Chapter 46: Mr. Grayson

Words : 994 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 46: Mr. Grayson Meanwhile, back in the training center, Mr. Halden made sure all the students left before looking at Lucas, who was still in the illusion. The boy stood in the center of the arena, drenched in sweat, his arms still swinging at invisible enemies. His face was red from the effort, jaw clenched tight. Every few seconds, he muttered something under his breath, lips moving rapidly like he was in the middle of a fight only he could see. Mr. Halden walked slowly around the arena, keeping a bit of distance just in case Lucas tried something unpredictable. It was hard to watch—a student so completely trapped inside his own head, acting like the hero of a battle that never happened. Then, with a tired sigh, the teacher pulled out his holo phone and quickly dialed a number. The call connected after a few rings. "Mr. Grayson," Halden said, keeping his tone polite but neutral. "Are you available to talk for a moment?" A loud laugh echoed through the line. "Halden! My man! Of course, of course. What’s the occasion?" the voice replied, cheerful and booming. "Don’t tell me you’re calling about the match? Someone from Ethan’s side crying foul already?" Mr. Halden blinked. "Not exactly." "Hah! I told Lucas it’d be over in minutes. That Ethan kid probably didn’t even know what hit him. So what’s up? Do you need me to sign off on a cleanup fee for the arena? Did my son go overboard again?" "Actually... that’s not it either," Halden said slowly. There was a pause. "...Then what is it?" Mr. Halden exhaled. "Lucas lost." The line went dead silent. Then came a low chuckle—not the kind that came from amusement, but one laced with disbelief and irritation. "Is that a joke?" "No, sir. I’m being serious. Lucas lost." Another silence followed. The cheerful tone was long gone. "That’s not funny, Halden. My son doesn’t lose. Especially not to someone like that." "I understand it’s hard to believe," Halden said calmly. "But it happened. Ethan used an illusion-type ability. Lucas fell into it the moment the match started." A sharp inhale came from the other end of the line. "You’re telling me... that my son... humiliated himself in front of everyone?" "Yes, sir. That’s what happened." "And no one stopped him?!" "We couldn’t. The illusion was too strong, and Ethan admitted he couldn’t break it himself. Said it had to run its course." There was a pause. "Where is Lucas now?" "Still in the illusion. He’s been at it for over an hour. He’s slowing down, though. He might pass out soon." "Unbelievable..." the voice muttered. Then, it turned cold. "I’ll be there in twenty minutes." "I’ll wait here," Halden replied. The call ended abruptly. Mr. Halden stared at the screen of his phone for a few seconds before tucking it back into his coat pocket. He rubbed his temples, letting out another long sigh. He turned his attention back to Lucas, who had now dropped to one knee but was still punching at the air, whispering under his breath. "You’re not even worth my time... I should crush you right now..." Halden couldn’t help but shake his head. He walked over to a bench near the arena and dragged a chair close, settling down to wait. He crossed his arms and watched silently. Every once in a while, Lucas would jump back up with renewed energy, shadowboxing wildly and mumbling what sounded like one-sided taunts. "This is pathetic," Halden muttered. "You’ve already won in your head a hundred times. You’d think that’d be enough." Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then thirty. Lucas slowed down more and more. His punches got lazier, his footwork sloppy. Eventually, he collapsed onto one knee, panting heavily, his head down. Just as Mr. Halden stood up to check on him, the doors at the far end of the training facility opened with a mechanical hiss. A tall man in a dark, expensive-looking coat strode in. He walked with confidence, his shoes clicking against the tiled floor, his expression unreadable. His sharp jawline and piercing eyes showed that he shared more than a few features with Lucas. Mr. Grayson. Halden stepped forward to greet him. "Thank you for coming, sir." Mr. Grayson’s gaze swept past him, focusing immediately on his son. "So that’s it, huh? That’s how you say he lost? He’s just... sitting there?" Halden nodded. "That’s the aftermath. You missed the part where he was yelling and punching nothing for nearly two hours straight." Mr. Grayson’s jaw tightened. He walked closer to the arena but stopped at the edge of the safety barrier. Lucas hadn’t noticed his father yet. The boy was still muttering to himself, occasionally twitching or swaying as if reacting to things no one else could see. "He looks like a damn fool," Mr. Grayson muttered. "I wouldn’t say that," Halden offered carefully. "Illusions can be powerful. Especially when someone’s not prepared." "That’s not an excuse. Although his superpower is not the top rated, it is still a A rank one. He was supposed to be at the top of his class. He had the best private tutors. Best equipment. Best combat simulations." Halden stayed quiet. "And he gets taken down by mist," Mr. Grayson growled. "It wasn’t just mist," Halden corrected. "It was an advanced illusion cast within that mist. Ethan knew what he was doing. He baited Lucas perfectly." "And he embarrassed my son in front of the entire school." Mr. Grayson said as he gritted his teeth. Halden didn’t answer. Mr. Grayson’s eyes narrowed. "And what about the match result? Officially, you’re saying Lucas lost?" "Yes." Sigh Mr. Grayson sighed as he spoke, "If that is all, then can you please leave? I will stay here until Lucas calms down, and then I will take him home." "Alright. I’ll head out," Halden answered as he left the arena and exited the training hall.

Chapter 46: Mr. Grayson

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