Chapter 25 (ARK 1)

The next day, Wade had an interesting sparring match with the Blue Beetle. Then he realized that he was weak and technology turned out to be a real opponent. Because as long as Wade has an advantage in combat strategy and using his arsenal in unconventional ways. This is how the technology of the Blue Beetle suit, along with its genius, made Wade a real challenge during sparring.

Blue refined his attacks over the course of the fight to ensure his victory. For example, when Wade tried to jump into Blue from a jump during an accelerated sprint while using an intangibility created with black fire because they were fighting in a simulated night environment. Blue, remembering the fight with Dr. Light, or the recording of the fight, has produced a canon that emits light projectiles. Which at first only pulled Wade out of his immaterial state, but did not affect the fact that Blue received a blow to the jaw.

However, as the battle progressed, Blue began modifying the cannon to create shockwaves, not just light. And because of this, Wade either changed trajectories, allowing Blue to dodge or counterattack. But they also made the fight very difficult for Wade. He himself decided not to use smoke magic, lest Blue create a countermeasure for this magic.

That's why Wade decided to fight using pure mana and non-magical skills. Which was a good strategy and Wade won. Because Blue, despite the technology and genius it possesses. Against a person with a large arsenal of combat skills, and a reinforcement that he cannot influence. Blue didn't stand a chance. However, Wade suggested he learn martial arts involving acrobatics. Because during the fight, Blue generated different types of gloves, such as hammer or claws. However, his movements were easy to read so Wade had no problem fighting at close range.

And as it turned out, Blue took it to heart. Because around 10 am. Wade was sitting in the common room of the Titans main team. And Dick watched sports with Dick, although he preferred to watch anime. However, Grayson was a huge fan, so Wade as a friend decided to make an exception. And he and Dick watched basketball game.

These days, Wade and Dick were sitting on a light brown sofa in front of a giant TV set. Due to the fact that the common area has no walls separating such things, the living room and the kitchen. Wade saw that Star was currently preparing a dish. However, Wade didn't recognize the ingredients, so he wasn't sure what to do.

In the chair to the right of Wade, sat Raven. Which this time was actually reading some Arcana of Magic, not a disguised manga. So Wade sees Grayson engrossed in the game. He turned towards Raven and asked.

(Wade)-Reven?..What kind of magic are you studying?

Raven looked up slightly from the book, and Wada realized that her mana was beginning to destabilize again. However, when the mana returned to a steady state, she replied in a neutral voice.

(Raven)-Shadow Magic...

Wade was intrigued; he himself considered this magic as his third. However, he wasn't sure yet. Wade thought about something that would help him in slightly different environments, such as water or Antarctica. Because at extremely cold temperatures, both black fire magic and smoke magic are ineffective. And the mana cost increases. However, Shadow Magic seems interesting for maybe 4 magic anyway.

(Wade)-If you have time, I am happy to help you with your studies. You may need help from another Hogwarts graduate. Hehe ...

From the section with lots of slot machines, Wade heard a voice belonging to a Blue Beetle and a laugh from Cyborg.

(Blue Beetle)-I'm still waiting for the promised magic lessons !!

Wade ignored commentary Blue and waited for Raven's reply. Whose mana was starting to become unstable again.

(Raven)-I do not need help.

She said in a neutral tone, but it was enough for Wade to be silent. Lost, he stroked his eyebrows and felt a touch on his shoulder. Wade went back to watching the game with a slight pain in his chest. He was trying to focus on watching the game.

Wade wasn't a huge basketball fan. In his previous life, or rather in the country he lived in. Basketball was not very popular and the sport was more dominated by football. However, Wade preferred anime and sitting in front of the computer. Instead of doing sports or something like that.

After half an hour, when the game was coming to an end, Wade and everyone else in the common part heard the joyful snipe of Star. That even Raven showed a hint of fear, but Wade understood why. Only when Star flew with joyful singing with a large tele covered with a metal dome. Before Dick and Wade.

(Star)-On the occasion that a new friend has joined us recently. I decided to cook a traditional Tamarian dish. Which we used to give to newly recruited warriors who had completed training with Uncle Kor'wader. Its purpose is to provide soldiers with the highest possible honor for nutritional ingredients. So new friend !! Here's a Tamarian bloody goulash.

Star with a smile on his lips, revealed a deep plate, and the sight Wade saw. He scared him a little, the soup itself was the color of real blood, and inside Wade saw various ingredients of unearthly origin. Purple octopus or something like that but with spikes, pieces like potatoes with human skin or the like. Wade didn't know what to think and was afraid Star had cooked someone. So he asked.

(Wade)-Looks delicious Star. He feels like a real warrior, sitting before a meal made of the monster he defeated ....

Wade didn't know why, but Star blushed slightly. (

(Wade)-.... However, I am sure the ingredients are not from the ground. So where do you import the ingredients from. I thought you weren't leaving the tower or the city?

(Star)-It's really simple. We have many extraterrestrial heroes on earth. So Uncle JonJon (J'onn J'onzz aka Martian Manhunter) imports groceries. And he sells them, but my uncle was kind enough to keep me supplied with Tamarian merchandise. Because I can eat earthly food, but then I have a really sore stomach.

(Wade)-I see ... (Wade looks at the bloody soup and then at the pale Dick and smiles) ... Star, could you please give us this special. I will not hide that I am hungry.

Everyone except Star, who did not hide her joy. They looked at Wade slightly angry, but Wade couldn't make Star feel bad. He was unable to do so as she looked at him with joy. It was a compulsion, so Wade decided to try. And if he doesn't like it, he'll test Plan B.

Wade watched Star, smiling, pouring everyone in the living room. So Blue, Cyborg, Dick, Raven and Wade, her Tamaran meal plate. And the sight of their disgusted faces amused Wade a little. Until he remembered that he was going to eat it too.

When everyone had a plate in front of them and most of them held a spoon with a trembling hand. And he watched Star's expectant gaze. Wade and the rest took the first spoon in their mouths.

On the first spoon Wade took in his mouth, there was of course, hopefully alone, Water that looked like primeval blood, and a piece of cosmic octopus.

Wade had expected a rejecting taste after seeing Grayson hold back the vomiting. For Wade, however, the taste was not that bad. The octopus itself reminded him of a pineapple on a pizza, but it was not sweet, but more sour. And the soup itself had an indescribable metallic aftertaste, but surprisingly Wade even liked its taste.

And to everyone's surprise. Wade began eating his soup with gusto. Cyborg appeared to have shorted out, and Wade saw that he activated the healing chamber on the lower floors in case Wade was about to die.

Raven was shocked, even she was a half-demon, she couldn't get a taste of Tamarian cuisine. And Wade ate it like any other soup.

Blue and Grayson were literally stunned, holding a spoon of soup in their hands, close to their face. And they watched blankly as Wade was already eating almost the entire plate.

(Wade)-Star, I've never had anything like this. It was something that looked like an octopus, it had an unexpectedly sour taste. And the consistency of the soup itself and a slight metallic aftertaste are peculiar. I've never eaten anything like this. It's really good, one more plate may I ask.

Almost all of them had a short-circuited brain, did not twist their ears. Because so far there hasn't been anyone who would like Star's kitchen. Even Superman who came to train at the Teen Titans a year ago as an instructor. He was forced to try the tamarian cuisine and struggled not to vomit the contents of the snack.

However, Wade like no other. He liked this cuisine, or at least this particular soup. Samokawała exceptionally and could not compare it to any other earthly soup. But really, Wade liked it taste.

And Wade ended up eating three more plates and then lay down smoothly on the sofa and thanked Star for his meal.

(Wade)-Star I have not eaten so much in a long time. It was really delicious ... But I feel like I won't get up too soon.

Star, smiling, took Wade's plate and looked at Grayson, who was still praying over the plate.

(Star)-Dick, my friend...Why aren't you eating?

While Star was busy looking at Grayson. Wade noticed that Raven was dropping the contents of the plate into the portal, and the Blue Beetle was also using her portal. Cyborg pushes the contents through the tube which came out of his finger and sucked the contents. And Grayson was left alone, so Wade replied.

(Wade)-Star. Dick has a strong intolerance to sour food. I remember a few weeks ago we were at some bar that had a sour week. And since then, Grayson hasn't been able to take anything sour in his mouth. Because traumatic memories keep coming back to him, especially of a sour drink. Dick lived in the bar's restroom for several minutes. However, he ate a lot anyway, he probably didn't want to upset you.

Star breathed a sigh of relief and replied happily.

(Star)-Okey..But for the future, Dick, tell me what flavors do you prefer. Then he will prepare something that suits your taste.

Grayson smiled at Wade gratefully and at a hidden high five. Star took the plunge, and Wade and the rest of the Titans were enjoying the day off.