Yang Ming ignored Freddy. He walked past the chatterbox and stopped in front of Billy.
Billy had already stood up. He brushed the dust off his knees, but instead of sharing Freddy's excitement, he took half a step back and watched Yang Ming with wary, appraising eyes.
Like a stray cat ready to bolt at any moment.
"Thanks for the help." Billy's voice was cool, with a composure beyond his years. "But we don't need protection. I could've handled him."
Yang Ming studied the boy before him.
Dark brown hair, thin cheeks, and eyes that hid deep loneliness and stubbornness.
Yang Ming narrowed his eyes slightly.
He was sensing.
Observation Haki silently swept over Billy's entire body.
Normal heartbeat. Normal muscle density. Normal blood flow. No fluctuations of magic, no traces of divine power.
Looks like old Wizard Shazam hasn't stuffed the power of the six gods into this kid yet.
Right now, he's still just an ordinary, unlucky kid searching the world for his mother.
Yang Ming withdrew his gaze, an almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips.
"Handled him? With those wild swings of yours, or by catching his fists with your face?" Yang Ming mocked him without mercy.
Billy flushed and clenched his teeth, but didn't argue.
"Still, you had the guts to jump out at a time like that." Yang Ming reached out and patted Billy's shoulder.
Billy instinctively tried to dodge, only to find that the man's hand was as steady as an iron clamp. He couldn't evade it at all.
"You've got some backbone." Yang Ming withdrew his hand and turned toward the school gates.
"Hey!" Freddy shouted behind him. "Doctor! Will you come back? Can I interview you?"
Yang Ming didn't look back. He merely waved a hand.
"I'll be back."
His voice