Meanwhile, Rose sat at her desk, her fingers trembling but determined as she clicked through the questions. Every answer came with effort, but she did not stop. Her mind was exhausted, yet her spirit refused to break.
Jerry, of course, seemed completely relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, his head tilted slightly, a lazy grin on his face as if the entire exam were nothing more than a casual puzzle. Within minutes, his fingers flew across the holographic keys, completing every question with impossible speed. He rested his hands behind his head before the timer even reached halfway, smirking faintly as if the entire system bored him.
Angela sat in silence. Her emerald eyes were wide, reflecting the glow of the questions hovering before her. The problems were impossibly complex, stretching beyond human logic, and yet she tried. Her hands trembled, but she refused to give up. Even as the seconds slipped away, she pressed on until the last possible moment.
When the exam ended, the sky opened in a soft drizzle. Rain cascaded through the dome above Voyage City, its rhythmic patter echoing gently across the metallic streets. Johnson walked alone beneath the shimmering barrier, his steps slow and thoughtful. The city lights blurred through the droplets as he tucked his hands into his jacket pockets, lost in the hum of rain and memory.
Then he saw her.
Angela stood beneath a rusted shelter by the walkway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her blouse clung to her shoulders, soaked by the rain, and strands of her green hair fell across her face. She looked fragile...beautiful, but lost. Johnson's heart softened instantly.
Without saying a word, he walked up to her and extended his umbrella.
Angela looked up, startled. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. Then her eyes lowered again. "I'm sorry, Johnson. About that time… about walking away. I just didn't know how to face you."
Johnson smiled gently. "It's fine. I'm not angry."
Her lips quivered. "I just felt so stupid after you laughed at my question."
He nodded slowly, regret flickering in his blue eyes. "I know. And I'm sorry for that. It wasn't fair. I shouldn't have laughed."
For a long moment, neither spoke. The rain whispered around them, and the silence between them was tender, fragile, almost healing. Something unspoken connected them...an understanding that words could not express.
Then Johnson's phone buzzed. He sighed lightly and pulled it from his pocket. Jerry's face appeared on the holographic screen, lounging in a bathroom robe and sipping coffee as usual.
"Hey, bro!" Johnson said with a grin.
"Yo!" Jerry replied, grinning back. "Henry cancelled our gaming plans today, but said we can crash at his place this weekend. You in?"
"Sure," Johnson said, chuckling softly.
Jerry smirked. "Be natural with her, bro. She'll come around." His tone softened. "So… how'd the exam go?"
Johnson shrugged. "It was kinda hard, but I pulled through. My watch helped me a bit, I guess."
"Your watch, huh?" Jerry raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even stress about the test. Too simple for me. Though I did get three philosophical questions. What about you?"
"I got one," Johnson said, laughing faintly. "It was tough, but I think I answered it the best I could."
Jerry leaned closer to the screen, his smirk returning. "You know, Johnny, you can literally move untouched by rain, right? So why are you still sitting there waiting for it to stop?"
Johnson smiled sheepishly. "I don't want Angela to get wet if I run under the rain with her."
Jerry chuckled darkly. "Oh, but you can get her wet in many other ways."
Angela gasped, her cheeks burning red as she turned away in embarrassment.
"Get off my phone, you pervert!" Johnson burst out laughing. "Why don't you get your own girlfriend?"
"Oh, I do have a soulmate," Jerry said casually, taking another sip of coffee. "She just hasn't found me yet. Besides, I've got better things to do."
"Better than having a girlfriend?" Johnson teased. "You're boring, man."
Jerry's smirk softened into something more genuine. "That's a lot coming from someone who doesn't even love himself. Apart from her, can you name anyone else you'd call your girlfriend?"
Johnson laughed softly, shaking his head. "No. I don't think I could ever be loved the way she loves me. She… she makes me smile."
"I know, Johnny," Jerry said with a calm tone. "But don't lose yourself if things go wrong. Don't let fear control you. It isn't healthy...for either of you."
Before Johnson could respond, a sultry voice echoed from Jerry's side of the call. "Hey, Jerry love, you aren't finished with me. I'm still so hot and wet for you."
A tall, half-dressed woman appeared behind Jerry, draping herself over his shoulders.
"Jerry, I've been waiting for you in the shower all clean. I need you to make me dirty again, my lord," another voice purred, as a second woman..completely naked
pressed herself against him, her large breasts blocking half the screen.
Johnson coughed awkwardly. "Ahem. Looks like you're… busy."
Jerry smirked, removing their hands from his chest. "Yeah, I'm coming, baby girls." He turned back to the screen. "Um, Johnny, I'll call you later, yeah?"
Johnson burst out laughing. "Yeah, sure, man. Have fun!" He ended the call, shaking his head.
Angela blushed furiously. "You've got a very strange friend, Johnny."
Johnson smiled warmly. "He's more than a friend. He's my brother. My best friend, actually."
Angela tilted her head curiously. "You've never talked much about anyone else in your life. Is Rose more than a friend too?"
He smiled softly. "I see Joyce as a friend, but she's not that close to me. Rose is family to me. But you, Angela…" He reached out and gently held her face in his hand. "You're the one I can't replace."
Angela's heart fluttered as she smiled faintly. "The rain has stopped," she whispered. "Let's go home before Miss Mary starts to worry."
Johnson nodded. "Just a second." He folded the umbrella, slipped his hand into hers, and together they walked home, close and warm beneath the fading drizzle.
Elsewhere, deep inside the New Heights Academy, Lucian's office glowed with cold luxury. Energy panels shimmered across the walls, casting blue and silver reflections across the crystalline desk at the center. Lucian sat behind it, calm and regal, his gaze sharp as ever. Beside him stood Lillian, his precise and calculating secretary, typing silently on a holographic keyboard.
Before him stood Joyce, Dawne, Sasha, and Tony One of the elite members of the Gold Division. The air between them vibrated with quiet tension.
"Sit," Lucian said coolly.
They obeyed without hesitation.
Sasha adjusted her glasses. "Chloe's training went well, sir. She's developing a strong affinity for divine sorcery. She's a natural."
Joyce folded her arms, her tone cautious. "Johnson's improving quickly. It's like he's returning to the strength he had when he defeated Evolve… but he's still mentally fragile. I don't think he's ready."
Lucian chuckled faintly. "Johnson is never ready. But that's what makes him ready when it matters most." His eyes narrowed. "And his sister, Rose?"
Tony leaned forward slightly. "She's strong. She resisted my mental attacks easily. She's solid both physically and mentally. Honestly… I even learned from her during training. Michael too..he's sharper and faster than before."
Lucian nodded once. "Good. That's progress."
Lillian noted every word, her fingers gliding elegantly across the holographic keys.
"Prepare them," Lucian said finally. His voice dropped to a commanding whisper. "The competition begins soon."
The lights dimmed as the members of the Elite Gold rose from their seats and exited the room, their hearts racing with anticipation. Outside, the storm of destiny was beginning to gather.