The office went quiet for a while after their exchange. John leaned back, rubbing his temples, the fire in his eyes dimming into sothing colder. Finally, he said, "If there’s nothing else, then you should leave. I’ll contact you once the pack is ready."
That would’ve been Xavier’s cue to get out, but Angel’s words still echoed in his ear. Eighty-seven percent. Stall longer. He couldn’t walk away yet.
Xavier’s mind raced, then he spoke, "Wouldn’t it look strange to your staff? walking in, talking to you, and leaving with no official record? No treatnt. No consultation. Nothing. Won’t that make people suspicious?"
John waved it off. "I’ll make an entry for you. Don’t concern yourself with that."
Xavier’s eyes narrowed, then an idea clicked. "Actually... I do have issues with my body. Why don’t you check them while I’m here? Make it look official."
John gave a short nod. "That’s my job, after all."
Xavier unbuttoned his shirt, sliding it off his shoulders, and turned his back to him. John froze, the color draining from his face.
Right at Xavier’s spinal cord, etched into his skin like so alien blueprint, was a pattern of strange markings. The skin there was hardened, different from the rest of his body, like armor fused into flesh.
John stepped closer, eyes wide. "What is this? How... how did you get this?"
Xavier shrugged lightly. "No idea. All I know is I’ve always had a weak body. I pass out whenever I’m pushed too hard—physically, emotionally, whatever. That day when Lucas and his pack nearly beat to death, I blacked out. When I woke up... my back was like this."
John circled him, still staring at the strange formation. "I’ve treated thousands of patients. I’ve studied modifications, implants, even rare genetic mutations. But this—this is unlike anything I’ve seen. I’d have to run tests. Multiple scans, biopsies, detailed studies—"
Xavier shook his head and cut him off. "Like I said, my body’s weak. Any kind of strain will knock out cold. Tests aren’t an option."
John frowned, muttering almost to himself. "Then I can’t do anything. Without data, it’s all speculation. I’d need ti... I’d need more than just a glance."
In Xavier’s ear, Angel’s voice finally chid in: Transfer complete. You’re clear.
Xavier calmly pulled his shirt back on, fastening the buttons like nothing had happened. "Well, it doesn’t hurt. Doesn’t ache. Doesn’t cause any issues. So I’ll leave it be." He slipped the smart glasses into his pocket, casual, almost lazy, like they were just another trinket.
Then he looked back at John with that sad, grateful expression still plastered on his face. "Thanks for hearing out."
Without another word, Xavier walked out of the office, out of the tower, the image of a weak, broken boy who just wanted justice. anwhile, the data sat safely tucked into his glasses, exactly what he’d co for.
Xavier stepped out of the Kane dical Tower, and got on his bike.
Angel’s voice buzzed in his ear almost as soon as he revved. "So... are you coming to the club? We can check out the data together."
Xavier put on his helt, watching the city lights blur past the visor. "No. You handle it. Sort it out, break it down, whatever needs to be done. You’re better at it anyway. I’m heading ho."
There was a pause on the line, and when she spoke again, her tone had shifted. Softer. Almost subdued. "Alright... I’ll take care of it." She hesitated, then added, "Good night, Xavier."
Xavier smirked faintly, eyes half-closed. "Good night, Angel."
Xavier reached his apartnt and dropped his coat on the stand before heading straight to the bathroom. Steam soon filled the room as he let the hot water wash the weight of the day off his body. By the ti he stepped out, his hair was damp, and his expression carried that calm sharpness again, as if nothing could touch him.
He slipped into his night suit, loose and comfortable, and walked to the couch with a glass of chilled water. With a flick of thought, his system nu opened in front of his eyes, glowing faintly in the air.
His lips curved into a smirk when the text appeared.
[Unlimited Money System – Level 6]
[Daily Transaction Limit: 10,000,000]
[Next Level: 50,000,000 per day]
"Finally," Xavier muttered under his breath, his voice edged with satisfaction. He leaned back, eyes gleaming at the display, the glow reflecting off his face.
Xavier closed the system window, let the smirk linger for a mont, then stood. The apartnt was quiet—too quiet without Lilia’s presence filling the space or Lyra’s restless energy bouncing off the walls.
Xavier was waiting for Lilia and Lyra to return so he could go with them to Seraphina’s restaurant to eat dinner. Lilia was out at the city library to prepare for her exams, and Lyra was accompanying her as she was getting bored alone in the apartnt.
He had texted them and they’d said they’d be back in about an hour. Long enough to kill so ti.
Xavier closed the system window, let the smirk linger for a mont, then stood. The apartnt was quiet—too quiet without Lilia’s presence filling the space or Lyra’s restless energy bouncing off the walls. They’d said they’d be back in about an hour. Long enough to kill so ti.
He slipped out of his apartnt and tapped on the door next to his. Viola answered, leaning lazily against the fra. Her eyes scanned him up and down, lingering on the night suit.
"Well, well... night suit and all. You here to spend the night?" she teased, her voice carrying that usual playful sting.
Xavier gave her a flat look. "I had nothing to do, so I’m here to train."
Her grin widened. "Mm, sha. I don’t have any experience in bed, so I can’t help you train in that departnt."
He let out a flat breath through his nose, unimpressed, and turned like he was ready to walk off. "Then I’ll head back—"
Her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. "Alright, alright. Don’t be such a bore." She pulled him inside, kicking the door shut behind her.
They trained hard, the quiet apartnt filled with sharp exhales, the sound of movent, and the clash of intent. Viola tested him, pushed him, but Xavier’s precision never wavered. She, in turn, enjoyed trying to crack through his composure with small jabs, though none landed where she wanted.
The sound of the apartnt door next door opening broke the rhythm. Lilia and Lyra were back.
"Guess that’s your cue," Viola said, tossing him a towel.
Xavier caught it, wiped his face, and smirked faintly. Without another word, he left with them, and together the four of them made their way toward Seraphina’s restaurant for dinner.
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