The teachers in the monitoring room are in quite shock, seeing the last examinee making it to the finish line without having any powers but just his wits and a few meter climbing rope. He even managed to save some of the students in the process. Some teachers are bitter about the event while some are delighted.
One teacher, in particular got interested that he laughed loudly in joy.
"HAHAHAHAHA! This will be an interesting year for me! I've encountered countless power prodigies and ability users in this school but this is the first for a powerless brat!"
The room was full of noise and gossips between teachers. The chairman of the school, Mr. Denver, suddenly cleared his throat. He seems displeased with the noise made by the teachers.
"Ahem."
All of them flinched, and everything the teachers are doing came to a halt.
.......
The medical staff helped me get up and sat me on a chair to the side. Most of the students were looking at me with a shocked look on their faces. The blue-haired man from before sat beside me and offered me a cup of water. I weakly nodded and said,
"Thanks."
I pulled the medicine in my jacket and tossed the capsule in my mouth. We drank the water and the man talked,
"Oh man, that was intense!"
"...Huh?"
"Didn't you see yourself? You were so cool!"
O-oh, was it about the rope thing?
"Hahaha..."
I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment. I continued sipping on the cup as the man started talking.
"I'm Ryuji Okasaki by the way, you can call me Ryu."
He offered a handshake and I shook his hand, introducing myself.
"... I'm Erin Dayle. Nice to meet you."
He was quite surprised when he heard my name. Then he whispered to himself,
"... So you're the one those guys were talking about."
My eyes widened. Everyone who came to know about my situation would start showering me with pitiful glares and foul words. I braced myself for the insult but the things he said made me widen my eyes.
"Wow... It must mean you worked really hard, huh."
Huh?
"You run faster than me, you can jump higher, and swing like a wild monkey even though you don't have any powers!"
Pfffttt.
I threw up the water from my mouth after he said the name "wild monkey". Ryu laughed at my expression as I angrily glare at him. He raised both of his hands and said,
"HAHAHAHA! Sorry, sorry. It was a compliment."
"Hahaha... Thanks."
"Wait. If you decided to live in the wild then it's a different story."
"Why, you!"
We spent the last minutes of the exam break with friendly conversations.
This has been my first nice conversation after a while.
Ryu continues his rant about his father who always makes him help at their small japanese eatery at home.
"And he was always like,'Oi Ryu! I told ya to wash 'de dishes in the store kitchen ya pathetic little brat!' even after he promised to lend me a day off!"
(ya-slang for you; 'de-slang for the; Ryu's father has accent)
"Your dad sure loves you."
"What do you mean by that?!?"
"Hahaha... Nothing, nothing. I was just kidding."
"Hmm... Maybe he did. At least he agreed that I can do whatever I want with the tips..."
"... It's a family store, isn't it?"
"Yeah, we in the family manage the whole store. It's small, but it's home."
"... How nice..."
"Hmm? Did you say something?"
"A- ah! No! Nothing at all."
"... You can stop by if you want! I'll give your first order free of charge."
"... Then I'll make sure to come by. Thanks for the offer."
"Oh! Can I have your contact?"
"Sure!"
After a while, we decided to head home. We each bid farewell and walked separate paths.
How nice... If only I can be friends with people like that...
.......
[Two weeks later]
I was busy washing the laundry when I heard knocks on the door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Wait a minute!"
I carefully removed my gloves and walked toward my small apartment, finally reaching the door and slightly opening it.
"A mail for Mr. Erin Dayle from the Denver Heroes Academy."
"Thanks!"
He quickly bowed and walked away. I immediately closed the door and ran into my bed, with a of mix anxiety and excitement swelling inside me.
"This is it... The moment of truth!"
Hooooh...
I nervously opened up the envelope, hoping for a bright news.
__________
Dear Mr. Erin Dayle,
We, the office of the prestigious Denver Heroes Academy are delighted to congratulate you for passing the academy's entrance examination held last -- of --, year ----.
With the passing score of 73% of the overall exam percentage, With 47% in the Physical Division and 26% in the Academic Division, we are to welcome you to Year 1 Section V- Jupiter, Denver Heroes Academy.
The orientation is set on -- of --, year ---- in your advisory classroom of Mr.....
__________
Y-...
Y-yes!!!
I did it! I passed!
I happily jumped and shouted with a huge grin on my face. I picked up the picture frame above my desk and shouted,
"I did it! Mom! Dad! I passed! Elise! I passed!"
After a few jumps and grins, the silent response of a picture in the picture frame made the room gloomy. I blankly stared at the picture for a couple of minutes before sitting on my bed, taking the last moment to say it once more.
"... I... Passed..."
Before I knew it, a teardrop fell on my resting palm. I barely noticed the tears slowly rolling down on my cheeks from my watery eyes.
Ah, I'm crying.
I slowly rubbed my eyes a couple of times and got back up.
"... I better go finish the laundry."
........
[International Heroes Association headquarters]
"Another attack, you say?"
All the Guild masters and other significant people have gathered in a large room with a single wide table, discussing about the current movements of the organization that caused a massive destruction on the Central City 6 years ago.
"Where is it now?"
"Another Huge Weapon Manufacturer Company."
"It has been the second time."
"Don't you think it's suspicious?"
"Who is it this time?"
"It seems that the Crimson Knights' Third Platoon is still in operation."
"What if it's a signal?"
"It's been 6 years now, don't you think it's unlikely to be a new wave of war?"
There are debates and arguments whether the few movements of the Crimson Knights are plans for a future invasion.