Kevin's eyes lit up as he gazed at the flaming red gloves, each one marked with the Roman numeral I.
He had clearly seen it earlier—those gloves had appeared out of thin air in Vega's hand, radiating a blinding light that felt powerful and sacred. There was no doubt in his mind—these gloves were no ordinary item. They were weapons of great power.
Without hesitation, Kevin dropped to one knee again and bowed his head deeply.
"I swear I will remain loyal to you, Master," he said, voice firm. "I will stand by your side, destroying all who oppose the Pengellet family."
After making his vow, Kevin kissed Vega's hand in solemn respect and rose.
Vega smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I've felt your determination, Kevin. Your oath has been received."
"Now, test them. Let's see if the Flame Gloves truly suit you."
"Yes, Master." Kevin nodded with deep respect and slid the gloves onto his hands.
They fit perfectly. He stepped back, giving himself space, and began testing them with careful movements.
At first, the gloves didn't seem to activate. They felt light and snug, almost like a second skin. Kevin waved his arms experimentally, but nothing happened. No fire, no power—just silence.
Vega frowned slightly.
"That's odd…" he thought. "When I enhanced them, I could feel their power immediately. Why aren't they responding now? Could it be… these strengthened items only work for me?"
But he quickly dismissed the thought and gave Kevin some guidance.
"Don't force it. Close your eyes," Vega said calmly. "Feel the gloves with your heart. Let your mind connect with them. Move with intention."
Kevin obeyed, adjusting his posture, breathing slowly.
Then, suddenly—warmth.
A flicker of heat ran through his palms. His eyes snapped open. Following his instincts, Kevin swung his right arm to the side—and a streak of orange-red flame burst out from his glove, slashing the air like a whip of fire.
"This is... the power of flame?" Kevin whispered, stunned.
Even though he had suspected the gloves were powerful, actually summoning fire with his own hands left him breathless with awe.
"I did it..."
The excitement in his chest grew. Confidence filled him. He steadied his breathing, replaying the movement in his mind. Then, more controlled this time, he focused and extended his arm.
Flames erupted once again, dancing from his fingertips.
Kevin began moving with more ease, the fire responding to his will. Red-orange embers swirled around his hands like ribbons. He practiced again and again, his skill improving rapidly.
But as Vega watched, he noticed Kevin's complexion was growing pale. His breathing was ragged, sweat dripping down his face.
It had only been five minutes, but Kevin already looked exhausted.
Vega coughed lightly to get his attention.
Kevin snapped out of it. "Hah… hah… I'm sorry, Master," he gasped, panting heavily. "I… got a bit carried away."
Vega gave him a light pat on the back. "Understandable. Anyone would be excited to wield this kind of power."
"But remember—these Flame Gloves consume stamina. The more you use them, the faster your energy drains. If you're not careful, you could collapse… or worse."
Kevin's face turned serious. He nodded deeply. "Understood, Master. I'll be more cautious from now on."
Vega continued, "After I leave for my business with Murphy, your job is to master the Flame Gloves. Once I return, I'll help unlock your potential further."
"With these gloves, your growth will skyrocket."
He then leaned in slightly, voice firm.
"One more thing. I need you to handpick a team."
"A small unit—ten people at most. They must be completely loyal. No hesitation, no doubt. People who will obey me without question."
Kevin's expression sharpened. He understood immediately—these people would become the vanguard of the Pengellet family's rise. Trusted warriors, empowered just like him.
He straightened his posture and saluted.
"I'll see to it personally. I'll gather only the most loyal, the most faithful. Leave it to me, Master."