Mr. Lee lightened Leon's mood as soon as he saw a change in his face while he kept turning the badge.
"Sir, are you sure I have any unique power? I don't remember doing anything mysterious like the others did when they were between the ages of one to three."
Leon tried to grin, but his inner sorrow was visible in his words.
"Don't take their words so seriously. The people you're talking of had no power—they just stole strength and abilities from the poor before gaining their own."
As Mr. Lee's words faded, Leon's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"Do you mean someone's ability can be stolen? And mentioning 'poor'… does that mean mine was stolen before I was born? Hmm."
Leon couldn't hold himself straight. His face became dull and creepy, showing he was fully convinced his own had been stolen too.
"Yes, it can be stolen. But before the rich steal from the poor, they must see the person using it—otherwise, it's impossible. Once taken, it can become a burden if they misuse it, or even turn them into monsters—if greed consumes them."
Mr. Lee clarified things for Leon, calming his rising curiosity, and then alerted him it was time to go to a different class.
"After school, wait for me. I have something to tell you."
Just before parting ways, Mr. Lee gave Leon a final statement to think about.
Leon tried to reminisce about whether he'd done anything mysterious in his childhood.
But to his surprise, it was almost as if those memories were wiped from his mind.
Not a single one was in his mind. All that he could remember was his tenth birthday.
"You will crawl beneath my feet if I find out it's your father. I'll make sure you pay for what you did, bastard!"
Vera screamed at Leon for rejecting the offer she presented the moment he entered the classroom for the final period.
While Leon waited outside, clutching the frayed straps of his patched bag, he wished he could grow up faster.
Porsche cars of different brands, colors, and sizes idled nearby.
Tiger winked at Leon—then, as usual, hurled an empty soda bottle at him for looking away. The bottle struck Leon's head, igniting his rage.
Leon swatted it off every time Tiger did that, but this time it was over him. His fist clenched instantly.
But for Tiger, this was just another way to spill and taste blood.
"Yes! That's how I love it."
He laughed as he moved closer. His steps and heaving chest drew lustful stares from passing ladies. Some swayed it off, while others stayed, wishing to have a chat with him later.
"Cut the crap, Tiger!" Immediately Tiger raised his hand to strike, Mr. Lee swung open the huge glass entrance door.
"You won't be under his protection forever, remember!" Tiger whispered into Leon's ears, but the reply stunned him.
"Hahaha! I don't need any protection against you! If you dare, try!"
Leon's voice was soft, almost gentle, yet the effect on Tiger was visceral.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, I know where you live, the road you walk to school…"
Tiger paused, trying to remember something, "…and where your little sister takes your blind, crippled mother every Thursday morning."
"If you dare touch any of them, I'll erase your entire lineage!" Leon's eyes glowed faintly as he whispered—but Mr. Lee saw how furious, dangerous, and distinct such a glow is.
"Cut the crap, Tiger! Why not take someone of your own size?" Mr. Lee pushed Tiger away from Leon.
"Wait! Lol, did you let that man push you?" One student standing beside Tiger's car shouted.
Causing the rest to laugh at Mr. Lee.
"If not for the tiny respect I have for my great-grandfather—who's the founder of this school, may his soul rest in pieces—I'd have turned you into a puppet."
Tiger stepped closer to Mr. Lee as his friends egged him on.
Mr. Lee shook his head. "If you like, try, and you'll regret it for the rest of your life."
Tiger lunged to hit Mr. Lee. But immediately he spotted a black-hooded man, he dashed into his jeep.
"Did you see how he ran? That's how strong I am. Never let yourself be belittled by anyone—including me. Not even once, not twice, never."
Mr. Lee's quiet chuckle drew a smile from Leon.
As they reached the teachers' parking lot, Mr. Lee took out his BMW key fob.
Leon was awestruck by the car as soon as it responded to Mr. Lee's click. "Is that yours?"
For someone born and raised in slums, he'd never touched, let alone sat in a car of that caliber.
The only ones he'd seen were those passing by on the road during school hours and the ones that keep splashing water whenever he's on the road to school.
"Hop in. I'll give you a sheet to read while I drop you off at your junction."
As the door opened, a black-hooded man stepped out and greeted Mr. Lee.
Leon recognized him—the same figure he'd seen when Tiger fled. "Who is he?" he muttered.
Sensing Leon's hesitation, the black-hooded man strode straight to him. His movements were so swift even a storm would bow before him.
"I'm Wang. And you are?" His dominance, stature, and strength radiated from his voice to his posture.
"Uncle, is he the one you always mention? He looks frail… almost sickly." The black-hooded man turned his head towards Mr. Lee with a smirk.
"What?! He called him 'uncle'? But judging by his build and hair, they seem to be of the same age—maybe a year or two older than Mr. Lee, so how?"
Leon stammered; even after sitting in the car, his eyes darted between their faces.
Then, right after taking off, Mr. Lee handed Leon a black envelope sealed with red wax—thick as clotted blood.
"Open and check every detail inside. It'll help clarify all your thoughts—even why it's in an envelope of this color."
Mr. Lee smirked, then shifted gears.
The buildings blurred past like a rolling sky, yet Leon still caught Tiger's venomous glare as they drove by.
"I'd love to see how he really fights…" Leon whispered, smiling faintly before breaking the seal.