Rise of the Crusader

Raphael cautiously reached into the cabinet and extracted the gauntlet with deliberate slowness. His face remained neutral as he held it out to Dwayne. "Here, take it."

Dwayne fixed his gaze on Raphael, eyes flickering to the gauntlet for a brief moment before returning to the man in front of him. "Why are you doing all this?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

"What do you mean?" Raphael replied, his expression betraying nothing.

Dwayne's frown deepened. "I may not know you well, but I can tell that you're hiding something. You're not the kind of person who would give away valuable gadgets like this without expecting something in return. So, what is it you want?"

Raphael's face remained impassive, seemingly unfazed by Dwayne's accusatory tone. He pushed the gauntlet closer to Dwayne. "Do you want the gauntlet or not? If you don't, you can choose something else, or you can leave."

Dwayne furrowed his brow, weighing his options. "I'll take the gauntlet." He snatched it up and headed for the elevator.

As he stepped inside, he glanced back to see Raphael watching him, a sinister smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Dwayne tightened his grip on the gauntlet, his unease growing. The device would undoubtedly enhance his abilities, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was making a dangerous bargain.

"Goodbye, Dwayne," Raphael called out just as the elevator doors slid shut.

Once Dwayne had disappeared from view, Raphael crossed his arms and waited for the next visitor. It wasn't long before the elevator opened again, disgorging three battered figures. Their body was covered in blood and bruises marred their skin.

Raphael raised an eyebrow at the sight of them, surprised to see only one human among the trio – the other two were beasts. A tall, three-eyed monkey and a formidable alligator accompanied a young man he recognized as Orson, a prodigy from the academy's research and support division.

As they stepped out of the elevator, Dwayne's earlier expression of shock was mirrored on their faces. They gazed in awe at the astounding array of gadgets in the room, each one promising to change their lives for the better. For a moment, they found themselves seriously contemplating stealing from the enigmatic owner of these incredible devices.

Orson swallowed hard, trying to maintain his composure better than the two imposing figures beside him. Of the three, he alone had some familiarity with Raphael's extraordinary gadgetry.

He approached Raphael, who had been observing them intently since their arrival, and addressed him. "Raphael, can you recommend a gadget that would be suitable for me?"

It was as if Raphael had anticipated Orson's request. Without missing a beat, he produced a list and handed it to Orson before passing the remaining copies to the other two.

"I've compiled a list of three gadgets tailored for each of you, along with their respective abilities," Raphael explained. "You may select one of the three options, and that will be your choice."

As Orson and the others examined the lists, their eyes widened in disbelief. The gadgets and their corresponding abilities were exactly what they needed to experience a quantum leap in their personal power.

The term 'tailor-made' was an understatement.

As they met Raphael's gaze, a shiver of fear coursed through them. If he could devise such potent enhancements, couldn't he also create a contraption capable of their destruction?

Forcing a grin, Orson made his decision. "I'll take the contact lenses."

Raphael nodded in acknowledgment.

The contact lenses were one of the three items on Orson's list, designed to amplify his heat vision to an entirely new level. Already a formidable force within the research and support division, this enhancement would propel Orson's abilities to rival some of the strongest members of the academy.

Raphael then turned his attention to the three-eyed monkey and the alligator, his expression making it clear that he expected their choices as well. Without hesitation, they spoke.

"I'll choose the body armor."

"I want the body training gadget"

The voices of the three-eyed monkey and the alligator echoed in the room.

As the beasts uttered their first words, Raphael strode toward the cabinet that dominated one side of the room. His movements were fluid and precise, as if he'd performed this ritual countless times. With a deft hand, he removed a small box from one compartment, a well-worn book from another, and finally, he reached into the depths of a third cabinet to retrieve a black armor.

Orson and the beasts could barely contain their excitement, anticipation etched across their faces. Their hearts raced with joy as Raphael approached, presenting them with the long-awaited gadgets. In unison, they breathed their thanks.

"Thank you so much, Raphael."

"Thank you, Raphael."

"Thank you."

It was as if they had rehearsed their gratitude in advance, eager to accept the long-awaited treasures. Clutching the gadgets, they were almost too good to be true, and they yearned to leave the building before Raphael could have a change of heart.

But, after only a few steps, his velvety voice halted their progress. "I didn't say you could leave." Though softly spoken, the words carried the weight of a death threat, and they froze in place.

Orson and the beasts swallowed hard, their faces etched with fear as Raphael stood before them, his presence commanding the room. The air thickened with tension, yet after several heart-stopping moments, Raphael's lips curled into a smile.

"Don't forget to revisit," he said, the words hanging in the air like a promise. "You will have the chance to obtain those other two gadgets if you desire. And, if you have a specific gadget in mind, I am at your service.

The fee is but a token. And you may call upon me anytime."

Orson and the beasts exchanged glances, curiosity piqued. "How much is the fee?" Orson inquired, the question hanging in the balance as the beasts turned their gazes toward Raphael.

To own a custom gadget crafted by Raphael was a dream for most beasts in the New Age City and those at the academy.

Raphael's smile broadened, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "You will simply owe me a favor. That's all."

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