Amai Mask shot Kai a final, furious glare before turning on his heel and storming off down the corridor, his cape trailing behind him like some kind of dramatic superhero exit.
Albedo, watching Amai Mask with narrowed eyes, raised an eyebrow. Her voice was smooth but carried an edge of annoyance.
"Woah, what's his problem?" she muttered, cracking her knuckles like she was preparing for a fight. "Why's he so hostile toward my master?"
Scáthach, standing next to her, didn't look the least bit phased. She tilted her head slightly, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Don't worry about him," Scáthach said coolly, her tone dripping with confidence. "A mortal like that wouldn't last a second if my master gave the order. He's nothing."
The words hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken weight of their power. Albedo and Scáthach weren't just loyal to Kai — they were fiercely protective, and they made it clear in every word, every glance.
Kai, standing amidst the two formidable women, couldn't help but chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. He gave both of them a warm smile, his calm presence somehow diffusing the tension.
"Alright, alright, let's not focus on him," Kai said with a reassuring smile. "There's more important stuff to deal with."
Albedo's lips curled into a small smile, her gaze softening as she looked at him. Scáthach's posture relaxed too, her usual intensity fading as she let out a quiet chuckle. It was clear that Kai's presence was enough to put them at ease, a sign of the deep trust and connection they shared with him.
"And as for you two," Kai added with a playful glint in his eyes, "let's not scare off the other heroes too much. We're here to make allies, not enemies."
Albedo's smirk deepened as she looked at Kai, and she pointed to the paper in his hand. "What's that you're holding?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with mischievous curiosity. "I heard this is an exam center for heroes. Could this be...?"
Kai grinned confidently and held up the paper for them to see. It was his brand-new S-Class hero certificate.
"Ohhh!" Scáthach exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight. "This calls for a celebration!"
Albedo's excitement was palpable. Without warning, she lifted her massive axe with a flick of her wrist, her telekinesis easily lifting the weapon into the air. Her grin was absolutely devilish as she turned to face Sekingar, who had just rounded the corner.
"Let's double it up," she declared, voice full of playful challenge. "Give me that S-Class too!"
Sekingar froze in his tracks, blinking in surprise as he caught sight of Albedo's grin. He raised an eyebrow and turned to Kai.
"Kai-kun," he asked, his tone full of disbelief, "are these two... related to you?"
Kai chuckled, clearly enjoying the shock on Sekingar's face. He clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner.
"Don't worry. They're mine," he said matter-of-factly, the pride in his voice unmistakable.
Sekingar's eyes widened. "Both...?" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and awe.
Kai shrugged nonchalantly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Is that a problem?"
Sekingar blinked, shaking his head rapidly. "No, no. No problem at all," he replied, his tone light and amused. "There's no law against a man having a harem, right?"
Kai raised an eyebrow, a sly grin crossing his face. "A harem, huh? Well, I don't know if I'd call it that…"
The three of them continued walking, and Sekingar seemed to relax, though he still couldn't quite shake the surprise.
The conversation shifted, and Kai's tone grew a little more thoughtful as he glanced up at the sky.
"Well, relationships are complicated, whether you're a hero or not," he mused. "But enough about that. We've got bigger things to think about."
Sekingar gave him a knowing nod. "Good luck with your S-Class prep," he said, offering a respectful nod. "And congrats on the ranking, Kai."
"Thanks," Kai replied with a grin, his eyes sparkling with confidence. "I'm going to keep the Hero Association on their toes."
Scáthach and Albedo both nodded in agreement, their faces filled with both respect and amusement.
"The S-Class is filled with some... interesting people," Kai said with a laugh, shaking his head. "From the kid genius, Child Emperor, to the old man who relies on his robots to do everything, it's a strange crew."
Albedo chuckled. "And don't forget about Tatsumaki, the tiny Esper who couldn't care less about anything except her own power."
Kai laughed. "Right, or Bang, the martial artist who's obsessed with his gym routine. And then there's King — the guy who's famous for video games and snacks, but he's somehow managed to be considered one of the most powerful heroes."
Scáthach grinned. "Sounds like a circus more than an association."
Kai shrugged, his amusement clear. "Well, the S-Class isn't exactly your average group of people. I mean, just look at Metal Knight. He's a genius inventor who doesn't leave his robots to do all the heavy lifting."
Albedo shook her head, laughing. "You have to be a little off to make it to the S-Class. But that's what makes them strong."
"True," Kai agreed. "The S-Class isn't just about raw power. It's about... quirks. They all have something that sets them apart. That's why they're the best."
Scáthach smirked, her eyes glinting with understanding. "True power often comes from the unconventional," she said with a laugh. "And the S-Class is definitely full of the unconventional."
Kai grinned, giving them a look of agreement. "Yeah, sometimes it feels like you have to be a nutjob to climb to the top. But hey, at least they're interesting."
Albedo's lips quirked up into a smile, and she punched Kai lightly on the shoulder. "I think you'll fit right in, master," she said with a wink.
Kai chuckled, his mind already racing ahead to what challenges and allies lay in his future. "We'll see about that."