"From what I heard, the scab that looks like an armored shell will only last for 48 hours after it forms due to the injury you received," Maximilian explained.
"What do you mean?" Ricardo asked, still not fully understanding.
"It’s the power of the EF ability you just gained. From what I know—according to my brother—this ability hardens the area where you receive trauma, giving it resistance to the same type of injury if it happens again.
For example, if you suffer blunt trauma to your stomach, after regeneration, that area will become tougher and gain better shock absorption to prevent the same damage from occurring again.
This means, if you’re struck with 3000 newtons of force, the same as a heavyweight boxer’s punch, the next strike to the same area would need at least 6000 newtons for you to even feel it. Otherwise, you’d just shrug it off.
The same logic applies to cuts and slash-type injuries as well," Maximilian explained.
After hearing Maximilian’s explanation, Ricardo looked at the armored-like scab on his arm.
"The resistance will last for 48 hours after the most recent trauma you receive," Maximilian added.
Ricardo finally regained his composure. He looked at Maximilian and nodded.
"Thank you for this gift. Tell the boss that I really appreciate it," said Ricardo.
"Don’t worry, I’ll let him know," Maximilian nodded.
In fact... you already told your boss, he thought.
After receiving the gift, Ricardo excused himself, but before he could exit the café, Maximilian stopped him.
"Oh! Before you go, Mr. Navarro," said Maximilian. Ricardo paused and turned back toward him.
"If the problem becomes more than you can handle, don’t hesitate to call my brother. He always responds to emergencies—no matter what," Maximilian said.
"Ah! Thank you, Mr. Little Brother. I’ll remember that," Ricardo replied and quickly left the shop.
Since Maximilian was currently using his "Max" persona, he could only watch Ricardo leave. He decided that tomorrow, he would check in on Ricardo and his gang.
Maximilian woke up to the aroma of coffee. It seemed his teacher, Pierre, had already started preparing the café. This had become the norm over the last one and a half years of intense training.
The only reason Pierre hadn’t come to wake him up with a stick was because the training had finally ended.
{Atherna,} he called out.
[Good morning! Do you need something?] she asked in a light tone.
{The clone ticket—how do I use it?} Maximilian asked, glancing at the System UI displaying the clone ticket he had purchased.
[It’s easy! Just manifest it and tear the ticket! \(≧▽≦)/ ] Atherna said, sounding far more giddy than the situation warranted.
{I’m just asking... why do you sound so excited? Like you’re planning something,} Maximilian asked, his tone suspicious.
[Nah, it’s just your imagination~ Don’t be a paranoid uncle. (づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ ]
Letting out a tired sigh, Maximilian manifested the ticket and tore it apart.
The moment he did, light began to coalesce from motes in the air, forming into a perfect copy of himself.
In Maximilian’s mind, the knowledge of how to use the clone flooded in. He understood instantly that he could control this clone just like his own body. He could even assign it simple pre-programmed tasks—like opening and running the café as usual.
The clone would flawlessly mimic him in behavior, voice, and mannerisms. Moreover, he retained full authority to override any of the clone’s actions at any time, in case something came up.
"You’re staying here, acting like you told me about Ricardo yesterday and running the café. I’ll act like I just came to visit you to check on you first, then I’ll head to the Fringe, okay?" Maximilian said.
The clone smiled and gave a thumbs-up, signaling that it understood.
Maximilian changed his clothes, leaving only his short black leather jacket and a white T-shirt. He took off his glasses and used Inorganic Animation to open an exit through the wall.
He slipped through the passage into the alley behind the café, but the moment he arrived, he found someone he never expected to see.
A stunningly beautiful woman with silvery white hair stood there. Her mischievous yet sweet smile was the same one she had shown him when they first met. She wore a simple yet elegant white one-piece dress with a bolero jacket over it.
"Athel!?" Maximilian was stunned, but before he could say another word, Atherna jumped into his arms.
The two shared a passionate kiss that lasted several minutes before Atherna finally pulled her lips away.
Maximilian frowned, but the small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth betrayed the joy he was trying to hide behind a stern look.
"Who told you to use that free trial ticket?" he said, giving her a mildly scolding glare.
"I know, I know. You were saving it for a special occasion. But come on—you can just buy another one, right? I mean, you’ve got a ton of villain points now," Atherna replied, clinging to his back.
"Oi! Stop clinging to me like that," Maximilian said, feeling two soft, warm marshmellow pressing against his back.
"C’mon, I know you like it~" Atherna teased with a mischievous smirk.
"Get down, you silly donut!" Maximilian snapped. If she kept teasing him any more, he might just lose control and turn into a beast.
Atherna sighed and finally got down—because if she didn’t, she doubted she’d get any sleep tonight.
Then, with a cheerful grin, she grabbed Maximilian’s arm and looped hers through his.
"C’mon! Take me to your friends—introduce me!" Atherna said, beaming with her usual bubbly energy.
"Sigh~" Maximilian let out a tired sigh, but still smiled as he walked toward the café entrance.
At the entrance, he stepped in with Atherna clinging to his arm.
"Ah, welcome!" Rebecca greeted with her usual sweet voice, until her eyes landed on him.
Maximilian wasn’t wearing glasses. Those were on his clone, currently behind the counter preparing a cup of coffee for another customer.
"You..." Rebecca froze, startled by the sight of Maximilian without his glasses.
She had heard about him from Max—the one who had sent Max to find her, the one who had trained under her father, Owen Lane, also known as Blood Mongoose.
Maximilian—the elder twin of Max, Ricardo’s boss... and the suspected identity behind the notorious villain Nihilus.
"Want a cup of coffee, Maximilian?" Max, the clone, asked with a smile.
"Yeah, that’s a good idea," Maximilian replied, slowly walking toward a seat near the window.
To be honest, coming here as a customer felt strange—but strangely satisfying. As if he were laying down a heavy burden.
Maximilian thought this while glancing at Atherna, who followed him and sat across from him.
Rebecca stared at Atherna—openly, without concern for whether she noticed or not. A strange jealousy bubbled inside her. That woman in white... she was beautiful. Ethereal. Like a goddess descended upon the world. As if the filth of this world couldn’t even touch her.
Atherna turned and met Rebecca’s gaze, then smiled at her.
Startled, Rebecca quickly looked away and focused on her work again.
The clone, after finishing the coffee, served it with flawless butler-like grace.
"Never thought you’d bring sister-in-law Athel here with you. Aren’t you worried she’ll be in danger?" the clone asked, playing the role of the younger brother.
Maximilian was a bit surprised. He glanced at Atherna, who was wearing her usual mischievous smirk. He already knew—she must’ve given some sort of instruction to the clone beforehand.
He couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.
"Can you take care of her for a day? The place I need to go next is quite dangerous," said Maximilian.
"That’s fine. I’ll look after her," the clone replied with a nod. Atherna also nodded in agreement before turning again to Rebecca, who flinched slightly under her gaze.
Maximilian took a sip of the coffee. As the taste hit his tongue, he looked down at the cup in surprise.
It tasted exactly like the coffee he brewed.
So, the clone copied not just his appearance—but even his brewing technique.
If that’s the case... he could rest easy. The clone would be able to protect Atherna.
"You’ve improved," Maximilian commented before standing up and patting the clone on the shoulder.
"Take care of her for me... I’ll be back."
Hearing this, Atherna smirked mischievously. "Why don’t you say it in a more robotic tone? ’Ahh’ll be back.’" she mimicked in a faux-Terminator voice.
Maximilian lightly chopped her on the head.
"Ow!" Atherna feigned pain, before he started fumbling her hair, messing it up. She slapped him on the shoulder, causing him to chuckle.
"Take care, Athel. You too, Max. Keep an eye on her, don’t let her go wandering around, she’s a troublemaker."
With that, Maximilian exited the café, leaving Atherna pouting at his remark as she readjusted her hair.
With Maximilian gone, Rebecca slowly let out a sigh of relief. Maximilian had a strong presence—far more intimidating than Max. She felt oppressed by his presence alone, but perhaps that was because she knew he was Nihilus, the powerful new rising villain.
Rebecca then looked at Atherna, whom Max had introduced as his sister-in-law.