The Former Number One

Ethan laid against the swing, "isn't he coming?" He thought to himself. He had been in that spot for over ten minutes, he had cancelled all his plans for that day because Casper had demanded a training course for his newly acquired power.

"That damn brat calling me here even though he wasn't going to show up" Ethan said with a hint of annoyance, he turned to leave and met face with Casper.

"Nice to know how you really think of me"

"Oh….. Umm….. Casper" Ethan was stuttering "I….. I didn't see you there"

"What? You scared of a kid" Casper teased

"No Of course not" He replied, crossing his arms.

"You just caught me by surprise that's all" He calmly added adjusting his glasses."C'mon lets go"

Ethan started walking towards the direction of the road.

Casper chuckled a bit and followed him.

Whether he believed or not, Ethan was New York's Second Best Hunter known as Shadow. His ability were unknown apart from the fact that there were the stealth type.

In the history of humanity there had been three great Invasions known to almost make humanity extinct. Ethan had played a big part in the Second Great Invasion, he solely handled 80% of the opponents' army.

At that time he was the number one hunter before news got out that he had retired fully as a hunter and decided to work as a doctor.

No one knew why he suddenly retired but no one dare question the country's former number one but now Casper and Fiona, the new number one, knew exactly why he did.

"Hey Sir Ethan, did you ever regret losing your mana?" By the time Casper asked this, they were already at the gate of what seemed to be a mansion.

Casper turned to Ethan to finish the question but stopped when he saw that Ethan wasn't smiling instead his eyes were narrowed like he could kill at any moment.

"Casper, First lesson" He looked at Casper who shrank at the sight "Don't ask me about my past"

With that the gate opened up for them and they went in with Casper still taken aback by Sir Ethan's reaction.

And if that wasn't enough, the sight if the mansion was simply breathtaking.

Ethan turned to Casper looking as sweet as ever.

"Come, let me show you around" His voice seemed welcoming and polished.

As they walked around, Casper was amazed at the interior.

Ethan stopped at the front of a door, he tapped the handle which revealed a camera lens at the spy hole, it scanned Ethan's retina before giving access.

What lay behind the door was a fully equipped gym, which made Casper wonder why Ethan was scrawny and slim, a wine cellar at the corner with its extensive collection of fine vintages, was a connoisseur's delight.

Casper took it all in and came to a conclusion that this place wasn't just a home.

It was a testament to dreams realized and a life lived unparalleled luxury.

"Now then" Ethan pulled off his hoodie revealing a perfectly refined body.

The hoodie had covered it and made him look scrawny.

"Let's start working out" He said hoping up and down, he was warming up.

Casper couldn't help but feel the zeal to work-out, he wanted to have a body like that but….

"But Sir Ethan, don't you think we should check my ability?"

Ethan halted his warm up movements and stared at Casper like he was considering whether he should fold him.

"Fine" He replied then walked to a white sci-fi desk.

"What are you doing?" Casper asked walking towards him when a large transparent wall rose from the ground, separating Ethan and Casper.

"You said your ability makes you stronger right" Ethan said then smirked "Before we move to the next stage, break down this wall using your abilities"

"But I don't even know how to control it yet" Casper yelled giving a hint of disapproval.

"Not my problem" Ethan tapped his watch "Your time limit is 3 days"

***

Casper had his back laid on the floor, how could glass be this hard to break.

Sir Ethan had left him in the room to realize his power which seemed to have left him. The strength that he had felt was no longer with him like it was locked away.

According to the timer on the wall, Casper had spent two days in the room and no matter how many times he tried… he couldn't even place a crack on it.

"What's this? You can't break it" The speaker above him boomed.

Sir Ethan had been using that means to communicate with him throughout the time of his failing attempts.

And this was one of the times where Sir Ethan was taunting him.

"I can't wait to smash that mouth of yours" Casper muttered to himself

"Well I'll give you the opportunity to do that" Ethan said coming through the door, he was wearing a jump suit that seemed so tight that if it was his skin color Casper would have probably though it was part of his skin.

The glass that separated them before was now withdrawing into the floor.

Casper sat up looking at Ethan straight in the eye

'What now?'

"We're not making any process, it's been a week and you haven't done anything" Ethan replied.

"Wait what? There's no way I've been here for a week, I thought the limit was 3 days?"

At first Casper thought he was joking but Ethan's face remained completely serious. Then it dawned on Casper that he hadn't left the room in a long time but he only thought it was two days cause of the timer

.

"Now that you understand your predicament" Ethan said stretching out his legs "Let's get started"

"Huh, start what?" Casper asked trying to get up when Ethan darted towards him and punched him at the gut. Casper was sent across the room smashing into the white ceramic wall.

"What was that for?" Casper exclaimed while blood seemed to leak from his mouth.

"Simple" Replied Ethan "To force your abilities out"

He charged at Casper who side stepped resulting with Ethan punching the wall.

Tension hung heavy as Casper and Ethan faced off. Casper's stance was solid and grounded, embodying strength and precision due to his martial art training in the past, while Ethan's movement were swift and fluid, demonstrating agility and grace due to experience in the battle field.

After the first attack Ethan proceeded by launching a flurry of lightning-fast kicks and punches. His speed was unmatched as he darted around Casper, landing strikes with pinpoint accuracy.

Casper found himself on the defensive, blocking and evading as Ethan pressed his advantage.

With each strike, Ethan seemed to gain momentum, his attacks becoming more aggressive and relentless. Casper struggled to keep up, his defenses beginning to falter under the relentless assault. Ethan seized the opportunity, delivering a powerful spinning kick that sent Casper staggering back against the gyms wall.

Breathing heavily, Casper shook off the impact and steadied himself, determination etched on his face. He could feel it, this was the minimum strength of the former number one.

He smiled as he felt the power of the item surged through his body. Gathering his focus, Casper adjusted his strategy waiting patiently for the right moment.

As Ethan closed in for another series of strikes, Casper anticipated his movements with calm calculation.

With a sudden burst of speed, Casper countered deflecting Ethan's punches and launching a series of devastating strikes of his own. Each blow landed with precision and force, pushing Ethan back and forcing him into a defensive position.

Now it was Casper's turn to dominate the fight. He unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes, combining power with technique. Ethan, caught off guard by Casper's sudden shift in momentum, struggled to regain his footing. Despite his best efforts to block and evade, Casper's overwhelming strength began to wear him down.

With passing moment, Casper's control over the fight became more evident. He pressed forward, driving Ethan further back across the floor. Ethan, now visibly fatigued, fought valiantly to regain his advantage, but Casper relentless assault left little room for him to maneuver.

In a final, decisive move, Casper delivered a crushing blow that sent Ethan sprawling to the floor. The room fell silent as Casper stood victorious, his chest heavy with exertion. Ethan, though defeated, rose slowly to his feet, acknowledging Casper superior skill with a nod of respect.

"You're ready" Ethan snapped his finger. Two home-servants came in with a bottle water each for them both.

Casper sat on the floor and heaved a sigh of relief "I think I got a bit of handle on the ability"

"Well that's good because your mum called." Ethan joined him at his side.

Casper drank little from his bottle and poured the rest on his head

"What did she say?"

"The practical exams is two days away"

Casper stared at the floor for some while remaining quiet.

"I guess I should go home and get prepared." He finally replied standing up.

Ethan smiled and did the same "Let's see you off"

As they walked out of the room, Ethan couldn't help questioning Casper how it felt gaining control of the item.