Mission accomplished

The air grew thick with tension as the leader's body radiated a palpable aura of power. The potion had worked, and his presence now filled the street with raw, menacing energy. The man cracked his neck, his movements fluid and predatory, his muscles visibly bulging beneath his shirt. He grinned, his newfound strength making him almost drunk with confidence.

Lucian's earpiece crackled, and Selene's smooth, measured voice finally broke the silence. "Careful, Lucian. That potion elevated him to C-rank. He's stronger, faster, and more dangerous. But it won't last long. Tire him out."

Lucian smirked beneath his mask, his glowing blue eyes locking onto his opponent. "Let's see how long you can keep up," he muttered.

The leader lunged forward, his speed a blur as he swung a punch meant to crush bones. Lucian sidestepped with precision, his body twisting just out of reach as the man's fist slammed into the ground, leaving a small crater on the pavement. Lucian countered with a telekinetic shove, forcing the leader to stumble back but not enough to take him down.

The leader snarled and came at him again, each strike faster and more brutal than the last. Lucian used his superior agility and telekinesis to deflect or evade, never allowing the man's enhanced strength to land a blow. A lamppost ripped free from its base as Lucian willed it to life, sweeping it like a staff to keep the leader at bay. The man smashed through it with a single punch, but Lucian was already several meters away, leaping effortlessly to the top of a nearby car.

"Stop running!" the man roared, his voice echoing down the street as he charged again.

Lucian dropped down gracefully, using his telekinesis to hurl debris—chunks of pavement, discarded metal, and even the remnants of the lamppost—at his opponent. The leader batted them away with ease, but each block and strike drained him further. His attacks became sloppier, his breathing heavier, the glow of the potion's effects beginning to wane.

Lucian exploited every opening, darting in and out with calculated precision. A telekinetic swipe knocked the man off balance; a leap carried Lucian over the man's head to safety before he could retaliate. Blow by blow, Lucian's patience paid off as his opponent's movements slowed, his once-powerful strikes losing their force.

Finally, the leader stumbled, gasping for air. Sweat poured down his face as he sank to his knees, the energy from the potion draining from his body. His muscles shrank back to their normal size, and his strength ebbed away, leaving him a shadow of the formidable foe he had been moments ago.

Panting, the man fumbled in his coat pocket, pulling out a sleek, compact device. His thumb hovered over the button, desperation in his eyes as he prepared to call for reinforcements.

But before he could press it, the air around him warped. A faint ripple formed, twisting reality itself as a void opened beside him. Out of the tear stepped Lyra Vayne, her signature playful smirk firmly in place. Her violet hair shimmered under the moonlight, and her bright eyes gleamed with amusement as she snatched the device from his hand with a graceful swipe.

"Tsk, tsk," she teased, holding the device just out of his reach. "Calling for backup? How rude." With a flick of her wrist, she crushed the device with her bare hand, letting the shards clatter to the ground.

The leader stared at her in stunned silence, too weak to react as she turned her attention to Lucian. "Well done, cutey," Lyra said, her tone dripping with mock affection. She sauntered toward him, her steps light and deliberate. "I didn't think you had it in you to make this so entertaining."

Lucian crossed his arms, his mask concealing the faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I aim to please."

Lyra laughed softly, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, you do. And then some." She gave him a wink before turning to the now-defeated leader, her expression darkening ever so slightly. "Now, let's clean this up, shall we?"

Lucian reached down, picking up the sleek black suitcase, its weight insignificant in his hand. The air still buzzed faintly with the residual energy of the fight, but the street had fallen eerily silent. Behind him, Lyra flicked her wrist, opening another shimmering void. One by one, the three unconscious men were engulfed by the portal, disappearing into the void's swirling depths.

Dusting her hands theatrically, Lyra turned toward Lucian with her signature mischievous grin. "All taken care of. Now, shall we?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow as Lyra stepped closer, leaning in with a playful glint in her violet eyes. "Fast, Lucian. The SPM will be here soon. You don't want to meet them, trust me."

"We don't need to hug for teleportation, do we?" he asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

She pouted, her voice dripping with mock seriousness. "No, but this is important."

Lucian sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he relented. "Fine." He stepped closer, opening his arms slightly. Lyra slipped into them with an exaggerated enthusiasm, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.

"Perfect," she whispered, holding him closer than necessary as the void opened around them. Before Lucian could pull away, they disappeared.

They reappeared in the dim, gothic elegance of the Nightshade Order's base, the faint hum of magical energy coursing through the walls. Lyra, however, didn't immediately let go. She stayed pressed against him, her arms still looped around his neck, her violet hair brushing his cheek.

"Lyra," Lucian said after a moment, his tone firm but calm. "You can let go now."

She only hugged tighter, resting her chin on his shoulder with a cheeky grin. "But you're so comfy, cutey."

Lucian sighed again, his voice laced with faint amusement. "Let loose, Lyra."

With a playful laugh, she finally stepped back, but not before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "You did good out there, Lucian. Really good." She winked, then turned on her heel, disappearing down the corridor before he could respond.