The scene opened in a dimly lit room, many years in the past. Henry, only nine years old then, stood with wide eyes and an innocent smile as he clutched his report card in both hands. With excitement bubbling in his chest, he rushed toward his mother.
"Mummy, mummy! I have gotten my report card!" he said eagerly, his small feet pattering against the marble floor.
Annabelle, regal and stern in her bearing, lifted her head slowly, her expression unreadable. "Hmmm… that's nice. Let me see." She extended her hand, and Henry placed the report card in her palm with pride.
"Okay, so mummy, how is—" Henry began, but before he could finish, a sharp, resounding slap struck across his face.
Annabelle's voice thundered. "What is this, son?"
Henry blinked, stunned, his cheeks burning with pain. "Mummy, I—"
But Annabelle interrupted him, her fury rising. She held the report card up again. "What is this??" she demanded, her sigh carrying bitter disappointment. "Why can't you be like your brother? Or your sister, for Christ's sake? Why are you getting only C's in your tests and exams? What happened to A?"
Tears welled in Henry's eyes as he stammered through his sobs. "They… they said I can't get an A because I didn't pass the physical and elemental energy test, ma."
Annabelle's frown deepened. "Oh, I see. And how is that my fault? Did I not spend a lot of money sending you to the best training centers in the city? Did you learn anything?!"
Henry's voice cracked with fear and sorrow. "Mummy, I'm sorry…"
But she would not relent. "From today, you are grounded! No more games, no more partying with your friends, no more toys, and no more pocket money until you learn how to behave responsibly and get higher grades!"
Henry gasped in horror. "Not my pocket money… how will I survive? I can't stop going out with my friends!"
Another harsh slap landed across his face. Annabelle's eyes were sharp as steel. "Don't tell me that! Do you think if your father and I were partying all day and wasting money and time, we would be rich enough to take care of you? Until next session, if you don't come back with straight A's, all your privileges are banned!"
"Mummy, please…" Henry sobbed, his small frame trembling.
At that moment, a shimmer of light filled the room, and Joyce appeared, teleporting in with elegance. "Mummy," she called softly.
Annabelle's stern expression softened instantly as she turned. "What is it, my beautiful angel?"
Joyce's lips curved in a gentle smile. "Well, if you are looking for where to train Henry so that he can advance his strength and bring out his power, I have a suggestion."
Annabelle arched a brow. "Oh really? Where is that?"
"There is one lab," Joyce replied, her tone certain. "A place where betas with unique abilities that haven't yet been trained are guided and nurtured. It is called De Great Labs, owned and managed by Dr. Lucian Stark."
Annabelle's eyes narrowed, deep in thought. "I see… I think I have heard that name before. Stark… Is it that scientist who reformed Voyage City?"
"Yes," Joyce nodded. "That's the one. Can I take him to my school also?"
Her mother considered it for a moment, her sharp features reflecting both calculation and expectation. "Hmmm… treat him as you see fit. I only accept strong people in my household."
Henry dropped to his knees, desperation in his eyes. "Nooo, mummy, please forgive me! I'll change! I can't do without my friends!"
Annabelle's voice lowered, carrying a tone that was both cruel and strangely prophetic. "I believe you will make friends… a real one. One who will shatter your stubborn and prideful behavior. When you see that friend, you will know. But for now, go and become stronger."
The vision faded, returning to the present. Henry was still suspended in the air, blood rushing through his veins as rage twisted his features. His voice erupted in a fierce roar.
"Ahhh! I must not lose! I must be stronger!!!"
With an enraged cry, he rushed at Johnson, covering his fist in flames. "Efrie!!!" he shouted, flying forward and punching at the speed of sound.
Johnson met the punch, adapting instinctively. His body shifted, dodging the next strike, and in the blink of an eye he countered — his fists blurred, striking Henry multiple times from different directions all at once.
From the stands, George's jaw dropped. "But how is this possible? I thought your brother is the strongest after you, Joyce?!" He turned toward her in disbelief.
Joyce's eyes lingered on the battlefield, her voice low. "I expected that kid to pull through… but he destroyed my expectations and surpassed my hopes. To think he would be on par with my brother…"
Lillian's voice quivered with awe. "What in the world is he? His movements, his fighting techniques, his skills… they're just too fast for me to see."
Sasha frowned. "I thought you analyzed him? What's his power?"
Joyce hesitated, then looked away, lying. "The thing is… the boy has no ability at all. His health and aura keep increasing, like he's…"
Lucian's voice cut in smoothly, his tone sharp as a blade. "He's adapting. Growing faster from every punch, every kick, every word, every form of attack he has received. He is adapting and countering it. While one is growing through rage and pride, the other is adapting and taking advantage of the situation — moving faster, because he knows his opponent is strong but not that fast."
Joyce's eyes widened. "Not that fast? Henry moves at the speed of sound, sir. At his peak!"
Lucian chuckled sarcastically. "Yes, he does. Then why is he getting overwhelmed?"
"That's—" Joyce faltered, unable to answer.
Lucian sipped his wine, his tone calm but cutting. "Your brother grows at the speed of sound, not moved at the speed of sound. And even if he was moving at sonic speeds, Johnson is clearly moving at Mach 5 speed right now."
Sasha's lips parted in shock. "You can see his movements?"
"Of course I can," Lucian replied smoothly, almost lazily. "They both move in slow motion to me."
Back in the fight, Johnson's fists blurred once more. He delivered blow after blow, finally seizing Henry's head and smashing his knee into it before flinging him across the arena.
Henry roared, charging back with fury, his leg lashing out.
Johnson caught the kick, twisting and whipping him into the ground repeatedly.
With a cry of desperation, Henry clutched Johnson by the waist and hurled him in reverse, slamming him down into the arena floor.
Johnson rose, defiance burning in his eyes, and charged again. Their fists collided, blow for blow, until the shockwaves cracked the protective barrier around them.
Then a voice, calm and mechanical, echoed in Johnson's mind.
"User has adapted successfully. User can now move at hyper-sonic speeds. Upgrading user… execution successful."
Lightning burst across Johnson's frame, his entire body glowing as he transformed. His muscles surged with strength, his speed skyrocketed. In a blur of motion, he overwhelmed Henry, running around him in an iconic spinning whirl. The arena shook as Henry was lifted into the air, pummeled by hundreds of punches per second.
Henry's body trembled, his vision dizzy. But his voice roared with raw pride. "I will not lose to anybody!!!" He gathered all his strength and launched one final punch.
Johnson's eyes blazed. "I will never give up!!!" He met Henry's punch head-on, their fists colliding at sonic speed.
The shockwave was catastrophic. The barrier shattered, the stadium crumbled, and smoke engulfed the battlefield. The very weather above shifted, clouds swirling as rain poured down violently.
As the smoke cleared, Johnson stood tall above a defeated Henry, his chest heaving, his body trembling.
The commentator stumbled onto the fighting stage, mic in hand, his voice shaky. "The winner is…"
Johnson's glowing eyes dimmed, his hair fading back to black. He swayed, barely able to stand.
"The winner is the Weakest Kid!! Johnson Stones!!!" the commentator announced.
The crowd erupted in chaos and awe.
Rose screamed in joy, tears streaking her cheeks. "That's my big brother!!!"
Jerry grinned with pride. "That's my bro…"
Exhaustion overcame Johnson. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, unconscious.
Joyce's lips curved into a rare smile. In an instant, she was by his side, picking him up effortlessly. "You did well, kid," she whispered. Raising her voice, enhanced with her power, she announced to all: "As a reward — Johnson Stones is promoted to Rank A, taking Henry's position!!!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous applause. The celebration shook the arena as the lights dimmed, fading into the promise of something greater still to come.