Lucian watched the scene with anticipation, eager to see if Gwen could cast an intermediate-level spell. But... the result was disappointing.
After all, Gwen had only just begun learning magic. Though her talent was impressive, summoning the Water Dragon Soul was still far beyond her reach. The blue Water Dragon Soul barely formed its tail before the half-shaped body collapsed, scattering into mist that filled the air. It was clear that summoning the Water Dragon Soul required a deep reserve of magical power.
Gwen lowered her head, looking dejected like a scolded child. She walked up to Lucian and handed the spellbook back.
"Cousin, I guess I don't have the talent for magic after all. You should take the book back," she said sadly, pouting.
Lucian froze on the spot.
This... this was what she called no talent?! If that was the case, then what did that make him—mediocre?
Taking a deep breath, Lucian patted her shoulder.
"No, you've got real talent. You're well-suited to this spellbook. As promised, it's yours now."
"I hope you'll practice hard and live up to your cousin's expectations."
Gwen blinked, then nodded seriously.
"Thank you, cousin. I'll work hard!"
"That's not fair! I want to learn magic too!" Ben shouted, marching forward to grab Gwen's Water Magic Spellbook. How could that be? Whatever his silly cousin had, he had to have too—otherwise, it just didn't sit right with him!
"No way!" Gwen shook her head and hugged the book tightly.
"It's fine, Gwen. Let Ben try it out," Lucian said with a calm smile, glancing at the sulking boy. "If you can make it work, you two can share it. Deal?"
"No problem!" Ben agreed instantly, full of confidence.
But soon he trudged back with a defeated look, handing the book over. No matter how many times he chanted, nothing happened.
"Alright, Ben. Maybe your gift lies elsewhere. Don't lose heart," Lucian said.
In truth, the Omnitrix was meant to belong to Ben. But since Lucian's arrival had already altered the story, he planned to craft powerful weapons—guns, armor, and more—to give Ben when the time came.
"Disperse!" Gwen called softly, waving her hand to clear the lingering mist.
"Gwen, remember—practice magic carefully and only for good," Grandpa said from the bow of the boat, rod in hand. "Don't rush. Magic is no joke, understand?"
"I understand, Grandpa," Gwen replied, staring at his back in silence.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, they rowed back to the small village, found an inn, and settled in for the night.
The next morning, Grandpa led Lucian and the others back to the Rustbucket to begin their next journey.
"Grandpa, it's the weekend! Where are we going?" Ben asked eagerly. "The Sumo Slammers Expo? The arcade?"
Grandpa smiled faintly.
"Neither. We're spending the weekend at your Aunt Vera's place."
"Oh no, not the boring old lady!" Ben groaned, clutching his head.
"I like Aunt Vera," Gwen said cheerfully.
"Oh please, that's because you already act like a little old lady," Ben sighed, rubbing his forehead.
...
Desert highway, a gas station by the roadside.
"Get out of the way, you stinky old man! There's a pile of cash waiting for me to take out!"
A fierce robber shoved Grandpa Max aside from the ATM, hooking a sharp iron bar onto it and tying it to the car's rear bumper. The engine roared to life.
Meanwhile, Lucian stood at the counter with Ben and Gwen.
"I'll have a honeydew ice cream, please," Lucian said calmly.
"I want chocolate flavor!" Ben grinned.
"Um, excuse me, do you have any ice cream flavors that are low-fat and low-sugar?" Gwen asked carefully.
"Napkins," the cashier replied flatly, showing no expression.
CRACK!
A loud crash echoed from outside. Lucian's eyes narrowed, and he rushed out immediately.
"Grandpa's still outside!" he called, tossing his ice cream aside as he sprinted out.
Beside the gas station, a red sedan had a chain fastened to its rear, locked tightly around the nearby ATM.
"Heh heh, we're rolling in it now!"
The robber inside cackled as he stomped the gas pedal, ready to tear the ATM from the ground.
Suddenly, the car's dashboard twisted into a swirling mass of green and black liquid, seizing full control of the vehicle.
"What the hell is this thing?!" the robber shouted in alarm.
A single green eye appeared within the liquid, staring straight at him.
"Sorry, insufficient funds."
The words barely fell before the strange substance morphed into a humanoid figure and kicked the robber clean out of the car.
"Ah! A monster!"
The robber tumbled to the ground, terrified and scrambling backward, completely losing his composure.
Upgrade stepped out of the car, its movements smooth and emotionless.
The skin connecting its head to its arms was pitch black, patterned with green lines. Its torso and legs were white, with a green circular eye embedded on its head. Its body shimmered like gelatin, able to stretch and shift freely, light as air. Despite its fluid appearance, Upgrade's body was incredibly durable—ordinary physical attacks were useless against it.
"I advise you not to meddle, Mr. Monster!"
By the ATM, a bearded robber yanked the iron hook loose and spun it in his hand before hurling it straight at Upgrade.
"Noisy."
Upgrade tilted its head slightly, dodging the hook with ease. It caught the chain in one hand and yanked hard, slamming the robber to the ground.
Both robbers dropped to their knees, pleading desperately for mercy, hoping the alien would spare them.
"Grandpa, call the police," said Upgrade, the green circle on its head flashing.
"Alright!" Grandpa Max replied with a proud smile. His grandson was getting better at using the watch every day.
Since the police would take some time to arrive, Upgrade tied the two robbers to a streetlight and left them there to await justice.
The group then got back on the road, heading toward the scorching desert town.
...
Desert Town.
The blazing sun hung high in the sky, radiating intense heat. The ground shimmered with waves of hot air, the temperature so high it made the air itself waver.
"Mr. Marty, long time no see! Been staying inside to escape the heat?"
A woman with short ash-gray hair stood in her doorway, greeting her neighbor warmly.
Marty had just turned the doorknob when he heard Vera's voice. Smiling, he turned and said, "Yes, Vera. I thought I'd get some fresh air, but it's still too hot out. These old bones can't take it anymore."
He fanned himself with a wrinkled hand, sweat trickling down his forehead.
"You're right, this summer's been unbearably hot." Vera smiled gently. "You should head back inside, Mr. Marty. It's far too hot out today."
"I still need to stop by the supermarket to pick up a few things. My dear grandchildren are visiting soon."
"Alright then," Vera said with a nod as Marty waved her off.
Taking a deep breath, she shuffled her plump frame toward the nearby supermarket.
Inside the dimly lit house, Marty wiped the sweat from his forehead, grabbed a bucket of popcorn, and sat down in front of the TV, watching intently.
He didn't notice that in the darkness behind him, a slick green liquid was creeping silently up the back of the sofa—like a venomous serpent waiting to strike...