Chapter 624: The Lucky Kid
The Shazam Puzzle
Linda scrutinized the "lucky kid" in front of her.
He was nearly two meters tall, even bulkier than Clark, wearing a red and gold bodysuit with a huge lightning bolt on the chest. He looked a bit simple, giving the immediate impression of low intelligence. As for his expression, it was goofy, like a startled goose.
The files indicated that the Wizard's chosen heir was a boy named Billy Batson, but this guy looked nothing like a thirteen-year-old.
"Barry, are you sure you got the right person?"
"While I have my doubts about his identity too... who knows!"
"Fine."
Linda decided not to argue and turned to walk towards the cave entrance.
Billy followed behind her like a curious child, asking cautiously,
"Are you Supergirl?"
Linda nodded expressionlessly, though she disliked the term "Supergirl."
"That's awesome!"
Billy excitedly pumped his fist and continued, "Are you and Superman... really siblings?"
"No."
"Then... are you lovers?"
Linda's mouth twitched. Sensing imminent disaster, Barry rushed forward and grabbed the girl's clenched fist.
"Don't mind him. He's only thirteen."
Linda scoffed. "What thirteen-year-old looks like this? Are you sure he's Billy Batson?"
"I am definitely Billy Batson."
Billy stepped back a few paces and shouted, "SHAZAM!" A lightning bolt fell from the sky. The big guy vanished, replaced by a disheveled, dark-eyed boy.
Barry and Linda were stunned. They exchanged glances, hardly believing what they'd seen.
The boy rubbed his nose and boasted cockily,
"I'm a transformation type. I'm different from you guys."
"How long can you maintain the transformation?"
"I don't know. I don't think there's a limit."
"What about your abilities?" Linda asked curiously. "What can you do?"
"I'm very strong! I can easily lift a bus! I can run fast, too, like the wind! And my body is super tough; bullets don't hurt me! Oh, and the lightning..."
He raised his hand, and lightning shot from his fingertip, leaving a hole in the wall.
"Isn't that awesome?"
"A little interesting," Linda looked at him deeply. "Come with me. Someone is waiting for you."
Meeting the Red Ghost
The three went deep into the cave and followed the magic array to a secret room on the Second Layer of the Rock of Eternity. Luke was guarding the doorway. He was wearing his mask, concealing his true face, clearly not wanting the kid to recognize him.
"Billy Batson?"
The low voice echoed in the room, piercing his body and going straight to his soul. Billy's heart jumped, and he instinctively stood straighter.
"Y-yes, that's me. Are you the Red Ghost?"
"You could say that."
Luke walked up to him. After sizing him up, he shook his head.
"Thirteen years old. Too young."
Billy felt offended. "I'm a transformation type! When I transform, I look thirty! If you don't believe me, watch!"
Saying this, he took a few steps back and yelled, "SHAZAM!" Lightning dropped from the void, and the boy changed into the strong, goofy-looking gorilla of a man, over two meters tall.
"Well, what do you think? Don't I look thirty?"
Billy placed his hands on his hips, his head tilted back, his big white teeth gleaming in the dim light.
Barry covered his face, unable to watch. Linda's mouth also twitched. She couldn't fathom what the Wizard had been thinking, choosing a goofball like this as his successor.
Luke had already expected this behavior. A thirteen-year-old suddenly acquiring such powerful strength would naturally experience a change in demeanor. Being flamboyant and showing off was perfectly understandable.
The group left the secret room and followed the circular stairs to the First Layer Hall.
The familiar environment surprised Billy.
"I think I've been here before?"
"You don't just think so—you have been," Luke corrected him. "The Wizard Shazam chose you as his successor right here and infused the Power of the Six Gods into your body. Your previous experience was not a dream; it was real."
"We need you to locate the Wizard."
Billy couldn't help but ask, "Is this a test?"
"..."
"You could say that."
For the next while, Luke explained the history between Shazam and Black Adam, focusing on their current predicament.
"Billy, we called you here not just to seek help, but also to protect you. You and Teth-Adam were both chosen by the Wizard to wield the Power of the Six Gods. Even if you don't look for him, he will look for you."
"Teth-Adam is the most powerful warrior of ancient Egypt, called a demigod, and you..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
The boy's face flushed.
"I'm not scared of him! If he dares to show up, I'll beat him up!"
"Leave the fighting aside for now. The most important thing is to find the Wizard and stop Black Adam from taking the Rock of Eternity," Luke instructed, his tone serious. "You are the Wizard's successor. He must have poured some information into your mind. Think carefully and remember everything."
Unlocking the Wizard's Knowledge
Luke's words were exceptionally serious, and the boy's resentment faded. He tried to recall the hazy images, but no matter how hard he tried, the memories remained out of reach.
Shazam, knowing his time was short, had sealed all the information deep within Billy's memory when he transferred the Six Powers. Over time, Billy would naturally recall the stories of the Gods, the Rock of Eternity, the Council of Eternity, various magic, spells, and so on.
This would take time, and time was what Luke lacked most.
"Stay still."
Luke extended his finger and touched the center of Billy's forehead. A massive wave of soul power directly broke through the seal placed deep within the boy's soul. A flood of information surged out, overwhelming Billy's mind. He felt his head was about to explode.
"It hurts!"
"Bear with it. It will be over soon."
Luke changed his hand signs, simultaneously strengthening the boy's soul to prevent possible after-effects and regulating the flow of information, turning the deluge into a gentle stream.
Time ticked by. Before they knew it, half an hour had passed.
Luke sighed lightly, withdrawing his finger.
"How do you feel now? Did you remember anything?"
Billy nodded, then shook his head.
"I don't know how to find Mr. Wizard. He didn't tell me his location."
"What about the Rock of Eternity?"
"Oh, lots about that! The First Layer, Second Layer, Third Layer, Fourth Layer! The layout of each layer, the entrances and exits, the magic spells, everything is in my head! The Wizard told me so much about the Rock of Eternity."
Barry quickly interjected, "Can you get into the Colosseum? I mean, can you get through the barrier to the Colosseum?"
The boy thought for a moment and nodded slightly.
"I think so."
"That's great! Now Clark and the others can get out!"
The group immediately took action. They traversed the tower to the Third Layer Colosseum. The colossal arena was blocked by the light barrier. What looked like a thin screen was actually folded space. The three had tried countless methods but couldn't break through it.
Barry stood on his tiptoes and patted the big guy's shoulder.
"It's up to you, kid. Don't be nervous. Show us your magic."
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