Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Model (Imitation) Father
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Host: Mike Kent.
Newbie Gift: Assassin Time.
Ability: Memory Fantasy Manifestation.
Current Ability Level: LV3.
Current Upgrade Progress: 90%.
Son: Clark Kent (Kryptonian).
Son: Eric Kent (Mutant, Awakened).
Son: Charles Kent (Mutant, Awakened).
This was Mike's current ability status.
He wasn't far from reaching LV4.
He eagerly anticipated what changes LV4 would bring.
More importantly, based on the rewards he had received from previous ability upgrades, if his guess was correct, he might obtain a permanent ability from a character.
That was what truly excited him.
Exiting the system, Mike stretched, finished his now-cold coffee, and walked into the bathroom.
After showering, he picked up his phone, which had been tossed aside, and smiled as he read a new message.
It was from Raven.
Ever since the Hellfire Club split up, she had been working solo. Occasionally, she would message or call Mike to chat about her situation. If she happened to be near New York, they would meet up, spending quality time together in bed.
However, such opportunities were rare.
After replying to Raven, Mike tossed his phone onto the pillow and went to sleep.
...
The next morning, Mike woke up Clark and the other two early. After a quick breakfast, the family set off for New York by car.
On the way, Eric and Charles were visibly excited, while Clark seemed distracted.
Glancing at Clark in the passenger seat, Mike gave a knowing smile and reassured him, "Don't worry. By tomorrow, you'll definitely have a dance partner inviting you."
Clark nodded absentmindedly and looked out the window. Puzzled, he asked, "Aren't we going to buy clothes?"
Mike chuckled. "You're about to graduate. I've prepared a graduation gift for you."
"A gift?"
Charles and Eric leaned in curiously.
"What is it?"
"You'll find out soon."
Mike smiled mysteriously.
Moments later, Mike parked in front of a car dealership.
Clark froze, staring at Mike in shock. "Dad? This isn't the gift you mentioned, is it?"
"A car dealership?" Mike teased. "You're overthinking it. Your gift is inside."
"Whoa! No way!"
"Dad! That's so unfair!"
Eric and Charles exclaimed, looking enviously at Clark.
Having their own car would undoubtedly make them stand out at school.
Mike glanced at the two of them and said, "When you graduate, I'll get you one too."
Charles' eyes lit up. "Then I can graduate now!"
He had already self-studied all his high school courses.
"Hah, you little smart aleck!" Mike laughed. Just as Charles was basking in his cleverness, Mike changed the tone and said, "You'll need a driver's license first."
Charles smacked his forehead, exasperated.
At fifteen, he wasn't eligible to get a license yet. He'd have to wait at least another year.
Eric sighed helplessly as well.
"Enough talking, let's go!"
Clark's previous low spirits had vanished. He urged Mike on, dragging him into the dealership.
Since Mike had booked an appointment and selected a few models in advance, the process was smooth. After Clark chose the model and color he liked, Mike paid, and they quickly picked up the car.
"Hehe!"
Charles walked around the car, patted it, and grinned at Clark. "See? I told you yellow looks great."
Eric nodded in agreement. "I second that."
The car's sleek and youthful design, combined with its vibrant yellow color, made it look full of energy.
Turning to Clark, Eric urged, "Go on, give it a spin!"
Mike tossed the keys to Clark.
Catching them, Clark strode toward the car. Just as Charles was about to settle into the passenger seat, Eric yanked him away and slipped in instead, leaving Charles fuming but powerless.
"You coming or not?" Eric smirked, poking his head out to tease Charles.
In response, Charles flipped him the middle finger.
Mike frowned. "Charles?"
Charles let out an awkward chuckle before opening the back door and climbing in. "Alright, let's go!"
"Hold on tight!"
Clark's warning barely registered before the car shot forward, prompting startled yells from his brothers.
"Slow down!" Mike shouted, watching as the car quickly disappeared from sight. He shook his head with a smile.
A while later, Clark drove back, and seeing the three boys' delighted expressions, Mike knew he had made the right purchase.
Next stop: shopping for clothes!
Glancing in the rearview mirror, he saw the trio laughing and chatting in the car behind him. Then he looked at his own empty car and muttered, "Ungrateful brats. They get a new toy and forget all about me."
Sigh…
The old father let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head in feigned sorrow.
Upon arriving at a specialty store, the three brothers each picked out a suit. They looked exceptionally dashing standing together, and under their persuasion, Mike bought one for himself as well.
When the four of them stood side by side, the store assistant's eyes lit up in admiration. "You all look amazing."
"Good taste!" Charles grinned, only to receive a flick on the forehead from Mike.
"Let's check out."
After changing back into their casual clothes and carrying their purchases, they left the store.
Since they were already in New York, Mike decided to take the opportunity to stroll around and pick up some spices in Chinatown.
By the time he wrapped up his errands and returned home, it was already nighttime.
After dinner, the three boys headed upstairs with different emotions on their minds. Watching Clark's retreating figure, Mike smirked to himself.
Tomorrow, that kid would be the star of the night.
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The next day.
The dance started at 6:30 PM, but by 4:00 PM, Charles and Eric were already getting ready.
After styling their hair, putting on their suits, and pinning their boutonnieres, the two—despite being only fifteen—looked like they were at least seventeen or eighteen.
"Clark! Clark!"
Charles barged into Clark's room, only to find him sluggishly buttoning his shirt. "Hurry up! We need to get there early!"
Clark, moving at his own pace, glanced at the clock and twitched at the time. "It's only five. Relax, we won't be late."
Unlike them, he didn't even have a dance partner yet—what was the rush?
Even if he went early, what would he do?
Despite his reluctance, he still finished getting ready by 5:30 PM.
Charles and Eric dragged Clark out of the house, hopped into his car, and sped off toward the venue.
"Drive safely!" Mike called after them, watching as the taillights shrank into distant pinpricks before vanishing entirely. Shaking his head, he turned around and flipped his palm over, revealing a card.
*Name:* Mystique.
*Character Description:* A woman of a thousand faces—no one knows her true appearance.
*Note:* Guess who I am?
That's right—it was Raven's ability.
Though not particularly powerful in terms of raw strength, Mystique's shapeshifting ability was incredibly useful. Once materialized, it would last long enough to get through a few dances.
Staring at the card in his hand, Mike murmured to himself, "I'm seriously impressed by my own dedication… I really am the model father."
(End of Chapter)