BXBX NOVEL Chapter 44: Surprising Participant
Suddenly, the murmurs in the crowd hushed as a striking figure approached the registration table. The moment he appeared, all eyes turned to him, and the women in the crowd gasped in admiration.
He had long golden hair that flowed elegantly down his back, a well-built body, and a face so handsome it seemed almost otherworldly.
The handsome man who approached the registration table was none other than Lucas, disguised in his Zeus form.
The official at the table, momentarily taken aback by the man's sheer presence, blinked a few times before quickly regaining his composure.
Clearing his throat, the official asked, "What is your name?" His voice carried a tone of professional curiosity, though it was clear he was still somewhat captivated by the stranger's appearance.
"Zeus," Lucas replied, his voice smooth and confident, carrying an air of authority that matched his striking looks.
The official nodded, trying to maintain his professionalism, though his hands moved with a slight nervousness as he gestured toward the crystal. "Please touch the crystal," he instructed, his voice steady but with a hint of anticipation.
Lucas, still maintaining his calm demeanor, placed his hand on the crystal. The moment his fingers made contact, the crystal erupted into a brilliant light, far brighter than anyone expected.
The crowd gasped, and the official's eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly agape as he processed the intensity of the glow.
"18 years old, 10% mana purity," the official finally announced, his voice tinged with disbelief. He looked up at Lucas, awe clear in his expression.
It was exceedingly rare for someone so young to achieve the maximum mana purity for the one-star tier. He hesitated, as if doubting his own reading, but then nodded firmly. "You… you pass."
The finality in the official's voice was clear, but it was laced with a mix of admiration and astonishment at the young man who had just defied expectations.
Zeus, who was actually Lucas in disguise, gave a confident nod and stepped into the Colosseum, leaving the crowd outside buzzing with excitement and speculation.
Once inside, Lucas finally allowed himself to exhale, a mix of relief and satisfaction washing over him. "I can't believe it," he muttered, "you actually managed to hide my age with the divine mask."
[Hah! Of course I did!] the system responded, its tone dripping with smugness. [Did you doubt me? This is the divine mask we're talking about. If it can transform your body and face into those of another being, what makes you think it couldn't handle something as trivial as tweaking your age and aura? Honestly, the nerve!]
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle at the system's shameless arrogance. "I see", he mused, a grin spreading across his face. This divine mask was proving to be even more powerful and versatile than he'd imagined.
"Alright, alright, I get it," he said, amusement in his voice. "Let's see what the next test has in store for us."
As he walked further into the Colosseum, Lucas scanned the area and quickly spotted his sister, Lucy. She was loitering around, seemingly uninterested in mingling with the crowd. Lucas noticed that she wasn't engaging with anyone, preferring to keep to herself.
He made his way closer, but as he did, he noticed a group of men approaching Lucy. Their eyes lingered on her in a way that immediately set off alarms in Lucas's mind. He recognized that lecherous look, and his protective instincts flared up instantly. His fists clenched as he prepared to intervene, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and concern.
But before he could take a step, Lucy's demeanor shifted. Her relaxed posture straightened, and her eyes narrowed as she glared at the approaching men.
"Hey," one of the men called out, a smirk playing on his lips. "Why don't you come hang out with us? We'll show you a good time."
Lucy's response was immediate and fierce. "Get lost," she snapped, her voice cold and commanding. Her words cut through the air like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.
The men were taken aback by her sudden shift in tone, but the leader of the group wasn't ready to back down just yet. "Come on, don't be like that," he coaxed, stepping closer. "We're just trying to be friendly."
Lucy's eyes darkened, and her lips curled into a snarl. "I said, get lost," she repeated, her voice dropping an octave. The sheer force of her words made the air around them feel heavy, oppressive. "Touch me, and you'll regret it."
The men exchanged uneasy glances. The bravado that had fueled their approach was quickly draining away in the face of Lucy's intense aura. They could see the fire in her eyes, the barely contained fury that promised nothing but pain if they pushed their luck any further.
One of the men, clearly unnerved, muttered, "Let's just go. We don't want to cause trouble here."
The leader hesitated, his pride warring with his instincts, but eventually, he relented. "Fine," he spat, his voice laced with frustration. "You're not worth the trouble anyway."
With that, the group slunk away, their earlier confidence shattered. Lucy watched them go, her expression slowly easing back into that cool, detached look she'd had before they approached. But there was a new edge to her gaze, a silent warning to anyone else who might think to test her.
Lucas, watching from a distance, couldn't help but smile. It seems I don't really need to worry about her, he thought, feeling a mixture of pride and relief. Lucy was more than capable of handling herself, and her new personality was proving to be a powerful shield against anyone who might underestimate her.