A black glove.
The sparkle in Lyxander's eyes vanished instantly. He narrowed his eyes and shot Simon a cold glare.
"What the hell is this?"
"Hehe." Simon rubbed his nose while smiling.
"This is the weapon you asked for, a masterpiece," he said, introducing the object inside the case.
A question mark seemed to appear above Lyxander's head, accompanied by a gloomy aura and disappointment he couldn't hide.
"I thought you'd give me a cool knuckle weapon or something like that. But this is really disappointing."
Simon frowned and flicked Lyxander on the head.
"Before you complain, try using it first, you damn brat."
Lyxander rubbed his head. "Fine. At least this is better than having nothing."
He put on both black gloves. A blue light emerged, forming a hexagonal texture across their surface.
Lyxander moved his hands up and down.
"I didn't expect these gloves to be this heavy."
An uncomfortable sensation spread through his hands—like wearing new shoes. Not painful, but awkward.
"Well then, now it's time to test it, isn't it?" Simon said.
"So how do we test it?" Lyxander asked.
Simon took off his military jacket, leaving only his pants and revealing a body covered in muscles and scars. Just by looking at him, anyone could tell how much experience he had accumulated.
Simon tensed his muscles.
"Alright. Go ahead. Hit me with all you've got."
Lyxander couldn't hide the grin on his face.
"Hehe, I really get to punch you?"
"At least try to hide that smile, you damn brat," Simon snorted, narrowing his eyes.
"Do it. I'll show you the strength of a veteran's body."
Without hesitation, Lyxander prepared to strike. He stepped his left foot forward, taking an orthodox stance. He loosened his right arm, took a breath, then—
His left foot stepped in. His hips rotated, followed by his right foot pressing into the ground, transferring his entire body weight. His fist clenched and released a straight punch.
Lyxander's gaze never wavered. He stared straight at his target—Simon's abdomen, which looked like solid stone.
But his vision was suddenly assaulted by lightning-like light erupting along with the impact of his punch.
THUD!
Simon was sent flying backward—at least ten meters—if not for a crow who happened to be standing behind him. It was Zirkon, who had come to the training area to practice.
Zirkon caught Simon's flying body with one hand, displaying his overwhelming strength.
With a flat expression, he asked,
"What exactly are you two doing?"
"Woah, these gloves are incredible, Captain. Sorry for underestimating you."
Lyxander didn't seem to care about Simon's condition. His eyes were fixed on the masterpiece on his hands.
"Tch, weren't you the one insulting it earlier?" Simon said as he walked back. The punch had clearly sent him flying, yet it left almost no real damage.
Meanwhile, Zirkon walked away, swinging his massive sword as if nothing had happened.
Lyxander and Simon continued their testing.
Clink!
Simon tossed a coin from his pocket.
Lyxander caught it—or at least, he was supposed to. Instead of touching the glove, the coin hovered above it.
"What is this?" Lyxander asked.
"That glove can attract, repel, and control metal. If you want to switch its mode, tap your pinky finger twice," Simon explained.
Lyxander followed the instructions. The floating coin instantly snapped tightly onto the glove.
"Try doing it again," Simon instructed.
Lyxander complied. The coin was flung far away, then when he repeated the motion, it was pulled back again.
"Woah, this is amazing. Captain, I'll never doubt you again."
Lyxander's eyes sparkled as he looked at Simon.
"Hehe." Simon rubbed his nose again.
"Now try moving your fingers."
Lyxander immediately did so. He skillfully moved each finger one by one, and the coin that had been attached to his glove floated once more, precisely following the movement of his fingers.
Just as Lyxander was about to speak, Simon raised his index finger, silencing him.
"Now apply repulsive force with both hands and compress the coin between them," he said.
Lyxander obeyed. He pressed the coin between both hands using repulsion. Miraculously, the coin began spinning rapidly, small sparks of lightning flashing around it.
"Now aim your hands over there and bring the lower parts of your palms together," Simon said, pointing to a wide empty area.
Lyxander brought the lower parts of his palms closer and aimed them at the indicated spot. The closer his palms got, the faster the coin spun—until the moment his palms fully closed—
Time seemed to slow, and the world fell silent. Lyxander's heightened thinking kicked in again for a very simple reason: he sensed danger.
BOOM!
A blinding beam of light shot forward like a comet, illuminating the entire room at incredible speed. Even Zirkon, who was swinging his sword in the background, was startled by it.
A devastating explosion slammed into the wall.
Behind the blast of light, Lyxander's arms were thrown backward, causing him to lose balance and fall.
His heart pounded violently, and his ears rang intensely from the shockwave of his own weapon.
Both of his hands trembled—not from fear, but from realizing the power he had just unleashed.
His eyes stared at the destruction before him, then shifted to Simon.
A clear smile appeared on Simon's face.
A wide grin spread across the captain's expression.
"In battles between identity users," Simon said quietly,
"identity power alone is not the sole factor that decides victory."
He looked at Lyxander.
"Witness the power of your weapon."