[Hero Academy – Main Hall – Morning]
The sound of chairs scraping stopped the instant Lorien Valtier entered. His very presence was a blinding light that dissolved any doubt, and his Seraphim Eyes shimmered like stars.
— "Good morning, young heroes."His voice echoed like calm thunder.— "Today, we talk about the most important Draft of the decade."
Silence fell. Some students swallowed hard. Others widened their eyes.
Lorien glanced toward the back of the room and nodded.
— "Darius, if you would."
A grumble came from behind him.
— "Seriously, man... there was no one better for this than me?" Darius muttered, arms crossed.
Lorien smirked.— "You lost the bet yesterday. Time to pay up."
A few chuckles rippled through the class.
Darius Valtier—Rank 3 Hero and Leader of the Phoenix Guild—walked to the front.
— "Playing cards with Kelvin and Lorien should be a federal crime..." he mumbled.
He spotted Ryu and grinned.— "Well, well! Ryu Nox in the house? Look at you, kid!"
— "Hey, Uncle Darius!" Ryu replied cheerfully.
— "Focus, Darius," Lorien cut in, half-squinting already.
Darius gave a theatrical sigh.— "Alright, alright. Let's do this. Take notes, you battle nerds."
He raised a hand, projecting a glowing hologram into the air.
📜 Official Presentation – National Hero Draft
— "The Draft will be in two weeks."
— "WHAT?!"The room exploded in shock.— "But… wasn't it in six months?!"
Lorien's tone turned firm.
— "There's been… an incident.The world needs you all sooner than expected."
Darius cleared his throat and began listing:
🌀 Challenge 1: Lightning RunObstacles. Reflexes. Aerial platforms. Here, hesitation equals defeat.Move fast or lose.Team-based or 1v1.Each player commands illusion troops based on their personal strategy.Real attacks may only be used at specific moments (cooldown applies).
🧠 Challenge 2: War ChessA tactical battle using illusionary armies.Strategy is your true weapon.Your mind is your might.
⚔️ Challenge 3: Conflict ZoneTeams of 3–5. Battle royale mode.Zone capture, relics, morality tests... and chaos.
⚔️ Final Challenge: Duel of Fates1v1 battles.The top 8 face off until only one remains.The crown of the new generation will be decided.
Lorien ended with a sharp gaze.— "But first..."
He snapped his fingers.— "Let's measure your Auras."
[Aura Test – Measurement Platform]
One by one, the students stepped up to the platform.A floating crystal absorbed their energy and displayed their aura level on a glowing screen.
— Annie Halloway: 1,950 units.— "Wow, she's really something!"
— Kane Jayson: 2,100 units.Kane smirked smugly.— "Talk to me."
— Ryu Nox: 2,430 units.Darius raised his eyebrows.— "Well done, nephew."
— Ethan Stormbreak: 2,510 units.The class gasped.— "Son of Inavy... makes sense."
Then it was Ryan's turn.
He walked with tense steps. The whispers died. The silence became heavy—almost cruel.
The machine glowed...
Then displayed:
"0 UNITS."
— "What?! ZERO?"— "That's pathetic…"— "He's really in the Draft?!"
Lorien's Seraphim Eyes activated instantly. His face shifted from confusion... to awe.
— Impossible... this machine is wrong, he thought.
He walked toward Ryan, staring at him as if seeing a miracle.
— "This aura... it has a will of its own."— "It's like Chaos… but denser, more alive."
The room grew tense.
— "Boy, what's your name?" Lorien asked, serious.
Before Ryan could answer, a student mocked:
— "Old man Valtier got scared of a zero!"
Ryan stammered:— "R-Ryan… Valeborn, sir."
Lorien approached. He smiled.
Then he leaned in, whispering just loud enough for Ryan to hear:
— "I'm counting on you in this Draft… new prodigy."
Ryan's eyes widened.The tears came without warning.
A respectful silence filled the room.But a few students still laughed, confused.
— "Why's he crying?"
— "Isn't it obvious?He finally realized this hero thing's not for him, hahaha."
At the back of the room, Kane Jayson clenched his fists.His face turned red with rage.
— "That bastard... is gaining popularity?"
[End of Chapter 6]
"In the world of heroes, what shines isn't always what truly lights the way."