**Chapter 13** Six Months Later

 Six months had passed since Exalibar and Aisha stopped the nighttime bank robbery. In that time, their lives had changed in ways neither of them could have anticipated. Exalibar, once a weapon forged in the shadows, had found a place in the world—a family, friends, and a future he could call his own. But the road to this new life hadn't been easy.

After nearly being expelled for being "too powerful," Exalibar had made a conscious decision to hold back. The concept was foreign to him. He was a creature of pride, and suppressing his abilities felt like a betrayal of everything he was. But he knew it was necessary. He didn't want to be seen as a threat anymore. He wanted to be normal—or as normal as someone like him could be.

Despite his efforts, not everyone at school was willing to let Exalibar fade into the background. Some of his classmates were determined to prove they were better than him. Individually, in specific areas, they might have been. Riff, for instance, could reach speeds of Mach 10, far surpassing Exalibar's top speed . Dylan's reflexes were sharper, and Jack—the son of a general and the strongest student in the country—outclassed Exalibar in raw power. This was due to the fact that Exalibar wasn't a natural speedster. It was the strength of his muscles that allowed him to move fast instead of a superpower.

Jack, like Exalibar, was a creature of pride. The two had clashed repeatedly, their rivalry escalating until it reached a boiling point. They agreed to settle things once and for all in a controlled environment—one of James's facilities, where they could fight without fear of collateral damage. The entire school flocked to the facility, eager to witness the showdown between the two powerhouses.

The fight began with Exalibar taking the initiative. He dashed forward, his movements a blur, and struck Jack's leg with precision, forcing him to kneel. Exalibar followed up with a flurry of punches, aiming to end the fight quickly. But he had underestimated Jack's resilience. With a roar, Jack slammed his fist into the ground, the shockwave sending Exalibar flying into the air.

Exalibar, anticipating the move, twisted his body mid-air and delivered a devastating kick to the back of Jack's neck, sending him crashing into the wall. Before Jack could recover, Exalibar was on him again, his fists a blur as he rained down blows. Each strike tore through Jack's skin and muscles, the sheer ferocity of the attack leaving the audience in stunned silence. But Jack wasn't done. Fuelled by desperation and the hysterical strength that comes with impending defeat, he threw a full-powered punch at Exalibar. Exalibar, confident in his own strength, attempted to counter the blow. It was a fatal mistake. Jack's punch obliterated Exalibar's arm, ripping it clean off and sending him flying into the wall with enough force to kill him on impact.

The room erupted into chaos. Exalibar's body splattered against the wall, his organs scattering across the room. Blood rained down on the horrified spectators, many of whom screamed, cried, or vomited at the gruesome sight. For a moment, it seemed like the fight was over—and Exalibar was gone.

But then, something extraordinary happened. The pieces of Exalibar's body began to move on their own. The blood that had splattered across the room levitated, flowing back to where the largest concentration of his remains lay. The pieces reassembled themselves, and in a span of ten seconds, Exalibar stood whole once more, his body fully regenerated. The room fell silent, the spectators staring in awe and terror. Exalibar, now naked and furious, glared at Jack. The death had been excruciating, and the humiliation of being exposed in front of the entire school only added to his rage. He wasn't about to let this slide. But before he could attack, Chloe stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. "That's enough! Jack wins." Exalibar hesitated, his murderous intent warring with his respect for Chloe. He knew she was right. If the fight continued, Jack would die—and Exalibar wasn't sure he could stop himself. Reluctantly, he accepted defeat, his pride bruised but his life intact.

Surprisingly, the fight marked the beginning of a new chapter in Exalibar and Jack's relationship. The two had tested each other's limits and come out with a newfound respect for one another. Over time, they became good friends, their rivalry giving way to camaraderie.

Exalibar's bond with James also grew stronger. The two spent countless hours together, their father-son bonding sessions ranging from quiet conversations to intense training. James shared stories of his past, his regrets, and his hopes for the future. Exalibar, in turn, opened up about his struggles and fears. For the first time, he felt like he truly belonged to a family.

Aisha, with the help of James's top scientists, made a breakthrough. Using the data from the chip that had once controlled Exalibar, she developed a new version capable of storing up to five abilities by allowing for more efficient use of energy. This raised Exalibar's total to eight—three natural and five artificial, with one slot permanently occupied by regeneration. The chip also forced Exalibar to hold back his strength unless absolutely necessary, finally allowing him to integrate fully into society.

But Aisha's greatest triumph was using the chip's data to heal her mother. Valery, though grateful, chose not to return to the battlefield. "It's better to leave the situation as it is," she said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. Her days as a hero were over, but she found peace in her new life. 

With a family, friends, and a partner by his side, Exalibar finally had everything he had ever wanted. The boy who had once been a weapon had become a son, a friend, and a hero in his own right. The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, Exalibar felt ready to face it.

**To Be Continued…**