Scene: Academic Mid-Term
INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – ACADEMIC BRANCH – COURTYARD – AFTERNOON
In the spacious, pristine hall of the Academic Branch, the mid-term writing tests are in full swing. Rows of desks are neatly lined up, and each student is intensely focused on the task in front of them. Sunlight streams in through the high windows, casting a gentle glow across the papers, while the silence in the room is broken only by the faint scratch of pencils and the occasional rustling of paper. The atmosphere is tense, with examiners roaming the aisles, alert to any signs of students trying to bend the rules.
Once the time is up and the papers are collected, a group of students exits the hall with sighs of relief. Yue gathers with his allies—Lysander, Angela, Alexei, and Floria—to discuss how they handled the test.
Yue: "So, how'd everyone do? I hope our top ranks are safe."
Alexei (grinning): "I think I did okay. Yesterday, I used my power to memorize everything we went over, so it was mostly fine. Math, though… struggled a bit there. You can only remember so much of that stuff!"
Floria (smiling proudly): "I did great! I was totally prepared, especially for history and literature. Math was easier than I expected, too."
Lysander and Angela exchange a look, both of them smirking mischievously.
Lysander (shrugging): "Oh, I… might have taken a shortcut. Teleported my phone in and out to look things up when I got stuck. Not exactly the most honest route, but hey—it was there when I needed it."
Yue (chuckling): "Really? And here I thought the academic branch were rule-abiding scholars!"
Lysander (grinning): "Shut it!! You know that is far from the case."
Angela laughs softly, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
Angela (soft): "You're not the only one, big brother. I used invisibility to check answers from a few classmates and you, too. But I couldn't move around much since I'm pretty sure that the Thermal Imaging Camera would've caught me if I wandered too far."
Yue (grinning): "So you both cheated your way through! Well, whatever works. As long as you don't get caught."
He laughs at his allies' creative methods, relieved at how resourceful they were.
Yue (nodding, pleased): "Alright, you all survived thanks to your little tricks. Tomorrow's my turn, so… I'll expect the same level of assistance from all of you."
Angela (soft): "Got it. But let's go home and rest first. Your test started tomorrow, right?"
Yue nods, and together they make their way out of the courtyard, readying themselves for the next day's challenges. The upcoming battles will test more than just their wits—power, strategy, and trust in each other will prove crucial. The group leaves the campus, a determined glint in their eyes as they prepare for the real mid-terms awaiting them.
Scene: Superpower Mid-Term - The Queen's Vines
INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – SUPERPOWER BRANCH – SIMULATION ROOM – MORNING
The simulation room is a marvel of both technology and magic, combining intricate high-tech devices with ancient magic circles that glow faintly along the walls and floor. The room's purpose is to transform into vast, complex environments, enabling the students to experience a fully immersive battleground for their mid-term exams. Panels blink with energy, while enchantments hum quietly, creating a sense of intense anticipation among the gathered students.
Professor Roderick (calling out): "Normally, Professor Aster would be handling the initial session, but given certain… circumstances with his class, I'll begin. My opponents are Ludociel Vanderbilt and Amara Greendale. Please enter the simulation room. You'll have five minutes to find a suitable location and prepare your strategy before I enter."
Ludociel (with a confident nod): "Roger!"
Amara (with determination): "Got it!"
As Ludociel and Amara enter the room, the magic circles on the floor pulse, and the high-tech devices hum with energy. The room's structure begins to shift, stretching and expanding until it resembles a full-scale urban landscape, complete with towering buildings, shadowy alleyways, and bustling streets. It's as though an entire city has been folded into the room, contained within a 4-dimensional space.
Amara (wide-eyed, in awe): "Wow… this is incredible."
Ludociel (impressed): "The best of human technology and the finest magic, fused together to create a whole city inside this space…"
She narrows her eyes, her focus sharpening.
Ludociel (determined): "Let's get moving. We only have five minutes, and we'll need every second to prepare for Professor Roderick."
Amara (nodding, refocusing): "Got it!"
The two hurry off into the simulated city, quickly navigating the streets as they discuss potential strategies.
INT. SIMULATION ROOM – FIVE MINUTES LATER
Professor Roderick steps into the city simulation, glancing around as if assessing the environment's details with an almost amused expression.
Professor Roderick (thinking): "A city this size… could they be planning to hide? I half-expected Ludociel, coming from the Knights of Orleans, to charge headlong in my direction. But it seems her duel with that wealthy brat, Lysander, humbled her. That's good. She's thinking things through."
Several of the rings on his fingers begin to glow, a soft light that gradually intensifies. Roderick raises his hand, weaving his fingers in a brief series of gestures, while magic circles materialize beneath his feet, shimmering across the ground.
Professor Roderick (chanting): "Locate."
The magic circle brightens, then shifts into a miniature map of the entire simulated city. Two red dots glow at Ludociel's and Amara's exact locations, while a blue dot marks his own position.
Professor Roderick (smiling): "Ah… best not enter the battlefield unprepared."
With a flick of his wrist, more rings begin to glow, conjuring a series of hovering magic circles around him, each armed with elemental attacks. His circuits pulse with power as his entire body is surrounded by an ethereal light.
Professor Roderick (chanting): "Enhance!"
With his body now augmented by the spell, Professor Roderick takes off at incredible speed, charging down the streets toward Ludociel's and Amara's location.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM EXTERIOR
Outside the simulation room, the remaining students watch in awe as their homeroom teacher makes his way through the simulated city with impressive speed.
Dominic (startled): "Professor Roderick can enhance his physical power too? What can't he do?!"
The class murmurs in astonishment, many exchanging wide-eyed looks. This demonstration of their teacher's capability is beyond anything they'd expected, and the sheer level of his mastery over multiple types of magic leaves them all in awe.
INT. SIMULATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM INTERIOR
As Professor Roderick charges forward, several thick vines shoot up from the ground, wrapping around his legs and restricting his movement. He stumbles briefly, looking down in mild surprise.
Professor Roderick: (thinking) "A trap? Clever…"
Just as he starts to free himself, a sharp command echoes from above.
Ludociel: "Sparking Drive!"
A radiant triskelion, symbolizing the Knights of Orleans, appears mid-air. From it, Ludociel unleashes a massive beam of light, streaming directly at the entangled professor. Roderick's rings flash, summoning a towering pillar of flame that not only burns through the vines around him but also absorbs much of the incoming light beam. Roderick raises an eyebrow, clearly impressed.
Professor Roderick: "Hmm… A coordinated attack. Well done!"
Before he can regain his balance, multiple magic circles materialize around him, ready to retaliate. But just as he prepares to counter, he notices something odd: only Amara remains in front of him, her stance calm and defiant. Ludociel, however, is nowhere to be seen.
Amara stands within a shimmering, crystal-like octahedron—a protective barrier Ludociel's Sanctuary. The radiant barrier glows with holy energy, shielding her entirely.
Professor Roderick: (frowning) "Ludociel's Sanctuary? And where exactly is Ludociel?"
A tremor runs through the ground as more vines burst up, lunging at him from multiple directions. Amara raises her hand, commanding the vines to converge, binding the professor in a swift attack.
Amara: "Apologies, Professor, but the Queen won't be receiving you today. I will be your opponent!"
Roderick's eyes narrow. With a subtle motion, a jet of fire shoots out from one of his magic circles, incinerating the approaching vines. He smirks, seeing Amara's determination.
Professor Roderick: "Oh? So you believe you can hold me alone?"
Amara says nothing, her expression focused. She summons more vines, weaving them around her Sanctuary, forming layers of reinforcement as she attempts to buy more time. Each vine is burned as quickly as it appears, yet she maintains the barrage, forcing him to stay occupied. Roderick's movements slow as he evaluates her strategy.
Professor Roderick: (thinking) "She's stalling… but for what?"
Then, in a flash of realization, he glances around, scanning the skies. Ludociel is nowhere on the ground. Above, however, is a glint—a shape streaking through the sky at high speed.
Professor Roderick: "Ah… so that's your plan. She's searching for the exit."
Realizing that his opponents' strategy is to escape rather than engage, Roderick's rings glow again. He raises his hand, summoning a complex series of interconnected magic circles, each one building power from the other.
Professor Roderick: "Abyss Break!"
The air hums with energy as the spell begins to gather in intensity, casting dark shadows across the simulated city. He aims it directly at Amara's barrier, intending to shatter the Sanctuary and catch Ludociel off-guard.
Amara's eyes widen as she senses the immense power of Abyss Break. Just as Roderick is about to release it, the octahedron of Ludociel's Sanctuary bursts upward, darting at lightning speed through the air, bypassing the buildings and heading straight for the city's border.
Professor Roderick: (murmuring in admiration) "They outmaneuvered me."
In a brilliant flash, the Sanctuary shatters the border's barrier, allowing Ludociel and Amara to pass through. The city simulation dissolves back to the plain training room, leaving the class stunned and speechless.
Outside the simulation room, the students stare, still processing what they just witnessed.
Dominic: (in awe) "They… they actually escaped Professor Roderick."
Arlo: "And with that strategy… that was incredible."
Yue, Lysander and Angela witness the battle while smirking.
Yue (grinning): "That is literally the strategy you told her."
Lysander (grinning): "And here I thought her knight pride would prevent her from doing it. She's more acceptable than I thought."
Professor Roderick, stepping out of the simulation, gives a nod of respect, acknowledging his students' successful tactic.
Professor Roderick: "Ludociel, Amara… well done. You executed a flawless strategy. Consider your exam passed."
A round of applause breaks out among the students as they admire the clever teamwork and tactical brilliance displayed by Ludociel and Amara, setting a high bar for the rest of the mid-term.
Scene: Superpower Mid-Term - Dwarven Power
INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – SUPERPOWER BRANCH – SIMULATION ROOM – LATER DAY
The simulation room morphs once again, this time resembling a sprawling industrial landscape, complete with towering metal structures, massive machines, and gleaming steel beams. The air is thick with the scent of iron, and the environment hums with metallic vibrations, setting the stage for the next round of the mid-term exam.
Professor Roderick (calling out): "Arlo Wraithmilion and Violet May, please enter the simulation room. Your opponent will be Mrs. Mühlhausen. You have five minutes to strategize."
Arlo (smirking): "Looks like it's us against the metal lady."
Violet (her hands already pulsing with energy, forming razor-sharp claws): "Guess we better make it count."
The two enter the simulation room, the metallic surroundings amplifying the sound of their footsteps as they move swiftly through the steel-laden environment.
INT. SIMULATION ROOM – FIVE MINUTES LATER
Mrs. Mühlhausen steps into the simulation, her eyes scanning the enormous cityscape. She walks along the simulated streets, marveling at the human technology that brought this virtual city to life.
Mrs. Mühlhausen (admiringly): "A city of this scale just for testing... humans never cease to impress."
A movement catches her eye—a flicker of shadows darting around her. She raises an eyebrow, summoning several metal spikes to strike, only to find they pierce through dirt mannequins, crumbling back to the ground.
Mrs. Mühlhausen: "Huh? Arlo's control is this good? He can shape dirt into moving figures that look like himself and his partner?"
Suddenly, Violet lunges from behind, her claws gleaming as she swipes toward Mühlhausen's back. But with her quick reflexes, Mühlhausen sidesteps and swiftly counterattacks, delivering a solid headbutt to Violet's stomach.
Violet (grimacing, staggering back): "Ugh!"
Mrs. Mühlhausen (grinning): "Nice try, Miss Violet, but it'll take more than that!"
FLASHBACK
In a dimly lit classroom, Lysander shares his insights with Violet and Arlo.
Lysander: "Mrs Mühlhausen is a dwarf. While they are small, their frame is sturdy and strong. Even if your claw can cut through her metal, her raw strength and small frame would give her more advantage than you in melee combat. Plus, she can attack you with many metal spikes. Even if you can cut them, dealing with so many attacks at once isn't ideal."
Arlo: "So it's up to me to take her down?"
Lysander: "You guys team up against an old woman. Just have a good coordinated attack with traps and you would win. Dwarves, while strong and dexterous, aren't exactly good at dealing with many attacks at once."
BACK TO THE BATTLE
Mrs. Mühlhausen eyes Violet closely, analyzing the pair's strategy.
Mrs. Mühlhausen (thinking): "Arlo's not as fast as Ludociel, and their defenses aren't as layered. If Violet's still here, it means they're aiming to take me down, not escape. Where is Arlo hiding?"
Mrs. Mühlhausen (smirking): "You must have underestimated me, Miss Violet, your claws, while powerful, are not that good if you compare them with our dwarven weapons. As one who crafted these weapons, I know how to deal with them, just as I know how to deal with you."
Violet (grinning, determined): "You're as sharp as ever, Mrs. Mühlhausen, but we won't back down!"
Without hesitation, Violet charges head-on toward Mühlhausen.
Mrs. Mühlhausen (smirking): "A head-on attack after your failed ambush? That must mean…"
She jumps high into the air, just as expected. From the shadows, Arlo releases a volley of dirt arrows from behind, aiming precisely where Mühlhausen would have been standing. She spins in the air and chants:
Mrs. Mühlhausen: "Heavy Metal!"
In an instant, her entire body shifts into solid metal, and she plummets to the ground like a wrecking ball. Her landing crushes the pavement, sending up a thick cloud of dust and debris that obscures the students' vision.
Violet (blinking through the haze): "What happened?"
A low voice cuts through the dust.
Mrs. Mühlhausen: "Time to finish this!"
Through the thick dirt cloud, Mühlhausen charges at Violet, her metal-clad fist drawn back for a powerful strike. But just as she's about to attack—
Mrs. Mühlhausen: "Ah!"
—she stumbles, falling straight down into a hole that collapses beneath her feet. She lands with a thud, momentarily stunned.
Arlo (calling out, grinning): "Nice little trap, wouldn't you say, Mrs. Mühlhausen?"
Violet (catching her breath): "We knew we couldn't beat you head-on, so we set up a little surprise."
Mrs. Mühlhausen (chuckling as she rises from the pit): "Well done, both of you. Clever thinking and solid teamwork."
She dusts herself off, the metal fading from her form as she stands. With a nod of approval, she declares:
Mrs. Mühlhausen: "Congratulations. You two pass."
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM EXTERIOR
The watching students break into applause, impressed by Arlo and Violet's use of tactics over sheer power.
Yue (grinning): "Looks like the old trap trick still works wonders."
Lysander (smiling with pride): "They really paid attention."
Back in the simulation, Arlo and Violet share a high-five before heading out, triumphant after a hard-fought victory.
Scene: Superpower Mid-Term - Knight of Destruction
INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – SUPERPOWER BRANCH – SIMULATION ROOM – AFTERNOON
Dominic and Jericho Lionnel enter the vast simulation room, the environment morphing into a sprawling urban landscape filled with towering skyscrapers and tight alleyways. The towering buildings cast long shadows, creating plenty of cover and vantage points.
Dominic glances at his brother, concern clear in his eyes.
Dominic (whispering): "We're up against Dreyfus Londinium… he's not just another teacher; he's a real pro-hunter."
Jericho (nodding, steadying himself): "Yeah, he's the real deal. But we trained for this. And we're in our element with these skyscrapers. Let's stick to the plan."
They exchange a nod, moving into position among the buildings, readying themselves for the challenge.
INT. SIMULATION ROOM – CITYSCAPE
Dreyfus Londinium steps into the simulated cityscape, adorned in his full red knight armor, his expression sharp. He scans the skyline of the skyscraper-dense area where his opponents are hiding.
Dreyfus (thinking): "If I remember correctly, they're moving towards the skyscrapers…"
With a fierce grin, he raises his sword, charging it with radiant energy, a white light blazing from the blade.
Dreyfus (roaring): "Heh, if you think those skyscrapers can provide you cover, then you are deeply mistaken."
A powerful slash arcs out, obliterating entire city blocks in its wake, skyscrapers crumbling into dust as if they were paper. He lowers his sword, assessing the destruction.
Dreyfus (roaring): "Collapse!!"
An intense white light blasts out in a sweeping arc from his sword, decimating the city block and toppling multiple skyscrapers as if they were made of sand. Concrete and steel shatter, echoing across the simulation.
Dreyfus (smiling): "Now… where are you? Don't tell me you two fell after just a warm-up?"
Flashback
Ludociel: "Dreyfus's unique technique is called 'Breakthrough of Light.' It has immense offensive power, capable of crushing anything into tiny, cube-shaped fragments."
Battle
Among the crumbling buildings, Dominic conjures a barrier to shield himself and Jericho from the shockwave.
Dominic (worried): "Ugh… so the Queen wasn't kidding. That guy can easily destroy anything with a single swing of his sword."
Jericho, looking equally concerned, assesses the damage.
Jericho: "The entire city block, gone in one move… What now? Should we go for an attack?"
Dominic (grimly): "Yeah… looks like we don't have much of a choice."
Jericho lowers the air temperature, creating a dense, chilling mist that settles over the cityscape, transforming the air to icy fog and snow.
Dreyfus, unfazed, shivers slightly.
Dreyfus: "Hmm? It's cold… So they're starting."
He's taken by surprise as he realizes he's now encased within a spherical barrier. Dominic steps out from the mist.
Dominic: "Dreyfus Londinium… your power is even greater than we anticipated."
Dreyfus smirks, amused.
Dreyfus: "Oh, there you are, class rep. Do you really think this small bubble of yours can defeat me? Penetrate."
A concentrated beam fires from his sword, slicing through the barrier and shattering it instantly.
Dreyfus (smiling): "Hmm… Huh?"
He winces, a sharp pain radiating from his chest.
Dreyfus: "Huh? This is…"
Dominic: "Your power is great, sir, but my power isn't weak either. This isn't just a simple bubble – it's a reflective barrier that bounces your power back at you."
Dreyfus (grinning): "Oh? So this pain comes from my own attack? Heh. As expected of me, I'm strong."
Dominic forces a confident smile, though his thoughts betray his nerves.
Dominic (thinking): "Seriously? He takes reflective damage from his own attack and just feels slight pain?!"
Dreyfus: "Enough warm-up. Let's start the game!"
Dreyfus lunges forward, but his footing slips on the ice-covered ground.
Dreyfus (surprised): "Huh?"
Dominic: "It's a coordinated attack!"
Dominic conjures another barrier around Dreyfus, reinforcing it while Jericho's ice continues to build around him.
Dreyfus (calmly assessing): "Oh, I see. You two plan to wear me down with these coordinated traps. Interesting strategy. Penetrate!"
Dreyfus once again breaks free with his beam of penetration.
Dreyfus "But all I need to do is to use just enough power to break free from the barrier but not enough to harm me. Then, you would be the one who would be worn down."
As he speaks, a dart of ice fires straight through his ear, injuring his face.
Dreyfus "Huh?"
Frost starts to spread, freezing his arm.
Jericho "You have 2 opponents, mister knight. We'll wear you down for sure."
Dreyfus (smiling): "Hmm, so you're hoping you can. Then, let's test that out. Collapse!"
He swings again, targeting the city, but before the impact, he's encased within Dominic's barrier, just as he'd started his attack. The shield absorbs the blow, but the force of his own attack brings him to one knee.
Dominic, exhausted, staggers and drops to his own knees, panting.
Dominic (grimacing): "Ugh…"
Dreyfus, clutching his side but smiling, gives a nod of respect.
Dreyfus: "I see… so that's your real plan. You threw the ice around as bait while you aimed to reflect the big hit right back at me. Clever tactic… You pass."
Jericho helps Dominic to his feet, guiding him toward the exit as Yue observes with a smirk.
Yue (grinning): "Another win by strategy. You have to admit, Lysander, they're taking your advice to heart."
Lysander (smiling): "They really pulled it off."
Scene: Superpower Mid-Term - King vs Hero
INT. ST. ALARIC ACADEMY – SUPERPOWER BRANCH – SIMULATION ROOM – LATE AFTERNOON
Professor Roderick "As time isn't much anymore, let's end our day with one more fight. Yue Monarchy Gentoshi and his partner from the academic branch, Angela Grimhilde Gentoshi, will be tested against John Carter, guild master of OverEdge."
Yue (smirking): "The public superhero. Now's our time, Angela."
Angela (softly): "Yeah, let's move."
EXT. CITY SIMULATION – FIVE MINUTES LATER
John Carter, in his iconic superhero attire, scans the simulation cityscape from above, flying high to locate Yue and Angela.
John (thinking): 'Yue Monarchy Gentoshi, the strongest of the academy. He's been the apex for so long, so he should be craving a worthy opponent… like me. Today, I'll gladly be that opponent. So where are you? Surely, you're not going to escape, right?'
As John searches, the ground rumbles, and the city shakes. Skyscrapers and buildings are ripped from their foundations, hurtling through the air toward John.
John dodges quickly, his gaze steady but alert. Yet the number of projectiles grows, overwhelming even his agility.
John (thinking, smiling): "Damn, opening this aggressively? As expected."
He extends his arms wide in a commanding T-pose, and, with a flicker of his own power, the barrage of buildings and debris grinds to a halt mid-air.
John (shouting): "Hey, Yue. You're there, right? I'm here. Your attack's been stopped, so come on out."
Just then, Yue appears, rocketing toward John at supersonic speed.
Yue (smirking): "I would prefer you call me Your Majesty."
Yue's punch, enhanced by his telekinetic force, connects hard. John barely manages to block but is thrown to the ground, smashing into the street below and forming a small crater on impact.
Before John can recover, Yue's telekinesis sends another flurry of skyscrapers and vehicles hurtling toward him.
John: "Damn… that is some serious power."
He flies up again, weaving through the airborne buildings, narrowly avoiding the relentless onslaught.
INT. CITY SIMULATION
John weaves through the onslaught of houses and vehicles, narrowly dodging the oncoming debris. He glances up, noticing Yue forming a massive hurricane. In the eye of the storm, electricity crackles and charges.
Yue (smirking, thinking): "Lysander said my usual electricity's no match for Kimhyun. But with a storm like this, it'll be more than enough."
The charged electricity forms a massive blue lightning beam, striking down toward John, who struggles in the storm's chaotic winds.
John: "Damn… that."
Thinking quickly, John hurls a nearby truck skyward. The lightning beam hits the truck instead, causing it to detonate mid-air.
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM EXTERIOR
Arlo: "What the heck is that?"
Amara: "How is that a battle between humans? They're trying to destroy the whole city."
Dreyfus: "That's some serious power… Now I see why the school uses the simulation room."
Professor Roderick: "Yeah… we're worried that Yue, Ludociel, or Kimhyun would take out half the school or the city if they fought without restriction."
INT. SIMULATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM INTERIOR
John and Yue continue their clash, flying within the storm, with Yue telekinetically launching debris at John.
John: "Great raw power there, Your Majesty, but maybe focus on accuracy?"
Yue (smirking): "What are you saying, Mr. Superhero? This is barely a warm-up."
Yue channels the storm's energy, splitting it into multiple currents of air, each charged with powerful electricity.
Yue: "Try handling this!"
He releases the charged air currents, which rush toward John at intense speed.
John *(thinking): "Damn, he still has plenty of tricks. I better dodge—"
But as he moves, a sudden sensation stops him, freezing him in place. He's unable to use his powers. The charged air beams strike, knocking him down to the ground.
Yue *(grinning, from above): "Heh? How's that?"
As the dust settles, John stands amid craters, protected by walls and vehicles around him. However, he bears a few injuries.
Yue: "Oh? So that's how you survived. You shielded yourself with debris."
John *(smiling): "Survive? Isn't this just a test?"
Yue: "Yeah… but it's you testing me."
Yue clenches his fist, collapsing the ground into chunks of rubble, which begin to fly toward John, relentless in their pursuit.
Yue: "…so you'll see the full extent of me and my allies."
John dodges, but some rubble strikes him, forcing him to grit his teeth against the barrage.
John *(thinking): "These attacks are ridiculous! His telekinesis is way too strong for me to counter with my gravity. If I don't have this seal, then it would have been better. I'm out of options here—"
Deciding quickly, John charges toward Yue, fist raised.
John: "How about this?"
As he closes in, the strange sensation stops him again, and his powers fail. The rubble catches up, pinning him to the ground in a crushing impact. Amid the debris, an explosion erupts, and John emerges, blood streaming from his forehead.
John: "Damn… this is turning into a serious fight. What is that feeling? His partner, Angela, must be doing something. With this interference, I can't focus enough to use my powers."
Suddenly, the ground trembles violently.
John: "Huh? What the—"
Yue: "Prepare to witness my current strongest-"
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM EXTERIOR
Professor Roderick (shouting): "Stop that, right there!"
Yue (surprised): "Huh?"
John (equally surprised): "Huh?"
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – SIMULATION ROOM EXTERIOR
Yue, Angela, and John exit the simulation room, met with a mix of awe and concern from their classmates.
Professor Roderick: "Yue… care to explain what exactly you were planning there?"
Yue: "Faultline, Professor."
Professor Roderick: "The what?"
Yue: "You know, the cracks under the surface that cause earthquakes? I figured John was too persistent, so…"
John (concerned): "So you decided to nuke the city?!"
Yue: "Uhh… yeah."
Professor Roderick: "Oh… brilliant. Good thing I stopped you, or our simulation room would be rubble. Yue, you pass. Now, Angela, what exactly was your role?"
Angela (softly): "I helped Yue."
Professor Roderick *(raising an eyebrow): "How?"
John: "You made me lose focus, right?"
Professor Roderick (surprised): "Wait, really?"
Angela pulls out a small mirror from her purse.
Angela (softly): "By reflecting the right kind of light at the right moment, I can disrupt others' focus or help enhance it. I used it to keep Yue focused on his storm and faultline and to throw off Mr. John's power."
John: "Knew it. I'd have dodged half of Yue's attacks if it weren't for you."
Yue: "Hey, we'd have still won. If Professor Roderick hadn't stopped me, the faultline would've torn up the city, burying you in the rubble. Even if it didn't beat you, we'd see the edge of the simulation zone as the city broke apart, and we could escape."
Professor Roderick (gritting his teeth): "Yes, wonderful idea. And this entire test destroyed for a cute little stunt of yours."
Yue: "Uhh…"
Professor Roderick: "Right. Yue, you pass. Angela, I'll contact Mr. Sato for bonus credit."
Angela: "Thank you, Professor."
Professor Roderick: "Let's end here. Tomorrow, we continue the exam. Now, I need to fix our simulation room."
Scene: Aftermath of the First Mid-Term Day
INT. OBSERVATION ROOM – AFTERMATH OF THE EXAM
The students crowd around Yue and Angela, questions flying.
Jericho: "Hold up—why didn't we see Angela during the fight? Was she hiding?"
Yue (smirking as he waves a hand): "Because she was invisible, obviously."
He snaps his fingers, turning Angela invisible and then revealing her.
Yue: "She was with me the whole time so I could protect her while getting her buffs. But the main reason was to make sure she could throw off John's focus while boosting my attacks."
Angela (nodding, with a quiet smile): "I was able to stay close to Yue, keeping my distance but being right in his shadow. And if John got too close, he'd be distracted enough for Yue to land a good hit."
Lysander: "Since John's got the seal, we assumed his raw power wouldn't match Yue's. So if Yue kept up a heavy offense, John's only real shot was to close in. But whenever he tried, Angela was there to throw him off-balance."
Arlo (impressed): "It all came down to their teamwork, huh?"
Lysander: "Exactly. Honestly, Yue, you could've kept going with the fast-paced attacks instead of setting up that faultline."
Yue (smirking): "Maybe. But come on, it's all about making a lasting impact. And the faultline would've done that perfectly."