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Chapter 72 - Chapter 66: Choosing Hero Name... Arriving At Sky x High...

(A/N):

Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.

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The heavy metallic doors hissed open,

Hiss~

Smoke and dust from the simulation curling out like a breath of battle.

Rudra emerged, posture steady despite the sweat still damp on his face, his eyes calm as if nothing extraordinary had just happened.

But instead of silence, a low ripple of voices greeted him.

"____"

"____"

"____"

Then he noticed—

A small crowd had gathered in the hall.

Pro heroes.

Dozens of them,

From mid-ranked specialists to a few top-50 names,

Their colorful suits and imposing presences making the atmosphere buzz with energy.

Their gazes locked on him—

Not with suspicion, but with admiration.

One by one, they stepped forward.

A tall hero in crimson armor clapped him on the shoulder.

"Hell of a job in there. Haven't seen evac coordination that clean in years."

Another, a rescue-type with hydrokinetic gear, shook her head in amazement.

"You carried ninety-two people out of that hellhole? Even I couldn't top that."

Rudra blinked, caught off guard.

Blink~ 

"____"

He had expected scrutiny, not… applause.

Then—

Like a streak of neon—

Surge Rider dropped from her hovering glider,

Boots clicking against the marble floor.

Thud.

She slid to a stop in front of him,

Flipping her visor up to reveal her mischievous grin.

"Congrats, mystery man,"

She said, voice sweet but edged with energy.

Her eyes sparkled as if she'd just confirmed something only she understood.

She tilted her head, proud and teasing at the same time.

"I knew you weren't normal."

Rudra gave her a puzzled frown,

Frown~

"____"

And her giggle rang through the hall.

Giggle~

She leaned closer, lowering her tone just enough for him to hear.

"That test?"

She gestured back at the sealed chamber.

"It wasn't standard. The Commission cranked the difficulty to near 'incomplete' level. That's the kind of test they only use for failed prototypes, or to weed out the weak before they even start."

Her grin softened into something almost admiring.

"And you not only survived—you aced it. That's why everyone's here, Rudra. They wanted to see the guy who pulled off the impossible."

Around them,

The heroes murmured in agreement, their respect palpable.

Rudra stood quietly in the center of it all,

His mind weighing the system's earlier notification,

Surge Rider's words,

And the strange pride he saw reflected in the heroes' eyes.

Cough~ Cough~

"____"

"____"

"____"

The crowd parted as Kevin Darwin cleared his throat,

His voice crisp and official,

Cutting through Surge Rider's teasing words.

"Ahem. For clarification,"

He said, straightening his black coat,

"Everything you witnessed was in line with Commission protocol. The test parameters were… adjusted accordingly."

His tone was polished,

But it was vague—

Too vague.

A cover, smooth enough to deflect questions but not enough to erase suspicion.

Even Surge Rider narrowed her eyes slightly, sniffing at the obvious brush-off.

"____"

At that moment,

Another man in a black suit stepped forward, moving with the precise stiffness of someone who worked in the background but carried weight.

In his hands was a sleek black suitcase.

Kevin accepted it without a word, flicked open the locks,

And turned it toward Rudra.

Inside, nestled on deep velvet fabric, lay a slim silver card—

Shimmering under the fluorescent lights like a shard of modern myth.

Beside it, a compact machine with glowing input slots.

Kevin's expression shifted into something solemn.

"This,"

He said, lifting the blank silver rectangle,

"is your Hero Identification Card. Once encoded, it marks you officially as a Pro Hero of this nation—registered with the Commission and recognized internationally."

He slid the card into the machine.

Hummm~ 

A faint hum rose, neon glyphs flickering across its surface.

Kevin's sharp eyes locked onto Rudra.

"Now… your hero name?"

The hall grew quiet.

Even the other pros leaned in, curious.

This was the moment.

Rudra exhaled slowly, closing his eyes for a second.

"____"

His mind flashed with images of the path he came across:

His life at the orpanage.

Time with his freinds.

Unlocking system for the first time.

Choosen by Brahmastra.

Joining gurukul of Guru Arvind.

Training with him for 2 years.

Becoming close with Amirtha and Junoo.

Dev's roar before turning to dust.

The storm-split sky and Mahadev's face.

The fire of Ravana's legacy now stirring in his veins by the recent integrated template.

When his eyes opened again, they gleamed with quiet certainty.

"Ra-One,"

He said.

The name rolled across the chamber like a spark finding kindling.

Kevin typed it into the console.

The machine flared, engraving glowing letters across the silver surface:

[Hero Name: Ra-One]

Chime~

With a chime, the machine powered down.

Kevin removed the card and handed it over.

It was cool to the touch, metallic yet alive with faint circuitry.

"Congratulations,"

Kevin intoned.

"From this moment, Ra-One is officially recognized as a Pro Hero."

The heroes broke into scattered applause.

Clap~ Clap~ 

Surge Rider tilted her head, lips quirking into a grin.

Grin~

"Ra-One, huh? I like it. Has bite."

Rudra slipped the card into his palm, feeling its weight—

Both literal and symbolic.

For the first time in this world, his identity wasn't hidden in shadows.

It was forged in silver, broadcast to everyone:

He was a hero now.

HPSC Skyscraper...

In the high-rise office of the HPSC Skyscraper,

The screens still glowed with replays of Rudra's trial by fire.

Director Kaizen Volt, known throughout the world as The Technomancer,

Sat behind a desk of shifting holograms and steel.

"____"

His physique was that of a warrior—

Broad-shouldered, muscles taut with years of training—

And his emerald hair glowing faintly under the light made him look more like a futuristic warlord than a bureaucrat.

His eyes flicked to the main screen,

Where the feed replayed Rudra carrying survivors out of collapsing wreckage.

Kaizen's jaw tightened.

"Impressive, yes. But dangerous."

His voice rumbled like machinery grinding against stone.

Across from him, seated with her usual calm poise, was Principal Power of Sky High.

A woman in her late 20's with sharp eyes that missed nothing,

She exuded a calm confidence that contrasted sharply with Volt's stormy aura.

"You brought in a man whose entire file is… erased,"

Kaizen said, his fists clenching on the desk.

"Not classified. Not restricted. Deleted. Scrubbed clean across every database from here to the United Nations' vaults. You expect me to ignore that and allow him near children? A school filled with potential Pro Heroes?"

Principal Power chuckled softly,

Chuckle~ 

A laugh that disarmed the tension like a blade sliding free from its sheath.

"Kaizen, you worry too much. I don't make careless hires. Especially not for Sky High."

"You don't know what he is,"

Kaizen pressed, leaning forward.

"I ordered Darwin to make the exam nearly impossible. He should have failed. He should have broken under pressure. Instead, he… adapted. Too well. And you think that doesn't raise alarms?"

Principal Power tilted her head, amused.

"It doesn't raise alarms, Director. It raises expectations."

Kaizen's glowing green eyes narrowed.

Frown~ 

"You're gambling with the future of heroes."

She stood, her cape shifting with the motion, her presence filling the room.

"No,"

she said firmly,

"I'm investing in it. You see a mystery, Kaizen. I see potential. Rudra Eswar will be at Sky High. That's not up for debate. And if you think your commission's protocols can change that…"

Her smirk sharpened.

Smirk~

"You don't know me as well as you think."

"____"

For a long moment,

The Technomancer and the Principal locked gazes—

His full of suspicion, hers with unshakable confidence.

Finally, Kaizen leaned back in his chair, the green circuits along his beard pulsing like restrained lightning.

"Very well. But mark my words, Principal. If your new professor is not what he claims…"

His voice dropped into a growl.

Growl~

"I'll be the one who pulls the plug."

Principal Power smiled faintly.

"And if he is what I know he is, Director—he'll be the one who saves us all."

Meanwhile...

Rudra slipped the borrowed hover-phone from Surge Rider to make a call,

Feeling the smooth weight of technology foreign yet strangely intuitive.

He pressed the number listed on the letter from Sky High, his fingers steady.

Ring... Ring...

The call connected instantly,

A calm female voice greeting him from the other end.

He informed her about his appointment to the school.

"Rudra Eswar?"

"Yes,"

He said, his voice firm.

"I've completed the hero qualification. I'm ready for pickup."

A few moments of polite acknowledgement passed.

Details were exchanged efficiently—

The time, the location, the landing coordinates for the transport craft.

Rudra filed them away,

Letting the system log everything for his later reference.

He handed the device back to Surge Rider with a small nod.

"Thanks for letting me borrow this."

She grinned, her hoverboard humming beneath her.

Grin~ 

"No problem. You'll need it where you're going. And—"

She hesitated, leaning forward slightly,

"here, take my contact. If anything happens…"

Rudra raised an eyebrow but didn't protest.

"____"

She scribbled a small card and pressed it into his hand.

Surge Rider's energy practically radiated from her as she bid farewell.

"Good luck, Ra-One. You're not like the others. Don't forget that."

With a quiet nod,

Nod~ 

Rudra slipped the card into his pocket.

Swish~ 

He watched as Surge Rider soared back into the sky,

The city lights glinting off her hoverboard, leaving him alone—

But ready—

For the next stage of his journey.

The streets below moved in a blur, oblivious to the calm storm gathering in Rudra's mind.

Rudra's eyes narrowed as the bus came to a halt.

At first glance, it looked like a completely ordinary school bus—

Yellow, slightly worn, with the usual black stripes—

But there was something… off.

The engine emitted a low hum that didn't belong to any conventional vehicle.

As the door hissed open,

Hiss~

A faint golden glow pulsed from beneath the chassis,

Hinting at some hidden mechanism.

Rudra took a step closer.

The system chimed softly.

[Ding...]

[ANALYSIS: Vehicle detected.]

[Class: Modified Sky High Transport.]

[ Flight capabilities: Active.]

[ Safety parameters: Hero-grade.]

A voice called out from inside the bus, warm and welcoming.

"You must be Rudra Eswar! Welcome aboard!"

Rudra paused, squinting into the shadowed interior.

The bus didn't just look normal—

It felt normal, almost deliberately so, masking its true capabilities.

The familiar creaking of the door mixed with a low, futuristic hum from the undercarriage.

As he stepped onto the bus,

The tires lifted slightly off the ground,

And the bus hovered just above the street.

Rudra's eyes widened—

Not surprised, but curiosity.

His system immediately started scanning the interior, mapping every detail.

Seating layout, control mechanisms, emergency features, and…

A hidden compartment at the back glowing faintly with energy signatures matching Sky High hero tech.

The driver—

Who looked like a regular middle-aged man with a friendly smile—

Gave a small nod.

Nod~ 

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Even in a seemingly normal world, Rudra knew everything had layers—

And the Sky High bus was no exception.

The bus slowly rose,

The hum growing into a steady thrum of flight energy,

And Rudra felt the faint pull of acceleration.

Outside, the city stretched out like a miniature model, people moving below, oblivious to the hovering bus above.

[SYSTEM]:

[Flight mode engaged. All hero safety parameters active.

[Estimated arrival: Sky High campus – 12 minutes.]

Rudra leaned back in his seat, calm yet ready.

Rudra stepped off the bus onto the floating platform, his boots hitting the smooth metallic surface with a quiet thud.

Thud.

The air was crisp,

Carrying a faint hum of energy that pulsed from the massive hovering structure above.

The floating island itself was an engineering marvel—

Sprawling green fields, synthetic lakes glinting under the sunlight,

And pathways lined with glowing panels that adjusted brightness based on the sun's angle.

Above it all,

Sky High School loomed: sleek, modern, and imposing,

With towers and domes interlaced with energy conduits that shimmered faintly like liquid light.

As the cloud cover parted, shafts of sunlight pierced through, spotlighting the grand entrance.

Students were scattered across the campus,

Some walking, others hovering in small anti-gravity pods,

While a few practiced small quirks in isolated zones or playing prank on one another.

Their attention didn't linger on Rudra,

Immersed as they were in their routines,

Yet the presence of the newcomer aura around him was palpable,

A subtle shimmer only detectable to someone sensitive to energy—

Like Rudra.

Ron Wilson, the bus driver, turned toward him with a warm smile.

"I'm Ron. Welcome to Sky High. They'll get you settled inside. I'll take care of your transport arrangements from here on. Just follow the main corridor."

Rudra nodded once, scanning the floating island.

Nod~

"Hi... I am Rudra."

His system chimed softly:

[Ding...]

[Sky High campus mapped.]

[ Population: 300 students, 15 faculty.]

[ Energy signatures: variable quirks detected.]

[Local hero activity: high.]

[Threat assessment: minimal.]

He allowed himself a moment to take it all in—

The floating campus, the disciplined chaos of hero training in motion, the subtle crackle of latent energy in the air.

With a deep breath,

Sigh~ 

"____"

He followed Ron toward the entrance of the towering school,

On the walking stone path between the green garden,

The hum of the floating island beneath them.

The massive doors slid open smoothly, revealing a bright, cavernous atrium inside, students milling about,

Some casting curious glances at Rudra, others oblivious,

Fully immersed in their chat to pay attention.

Squeak~

Mr. Boomer's sneakers squeaked faintly on the polished floor as he walked with the confident gait of a man who'd spent decades corralling kids into order.

The yellow whistle around his neck bobbed with each step,

And his eyes—

Sharp but not unkind—

Flicked between his pad and Rudra.

"So, Ra-One, huh?"

He muttered, testing the name on his tongue like a weightlifter testing grip before a lift.

"____"

There was a brief pause,

But he didn't comment further.

Instead, he snapped his pad shut.

"Well, Ra-One, Sky High has rules. First rule: discipline is survival. You'll hear a lot about creativity and talent, but make no mistake—up here in the sky, order is what keeps us floating. Even for the professor."

They passed the cafeteria,

Its wide glass walls showing rows of students in colorful dresses there is no school uniform for them as UA does.,

Trays levitating toward tables, laughter mixed with the occasional bang as someone's ability went a bit out of hand.

Rudra's sharp eyes caught a boy juggling sparks of lightning between his fingers, and another casually levitating her entire meal tray while gossiping with her friends.

Mr. Boomer gestured without slowing his pace.

"Cafeteria. Energy is currency here, so eat well, train harder. No skipping meals—or They'll answer to me."

Next came the game zone,

A sprawling space where students were engaged in competitive bouts under energy domes.

One dome showed two kids hurling glowing disks at each other like frisbees on fire;

Another had students testing reflexes on holographic platforms.

"This,"

Mr. Boomer said with a puff of his chest,

"is where Students will learn teamwork. Games here aren't about winning—they're about control. You lose control, you endanger everyone around you. You'll see soon enough."

Rudra walked calmly beside him,

His senses wide open.

His system quietly pinged each time it caught something new,

Cataloging abilities in the background like an unseen researcher.

Finally, they reached the central corridor leading to a pair of massive reinforced doors.

The insignia of Sky High—

An Student holding a book high—

Was etched into the steel.

Mr. Boomer stopped, blowing his whistle once, sharp and loud, though no one else seemed to notice.

"This is the Principal's Office. From here on, it's her show. You'll address her by her title—Principal Power. Remember—respect earns respect. Now, Ra-One,"

He said, turning to Rudra with narrowed eyes,

"Sky High doesn't just teach kids. We shape legends. Question is—what kind of legend are you going to create?"

The doors slid open with a low mechanical groan,

Hiss~ 

And the light from inside spilled across the polished floor.

"____"

Rudra's calm gaze didn't waver.

His answer was short, but his tone carried weight.

"Not a legend… just someone who does what's necessary."

Mr. Boomer's eyebrow twitched at the reply.

"____"

He gave a small nod, then gestured him inside.

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(Author's POV)

(A/N): Guys Any Idea For MC's Hero Logo.

Thanks for reading the chapter!

Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!

Guys it will motivate me more?

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