Chapter 83: Educating Black Spider
"So, how do you want to go about this?" Miles stood in the center of the arena, adopting a boxing stance.
"Need me to let you use one hand? Considering I might end up hurting you."
"You can use your powers freely," Yang Le lifted his left hand, selecting alien heroes, much to Miles' frustration.
Miles thought Yang Le was adjusting his watch, believing he was being disrespected.
Miles mocked, "If you're trying to buy time with that watch, you might as well just surrender."
Yang Le ignored him, strategically underestimating the opponent while remaining tactically cautious. Although Miles had just gained his powers, the writers had given this righteous young man plenty of abilities, making it easy to stumble.
After all, Miles had electric shock capabilities, and most alien heroes lacked electrical resistance.
"Happy, go easy on him," Ultimate Peter instructed, and not just him—no one in the crowd believed Miles could win, which further frustrated Miles.
"I will."
Yang Le pressed the transformation button, and white light flashed, blinding Miles so he couldn't open his eyes.
The light faded, and Miles opened his eyes to find Yang Le gone, replaced by a tall, peculiar humanoid creature standing before him.
"Ready, kid?" Electric Lizard revealed his trademark big white teeth, a sign of strength.
"Do you need me to let you use both hands?"
Miles stood rooted to the spot, staring dumbfounded at Yang Le. Clearly, what happened exceeded his expectations, causing a brief system crash in his brain.
"Are you still human?" Miles asked, stunned.
"Not temporarily," Electric Lizard's bright white teeth hurt Miles' eyes.
"So, Spider Pig, would you mind being the referee?"
"Gladly," Spider Pig teleported between the two, pulling out a large wooden board from nowhere, with the number 3 written on it.
"Alright, both sides ready, 3!"
Miles raised his hands, returning to his boxing stance, something Uncle Aaron taught him.
Thinking of this, Miles stiffened. Just yesterday, he learned the other identity of his favorite Uncle Aaron, which was one of the reasons he came here today.
"2!" Spider Pig flipped the board, changing the number to 2.
Yang Le crossed his arms, still with that carefree attitude.
"1!" Spider Pig shouted and jumped away, leaving the field to the two.
Miles regained his senses and approached Yang Le cautiously using the steps Uncle Aaron taught him.
"Those steps have some merit, they seem professionally guided, but they're too rigid," Shadow Spider commented from the side.
"Clearly someone who's only ever boxed with a punching bag."
"Not bad, better than my starting point," 616 Peter yawned. "I started with nothing."
While they talked, Miles had already moved closer to Yang Le, watching warily for any weak points, hoping they were similar to humans'.
Seeing Miles merely swaying, Yang Le decided to take the initiative, throwing a punch with his right fist.
Miles kept his eyes on Yang Le, noticing his shoulders move, realizing he was about to attack.
Certainly, the sound of air breaking accompanied Yang Le's right fist as it swung toward him.
Possibly due to high concentration, that frightening punch seemed like slow motion in Miles' eyes.
Miles shifted his weight, sidestepping the punch.
Miles watched the fist pass by his face, feeling joy surge within him. So dodging an attack was simple; all he had to do was knock down the opponent, and no one would underestimate him anymore.
Miles smiled, suddenly feeling a tug on his foot, then losing all sense of gravity. He was spun around and thrown to the ground.
It all happened too quickly, faster than his smile could fade. Miles felt the cold floor beneath him, knowing he must look foolish.
"Is it over?" 616 Peter scratched his head. "Let's discuss Kingpin instead."
"This was quicker than I expected," Shadow Spider played with a bullet in his hand.
Yang Le flicked his tail behind him, classic disregard for the consequences, a common beginner's mistake.
Indeed, Yang Le's punch was a feint, the real attack secretly wrapping around Miles' tail.
"Are you alright, Miles?" Ultimate Peter approached and helped Miles up.
"I... I'm fine." Actually, he wasn't. Miles felt humiliated being knocked down in one hit, especially in front of a girl he liked.
Miles stole a glance at Gwen, finding her standing beside his previous opponent.
"Bullying a child?" Gwen's smile carried a playful tone. "This isn't like you."
"Oh?" Yang Le showed curiosity. "What am I usually like?"
"Normally you wouldn't pay attention to brats like that." Gwen flicked her golden hair, her aqua eyes filled with teasing.
"Jealous?"
"We could eat a plate of dumplings now," Yang Le didn't hide it, just stated it more diplomatically.
Being around Yang Le for over a year, Gwen naturally understood what he meant, and couldn't help but laugh.
Yang Le's jealousy of a child made her find him adorable and sweetened her heart, as she herself was annoyed by Miles' lingering gaze.
Miles felt disappointed. Ultimate Peter patted his shoulder and consoled him.
"Don't dwell on the impossible."
"It's indeed impossible," Miles didn't finish the second half of the sentence, feeling dejected and sitting on the ground.
"Stop being silly, kid," 616 Peter watched Miles curled up on the ground, reminded of himself hiding in the bathtub crying after breaking up with Mary Jane, and couldn't help but offer a few words of advice.
"You don't even have the right to be heartbroken, since she never even looked at you."
After a period of depression, 616 Peter became aggressive. These words made Miles even more withdrawn.
"Alright, stop it, Peter," Ultimate Peter interrupted sternly, then looked strangely at 616 Peter.
"What a strange feeling, telling myself to shut up?"
"Yeah," 616 Peter stretched lazily. "I thought you were muttering to yourself."
"So we need codenames," Yang Le walked over with Gwen.
"Especially for you three Peters."
Yang Le pointed at Shadow Spider, Ultimate Peter, and 616 Peter respectively.
"Otherwise, it'll get too confusing."
"Alright," Ultimate Peter nodded, agreeing with Yang Le.
"So, Happy, any ideas?"
"You're called Shadow Spider," Yang Le pointed at Shadow Spider, who accepted happily.
"You're called Ultimate Spider," Yang Le pointed at Ultimate Peter.
Ultimate Peter, though unsure why it was named that, accepted it anyway, sounding cool.
"And you..." Yang Le pointed at 616 Peter.
Perhaps inspired by Yang Le's previous naming, 616 Peter, the middle-aged man, couldn't help but anticipate.
Finally, under 616 Peter's expectant gaze, Yang Le announced his codename.
"Failed Man."
616 Peter froze in place, taking a long time to finally squeeze out a word.
"I thank you, man."
(End of Chapter)