Noticing a strange silver-haired youth eyeing him and Clarice with what he perceived as "unfriendly" interest, Sabretooth immediately adopted a threatening expression, his feral eyes warning Richard to back off.
Though Clarice wasn't his biological daughter but his adopted one, Sabretooth behaved like any protective father, deeply concerned about men attempting to take advantage of her.
He recognized Clarice's exceptional beauty—a radiance that naturally attracted male attention.
However, this didn't mean he would tolerate men ogling her.
Having lived nearly two centuries, he understood all too well the inappropriate thoughts young men harbored when they saw Clarice.
In recent years, as she matured into her striking beauty, he'd confronted numerous men with dishonorable intentions toward her.
Seeing Sabretooth's warning glare, Richard merely shrugged, averted his gaze, and returned to his meal.
Sabretooth and Clarice seated themselves by the window.
After finishing lunch, Richard prepared to leave when a black Chevrolet SUV and two similar black armored vehicles pulled up outside.
Noticing the emblem on the vehicles, he frowned slightly.
All three vehicles bore the Department of Mutant Affairs insignia.
This meant the occupants were either Department agents or members of their tactical teams.
Richard wasn't the only one to notice the vehicles.
Sabretooth, Clarice, and the other diners observed them as well.
Under the collective gaze of everyone present, the Chevrolet's doors opened, and three individuals—two men and one woman—exited.
Both men wore unremarkable polo shirts and slacks.
The woman, however, was dressed quite differently—inappropriately, even.
She appeared to be in her early thirties, with flowing blonde hair, a curvaceous figure, and a seductive demeanor.
Yet her appearance wasn't what drew attention.
What truly captivated was her attire.
The blonde wore a skintight, plunging V-neck, backless dress resembling an evening gown, exposing considerable skin across her chest and back.
Most striking was the dress's abbreviated hemline, which barely reached mid-thigh, showcasing her shapely legs.
As she walked, the hem swayed subtly, exuding unmistakable sensuality.
Upon seeing this woman, most male patrons instinctively swallowed.
More precisely, every man except Richard and Sabretooth displayed expressions of lust and fascination, as if ready to pounce on her.
The newcomers were none other than Inessa and the two agents tasked with raiding the manor to capture Richard and the other mutants.
Though Richard didn't recognize Inessa, he immediately understood one thing: every man in the restaurant except himself and Sabretooth had fallen under her mutant influence.
When he looked at her, the Mental Shielding ability he'd plundered from Noel protected him from her power.
Unlike telepathy, which required active use, Mental Shielding passively repelled psychic intrusions.
Sabretooth's immunity stemmed from something more primal.
With willpower forged over nearly two centuries of life, he simply overpowered Inessa's mental influence through sheer determination.
Though unaffected by her ability, both Richard and Sabretooth sensed impending danger.
They suspected Inessa had come for them.
As the three agents emerged from their vehicle, the armored trucks behind them disgorged their contents.
Fully armed soldiers filed out in formation.
Seeing these troops, Richard and Sabretooth simultaneously stood, preparing for confrontation.
Their movement immediately drew the attention of Inessa, her companions, and the soldiers.
The agents registered surprise.
Richard Wesley?
Inessa and her team had indeed been en route to the manor to apprehend Richard and the others, never expecting to encounter him here.
Though surprised, Inessa quickly recovered. Pointing at Sabretooth, she instructed Slater and Bourne: "You handle him. Richard Wesley is mine."
As division teammates, Slater and Bourne understood Inessa's intentions perfectly.
They raised no objections to her arrangement.
They cared nothing for whatever fate awaited Richard at Inessa's hands.
Their only concern was successfully completing the mission.
Without hesitation, Slater and Bourne pushed through the restaurant doors, advancing toward Sabretooth and Clarice.
Meanwhile, Inessa approached Richard with a seductive sway, her impossibly high heels clicking rhythmically.
What is she planning?
Richard regarded Inessa with confusion.
Though she advanced toward him, he detected no killing intent or combat readiness from her.
Beyond the constant warnings from his Mental Shielding ability—alerting him to her ongoing psychic assault—Inessa appeared as if approaching for an intimate rendezvous.
Though uncertain of her intentions, Richard wasted no time on speculation. He raised his left hand.
Masamune!
With a mere thought, the weapon materialized in his grasp.
After summoning the Masamune, he struck without hesitation.
He bypassed techniques like Octaslash or Gravesong, opting for a basic slash.
The eight-foot blade flashed like lightning, closing the distance to Inessa's neck in an instant.
Just as the sword was about to sever her head, an invisible shockwave intercepted the blade.
CLANG!
The tremendous impact knocked the Masamune off course!
"So cruel at such a young age," Inessa purred. "Seems like big sister needs to teach you some manners."
Blinkstep!
Richard ignored her taunt and activated his stolen Blinkstep ability.
He wasn't fleeing—rather, he sought to relocate the battle outside the restaurant.
Though he could fight with the Masamune indoors, the confined space limited his options.
Under Inessa's watchful gaze, he vanished instantly, reappearing outside.
Summoning a sword and teleportation? Are these your awakened powers? No.
He's awakened not just two abilities, but also psychic resistance to mental manipulation!
Watching Richard disappear, Inessa's expression registered surprise.
According to his father's information, Richard had never manifested any mutant abilities.
Yet now, he had not only summoned an eight-foot sword from thin air but also displayed the Blinkstep.
Most significantly, he remained completely unaffected by her mental charm.
Seeing the sword materialize from nowhere, Inessa naturally assumed it represented his awakened power.
Three distinct abilities after initial awakening?
This mission might prove worthwhile after all.
Inessa's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
In the next instant, she too vanished, reappearing outside where Richard had begun engaging the tactical team members.
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out 50+ early chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
=============================================