she closed her eyes. She suddenly changed the attack, and I had to take the blow on my block to avoid counterattacking.
This blow made my body literally slip across the floor, leaving trenches with my feet in the torn concrete and other covering materials.
"Well, purely in terms of strength, you could compete with the nobles of Shinoa's. Around with the Third and possibly the Second Progenitor."
I muttered quietly.
"Lena, it's your turn."
I called Lena who had been sitting and watching us until then.
It turns out that Lena also had a certain talent in this direction, or perhaps her open aura and meta-genes did their job.
After all, all her mental processes work much better than those of an ordinary person.
Therefore, she quickly memorized the movements and could imitate them after a couple of attempts.
On the other hand, Cortana decided to try training without her normal vision so she asked me to make her a black mask.
Still, she could still perceive her surroundings quite well.
We sparred for two hours straight. They were extremely strong and could have kept going, but we had other things to do.
After finishing, they went to take a shower, and then we continued working.
Meanwhile, I teleported in my suit about a kilometer above the ground, where Kara was hanging out while eating ice cream and watching the city below.
"Oh."
Kara exclaimed sharply moving a couple of meters away from me.
"How did you sneak up behind me so silently?"
"Magic."
I shrugged, and colorful sparks sprinkled from my hands.
"What are you doing here? The view is beautiful... You weren't planning any terrorist attacks, I hope?"
I asked with a smirk, unable to ignore her figure in that outfit.
"No, I just got bored of staying at home."
Kara relaxed slightly.
"I can't see through your mask... and clothes, why?"
There was quite a bit of curiosity in her voice.
"Wait, you'll say 'magic,' right?"
"Yeah, you're right because it really is magic."
"You're Anthony Luthor, aren't you? I remembered your face."
Kara said, licking her ice cream as if she had uncovered my terrible secret, and her eyes seemed to sparkle.
"That's how heroes fall into the depths of despair... in front of beautiful blondes."
I removed my mask. I'd taken it off before, so she must've remembered my face. Well, it's not hard to remember me especially my eyes.
"Do you think I'm beautiful?"
Kara asked while floating a little higher and spinning around me.
"You're certainly not ugly. So what are you doing here? Besides boredom... and also in a new little costume."
I remarked.
"It's not new. It's one of the suits that were in my capsule."
Kara honestly replied.
"Clark... um, Superman..."
"You definitely wouldn't make a good spy, and I know all about that boy scout."
I waved my hand dismissively.
"It's important to face potential threats, just in case."
"Threats?"
Kara frowned slightly.
"Potential ones."
I corrected her.
"You understand that a being with immense power could come up with a lot of things. There are enough people in this world who could try to keep him in check... but most likely they'd come in at the last moment if they decided to intervene."
I said.
The view from here is truly mesmerizing. I understand why Kara enjoys flying like Clark.
...
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