The Scumbag's Guide To Heroism novel Chapter 27

Chapter 27: 27 | Some Lines Can’t Be Uncrossed

The rush was incredible—not just from moving that fast, but from the raw physical sensation of breaking my body’s natural limits. For a brief, brilliant moment, I wasn’t Unmarked. I wasn’t baseline. I was more.

〘 [BLITZ] execution: 63% efficiency. Acceptable for initial attempt. Landing control requires improvement. 〙

"No kidding." My nose throbbed where it had connected with the wall. I stepped back to the center of the room and tried again, this time aiming for the opposite corner.

The second dash was cleaner. The third, I managed to stop without crashing. By the tenth, I could change direction immediately after the dash ended, stringing movements together in a way that made me feel like I was skating across the floor.

Each use drained my stamina heavily, but thanks to Boundless Stamina, I recovered quickly enough to try again after a short rest. The combination was powerful—burst speed with accelerated recovery.

"This changes everything," I murmured, walking in a slow circle to cool down. With Blitz, I could actually survive the Halloran entrance exam’s combat portion. I could dodge attacks from Aspect users, get in close enough to use Spectral Reach effectively, and reposition when threatened.

I checked my status screen, admiring the updated skill list:

ACTIVE SKILLS

Spectral Reach (Rare)

Blitz (Rare)

PASSIVE TRAITS

Boundless Stamina (Epic)

Not bad for less than two weeks in this world. If I could keep this pace up, maybe pull another Epic or even a Legendary before the entrance exam...

The training room door opened.

I froze mid-stretch, heart jumping into my throat as Diane Fitzgerald stepped into the room.

She wore silk pajamas in a deep navy color, her pink hair loose around her shoulders instead of in its usual perfect arrangement. Without her usual makeup and power suit, she looked younger, softer somehow. But her eyes were just as sharp as ever.

"Couldn’t sleep?" she asked, closing the door behind her.

"Just testing something," I managed, suddenly acutely aware that we were alone in a room together after what I’d done earlier.

Diane walked toward me, each step deliberate. My pulse quickened. Was this where she confronted me? Called me out? Kicked me out of her house?

"I saw the light on," she said, stopping a few feet away. "Thought I’d check who was up at this hour."

"Sorry if I woke you."

"You didn’t." She studied me, head tilted slightly. "Were you practicing with your new Aspect?"

I swallowed. "Something like that."

"Show me."

The command was gentle but unmistakable. I hesitated, then decided honesty was the safest path—or at least, partial honesty.

"I was working on movement techniques. Nothing fancy with the... telekinesis yet."

Diane nodded. "Smart. Many new manifestations focus too much on the flashy elements and neglect basics like mobility and defensive applications."

Was she... giving me advice?

"That’s what I was thinking," I said cautiously.

"You’re preparing for Halloran."

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. "Yes."

Diane’s lips curved into a small smile. "I’ve watched you for nine years, Lukas. Always studying Heroes, always analyzing their techniques and strategies. Even when everyone told you manifestation was unlikely, you never stopped preparing."

Guilt twisted in my stomach. The original Lukas had spent years hoping, preparing, only for me to step in at the finish line and claim the prize.

"About earlier," I started, not sure where the sentence was going.

Diane raised a hand, stopping me. "I’m not here to discuss what happened in the theater."

Relief washed through me, quickly followed by confusion. If not that, then what?

"I’m here because I need to understand something." She stepped closer, close enough that I could smell her perfume again. "Why didn’t you tell me immediately when you manifested? Why did I have to find out while walking in on you and my daughter?"

The question caught me off-guard. "It just happened today. I was... processing."

"Nine years, Lukas. Nine years of watching you grow up in my home, and you didn’t think to come find me the moment something this significant occurred?"

There was hurt beneath the steel in her voice. Real hurt that made me feel like absolute garbage.

"I’m sorry," I said, and meant it. "Everything happened so fast. The manifestation, then training with Sloane, then..."

"Then making out with her on my furniture?" Diane finished, one eyebrow arched.

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