Chapter One.

Water hit the tiled floor in a pitter-patter, like rain but more intense. It continued for a while before a metallic squeak echoed, and the sound softened until only a few drops fell.

A hand reached out to grab a towel hanging from a hook. The hand moved over his hair, drying it, then over his face and body, before he wrapped the towel around his waist.

Moving toward the sink, he wiped the mist from the mirror mounted on the wall. His fingers glided across the glass, clearing the moisture. As the fog dissipated, a face came into view.

Wet black hair, thick eyebrows, brown eyes, a high-bridged nose, and milky skin. He started brushing his teeth, and once finished, he looked back at the mirror and smiled. His teeth glinted, sparkling white.

"Handsome as always," he muttered, winking at his reflection before walking out of the bathroom. His room came into view: a bed with black covers, bookshelves, a brown wooden table, a full-length mirror, and a clothing rack where black suits hung.

As he passed by the mirror, his six-pack abs showed above the towel around his waist. He pushed aside the black suits and other clothes, pulling out a particular uniform.

A white suit with a black lapel and a breast pocket, topped with an insignia that read "Celestus Academy."

Along with the suit were black slacks, thick but stretchy.

He began dressing, and after putting on the uniform, he took a pair of black shoes from the shoe rack beside his clothes. Once he was ready, he stood in front of the full-length mirror, nodding at his 180 cm self with a satisfied smile.

After checking himself one last time, he left his room. On his way out, he grabbed a sleek black bracelet resembling a watch from the table beside the door. Putting it on, he walked into his spacious living room, decorated with a dark couch, paintings, vases, and a piano. He glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the city view, shrouded in the morning mist. The sun was still hidden beyond the horizon.

As he approached the door, his bracelet began vibrating. He tapped it, and a faint glow appeared as a holographic screen materialized above it.

"The opening ceremony will begin in one hour. Make sure to arrive on time and do not lose your Aether Brace, as it is required for Student Identity Confirmation," a mechanical woman's voice echoed from the bracelet as the words appeared on the screen.

He closed the screen and walked out of his suite to the elevator. Once inside, as the elevator doors closed, he turned to the small screen mounted on the wall.

"Good morning, everyone!" A man wearing a dark blue suit smiled at the camera. "I'm your morning host, Turner, and with me is my co-host, Suri."

"Hello, everyone!" Suri, a middle-aged woman with an average face greeted the viewers. "Let's jump right into today's topic."

"Haha, sure! There's only an hour left before the opening ceremony begins, and I must say, this new batch of students is definitely something to keep an eye on!" Turner said.

"You're absolutely right," Suri nodded at Turner before turning to the camera with a smile. "We have promising new students, and their futures as successful Heroes are already fated."

"There's Lyka the Lyrical, who can hypnotize her opponents with just her words—a very potent and dangerous ability. Then there's Carlo the Ultra Potential, who can train his body without limits. Michelle the Sword Piercer…" Turner continued, listing names and their titles. "And finally, Dianne, the Soul Absorber, daughter of Sentinel City's mayor…"

As their voices echoed, the elevator descended. One wall was transparent, revealing metal beams rushing past. A few seconds later, the metal cleared, giving way to a view of Sentinel City's towering skyline. Beyond the horizon, the orange light of dawn peeked through as the sun rose from the west—a sign that a new day was beginning.

Bathed in this ethereal glow, the man stepped closer to the transparent window, looking down at the bustling streets. People were already walking on the sidewalks, going in and out of buildings, while vehicles streamed along the roads. Though the elevator was soundproof, the young man could easily imagine the city's noise.

"Dianne has been a standout talent ever since she received her Superpower," Suri continued. "She's been making waves, and one of our experts even suggested that she doesn't need to attend any Superpower School—she could go straight to becoming an official Hero."

"As expected from the Princess," Turner chuckled. "Let's just hope none of them turn into Villains."

"Hahaha," the two laughed.

"Speaking of Villains," Suri's tone turned serious, "a new Villain Organization has appeared recently. They wear Magician outfits, like something out of movies, circuses, or talent shows… We don't know their motives yet, but they call themselves—"

The elevator reached the ground floor, and the young man stepped out into the hotel lobby.

As he walked, the attendants and other workers straightened up and bowed their heads.

"Good morning, Mr. Maxwell."

"Good morning, Sir Echo."

They greeted their esteemed guest with warm smiles.

"Good morning," Echo Maxwell replied, smiling back at them. As someone who had booked the top-floor suite for two years, he was highly regarded by both the hotel staff and the owner.

He passed by them and stepped out into the street. The moment he exited through the automatic sliding doors, the sounds of honking, cars zooming past, footsteps, and voices flooded his ears.

In front of the hotel, a black car waited for him. Standing beside it was a two-meter-tall man, his muscles bulging beneath his black suit. He had a bald head, thin eyebrows, small eyes, and slightly tanned skin. The man bowed his head. "Good morning, Sir Echo."

"Morning, Gordo," Echo greeted, his brown eyes flicking toward the vehicle. "Just a normal one?"

"A very normal one, Sir, just as you requested," Gordo tapped the vehicle, producing a metallic clanging sound.

"Be careful, or you'll break it," Echo chuckled.

"Haha, my bad," Gordo scratched the back of his head before opening the door. "Come in, Sir."

"Thanks," Echo nodded and slid into the car, leaning back comfortably in the seat.

"To the Academy, Sir?" Gordo asked as he settled into the driver's seat.

"Yes, to Celestus," Echo Maxwell replied, staring out the window.

"Alrighty!" Gordo answered, stepping on the gas. The car accelerated, and the buildings outside the window began to blur as they sped away.