The gauntlet let out a series of eerie blue sparks leading straight to the blue core at the centre.

The blue core flashed then exploded.

The explosion blasted soot across Dean’s face.

Even as Ash wobbled beside him, equally blackened.

Then Olsen quickly pulled off the gauntlet, sending it flying to the other side of the room where it exploded again amongst a chunk of bolts and scraps. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Though it was nothing ground breaking, the explosion was still enough that it left the gauntlet in a broken state with small flames on its surface.

"That was close.." Olsen said. As he walked towards the burning gauntlet. Sprinkling a foggy liquid on it.

Ash blinked twice at Olsen.

Then sneezed out a puff of smoke.

A minute later, the workshop was now settled, Dean had cleaned his face and Ash’s summoning was released.

Olsen placed the remains of the damaged gauntlet on the workbench. As he began inspecting it.

"...so what happened?" Dean asked, still feeling the phantom itch of the explosion on his face and his hand. Luckily it wasn’t that serious.

Examining the gauntlet, Olsen turned to Dean. "What rank are you?"

"Elite tier 4, last I checked.." Dean raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"That explains it," Olsen grinned. " I need to improve the reinforcement. Your channeling pressure overwhelmed it."

"Overwhelmed it?" Dean repeated like he didn’t get the gist.

’But I’m actually just Elite tier 2’ And yet it blowed up.

Dean shook his head and sighed. "Then it’s useless for me?"

"Hahahaha," Olsen laughed. "Never say Never...mate!"

"So...you can fix it." Dean inquired.

"Improve it.." Olsen grinned. "This is only the prototype."

"Yeah.. that’s right," Dean said as he pulled a chair and watched Olsen work.

But then again, he wasn’t necessarily watching Olsen, the orange interface of the system was in his face.

Ding!

[You have completed a self-imposed objective]

[You have helped Olsen test a prototype]

[Rewards: 1000EXP]

Dean looked at the system and couldn’t help the growing joy. He’d amassed so much experience today and this would very much help to compensate for the three days he wouldn’t be at the academy.

And even though he was distracted earlier by Olsen’s flux tech, tha wasn’t the main reason he was here.

Dispelling the system screens, he turned to Olsen and was about to speak when the boy turned to him, holding a snack bar. "Want one?"

"No," Dean shook his head.

"Your loss," Olsen pulled back his hand as he took a bite.

"So about your Hel’Khar challenge?" Olsen asked before Dean could say another word.

"What about it?"

"Why?" Olsen asked with a tone that showed worry.

Dean stayed silent. He couldn’t answer the boy because he actually couldn’t find a instant answer.

Olsen shook his head at the silence. "You don’t have to tell me, but you know after your first fight that Marcus is stronger and faster,"

"But I won," Dean retorted with a calm tone.

"Yeah.. but that was just a spar."

"Hel’Khar is no different though." Dean shifted in his seat. "It’s just a spar with alot more restraints."

Dean paused and tapped the table as if he was trying to put his thoughts together.

"Astrea and Ymir said so," Dean concluded.

Olsen nearly dropped the snack bar.

"You were with Ymir Argent?"

"You know her?" Dean was surprised. He would think Olsen been always in the workshop wouldn’t know a lot of people.

"Of course," Olsen’s face brightened. "She’s the heiress of the Argent pack. I’m obliged to know most house’s heirs and heiresses."

"So you know i’m a heir too?" Dean looked at the boy with narrowed eyes.

"You are?" Olsen asked genuinely surprised and excited.

"Coming-of-age ceremony’s in two days."

"Why didn’t you tell me," Olsen reached forward and playfully punched Dean on his right arm.

"I was planning to.." Dean winced slightly.

Olsen’s punch was harder than Dean had expected. It might have been just a gesture but it was actually heavy. And it made his right arm go numb for a few seconds.

Olsen noticed the discomfort in Dean’s eyes immediately. "Sorry about that mate."

Rubbing the back of his head slightly, his expression became solemn. "I tend to forget my own strength sometimes."

"Ohh.. don’t worry. Just caught me by surprise," Dean retorted, faking a chuckle.

He didn’t want the boy feeling bad but also had to admit, he was now even more curious.

If Olsen was this strong...

’Then why did he let people walk over him?’

After Dean assured him, it was fine. Olsen’s expression finally returned to normal.

"Happy birthday then.." Olsen said. As he picked up some tools.

"Thank you," Dean smiled. "So as a senior heir of a house. Any tips?"

"Your extended family will hate you," Olsen said jokingly as he loose a nut on the gauntlet.

"But you’ll be fine."

Dean nodded. That was a valid and a fair point. Not everyone would be happy about him becoming heir to the family’s name.

But that was a problem for later. Right now, he already had a lot on his plate.

And first things first. He needed to prepare to leave. The day was already coming to an end and tomorrow he had to travel.

Standing up, Dean arranged his backpack. "I have to go pack, leaving tomorrow,"

"Alright..." Olsen raised his face. "See you back at the Dorm."

"Ohh..you coming.."

"Once I finish with this," Olsen replied as he raised the gauntlet.

Dean was about walking out when he paused by the doorway.

"I accepted Hel’Khar for one reason."

Olsen raised his head.

"To get stronger."

Olsen noided with a small smile. "Then Marcus better be ready."

Dean scoffed as he walked out of the workshop.

"That’s my line..."

***

The dorm room suddenly felt smaller than usual. Dean dropped a smaller travel bag on the bed and started packing.

He picked some clothes out of the thrift shop Yuki forced him to bring here.

But amongst the clothes, he saw something he had almost forgotten was even there. The gift from his cousin Yin.

He barely held the sealed box when a system notification flew into his view.

[Relic Detected: Imperfect Shard of Evolution]

[Origin: Unknown]

[Compatibility: Very High]

[Usage: Classified ( Unlock at Elite tier 10)]

[Warning: Unstable resonance detected with one of your summons]

Dean’s expression slowly hardened.

"...Ash?"