"W… we're finally here."
Half an hour of walking, and both Hannah and Riley were breathless as they finally stood before a towering steel gate—so massive that craning their necks all the way back still wasn't enough to see the top.
But the real spectacle wasn't just the gate.
It was the dome it was attached to.
A colossal structure, stretching far beyond the horizon, encasing what could only be described as a city of its own within another city. And within it lay the world's most prestigious institution for Supers—MAoUSA.
Mega Academy of the United States of America..
Hannah exhaled sharply, squeezing Riley's hand as she stepped forward. "But… how do we even get in?"
The gate was sealed tight, smooth, and unyielding. No signs, no keypads, not even a buzzer to press.
She looked around, searching for anything, and spotted a woman heading their way. "Oh, that's probably school staff."
The woman, dressed in formal attire, approached with a polite smile. "Are you students of Mega Academy?"
"Well, not yet, ma'am," Hannah answered, straightening her posture. "I'm here to take the entrance exam for this year."
The woman's smile widened. "I see. I'm from ABZ-CBN News. Would you mind an interview—"
"Go fuck yourself."
Hannah didn't let her finish.
The reporter barely had time to react before Hannah clicked her tongue, spun on her heel, and dragged Riley away.
As for Riley, he only narrowed his eyes at the woman, studying her in quiet suspicion.
The reporter, meanwhile, just stood there, baffled.
Did… she even deserve that? Had she said something wrong?
Well, probably not. But as any Super—whether hero, villain, or civilian—could tell you, the media was the common enemy.
"Why the fuck is no one here!?" Hannah growled, pulling out her phone. "Should we just call Dad? But I told him I didn't need help. Ack! Why is this place so goddamn empty!?"
Before she could spiral into more frustration, a loud knock echoed through the air.
She turned, only to see Riley knocking on the massive steel door.
"Hello," he said, voice calm as ever. "Is anyone inside?"
"Bro, like they can even hear—What the fuck!?"
Before she could finish, a part of the door moved.
A face—no, an entire head—emerged from the steel, eyes snapping open as it peered down at them.
Then, as if peeling itself from the gate, the metallic figure stepped out—a humanoid with gleaming silver skin, joints scraping together with a whispering hum.
"Are the two of you here for the entrance exam?"
Hannah, still recovering from her near heart attack, forced herself to stand straighter. "Yes, sir. But just me. My brother's only here to—"
"Oh, then I'm sorry," the steel man interrupted, his hands clasping behind his back. "Only students, future students, and staff are allowed beyond this point. Your brother can wait here, outside."
Hannah blinked. "Wait, what? But I can't just leave him out here."
Her eyes trailed behind them—and sure enough, lurking just outside the academy's perimeter, were the reporters.
Hiding. Watching. Waiting.
Her stomach twisted.
"I can't just leave him out here, sir." She swallowed, forcing a polite smile. "My brother, he's not—he needs me. There has to be an except—"
Before she could finish, Riley raised his hand.
"I will take the exam as well, Mr. Steel Man."
"Perfect." The steelman smiled.
"No, not perfect. Riley!?" Hannah nearly strangled him. "You don't have powers!"
"Adoptive Father does not have powers, Hannah," Riley replied smoothly. "And yet, he is still one of the strongest superhero in—."
"Bro—" Hannah slapped a hand over his mouth.
The steelman chuckled. "If there's nothing else…"
He turned toward the gate, walking straight through the metal as if it were air, "...Follow me, children."
Hannah hesitated, her grip on Riley tightening.
"…Follow you where, sir?"
The ssteelmandidn't answer.
Instead, the towering gates split apart, revealing the blurry path inside.
"Well… Okay. So we're actually doing this." Hannah inhaled deeply, looking at Riley before shaking her head. "Just… don't be disappointed if you don't have powers, okay?"
"Okay." Riley nodded.
Her fingers clenched around his hand.
"…Even if you don't," she whispered, voice quieter now, "it doesn't change anything."
She glanced at him—at his ever-unshaken, neutral expression—and smiled weakly.
"I'll… grow powerful enough for the both of us."
"Hmm. Okay."
As they stepped through the gates, the sheer scale of the academy hit them like a tidal wave of trucks.
The steel man turned around, a smile crawling on his steel-like face.
"I am Mr. Alloy."
[Mr. Alloy | Hero Rank: C | Powers: Can manipulate metal, but only when he is in contact with it. Can also transform his flesh and skin into metal.]
"And welcome to Mega Academy. I'm one of the teachers, and I also happen to be the one welcoming future students of the academy."
The campus sprawled out before them, a vast expanse of perfectly manicured fields that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Towering above the fields were buildings that defied imagination—gleaming structures of glass and steel, their designs so futuristic they looked like they belonged in a sci-fi movie.
Some buildings floated slightly above the ground without logic, suspended by invisible forces, while others pulsed faintly with energy, their surfaces shifting and rearranging as if alive.
Hannah's jaw dropped, her eyes darting from one marvel to the next. She tried to play it cool, but her trembling hand that was holding Riley's betrayed her awe.
"Tch. It's… not bad, I guess," she muttered. As for Riley, he wasn't looking at the scenery at all.
His gaze was fixed on Hannah, his clear eyes reflecting her every movement instead of the wonders around her. He tilted his head slightly, studying her face as if trying to decipher the emotions flickering across it.
Happiness. A very rare occasion for her as much as it is for me.
He tried to mimic her expression, his unnaturally wide lips curling upward into what he hoped was a smile. But the result was… disturbing.
Hannah glanced at him and immediately snorted, her attempt at composure crumbling.
"Bro…" She chuckled, the nervousness attached to her awe completely fading away, "What the hell is that face? You look like someone who would one day kill a bunch of people. Stop it."
Riley blinked, his smile faltering. "I was trying to… share your emotion, Hannah."
"Well, don't," she said, though her tone was more amused than annoyed. She reached over and ruffled his hair, her grin softening. "Just… be yourself, you fucking weirdo."
Mr. Alloy, who had been walking ahead, paused and turned back to them. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, Sir." Hannah quickly nodded. "My brother's just excited."
"I am?" Riley tilted his head.
"Very well. We're almost there. You can get excited even more."
"Pft…" Hannah once again snorted, but Riley just seemed confused.
The trio continued across the campus, passing by groups of students in crisp uniforms of gold, red, and white—Megawoman's colors.
The students' laughter and chatter filled the air, while some practiced their powers inside what seemed to be a designated area—small, transparent domes. One girl floated several feet above the ground, her hair billowing as if caught in an invisible breeze, while another boy seemed to have noticed Hannah looking at him, and conjured up a small flame in his palm, a grin forming on his face.
"Pft." Hannah, however, only laughed at him before looking away.
Riley, meanwhile, remained silent, his gaze drifting to the ground. His hand brushed against his pocket, where the tooth he had retrieved earlier rested. He didn't know why, but the weight of it felt… comforting.
Finally, they arrived at their destination—a massive field, easily the size of several football stadiums combined. The ground was a pristine white, almost glowing under the sunlight, and the air hummed with energy.
Scattered across the field were nearly a hundred people in casual clothing, each one radiating confidence and power. Some were stretching, others were chatting nervously, and a few were already showing off their abilities, their laughter ringing out across the field.
Riley tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "There are many of them, Hannah."
"Yeah, no kidding."
Mr. Alloy stepped forward, his voice booming across the field. "Attention, candidates! Since all of those who registered are here, it is time to welcome you all to the preliminary examination. In a moment, you will be divided into groups and tested on your abilities. Please remain calm and follow instructions."
Hannah swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest as she and Riley subtly joined in with the crowd. She glanced at Riley, who was still staring at the crowd with his usual blank expression.
"Hey," she whispered in his ear, "You sure you wanna take the exam? What will you even be showing…? I mean, we're probably the best fucking fighters here, but you don't have powers."
"I do believe you are wrong, Hannah." Riley only hummed as he looked his sister in the eyes, "I know I awakened my powers. I just do not know how to use or control it yet."
"Oof." Hannah winced, "Well, it's your funeral."
"It is?" Riley's eyes widened, "Am I dead?"
"No, you—ugh. Never mind. Just… I don't want you to embarrass yourself."
"You do not have to worry, Sister." Riley sighed as he placed a hand on his sister's shoulder while giving a thumbs-up with the other hand,
"I do not know what shame is."
"Right. I forgot who I was talking to."