The people gathered around as the ship coming down to land, everyone wander what did they bring from there trip to a planet that was unknown to them, some did not care but they did watch from a distance, some families happy to see their son or their father.
The ship land blowing dust and wind as it landed on the ground, everyone's hair blowing in the wind. The ship's door starts opening, The heroes were the first to emerge, greeted by a wave of cheers and applause from the crowd. Smiling and waving back, some made their way to their families, embracing the warmth of the reunion. Shortly after, the scientists appeared, accompanied by two aliens from the distant planet they had visited.
The crowd's attention shifted immediately to the newcomers. Gasps rippled through the spectators as they took in the aliens' striking resemblance to humans. Yet, beyond their appearance, it was their unique aura—radiating beauty and tranquillity—that captivated everyone.
The scientists guided the two aliens toward the queen of the city, their steps deliberate and respectful.
Amid the commotion, Nova approached one of the heroes, her expression a mixture of confusion and worry. Spotting Mael, she called out, "Mael!" and hurried toward him.
"Where is Velon?" she asked, her voice tinged with urgency, her concern clear.
Mael turned to Nova, his face etched with the sombre expression of someone delivering unwelcome news. "I'm sorry," he said gently, "but he had to stay behind."
Nova tilted her head down, trying to hide the sadness etched on her face. Mael walked away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the solitude wash over her. When she opened them, her gaze lifted to the sky, her expression distant as she stood apart from the joyous reunions around her.
As Nova prepared to take flight, a familiar voice called out her name from the crowd.
"Nova!"
She recognized it instantly—John. Turning, she found him standing behind her, concern etched across his face.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently.
For a few moments, Nova didn't respond, her emotions swirling within her. Then, she turned back to him and offered a small smile.
"Yes," she said softly, her voice steady. After a brief pause, she added, "I'm fine, John."
Somehow, in that moment, the weight of her sadness began to lift, replaced by a quiet sense of peace.
Hours later, the city had quieted, and its streets lay scattered with the hum of distant activity. At the pinnacle of the tallest building, two figures sat on the edge, silhouetted against the fading twilight—John and Nova. The pair was deep in conversation, sharing laughter and food they'd picked up from a small eatery at the base of the towering structure.
John took a bite of his meal, his eyes lighting up with delight. "This is incredible!" he exclaimed, savouring the flavour before eagerly taking another bite.
Nova chuckled softly, her voice carrying a playful warmth. "You're so strange," she teased, her lips curving into a smile as she took a bite of her own food.
Time seemed to blur as they lingered there, enjoying the serenity of the moment. For what felt like an hour, the world around them held its breath, and no word came from the Hero Association regarding missions or emergencies.
Then, suddenly, the sharp, urgent tone of an alarm shattered the stillness. Nova flinched, startled, and quickly reached for her phone. Glancing at the screen, her expression grew serious.
"It's the Hero Association," she said, standing up abruptly. The notification on her phone flashed insistently. "They're calling us to the S-Rank meeting room. Come on—we have to go!"
John remained seated as Nova prepared to leave. Glancing up, he flashed her a casual smile. "You go on ahead. I'll catch up."
Nova gave him a quick nod before taking off, her figure disappearing into the sky. Left alone, John lingered, finishing the last bite of his meal while gazing at the horizon. With a quiet breath, he stood and faced the direction Nova had gone. Then, in a single, fluid motion, he leaped from the rooftop, vanishing into the distance.
When Nova arrived at the Hero Association headquarters, she descended with precision, landing effortlessly at the grand entrance. Stepping inside, she scanned the sleek, modern lobby, her sharp eyes quickly finding John. He leaned against the front desk with an easy smirk, raising a hand in greeting.
"Show off," Nova muttered under her breath, striding toward the secure access door next to him. Pulling out her identification card, she swiped it through the scanner, prompting the door to slide open with a soft hiss. Without breaking stride, she entered, John casually following close behind.
As they made their way down the long, dimly lit corridor, the silence between them stretched until John broke it. "So, any idea what this meeting's about?"
Nova shrugged without glancing his way. "No clue. But if they're gathering everyone, it's bound to be something big—probably catastrophic." Her tone was calm, yet the gravity of her words lingered.
The hum of the building's systems filled the quiet that followed. The pair walked in sync, the faint glow of the corridor lights casting sharp shadows on the walls.
After a few minutes, Nova stopped in front of a heavy black door. "We're here," she said evenly, pushing it open. Inside was a stark conference room, its sleek, jet-black table and chairs illuminated by the faint blue glow emanating from the table's surface. The light flickered faintly, casting ghostly reflections across the walls.
Nova stepped inside, her presence commanding immediate attention. She quickly surveyed the room, noting that all the S-rank heroes were already seated—save for herself, Velon, and John.
With measured steps, she moved to her usual seat at the head of the table, while John casually claimed the chair beside her.
The low hum of conversation around the room quieted, but the occasional murmur made it clear that John's presence had not gone unnoticed.
Across the table, Mael leaned forward, his sharp features illuminated by the table's glow. His eyes flicked between Nova and John, his expression a mixture of curiosity and caution. "Nova," he said, his voice breaking the tense silence. "Who's that sitting next to you?" His tone was polite but edged with suspicion, the unspoken question hanging in the air.
Nova glanced at Mael, her tone calm yet firm. "This is John, the newest member of the S-rank heroes, and currently ranked tenth. He has a lot of potential."
John stood respectfully, bowing slightly. "I look forward to working with all of you," he said politely, before returning to his seat.
"It's been a while since someone new joined the S-rank. It's good to have you with us," Mael remarked, giving John an approving nod.
Suddenly, the third-ranked S-rank hero spoke up, his voice sharp. "I'm sorry, but we don't care about your rank or whatever impressed the testers. Mistakes happen." He paused, letting his words settle before continuing, "So we've come up with a real test. You have to defeat one of us." Around the room, everyone except Nova nodded in agreement.
Before anyone else could speak, Nova cut in, her face serious. "I've already tested him." Her gaze locked on the third-ranked hero. "And he defeated me."
The room fell silent, the weight of her statement sinking in.
Mael cleared his throat, his expression conflicted. "Well, we'd still like to see for ourselves." He began to say more, but a commanding voice interrupted him.
"Quiet!"
All heads turned toward the doorway as a woman entered the room, her presence immediately dominating. She wore a sleek, all-black dress, her long, dark hair flowing to her shoulders. Her demeanour was stern, her voice sharp with authority, her name Misaki.
"Listen up, all of you!" she barked. "Some idiot killed the great dragon that protected the Kingdom of Magic!"
The room erupted in murmurs of shock, everyone except John reacting with surprise. He, however, looked puzzled, unsure of the situation.
"Silence!" the Misaki snapped, her voice cutting through the noise. Instantly, the room fell quiet. She continued, "The Hero Association has tasked all of you—and me—to travel to the Kingdom of Magic to speak with its king."
Misaki scanned the room, her piercing gaze daring anyone to object. "Any questions?" No one spoke. "Good. We leave in an hour. Get what you need," she said, turning on her heel and walking out, her footsteps echoing as the door closed behind her.
John leaned toward Nova, his expression confused. "So… we're leaving in an hour?" he asked.
Nova stood, stretching her arms lazily. "Yes. Go do whatever it is you usually do in your spare time," she replied, rolling her shoulders.
"Got it. See you in an hour," John said, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished. His chair spun wildly in his wake, the only sign of his sudden departure.
The room was left in stunned silence. Most of the heroes exchanged wide-eyed looks, struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
"Teleportation ability?" Mael speculated aloud, his disbelief apparent.
Nova smirked, sliding her hands into her pockets. "Don't get it twisted. John doesn't have any abilities."
Mael's jaw dropped. "You can't mean—" he began, but Nova's smile widened knowingly.
"Yes," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "What you just saw was John's raw speed." Her gaze swept over the stunned group. "Even if you were to fight him, you wouldn't be able to keep up. John is… well, a monster."