Lord Of Beasts

Ethan was eager to learn from Holt in the same way he did from everyone around him. In his first gate, he learned from Darius, and in this one, he learned the most from Dave. The monk’s mana control bordered on ridiculous, and before entering the Gate, Ethan honestly wasn’t sure who would’ve won between them.

Now, things were very different, and it put into perspective how quickly he had improved.

’His lasers are still dangerous.’

He wasn’t arrogant enough to underestimate them and knew that one clean hit could still ruin his day.

’But all I’ve got to do is survive the first one.’

His eyes drifted over Dave’s frail body.

’After that... he’s basically a sitting duck, and I could probably finish him off before he even managed to fire one my way.’

That wasn’t to say Dave was a weak C Rank; it was just that Ethan had surpassed him in a single day, and nobody had any qualms with him being recognised as a B Rank.

’To think that at one point he and the Bulldozer would have been what I was aiming for, and now it’s monsters like that Titan dude.’

Ethan had been very reminiscent since exiting the gate, almost as if regaining his bearing and appreciating his position more after the mental torment he experienced. But his thoughts were interrupted when several mechanics wheeled over an entire line of motorcycles.

There had to be nearly a dozen, and every model looked expensive: from sports bikes to dirt bikes and even a massive Harley-style cruiser.

Kaela’s eyes lit up after seeing what had been prepared for her.

"I’ll take this one."

Before any of the black suits could even hand her paperwork, she swung her leg over the biggest of the bikes.

Vroooom!

The engine roared to life, and without another word, she shot down the runway. Several Association employees instinctively flinched before relaxing, knowing that a single motorbike was a small price to pay.

"It’s much easier than repairing another city block."

Another nodded knowingly.

"If she jumped home..."

He whistled.

"...we’d be handling road repairs all week."

Everyone present knew exactly what they meant.

Kaela travelled by launching herself like a missile through sheer physical strength, and every landing left spiderweb cracks in the concrete, while every takeoff looked like a small explosion. Buying her a motorcycle, despite already having more than she could count, was infinitely cheaper.

Within seconds, the roaring engine disappeared into the distance.

As for Seraphina, she didn’t even bother looking at the vehicles, stretching momentarily before vanishing. A pink blur streaked across the runway before disappearing over the airport wall.

"More food," Ethan heard her mutter as she left.

He laughed.

’Guess she still hasn’t fully recovered.’

After starving herself for nearly an entire day inside the Gate while her Titled ability ate away at her body, she went to the nearest restaurant she could find. And knowing Seraphina, she was about to consume more food tonight than a large family ate in a week.

Watching the two women disappear in opposite directions was strangely amusing.

Then a convoy of black SUVs rolled across the runway, with association personnel stepping out and approaching each of them.

"Transportation has been arranged. Please inform us of your destination."

Most of the group simply nodded and entered one of the vehicles, especially the Association Head, who was quickly driven off without ceremony.

But Ethan had something else in mind.

A suited Association employee approached politely.

"Mr Crowe, where would you like to-"

Before he could even finish, the blue-eyed man interrupted, "I think I’d rather borrow one of those."

He pointed toward the remaining motorcycles.

The man blinked.

"We’ll need authoris-"

Ethan was already walking over and swung his leg over a slick black sports motorcycle.

’It’s like something straight out of an action movie.’

Despite having one arm in a cast and wincing each time he moved it, he still planned on using his scorched fingers to ride it.

The black suit sighed, not even bothering to try to stop Ethan or get him to change his mind. Titled were notoriously stubborn and eccentric, and that only seemed to increase the stronger they got.

Ethan grinned as he looked over his shoulder.

"You hopping on?"

Elara shook her head at first.

Then, without saying anything, she quietly climbed onto the seat behind him. Her movements were hesitant and careful as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Almost immediately, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

They’d stood close plenty of times before, but it felt a little more intimate than she was used to.

She could feel the warmth radiating from his body and his familiar scent, which was a mix of cigarettes and something unmistakably Ethan, was strangely comforting.

’Thankfully, he showered before this.’

The thought made her blush even harder as she buried her face into his wide upper back, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Ethan confidently grabbed the handlebars.

"Alright."

He turned the key that was left in the bike and pressed the starter...

But nothing happened.

"..."

He frowned and pressed it again.

The engine coughed but died just as quickly.

"Come on, man."

He tried a third time, and the motorcycle lurched violently before stalling.

Ethan slowly looked around.

Fortunately, almost everyone had already driven away and didn’t get to see him struggle to start the bike.

’Kaela would have had a field day with that.’

He scratched the back of his neck.

"It’s been a while..."

A quiet voice came from behind him.

"D-Do..."

He turned slightly.

Elara looked determined.

"D-Do...you...know...how?"

She visibly struggled with every word, and even forming the sentence left her breathing slightly harder, but it was definitely progress.

Ethan couldn’t help smiling.

Just hearing her willingly try made him happier than he’d expected.

"I do."

He laughed awkwardly.

"I just haven’t ridden one in years."

He thought back to joyriding on motorcycles with Mark after dropping out of high school.

"But when I was a kid, I may have borrowed a few."

She tilted her head.

"Borrowed?"

Ethan just laughed, which made it clear to Elara that he meant stolen, but before she could say anything else, it all came back to him.

’Clutch, starter, and a slight twist of the throttle,’ he could almost hear Mark’s younger voice teaching him how to do it.

The engine growled properly this time, and just like that, they were off...

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