The gang who had been watching from the sidelines crowded around Alvin as soon as things had quieted down a little, eager to find out what Neil was all about.
The kid hadn't exactly stood out. He'd beaten Pietro and Loki through "underhanded tricks," and his marksmanship was even a little worse than Wesley's.
But anyone could see that Neil hadn't shown his full strength.
And a lot of people could see that Neil and Alvin had plenty in common, which only made the onlookers more curious.
Alvin wasn't sure whether he should tell Steve and the others the truth. Something like this wasn't easy to accept, and the paradoxes it involved were hard to explain all at once.
Faced with everyone's questions, Alvin hesitated, then finally said, "That's my son..."
Before he could finish, everyone booed him...
Steve gave Alvin a scornful look. "That kid's at least twenty-five or twenty-six. You got a woman pregnant when you were five?"
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Alvin grinned. "You mortals could never understand the gifts I was born with.
"I said he's my son, so he's my son. Believe it if you want, or don't."
Cross frowned as he watched Neil. "The kid's marksmanship comes from the Assassins League. He's already in his twenties, and with skills like his, he still came here to call Alvin Dad. I'd say his character's probably pretty questionable..."
Cross thought for a moment, then said with some regret, "Has the Assassins League really fallen this far?
"They must've forgotten that conviction matters far more than wealth and status!"
Alvin laughed without bothering to explain. Neil didn't need him to explain anything on his behalf.
Things were fine as they were. Everything he'd said was true. If they didn't believe him, there was nothing he could do