Eric Ravengale

So much for not wanting to get involved.

Eric backtracked, his boots scraping against solid ground. He cast a quick glance to the bent aluminum pole and a pang of regret shot through his chest. The trash picker cost 1000 Cielo, and he realized it's so not worth destroying over a random thug. "Zen's going to kill me."

"You—!" The man with frizzly hair growled at him. Back bent forward with one hand pressed over his reddened nose, he sent Eric a not-so-promising glare between the gaps of his fingers. "You think I will go easy on you because you are the Count's grandson? I will fuck you up and deliver you straight to your grandfather's—Gahh!"

He didn't get to finish his sentence. Like hell, Eric would let him finish throwing threats at him as if they were in a comic book. He struck his collarbone with the trash picker's rubberized jaw, followed by a strike at Sai's bald head when he charged at him.

Eric clicked his tongue in annoyance as the impact finally snapped the trash picker in half. Damn it! How was he supposed to pick up garbage now? With his bare hands? Eric grimaced at the unhygienic thought.

Moreover, Sai and his friend didn't look too happy at his intervention. He seethed with rage, and the sudden orange glow Sai's brown eyes emitted froze Eric.

An ability user. Shit! He did say he was a Military Reservist. Of course he would have access to Psychic Abilities.

At the sight of rocks and pebbles rising in the air, Eric did the best he could think of. He ran and dove for the nearby trash can's lid before the deadly projectiles wrapped with mental energy catapulted towards him. The harsh clattering sound of each stone putting a dent on his makeshift shield almost shattered his eardrums.

"Pathetic! You think you can hide with that?" Sai's psychokinesis snatched the battered trash can lid from his grasp, leaving Eric vulnerable to any upcoming attack in his crouched position on the grass. Luckily for him, someone swooped in to punch the man in the face.

"Your fight is with me, Jerk!" Daniel said with a follow up kick on Sai's torso, sending the man skidding backwards. For a guy no older than a seventeen-year-old like Eric, Daniel sure can take on an opponent larger than him. He had his burgundy hair brushed up in short spikes, his determined gaze resembled a wild beast in a fight.

"Are you okay?" asked Daniel's blond friend, offering a hand for Eric to take. From up close, the kid looked more like a cherub pretending to be human. Everything about him screamed ethereal.

Eric pushed the hand away and stood by himself, dusting his long black coat. He ignored the inquiring blink of the blond's cerulean eyes and wandered his gaze around the park.

People have scurried away from the commotion. Even the photographer with ginger hair was nowhere to be seen. Worst, a group of goons surrounded them. Eric could take on simple thugs, but he didn't know who amongst them had unlocked abilities aside from Sai. Having a Military Reservist with psychokinesis already put them at a disadvantage.

Why did he get involved again? He was just a side character minding his business moments ago. Until his emotions got the better of him.

"To your left!" shouted the brown-haired kid with a bruise on his face.

Eric dodged in the nick of time, his face a hair away from the metal bat that swung from behind. Out of reflex, Eric retaliated with a kick. He wasn't particularly good with punches, but satisfaction swirled in his chest at the sound of his boots against the man's skull.

Based on observations, Sai was the only ability user in his group, and his level of psychokinesis wasn't much of a threat. Psychokinesis was the most common psychic powers around. Those who had higher mental energy can control larger mass of matter, but Sai could only gather around pebbles or small rocks. He wasn't even able to penetrate a measly tin can. Unless he was holding back.

When his back bumped against Daniel, Eric decided it was time to up his game. He reached for the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out two collapsible batons. It's illegal for him to carry such items since he's not a police, but being in a constant danger for the past years, Eric no longer cared for legalities.

"How are you holding up?" Eric asked, pressing a button, and each batons expanded up to thirty-two inches.

"I'm okay, Bro!" Daniel said between quick breaths. "I'm used to fighting."

Since when did they become Bros?

Eric didn't get the chance to throw a nasty remark as two men charged at him. His gripped tightened around thick rubber and Eric timed his swing to hit them in the face while Daniel sprinted towards the bald man.

"I've had enough of you two!" Sai snarled at Daniel, alerting Eric of the body repulsed by a field of mental energy to where he stood.

Eric's eyes widened. Had he ever told anyone he's not a fan of catching a flying body that probably weighted one hundred seventy-five pounds of muscle? Daniel slammed into him, and damn, the muscle head was fucking heavy that the force knocked them both to the ground.

"Oy! Oy! What the hell?" Sai thundered, taking several steps forward. "A little kid got a hold of a toy and thinks he can walk around slapping people with it."

Eric gasped as energy enclosed around his neck and Daniel's, lifting them until their boots could no longer touch the ground. He underestimated this baldy. This man has been toying with them all along.

Sai sneered and pulled him closer, peering up to his struggling face. "Your grandfather will be pleased to see you. I wonder much money he'd reward me for turning you in."

The threat had Eric kicking his feet in the air, trying to break free from the energy. Anger rose through him and his left emerald eye turned luminous. Not a second later, his attempt to tap into mental energy bounced back, sending excruciating pain through his skull.

"Don't bother. It's no use," Sai said. "With the Great Three Seals cast on everyone who had never gone to mandatory military service, you're as good as a commoner. Only those who swore their life and loyalty to the kingdom can unlock psychic abilities."

"For as long as they breathe the same air that I breathe, I will not bow down to them or to anyone!" Eric gritted out.

"Really? I can make you kneel for me right now."

Eric slammed to the ground face first. He tasted dirt on his busted lips as blood guzzled down his nose. A hand grasped his hair and pulled to make him look up to the fucker's grinning face.

"See? I just made you do. I wonder if this is what it felt to have a royal blood bowing down on you. Ha! Surprisingly, it felt good."

Now that he can see him closer, Eric realized Sai was an ugly fuck. He rolled his tongue to gather saliva and spat on his ugly face. He couldn't stress how ugly he was, and the insulted expression he had brought satisfaction in him as bloody spit trickled down Sai's eyes.

But Eric wasn't done. That split second before Sai's eyes glowed gave Eric a chance to strike him where it hurt the most. His expandable baton connected to his crotch in a powerful swing, followed by a press of another button. "Die until the next generation of your clan, you piece of shit!"

Sai's scream mixed in with the crackle of electricity from Eric's baton. He fell on the ground, clutching his electrocuted groin. Even if he had an ability, he'd be out for a while.

The police batons were designed to take on even ability users. His mistake was to release his psychokinetic hold on Eric. Just like everyone on the pedestal, Sai was too drunk in his power that he underestimated him. Eric didn't survive roaming the streets of Aereo with his affinity to the Count alone. He may not have access to any ability yet, but it didn't mean he'll go down without a fight.

Wiping the blood on his face, Eric stood just as police sirens echoed from the distance. He turned to Daniel and his friends, who ran up to them. "You should get out of here."

"What about you?" Daniel asked, brushing away dirt from his tattered red shirt. There were bruises forming on his arms and face, but he didn't look bothered.

"I'll be fine," Eric said and trudged to the bag of recyclable cans and bottles he left near the metal bench. At the sight of scattered garbage, he gave an internal curse. It'll take him until dark to clean up the park again, damn it!

"Wait!"

Eric halted, turning around to meet the blond boy's gaze. "What?"

"I'm Miguel," the blond introduced, his golden tresses giving an ethereal glow, and it rustled softly as the last of the sun's rays disappeared. "Thanks for helping us. But who are you?"

'Your worst nightmare,' Eric wanted to say, but exhaustion turned off his sarcasm, so he introduced himself like a normal person. "Eric. Eric Ravengale."