I leaned towards the window and took a deep breath of the night air. The city skyline looked like a futuristic painting, with neon lights blinking amidst high and imposing buildings.
The scenery before me was one of the reasons why I loved being in my father's office at night. The cyberpunk city seemed to pulsate with life, and the contrast between the darkness of the sky and the dazzling brightness of the buildings gave an incomparable feeling of energy.
I needed to focus, but the wait for my father was making me anxious. He had scheduled a meeting with me tonight, and I was eager to talk to him.
My gaze drifted towards the table in front of the window, where a heap of papers and folders awaited my attention. I sighed, knowing that the conversation would be lengthy and demanding.
But for a moment, I closed my eyes and let the nighttime scene of the cyberpunk city inspire me. It was as if the flow of information unfolding before me fed my creativity, making my ideas sharper and my words more vivid.
Strangely, even though this reality was my present, it gave off a futuristic sensation.
Suddenly, I heard someone's footsteps approaching the door. I knew it was my father. Quickly, I diverted my eyes from the window and sat upright in my chair, waiting for him to enter. As soon as he walked into the office, I stood up, and we greeted each other. I knew him well, thanks to the flashbacks, but there was something in his serious expression that made me feel tense. I sat back down in my chair, ready to listen to what he had to say.
My father sat in his chair in front of me, looking more serious than usual. He had called me in to talk about my enrollment in the world's largest hero academy, the Battle Academy.
Despite his apparent coldness, I could see in his eyes that he was proud of me. "Edward, you know that I'm not one to show emotions, but I must admit that I was surprised by your performance in the admission exam for the Battle Academy," he said. I felt a slight relief behind the nervousness I had been feeling before the conversation.
My father continued to speak, but I could barely keep him in focus, as my mind was still on the Battle Academy.
Until he said something that caught my attention. "I heard that you caused an earthquake in the city a few days ago," he said, frowning. "I knew you had a strong ability, but it seems you're having trouble controlling it."
I shrank in my chair, feeling the pressure increase with his words. "I know you're excited about being accepted into the Battle Academy, but you need to be careful. If you don't learn to control your powers, you can cause irreparable damage."
"I know, dad," I replied, feeling the weight of his words. "I'll do everything I can to control them. But I don't want to give up my chance to become a great hero." I lied, I really didn't want to become a hero.
I also lied about not being able to control my ability. I can control my powers perfectly, but what happened at that moment was just a stroke of luck. The city where the test was being conducted was New York, and the city's structures were already on the verge of collapse. All I did was optimize my mana and circulate it through some key points in the city and then use the earth element to destroy them.
It is important to note that I would never be able to utilize "Total Ruin" within the city limits of my current location. The structures are reinforced to withstand forces beyond my current mana capacity. Thus, it is impossible to inflict any damage to the structures with my current strength.
Despite my desire to overcome these challenges and utilize more powerful mana, the truth is, I do not possess the capacity to release enough force for "Total Ruin" to have any notable impact. Therefore, I cannot take on this city or inflict damage to the structures. Let it be known, that these outcomes are dependent upon my current mana levels.
Let's get back to the conversation...
My father nodded, but his expression remained serious. "I know you have great potential, Edward," he said. "But you need to understand that the powers you possess are great responsibilities. You can't simply go around using them without thinking about the consequences."
I nodded, feeling a bit ashamed for causing an earthquake unintentionally. "I understand, Dad," I said. "I'll be more careful next time. I promise."
He looked at me for a moment, seeming to ponder his next words. "I trust you, Edward," he finally said, giving a small smile. "I know you can be a great hero, as long as you learn to control your power and use it wisely."
I smiled back, feeling at ease for the first time during our conversation. "Thank you, Dad," I said. "I'll do my best."
With that, the conversation came to an end and I stood up to leave the office.
.
.
.
[1 week later]
A week had passed since the conversation with my father, and now was the big day when I would finally enter the Battle Academy. I was nervous, but at the same time, excited to begin this new journey. The scheduled time for the start of activities was noon, so I prepared in advance and arrived at the location a few minutes early.
The place was bustling and full of people. Experienced heroes conversed with one another, new students were anxious, and all sorts of individuals gathered there. I looked around, trying to absorb everything I could. I spotted a few familiar faces from the admission tests, but didn't recognize many others. Suddenly, the sound of a loudspeaker echoed through the academy's main hallway, calling all students to make their way to the main classroom for the opening ceremony.
I joined the crowd, following the flow of people towards the main classroom. Tension began to build up in my chest as I arrived at the entrance of the room, but I pushed the feeling of anxiety aside and entered. The room was packed with students and teachers alike. I spotted some of the main characters, but ignored them and sat at the back. I was excited to see what the next years at the Battle Academy would bring.
The academy's director, a renowned and respected hero, took to the stage and began discussing the history and traditions of the academy. He spoke about the importance of heroic ethics and responsibility, and the dedication and sacrifice required to become a hero. I listened to his words attentively, feeling the weight of his message on my mind.
After his speech, the ceremony continued with presentations from the academy's professors and instructors, showcasing the various disciplines and methods that would be taught over the next few years. Finally, the director collected the microphone.
"We're pumped to see what the future holds for our students here at Battle Academy," he said. "Now, enjoy these years we'll have together, work hard and become the best damn heroes you can be."
The crowd cheered and I felt a nostalgic feeling growing inside me. Guy, I'm in a whole new world! This feeling is whack, but strangely fun. Honestly, I'm stoked for what's next and even more excited to see what my ranking is gonna be.
The school divides students based on rankings that work like a hierarchical system. The lower your rank, the more notoriety you have. The numbers range from 1 to 1000, and I hope to at least be in the top 5, considering I destroyed an entire city!
Anyway, only time will tell if I'll be able to achieve what I want to be. While I was contemplating this, I looked out the academy window and saw cherry blossom leaves falling in the wind. It was a beautiful and calming sight, and I knew the years to come would be full of challenges, but also moments of beauty and wonder.
With those thoughts in mind, I turned my attention to the academy, ready to start my training. After all, this was the chance for me to show everyone what I'm made of.