Midtown High.
"Mr. Stacy?"
Vincent rubbed his sleepy eyes and stood up.
Only then did he realize the classroom was filled with police officers.
"Vincent, were you sleeping through all of this?"
George Stacy frowned, clearly displeased.
"Sorry, sir. Insomnia last night," Vincent replied with a polite smile.
He glanced at the officers. "Did something happen at school?"
"The Lizard attacked," George said, his mood foul. But looking at the young man who was dating his daughter, he softened slightly.
"What? The Lizard was here?" Vincent feigned shock, standing up abruptly.
"It's fine now. You need to leave. School is suspended for a few days," George waved his hand, turning to leave. "Remember to take Gwen home safely."
"Yes, sir."
Vincent grabbed his backpack and rushed out.
George watched him go, shaking his head.
Sleeping in class? Looking exhausted?
George's face darkened.
Don't tell me...
As a father, the thought of his daughter being "active" with this boy made his blood pressure spike. No father was ever ready for that reality.
School Gate.
Gwen was waiting, her face serious.
"Did you fall asleep on purpose so my dad would find you?" she asked, exasperated.
"No, I'm genuinely tired," Vincent yawned, giving her a knowing look.
Gwen punched him in the arm, but she pulled her punch at the last second.
"School is closed for a few days," she said, trying to sound relieved.
But deep down, she was troubled. Dr. Connors was her mentor. Peter Parker was her friend.
To learn that they were the monsters... it hurt.
They used to be the top three students: Vincent first, Gwen second, Peter third. Now, that trio was broken forever.
She didn't press Vincent about his "Kung Fu" or water magic. She was just glad he was safe.
After dropping Gwen off at her apartment, Vincent didn't stay.
He drove straight to his Long Island estate.
Long Island Estate.
A voluptuous woman in a tight business suit was waiting for him.
Julia, his high-end real estate agent.
"Miss Julia. You look radiant," Vincent said, naturally resting his hand on her waist.
Julia kissed him on the cheek. "Mr. Hall. Thank you for your continued business."
Vincent squeezed lightly. "I'm a loyal man. I buy all my houses from you."
Julia's eyes sparkled. "And I'm loyal to my best clients."
She winked. The subtext was clear.
"Did you find what I asked for?" Vincent asked.
"Yes. Several estates away from Manhattan, perfect for privacy. Would you like a presentation?"
"Please," Vincent narrowed his eyes, appreciating her form. "But make it... vivid."
One Hour Later.
Julia left, looking flushed and happy with her commission (and other things).
Vincent walked down to his private beach.
The Atlantic Ocean stretched out before him, vast and golden under the setting sun.
He sat on a lounge chair and opened the System Interface.
[Name: Vincent Hall]
[Wealth Points: 487,750,000 (Usable for Upgrades)]
[Desire Points: 10,360,000 (Usable for Limit Break)]
[Abilities: Ice-Ice Fruit (Mastery+), Psychic Immunity (Passive), Hydro-Kinesis (Mastery+)]
[Skills: Baji-Mizong Art (Transcendence)]
[Active Missions:]
Fragrance of Heroes: (Infinite)Prestige (Magneto): Incomplete.Prestige (SHIELD): Incomplete.
"Wealth hasn't moved much," Vincent noted. "But Desire Points finally broke 10 Million."
The Lizard incident gave him over a million points. But the real heavy lifting came from his "private sessions" with Gwen and Jessica. Their intense emotions generated massive amounts of points, pushing him over the threshold.
"It's time," Vincent decided.
"Whether it's SHIELD or the Brotherhood, I'm going to need more power. Mastery isn't enough."
He stood up and walked toward the ocean.
"System. Initiate Limit Break for the Ice-Ice Fruit."
[Target: Ice-Ice Fruit (Logia)]
[Current Level: Mastery]
[Next Level: Awakening]
[Cost: 10,000,000 Desire Points]
[Confirm?]
"Confirm."
Vincent stepped into the waves.
Usually, Devil Fruit users sank like hammers. But with his Hydro-Kinesis, the ocean embraced him.
He walked deeper, until the water covered his head.
And then, the cold began.
Not just cold.
Entropy.
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