CHAPTER 165: STRANGE RADIANT MAN

Radiant Man stood tall in the doorway, the golden sheen of his suit gleaming like polished sunlight, the heavy cape draped from his shoulders catching a breeze that no one else could feel. The moment he spoke, the air seemed to shift — lighter somehow, electrified not with tension, but with a strange and unexpected warmth.

"I said I’m back," he repeated again, softer now, the edges of his glow dimming slightly as his eyes settled on the cozy domestic scene before him. His gaze wandered over the plates on the table, the bowls of steaming curry, the neatly arranged utensils, and the three frozen figures.

Keisha blinked in disbelief, then gasped as though snapping out of a trance. "R-Radiant Man?"

He smiled — a wide, boyish, radiant grin that made it easy to forget that this was a man known across the world for lifting cities, splitting mountains, and erasing entire criminal organizations from existence. "Keisha!" he cried, taking a bold step forward into the room.

Before anyone could react, he practically floated across the floor and swept her up into his arms. "My dear Keisha! How long has it been? You haven’t aged a day!"

Keisha choked out a startled laugh as he spun her once, then again, like they were old dance partners reunited after decades apart. "Wh-what are you doing? Stop that—oh my god, we only parted in morning..."

"Of come on!" Radiant Man beamed, planting her back onto the floor but not releasing her entirely. He kept one arm slung around her shoulders, tapping her nose playfully. "I’m eternal, remember? Timeless. Though between you and me, you’ve stolen my title. Look at you! Still radiant yourself last time I saw you this morning, Keisha."

Keith stared in complete disbelief. Shania’s mouth hung open.

Radiant Man didn’t notice. He was too busy twirling with Keisha again, humming a jaunty tune as he led her into a waltz right there in the living room.

"You’re still light on your feet," he said admiringly. "And that curry? I could smell it halfway across the block."

Keisha laughed, flustered, brushing a hand through her hair. "Stop it, stop it, you’re embarrassing me! You even act that you forget the taste of my food sometimes. Why are you always like this!"

"Of course, I am joking," he said, pulling back just enough to hold her at arm’s length. "How could I forget the best cook in the city? And the woman who used to patch up my bruises when I tried to fly and landed in your garden fence?"

"That was... a long time ago," she said, her voice quieter now, touched with emotion.

Radiant Man tilted his head, his smile softening. "Time doesn’t matter for things that mattered."

Elius watched quietly from the table, resting his chin on his palm, expression unreadable. The golden glow of Radiant Man’s form bathed the room like a second sun, and yet Elius’s eyes didn’t flinch from it. He simply leaned back, waiting.

After several more moments of reminiscing, Radiant Man finally turned — his eyes falling on Elius, who was still seated calmly beside Shania.

"Oh," he said, blinking. "And who’s this young man?"

Keith flinched.

Shania tensed again.

Elius just smiled lazily. "Oh, me?" He looked toward Shania, his grin widening just a little, almost as if the question was a private joke between the two of them. She paled instantly. Then Elius turned back toward Radiant Man, rising to his feet with an elegant grace.

"Name’s Elius," he said, brushing an invisible speck off his shoulder. "Pleasure to meet you, Radiant Man. Thanks for dropping in."

Radiant Man stepped forward, squinting at him curiously. "Elius, hmm?" He studied him from top to bottom, as though trying to place the face. "Interesting aura. Good posture. Blonde hair. Strong jawline. You look—well, you look a little familiar."

Elius chuckled. "I get that sometimes."

"Well, Elius," Radiant Man said, placing both hands on his hips in that signature hero pose, "what do you do? Student? Intern? Hero in training?"

"Something like that," Elius said with a shrug. "Bit of everything, really. I help people, make decisions, manipulate circumstances for the greater good, and stir a few pots when needed. You could say I’m a freelancer of fate."

Radiant Man blinked. "A freelancer of fate. Now that’s a title."

"I try to be original," Elius replied, barely containing a smirk.

"And where are you from?" Radiant Man asked, taking a step closer now. "Blonde hair like that — not common in this district. Genetic modification? Or are you from Sector Aurelia?"

"Neither. Natural, unfortunately," Elius said, running a hand through his hair. "Inherited from my mother’s side, I think. Not that I ever got to ask her much about it."

Radiant Man tilted his head. "No father?"

Elius met his gaze directly. "Father’s complicated. Mostly absent. Bit of a perfectionist. Keeps his distance unless you look the way he wants you to."

"Huh," Radiant Man muttered, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Sounds familiar."

"Oh, I bet it does."

"Wait," Radiant Man said, taking another look. "You’re not part of the Academy High system, are you?"

"I’ve dabbled," Elius answered. "Had a few tours. Nothing permanent."

"Hmm. And what’s your ability, if you don’t mind me asking? You’ve got the look of someone who controls light. Or perhaps thought. Or... gravity?"

Elius chuckled. "None of those. My power’s not flashy. It’s more... narrative-based."

Radiant Man raised a brow. "Narrative-based?"

"I’m good at making things go the way they should. I align events. Nudge fate. Or sometimes, shove it."

"That’s awfully abstract," Radiant Man mused. "You sure you’re not just lucky?"

"Oh, I am lucky. But only because I plan better than most."

Radiant Man nodded slowly, still inspecting him. "And how do you know Keisha?"

"She helped me once," Elius said simply. "I was looking for someone. Lost, hungry. She didn’t ask questions. Just offered tea and a book."

"That sounds like her," Radiant Man said with a laugh. "Always the caretaker."

Keith opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Shania still hadn’t moved.

"Elius," Radiant Man said, clapping a hand on the young man’s shoulder. "You’ve got presence, I’ll give you that. If you ever want to work with me, say the word. The Radiant Corps always has space for exceptional young people."

Elius inclined his head. "I’ll consider it."

The two stood like that for a moment — an unknowing father and an unacknowledged son. Only Keith and Shania understood the gravity beneath the casual air. Keisha just looked happy to have guests.

"Well," Elius said at last, breaking the silence, "this has been... fun."

He stepped away from the table, brushing his hands together as if clearing dust from a finished project. "Thanks for the food, Miss Keisha. Best curry I’ve had in years."

Keisha smiled brightly. "You’re welcome anytime, dear."

Shania looked down at the table.

Keith stood up slowly, staring at Elius. There were a hundred things he wanted to say — to scream — but they all tangled in his throat.

Elius turned at the door, raising a hand in casual farewell. "Keith, take care. And remember what we talked about."

Keith’s fists clenched.

Radiant Man gave a friendly wave. "See you around, Elius."

Elius smiled back.

But this time, it didn’t reach his eyes.