NOVA training hall.
"Hey! Hey! Everyone's watching, why did you suddenly burst out like that?" Anna said, her voice was a bit shaky.
"You really have a knack for making people laugh, don't you?" I said, still chuckling after Anna's absurd comment that I wanted to take over the planet.
Anna crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Well, excuse me for trying to be funny. But you still haven't answered my question. Why did you come to NOVA?"
"To train and get stronger of course," I replied.
"Stronger, huh?" she muttered, raising her eyebrow. "You're already strong enough to save me from four triple-ranked kidnapper, so what's the deal?"
"Nothi—"
Before I could respond, the massive door of training hall creaked open, silencing every whisper and chatter.
A tall man with cyan hair walked into the room, making his way to the podium. His aquamarine eyes scanned the crowd, and his voice boomed across the hall.
"Students, I am Lucas Vayne, your instructor for Weapon Mastery."
At the mention of his name the hall erupted into murmurs.
"Wait, that's Lucas Vayne?!"
"He's the 176 th ranked hero!"
"I once heard he stopped a tidal wave with nothing but a spear!"
"No! He stopped the wave with his bare hands."
"You all are wrong! He stopped it with just his pinky."
"I once heard he can swim like a fish!"
"No, you idiot! He is the fish!"
"SILENCE!!!!" Professor Lucas shouted, rubbing his temples, "sigh…".
'What am I witnessing here… sigh.'
I ignored the noise, though I couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration. Lucas Vayne was no ordinary hero. A 176 th rank might not sound impressive, but when there are tens of thousands of registered heroes, it's no small feat and I mean it.
Addressing the hall Lucas instructed. "Today, you'll choose your weapon—the weapon that will define you as a future hero. Approach the weapon racks, make your choice, and register it with your wristband. Once registered, it will be recorded as your official weapon. Choose wisely. As it will become your life time companion."
With that I made my ways inside the weaponry room.
Rows of weapon racks lined the walls, showcasing every imaginable type of weapon. My gaze drifted over swords, spears, bows, daggers, and even to the weird weapons like scythes and chakras.
I have to made my choice.
'Ok Zane, Focus. What do you want?'
The answer was obvious. My eyes landed on a sleek looking Katana with a black sheath and silver accents. I walked toward it, my fingers brushing against the hilt.
'Ah, katana. . . The embodiment of elegance and lethality. How could I not pick one?'
A sly grin formed at my lips as I lifted the blade.
'Alright, I admit it. I have a thing for katanas. They're sharp, they're cool, and let's be honest—every badass in history has wielded one at some point.'
Picking it up, I scanned the katana with my wristband, watching as a holographic display projected the registration details.
Zane Skylark.
Weapon: Katana - Registered.
Besides me Anna picked up a sleek Swiss Saber registering it with her wrist band.
"A saber huh? Not bad," I commented.
"What? Are you the only one who's allows to pick something stylish?" She shot back with a smirk.
Once everyone finished registering their weapon, Professor Lucas addressed the class. "Weapon Master is not just about welding a weapon. It's about understanding it's essence and making it a extension of yourself. Now make a pair of two and begin your practice, That will be it for today."
The students quickly paired off. Anna hesitated for a moment before turning to me, "Wanna pair up? "
"Sure."
We both moved to the side of the hall, giving each other some space.
"Ready when you are." I asked.
As we began, I couldn't help but notice her form was slightly off balance.
"Your grip is too tight, and you are leaning way too much." I said, stepping closer. "Loosen it a bit, or you'll tire yourself out too quickly."
Anna frowned but adjusted her stance. "How do you know so much? You just the same age as me."
I smiled, reflecting her questions. "Just normal practice. "
"And, how do you able to use all the Elementals? That's not normal at all."
Her questions caught me off guard, "Lucky genes, I guess."
"[ ]"
For the entire time Anna interviewed me, I was successfully able to dodge all her questions, and with that, the class ended soon after, as I packed up, I headed towards the cafeteria, Anna followed me behind.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked.
'I guess she's the type who, doesn't have any friends.'
I glanced at her, "Sure."
We together made our ways to the cafeteria. Anna walking beside me was getting a lot of gazes from the other students.
We grabbed trays and picked up our food — meat, rice, salad and some sauce, before finding a seat.
"So," Anna began, "do you live in the dorms or are you a local?"
"I live in Honeyford, with both my parents and my sister." I said talking a bite.
"Wait," Anna said, her eyes narrowing. "Your sister?... Is Elise Skylark your sister?"
"Yeah," I said, surprised she knew.
As if summoned, Elise walked into the canteen and beside her was Albert Ashborne. She spotted me immediately and waved, her grin widening as she make a run towards us.
"Hello, my dear Baby Brother," she said clinging onto me, her eyes darting to Anna. "Who's this? Your friend? Or—don't tell me—your girlfriend? But today is your first day… you player."
Cough!... cough!….cough!..
Both Anna and I nearly choked on our food.
"She's not—"
"I'm not—"
"Pfttt! Hahaha!" Elise burst into laughter. "Relax, I'm just teasing. So, what's your name?"
"Anna Ashborne, Nice to meet you."
"~Oh my, Anna what a cute name, I have heard so much about you from Albert, thanks for being friends with my brother."
Before I could retort, Albert appeared behind her, his expression as stern as ever. His eyes landed on Anna for a moment before he turned to Elise.
'Ashborne…. well, they are related.'
"We don't have time for this," Albert said. "We need to make preparation."
"For what?" I asked without thinking.
Elise hesitated before whispering enough for us to hear. "It's a secret, but. . . the Rank 3 Hero is visiting NOVA soon!"
"!"
'Why would he be coming here!? Did they find out!? . . . No that's not possible, right?'
"Elise, you shouldn't have said that," Albert scolded her, dragging her away.
"Bye, Zane! Bye, Anna!" Elise called out as they left.
The Rank 3 Hero. . . My mind was already racing.
'If it's not because of me. . . Then, for what? Or for who?'
Hero Association HQ-
In a clean spotless office, two figures faced each other in silence. The first figure was Marcus, the president of the Hero Association, seating in his sleek leather chair with his fingers interlocked.
His calculating eyes watched the figure standing before him: Rank- 3 Hero [Glory].
Glory's status as a Rank – 3 Hero was nothing in front of this man named Marcus, an undeniably powerful Man. His piercing gaze never lost as Marcus slid a crisp sheet of paper across the polished desk.
On the paper was a report, complete with a photo of a striking women around her early twenties, with crimson hair—It's none other than Ruby Oliver.
"Keep an eye on Ruby Oliver," Markus ordered, his voice as cold as the room's temperature.
"Why? Isn't she the headmistress of NOVA?" Glory raised an eyebrow, he is not currently wearing a mask in front of Markus unlike other heroes, "Why does this puny task require the need of someone like me."
The question was not out of the line, why would the Hero Association need him, a Rank 3 hero to keep an eye out for a headmistress of NOVA. It's like catching a butterfly with a jet plane.
"Read the whole report." Markus snapped. "And do as you are told,"
After completely scanning the report and the information in it, Glory was surprised, genuinely surprised.
"My god! 'She' is [Pride]—that pride! The rank-7 hero."
Now he understands why Markus needs the assist of him—Using fire to control fire.
"I want every move she makes reported back directly to me—every action, every word. No matter how insignificant it seems. It's a confidential mission, do not disclose it, or else…"
Glory's lips tightened into a thin line. He appears very submissive in front of Markus. The silence tightened between them, taut with tension, before Glory finally gave a nod. "Understood."
Once the door clicked shut, Marcus smirked, speaking to the empty air.
"What do you think of him?"
A shadow shifted in the corner, and from the darkness emerged a figure cloaked in mystery.
The figure's appearance was abnormally resembled to that of the former Rank 1 Hero, Hope. The same silver hair gleamed under the light, and the black mask hid his cold eyes.
"He'll do," the new Hope said, his voice contains no warmth or emotions.
Marcus's smirk widened as he tapped his finger on his tab, information about NOVA appeared on its display, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Let's see how it goes."
End of chapter.