"You can't sleep all day long, Roy."
The voice came from beside his bed.
Roy slowly opened one eye.
His mother stood there with her hands on her waist, staring at him with the familiar expression that told him she wasn't leaving anytime soon.
Roy pulled the blanket over his head.
"But Mum... I wanna sleep longer."
"You've been sleeping for hours."
"Just five more minutes."
"Roy."
He sighed.
"Fine."
He threw the blanket aside and sat up.
His dark green hair was completely messy, sticking out in every direction. He rubbed his eyes before reluctantly getting out of bed.
His mother shook her head.
"Every morning with you."
"I'm just tired."
"You wouldn't be so tired if you stopped getting into fights every day."
Roy stopped.
"I don't get into fights every day."
His mother gave him a look.
"...Okay. Maybe most days."
She laughed.
"Go get ready."
Roy walked into the bathroom.
A while later, he came downstairs wearing his school uniform. He picked up his bag and headed toward the door.
"Alright, I'm heading to school."
"Okay. Be a good boy."
Roy opened the door.
"And don't forget what I told you."
He stopped.
He already knew exactly what she was talking about.
"Yes, I remember."
His mother smiled.
"Then say it."
Roy sighed.
"Don't get into any fights."
"And?"
"If I do, I'm going to military school."
"Good."
Roy stepped outside.
His mother watched him leave.
"Have a good day."
Roy waved without turning around.
"You too."
Surprisingly, Roy behaved himself that morning.
He attended his classes without causing trouble, answered several questions correctly and even managed to avoid arguing with anyone.
His teachers were probably wondering if something had happened to him.
Roy wasn't exactly a bad student.
Academically, he was above average.
His problem was everything outside the classroom.
He had a short temper.
And when someone crossed the line, Roy had very little patience for talking.
After several classes, the bell rang for break.
Roy left the classroom and walked through the school grounds.
He was about to head toward the cafeteria when he heard shouting.
"Give it back!"
Roy stopped.
He recognized the voice.
It was one of his friends.
Roy turned toward the sound.
A group of boys were surrounding him.
One of them held his friend's bag above his head while another pushed him backward.
Roy's expression changed.
He walked toward them.
"Hey."
The boys looked at him.
One of them laughed.
"Oh, look who's here."
Roy looked at his friend.
"You alright?"
His friend nodded.
"I'm fine."
Roy looked at the boys.
"Give him his stuff."
The boy holding the bag laughed.
"Why should I?"
Roy sighed.
"Because I'm asking nicely."
"And what are you going to do if I don't?"
Roy stared at him.
"Don't make me answer that."
The boy shoved Roy's friend again.
That was enough.
Roy grabbed the boy by the collar.
"Don't touch him."
The boy tried to punch him.
Roy moved his head aside.
The punch missed.
Another boy rushed toward Roy.
Roy turned and pushed him away.
Then another came.
The situation quickly became a fight.
Roy wasn't the strongest student in the school, but he was fast.
More importantly, he didn't hesitate.
One boy tried to grab him from behind.
Roy turned and bit his arm.
"AAAH!"
The boy immediately let go.
Roy released him.
"What?"
The others stared at him.
"Did you just bite him?"
Roy shrugged.
"He grabbed me."
A voice suddenly came from behind them.
"Roy!"
Everyone froze.
A teacher stood several meters away.
"Principal's office. Now."
Roy sighed.
"Again?"
The principal stared at him from behind his desk.
"Why do you always have to be violent?"
Roy sat quietly.
"You were involved in a fight with a group of students."
"They were bullying my friend."
"That doesn't excuse you."
Roy lowered his head.
"But they were hurting him."
The principal sighed.
"You could have reported them."
"They wouldn't have stopped."
"You don't know that."
Roy didn't respond.
The principal studied him for a moment.
He could tell Roy wasn't trying to make excuses.
The boy genuinely believed he had done the right thing.
"Go back to your class."
Roy stood.
"Okay."
"And Roy?"
He stopped at the door.
"Try to control your temper."
Roy nodded.
"I'll try."
He left.
When school finally ended, Roy returned home.
He opened the door.
"I'm back."
No answer.
Roy walked upstairs.
"Roy."
He stopped.
His mother's voice sounded serious.
He slowly turned around.
She was standing in the living room.
"We made a deal."
Roy immediately knew what was coming.
"Mum..."
"You promised me."
"They were bullying my friend."
"You still broke your promise."
Roy looked away.
His mother sighed.
"I warned you what would happen."
Roy's eyes widened slightly.
"Wait..."
"I called the military academy."
"What?"
Roy stared at her.
"You actually called them?"
"Yes."
"But Mum—"
Before he could finish, the doorbell rang.
His mother walked toward the door.
Roy followed.
When she opened it, two large men dressed in black stood outside.
"Good afternoon, ma'am."
One of them nodded.
"We're here for Roy."
Roy stared at them.
Then he looked at his mother.
"You weren't joking."
She shook her head.
"I packed your things."
Roy stood silently for a few seconds.
Then he picked up his bag.
As he walked toward the door, he stopped.
"Hey, Mum."
She looked at him.
"When Lex comes back, tell him I'll see him later."
His mother nodded.
"I will."
Roy stepped outside.
The door closed behind him.
The journey to the academy took nearly two and a half hours.
Roy spent most of the trip looking through the window.
Eventually, the vehicle stopped.
He stepped outside.
And froze.
A massive structure stood before him.
The military academy.
The building was enormous, surrounded by towering walls and training grounds that stretched farther than Roy could see.
Students could be seen training in the distance.
Some were manipulating flames.
Others were surrounded by ice, earth or electricity.
Roy stared.
"So this is the military academy."
One of the men approached him.
"Come."
Roy followed.
A moment later, his surroundings suddenly changed.
Flash!
Roy appeared inside the academy.
He stumbled slightly.
"What was that?"
"Teleportation."
Roy looked around.
A man was sitting behind a desk.
He stood up.
"Welcome."
Roy looked at him.
"You should be Roy."
"Yes."
The man smiled.
"Kenneth Void."
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"I'm the principal of this academy."
Roy looked around.
"So... what do I need to do to enter? An examination?"
Kenneth laughed.
"No. You're already a student."
Roy blinked.
"Then why am I here?"
"Because we need to determine your strength as a Nexis user."
Roy's expression changed.
"Oh."
He smiled.
"Who am I fighting?"
Kenneth smiled.
"I like your attitude."
He turned toward the door.
"You can come in now."
A young man walked into the room.
Kenneth raised his hand.
"Display."
A translucent screen appeared.
Name: Lee Ching
Level: Intermediate Level 41
Abilities: Fire / Rock
SP: 260
Roy looked at the display.
"Intermediate Level 41?"
Kenneth nodded.
"He's a second-year student."
Lee cracked his knuckles.
"Don't worry. I'll take it easy on you."
Roy smiled.
"Don't."
Lee frowned.
Roy dropped his bag.
"I want to see what you're really capable of."
Kenneth stepped backward.
"Begin."
Lee immediately raised his hand.
"Fire Intermediate Nexis Art..."
The temperature around them suddenly increased.
"Devil's Lake!"
A massive wave of flames erupted from beneath Lee's feet and rushed toward Roy.
Roy's eyes widened slightly.
"Fast."
He immediately raised his hand.
"Lightning Beginner Nexis Art..."
Electricity crackled around his body.
"Zeus Armor!"
BOOM!
The wave of flames crashed into Roy.
For several seconds, the entire training ground disappeared beneath fire.
Lee smiled.
"Got him."
The flames suddenly began dispersing.
Roy stood in the center of the attack, surrounded by blue lightning.
His clothes were slightly scorched, but he hadn't moved.
Lee's smile faded.
"Interesting."
Roy looked at the lightning surrounding his body.
"Your flames aren't bad."
Lee grinned.
"Don't get too confident."
He slammed his foot into the ground.
"Rock Nexis Art!"
The ground beneath Roy suddenly erupted.
Roy jumped.
A massive stone spike shot past his leg.
Roy landed several meters away.
Another spike immediately came toward him.
He twisted his body sideways.
WHOOSH!
It missed.
Three more followed.
Roy jumped backward, narrowly avoiding each one.
Lee raised both hands.
"Rock Prison!"
Large pieces of rock rose from the ground around Roy.
Roy looked around.
"Seriously?"
The rocks closed in.
Roy clenched his fist.
Lightning exploded from his body.
CRACK!
The rocks shattered.
Roy rushed forward.
Lee wasn't expecting him to close the distance so quickly.
Roy threw a punch.
Lee blocked it with his forearm.
BAM!
Lee slid backward.
Roy followed with another punch.
Lee blocked again.
Then Roy kicked toward his stomach.
Lee jumped backward.
"You're pretty fast."
Roy smiled.
"You talk too much."
Roy rushed forward again.
Lee raised his hand.
"Fire Nexis Art!"
A stream of flames shot toward Roy.
Roy jumped over it.
Lee immediately followed with a second attack.
"Rock Bullet!"
Several pieces of rock fired through the flames.
Roy twisted in midair.
One passed his shoulder.
Another grazed his uniform.
Roy landed.
Lee was already in front of him.
His fist came toward Roy's face.
Roy raised his arm.
BAM!
The impact pushed Roy backward.
He slid across the ground.
Lee rushed forward.
Roy's eyes sharpened.
He's stronger physically.
Lee threw another punch.
Roy ducked.
Another.
Roy blocked.
Another.
Roy moved backward.
Lee kept attacking.
"What's wrong?"
Roy gritted his teeth.
"Nothing."
Lee swung again.
Roy caught his wrist.
For a moment, the two stared at each other.
Roy smiled.
"Got you."
Lightning surged through Roy's arm.
CRACK!
Lee was forced backward.
Roy immediately chased him.
"Lightning Nexis Art!"
Lightning gathered around his legs.
"Lightning Step!"
Roy disappeared.
Lee's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Roy appeared beside him.
Lee barely managed to block the incoming punch.
BOOM!
The impact sent him sliding several meters.
Kenneth watched silently.
His expression had changed.
Roy wasn't fighting like a beginner.
His movements were instinctive.
Aggressive.
Efficient.
And most importantly...
He was adapting.
Lee wiped his mouth and smiled.
"Alright."
His Nexis surged.
"Let's see how you handle this."
Fire erupted around his body.
Rock armor formed over his arms and shoulders.
"Fire-Rock Armament!"
Roy's expression became serious.
Lee charged.
The two collided.
BOOM!
Fire exploded across the battlefield.
Roy was thrown backward.
He landed on one knee.
Lee charged again.
Roy stood.
Their attacks collided repeatedly.
Punch.
Block.
Kick.
Dodge.
Fire.
Lightning.
Rock.
The battle became faster with every exchange.
Roy took a hit to his shoulder.
He grunted.
Lee followed with a rock-covered punch.
Roy crossed his arms.
BAM!
He was pushed backward.
Lee didn't stop.
"Devil's Lake!"
Flames erupted beneath Roy.
Roy jumped.
Lee expected it.
"Rock Spear!"
A stone spear shot toward him.
Roy twisted his body.
The spear narrowly missed.
Roy landed.
He looked at Lee.
Then he smiled.
"You're pretty strong."
Lee grinned.
"And you're not bad yourself."
Roy's expression suddenly became more serious.
Lightning began gathering around his arm.
The energy wasn't like before.
It was denser.
More violent.
Kenneth's eyes immediately narrowed.
"That technique..."
Roy raised his arm.
"Lightning..."
The electricity twisted.
It formed the shape of a gigantic serpent.
"Serpent Lightning!"
Kenneth's expression changed completely.
"Roy, stop!"
But the attack had already been released.
The lightning serpent tore across the battlefield.
Lee froze.
Before it could reach him—
"Space Nexis."
Kenneth raised one hand.
The air distorted.
The lightning suddenly disappeared into a warped section of space.
"Collision."
The distorted space collapsed.
The attack vanished.
Silence.
Roy stared at Kenneth.
"What happened?"
Kenneth slowly lowered his hand.
"That's enough."
Lee looked at Roy.
"That was..."
Kenneth interrupted him.
"Yes."
His eyes remained fixed on Roy.
"That was a forbidden technique."
Roy blinked.
"Forbidden?"
Kenneth didn't answer.
His mind was already racing.
How does a boy at his level know Serpent Lightning?
And why does he look like he doesn't even understand what he just used?
Roy looked at Lee.
"So... who won?"
Lee laughed.
"I don't know."
Kenneth smiled faintly.
"The match is over."
Roy picked up his bag.
"Alright."
" Go someone will direct you to your class, also try not to cause much trouble" Principal Kenneth said as he drove Roy out
He turned toward the exit.
Kenneth watched him leave.
For the first time, the principal wasn't thinking about Roy's combat ability.
He was thinking about the secret behind it.
And whatever that secret was...
Roy clearly knew nothing about it.