Chapter 229 – Floor 41: Part 2

  Mathew felt a familiar sensation of Aether sweeping through him, strengthening his body and enhancing his mind. His understanding of the Celestial Language deepened slightly, and he had new insights into how the words could be structured and used.

  Aches and pains, hidden wounds that he had forgotten or ignored, were healed. He felt invigorated and refreshed, invincible and energized. But all too soon, the Aether faded away, and its work was done.

  Letting out a sigh, Mathew allowed his arm to lower. The burning words of the Status Screen faded away.

  He looked at his new Hero Registration card on the table, his picture at the words ‘Class C’ prominent on the front. It had just been delivered by a courier a few moments ago, the level he gained had been the reward for another Floor Objective completed.

  Tugging on his jacket, Mathew exited his room and made his way to the street below.

  The sun peeked over the skyline, already casting a warm glow on the bustling New York City sidewalk. The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the sounds of honking horns and the chatter of early morning commuters.

  Buses and cars rumbled past him, their engines roaring and sending out the familiar smell of pollution. As people walked past him, he heard snippets of conversation. The city was alive, and Mathew breathed it in.

  He had missed being home. But, if he needed a reminder that this wasn’t his city, it appeared as if by magic. Two young women were walking down the sidewalk toward him, their stride purposeful. The crowd parted around them and people stopped what they were doing to stare.

  Lumina strode down the bustling city sidewalk, her presence commanding attention even amid the morning rush. Dressed in her familiar, sleek and iridescence suit that shimmered like a cascade of colours in the sunlight, she moved with an effortless grace.

  Her hair flowed down her back like liquid gold, creating a halo effect around her that enhanced her natural beauty to levels that caused most of the people on the streets, including those on cars and buses, to stare.

  Her appearance would have caused a traffic jam if it wasn’t for the fact that it was morning in New York City and the streets were gridlocked already.

  Walking beside her was Elena, still dressed in a business suit with the League’s symbol on the front. She gave him a small wave when she spotted him, her face breaking into a smile.

  Mathew felt a surge of energy at the Hero’s approach, the familiar sensation of Mana and Aether enhancements pulsed in the air around her. It wasn’t enough for the ‘Buzz’ to activate, meaning she wasn’t powerful enough to threaten him, but it was still slightly uncomfortable to sense it from someone who wasn’t connected to the Tower of Avarice.

  “Good morning, Mathew.” Elena greeted him, echoed a moment later by the costumed hero. Mathew frowned at the pair.

  “Good morning, Elena. Do you need something? I thought our business was concluded; I have my new card.” Mathew said, pulling out the League registration card from his pocket and flashing it at her.

  “It was, but I’ve been assigned to be your new handler! Usually, only Class ‘B’ Heroes and above have a League handler, but I pulled some strings!” Elena exclaimed. The quickest way for her to be promoted within the League was to be a handler to a successful hero.

  Normally, she wouldn’t be able to scout potential Class ‘B’ heroes, someone with more experience at the League would already be in a position to become their handler. But Mathew was different, she already had a personal relationship with him and, since he had only been a Class ‘D’ when they met, no one else was interested in him.

  “Handler?” Mathew asked.

  “Handler’s act as your business manager and assistant, all in one. I’ll handle the press, your bookings and other arrangements. I’ll also be responsible for forwarding the League’s information on criminals and other activities, since you don’t have a phone.” Elena explained.

  “You should be happy; not everyone gets a Handler so early in their career. I would have killed to have someone like Elena when I was a Class ‘C’.” Lumina added. Mathew turned his attention to the costumed hero.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “You’re the Hero from yesterday, the one that was fighting the Villain who controlled shadows.” Mathew said, his frown deepening. He didn’t want to get too involved with the Heroes here. From his interactions with the League, it seemed like it would only result in headaches.

  They were too concerned with their appearances, and the Heroes here had a tendency to be boastful and vain.

  “I’m Lumina, Class ‘A.’ I didn’t get a chance to thank you for what you did.” Lumina said and Mathew shrugged in response. He had left the scene as soon as the Villain was subdued and hadn’t talked to her at all.

  “You’re welcome.” Mathew said. He was about to turn to Elena and ask if she had any information for him this morning when Lumina continued.

  “I’m also here to mentor you.” She stated, a look on her face that said, ‘I’m doing you a favour, and you should appreciate it.’

  “Mentor?” Mathew asked, looking to Elena for an explanation.

  “Senior Heroes, those who are Class ‘A’ and above, can choose to guide those of a lower rank. She has officially petitioned the League to have you classified as her ‘Trainee.’ Although, there is a more common way of saying it.” Elena looked uncomfortable for a moment, refusing to say the word that most people would recognize as the label for a Mentor/Mentee relationship between heroes.

  Mathew immediately understood.

  “You want me to be your sidekick?” He said, his voice laced with amusement. Lumina couldn’t have been more than twenty-five and was weaker than him. It was like if he had suddenly went up to Unyielding Declaration and asked the Deity to be his sidekick.

  The thought sent him into a fit of laughter.

  “No, you are my sidekick! It’s already official!” Lumina yelled, stomping her foot angrily at the tall young man. How dare he laugh at her! She was doing him a favour! Sure, he had saved her yesterday from Shade, but Lumina was convinced that he had only been able to do so because the Villain had been focused on her.

  Mathew showed potential, but he needed to be guided like any other young Hero.

  “Fine. If it’s official, I’ll go along with it.” Mathew said before looking at Elena.

  “Do you have anything for me today?” He asked.

  “Of course, I have a few things lined up for you both!” Elena replied, regaining her composure. She flipped open the folder she always carried and pulled out a couple of pieces of paper with a schedule on it.

  “There’s a community outreach event this morning. It’s a chance for you to connect with the community and build your public image.” Elena said.

  “Pass.” Mathew replied.

  “You can’t, it's a League-sanctioned event! You’re already booked along with Lumina! You will demonstrate and talk to the kids about being a hero. It’s a way to earn goodwill from the community and public recognition.” Elena argued.

  “It’s non-negotiable, we’re going.” Lumina said firmly. Mathew was about to argue when Elena chimed in.

  “There isn’t any information regarding Villains from the League today. If you don’t go, you’ll just have to sit around bored or hope to walk into some Villain.”

  “I’ve had luck with that so far.” Mathew said with a small grin, only to let out a sigh when neither woman budged.

  “Fine.” Mathew agreed. His goal was to reach Class ‘B’, and events like this might help. Besides, Elena was right; his only other option was to walk around the city.

  Page Break

  The event was taking place at a community center, with thousands of people in attendance. Both the parking lot outside and the building’s interior buzzed with life. Colourful banners were hung from the rafters to celebrate local heroes and tables were ranged with food, crafts and free trinkets, hats and t-shirts provided by the League.

  The crowd was a lively mix of families and children, all gathered to meet their heroes. Laughter echoed through the air as kids ran around, most wearing costumes imitating their favourite League Heroes. The atmosphere was electric, filled with excitement and anticipation as the audience’s energy swelled in response to the festivities.

  Lumina walked around, greeting her fans and performing by making displays of light in the air above them. Elena and Mathew stood to the side and watched; the former was happily enjoying the scene, while the latter looked like he was a moment away from bolting.

  “Thank you. I want you all to meet my new Sidekick, Mathew!” Lumina shouted, making sure to draw as much attention as possible to herself.

  It was gratifying seeing the look on Mathew’s face as hundreds of people turned to look at him. He looked like a deer in headlights for a moment.

  ‘Pay back!’ Lumina thought, thinking of how Mathew laughed at the idea of being mentored by her.

  Mathew’s eyes widened, and for a moment, he hesitated before letting out a deep sigh and running his hand through his hair in exasperation.

  This was the last thing he wanted to do today.

  “Alright, what do you want me to do?” Mathew asked Elena, turning his head to look at his ‘handler’ for advice. She cleared her throat before responding, not used to Mathew asking her for advice.

  “Just demonstrate something the kids will like. Don’t explode anything or make them float into the sky! I don’t want anyone traumatized today.” Elena hissed, thinking of what had happened to AcidFang, Brutus and Shade.

  Mathew quirked an eyebrow at her before stepping forward and reaching his hand out. Strangely, he made a grasping motion, and Elena blinked when she saw he held a small stone statue of a horse. Where had he gotten that?

  Mathew placed it gently on the ground in front of him and whispered.

  “Midnight.” He called, and the horse statue came to life. Elena watched in amazement as the small statue grew larger and its stone body darkened into a deep black. In a moment, a full-sized horse was standing in front of her, as real as any animal she had ever seen.

  “So, who wants to ride him?” Mathew asked.