The Hero Festival's roaring energy was silenced behind closed doors. Past the glass walls of the observation chamber, students laughed and speculated about the coming tactical trials. Inside, however, the air was heavy with smoke, murmurs, and the weight of decisions.
Sponsors lined the long obsidian table, dressed in suits marked with academy crests and private corporate insignias. At their sides sat pro-heroes whose very presence demanded respect, their gifts barely restrained beneath their polished manners. Government officials from across continents hovered in reserved seats, scribbling notes and exchanging sharp glances.
The conversation had already split into factions.
"This new format is reckless," one gray-haired official from Crimson Spire's board barked, slamming his palm on the table. "You are turning children into villains for sport. If something goes wrong—"
"It won't," interrupted a younger sponsor with a sharp smile, adjusting his cufflinks. "The barrier has been reinforced. This isn't recklessness—it's pressure. Pressure reveals diamonds. These students aren't here to play games; they're here to prove they deserve to inherit the mantle of hero."
Murmurs of agreement rippled down the line. A pro-hero from Azure Bastion, his scarred face illuminated by the glow of the holographic screen, leaned forward. "This is precisely what they need. Combat isn't fair. Villains don't follow rules. If they can't handle the brutality of a thirty-minute simulation, how will they survive outside these walls?"
Another sponsor crossed her legs slowly, speaking in a silken voice. "Besides, it lets us see who's willing to cross boundaries. Some will show restraint, others will reveal ruthlessness. That is far more useful than a simple tactical exercise."
At the far end of the chamber, the international delegation stirred. A British envoy stood, polished and deliberate. "The United Kingdom is in support of this motion. We've seen the footage of last year's festival—it was a display, not a test. This…" He gestured to the holographic projection of the new tactical trial, where digital flames curled over a simulated cityscape. "…this is a crucible."
His Japanese counterpart followed without hesitation, bowing slightly before speaking. "Japan also endorses this format. Heroes must face impossible choices. It will be a test of spirit, strategy, and survival. Those who fail here are not ready for the world outside."
The chamber buzzed, voices overlapping, until the door slid open.
Elowen walked in first. Despite her youth, her presence silenced the room. The student council president of Duskfall Academy carried herself with the poise of a seasoned diplomat. Soraya followed, a shadow to her flame, her calm expression hiding a sharp and unshakable confidence.
The sponsors straightened, not out of courtesy but instinct.
"Elowen," the gray-haired official began carefully, "perhaps you'd like to explain how this… innovation came to pass."
She smiled, calm but unwavering. "It's simple. The Hero Festival has been predictable for too long. Rival academies showcase, sponsors clap, students graduate, and the world forgets. I thought it was time to turn the festival into something unforgettable. Something that doesn't just test ability, but resolve. So I used my authority as council president—and Soraya's cooperation—to make it happen."
Her words landed like stone.
Soraya stepped forward, her hands folded neatly behind her back. "And I supported her. This will no longer be about mere exhibition. This will decide which academy produces the stronger heroes—Duskfall, Crimson Spire, or Azure Bastion. The entire world will watch, and they will see which institution truly breeds excellence."
One of the sponsors frowned. "You're still students. You presume to decide the structure of the festival?"
Soraya's deep blue eyes narrowed, the faintest glint of amusement crossing them. "Presume? No. We acted. And as you can see, it has already captured the interest of nations and sponsors alike. The people want a spectacle, and we are giving them something more—truth."
Elowen's gaze swept the room. "This is not chaos. It's opportunity. The rules we have set force them to adapt, to compromise, to show not just strength but their philosophy. And perhaps…" her voice softened, though the weight of her intent only deepened, "…perhaps it will reveal those with the potential to serve elsewhere."
The implication lingered. Secret missions. Government work. Undercover operatives who could blur the line between hero and villain.
Soraya sealed it with precision. "This is a win–win situation. If they succeed, we gain capable heroes. If they fail, we know who was never worthy to begin with. And for the bureau… the possibility of identifying new agents, even operatives who can convincingly play the part of villains, is invaluable. No one needs to worry. All you need to do is watch and enjoy the show."
The sponsors looked around the room, some uneasy, others thrilled. But none argued further. The decision was already made.
From outside, the cheers of students preparing for their trials echoed faintly through the walls. And behind the curtain, the true game had begun.
—
I hated this part of the festival. The waiting. The murmurs. The frantic whispers about who was joining who. Every group that formed left fewer choices, and with each passing minute, the tension in the room thickened like frost settling over glass.
I had already turned down two invitations. Not because I didn't trust my friends—but because I needed someone I knew wouldn't crack when things got real. Someone I could rely on, someone who had already proven himself in the field.
That's why I was standing in front of Kai Nakamura. Hero name: Resonant.
He didn't even look at me. Headphones in. Head tilted slightly to the side. His black hair fell over his eyes in that maddeningly careless way.
I folded my arms, straightening my posture. "Kai. I want you in my squad."
Nothing.
I pressed on, refusing to let the silence push me back. "We worked well together during that mock battle in class. Your harmonic sound manipulation gave me a field to anchor my ice and metal. You amplified the density, I shaped the force. That synergy doesn't come easily, and you know it."
Still nothing. My patience was starting to thin, but I forced my voice to remain calm. "This isn't just about winning points. It's about efficiency. If I'm going to risk this trial, I need someone who won't fold under pressure."
Finally, he turned. His eyes met mine—dark, unreadable. He pulled a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. Then, with one hand, he slipped his phone away and tugged his headphones down to rest around his neck.
"Fine," he said flatly.
I blinked, caught off guard. "...Just like that?"
He shrugged, sucking on the lollipop. "We work well together. Your ice and metal control give me plenty of surfaces and mediums to bounce resonance through. Makes my power easier, sharper." He gave a half-smirk. "Besides, I figured you wouldn't stop bothering me until I agreed."
Heat prickled at the back of my neck. Embarrassed wasn't something I liked being, so I quickly smoothed my expression, regaining composure. "At least you know me well enough."
Kai leaned against the wall casually. "So, who else?"
I hesitated. There was one person. One who would've perfectly complimented Kai's resonance, someone whose affinity would've maximized our potential. But…
I exhaled slowly, my gaze drifting across the room. Calla Myre stood with Rhea Amani, Juno Albright, and Ari Vos. A tight little circle of their own.
Kai followed my line of sight. "Impossible," he said simply. "Rhea's attached herself to Calla. No way she's leaving that group."
My shoulders sank slightly, and I allowed myself a small sigh. "Exactly. One asset lost."
Kai tapped the lollipop against his teeth, unfazed. "Then we pick someone else. Maybe the ones we faced in the duel."
As if on cue, voices approached.
"Tatiana! Kai!"
Maria Estrella—hero name Mirage—waved as she strode toward us, her long coat flaring behind her. Beside her walked
Calder Voss, the one they called Stonetide, his build broad, his expression calm as stone.
"Seems like fate," Maria said with her usual bright grin. "We didn't form a squad yet, and we were wondering if you had space for two more."
Calder gave a short nod. "We're capable. You won't regret it."
I studied them both carefully. Mirage's psychic barriers paired with Kai's resonance could throw opponents completely off their rhythm. Stonetide's geokinesis + moisture extraction added raw power and defense, something our lineup lacked.
I glanced at Kai. He gave no sign of complaint. Just that faint half-smirk as he sucked on his lollipop.
"Alright," I said firmly. "You're in. Our group's formed."
Maria beamed. Calder gave another short nod. And just like that, the pieces slid into place.
Ice, resonance, barrier, and stone. We weren't just a squad. We were a formation. Ready for whatever the tactical trial threw our way.
—
The scales faded first. Then the wings, curling into nothing, and finally the flame in my veins settled into its cage. My body returned to its dormant form, the one everyone insisted looked "human enough."
Except for the tail that flicked against the chair leg, the faint shimmer of scales trailing my neck, and, of course, my eyes—slit and golden, the mark of my Gift.
They still stared. Students from Duskfall, Crimson Spire, even my own Azure Bastion couldn't look away. To them, the dragon had descended into a man. To me, it was just breathing.
I leaned back into my chair like a king on his throne, letting their stares burn out.
That was when she stepped forward.
"Still hogging the spotlight, Ryu?"
The voice was teasing, playful, infuriatingly familiar. I looked up to see her smirk.
Amaya Kisaragi. Hero name: Volt Tempest. Azure Bastion's number two. My childhood friend.
And, apparently, my tormentor for the afternoon.
"Amaya," I said, half a sigh, half a warning.
She twirled a lock of raven hair around her finger, eyes sparking with the faint crackle of her lightning affinity. "Relax, Renji. No need to glare holes through me."
The sound of my real name in her mouth made me grit my teeth. Renji Kurogane. No one used it—except her.
Before I could fire back, another shadow fell over me.
Shiranami. He had shed his mask, his silver hair falling loose, his usual smugness plastered across his face.
"Well, well. The great dragon tamed, sitting pretty like a housecat."
I narrowed my eyes. "You want to test that theory, Haruto?"
His smirk widened. "Only if you're ready to get embarrassed again."
Amaya burst into laughter, clapping her hands. "Oh, this is too good. I think I liked you better with horns and fire, Renji. At least then people didn't realize how ridiculously pretty you are."
My tail lashed once, hard against the chair leg. "Both of you—"
"—are right," Haruto cut in smoothly. "You looked ridiculous. And terrifying."
That was it. I lunged, aiming a fist at his jaw, but Amaya caught my wrist effortlessly.
"Not today," she said sweetly.
Which left my stomach completely unguarded as Haruto drove his fist into it.
The air whooshed out of me in one humiliating grunt. I doubled over, clutching my gut, while they howled with laughter.
"Damn it—" I wheezed, "Haruto, Amaya, you—"
"Yes, Renji?" Amaya batted her lashes.
I glared up at both of them, golden slits narrowing. They never flinched. They never feared me. And as much as it annoyed me, as much as they made me want to set the entire room ablaze—
—that was why I kept them close.
Before I could find a way to pay them back, a softer voice interrupted.
"Um… excuse me."
A girl stood a few feet away. She wore Azure Bastion's insignia, but her face was unfamiliar. Dark curls framed sharp green eyes, and though she looked nervous, she didn't back down when I looked at her.
"I wanted to ask if I could… join your squad."
I tilted my head, studying her. "And who exactly are you?"
Haruto crossed his arms. "Better question: what's your affinity?"
"Illusion," she answered plainly.
Amaya's face lit up before I could even open my mouth. "Perfect. We're taking her."
"What? No—"
"Yes," she said, already pulling the girl closer. Haruto nodded in agreement.
"Two against one," he said smoothly. "Sorry, Renji. Democracy wins."
I dragged a hand down my face. Why did I put up with these two again?
But it was done. I exhaled slowly and gave the newcomer a nod. "Fine. Welcome to the circus."
She straightened her posture, clearly relieved. "My name is Selene Ardent. Hero name: Phantom Veil."
Amaya grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulders. Haruto smirked like he'd won something. And me?
I sat back down in my chair, tail flicking once more.
Our squad was set.
Renji Kurogane, hero name Ryujin, bearer of the Gift Draconic Ascendance.Amaya Kisaragi, hero name Volt Tempest, wielder of Stormveil Lightning affinity.Haruto Shiranami, hero name Shiranami, master of Tidecall Flow water affinity. And Selene Ardent, hero name Phantom Veil, illusionist.
From the outside, we must've looked like rivals bickering, friends laughing, and strangers slotting in.
But inside, I could already feel it. This wasn't just a squad. This was a storm waiting to break.
—
I leaned back in my chair, hands laced behind my head, and watched the mess unfold around me. Students were darting from table to table, voices raised, energy frantic—like a swarm of ants after their hill had been kicked. Partnerships were being formed, deals struck, alliances broken. All in the name of preparation.
We had an hour and a half to get ready before the tactical battles began. Right now? Only forty-five minutes remained. The others treated it like the end of the world. And me? I didn't so much as twitch.
Lady Aurelian sat across from me, her posture stiff, her expression locked in perpetual disapproval. She looked at me like I was a ticking bomb that refused to go off."You're wasting time again, Alexei," she said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. "If you don't move now, I'm leaving this team. You've been saying 'I'm waiting for someone important' for the past twenty minutes."
I dragged my face down into the table, cheek pressed to the cold wood."I told you, Amelia," I muttered, "he'll show. He always does."
"Always late," she snapped back.
I didn't answer. I didn't need to.
Right on cue, the air shifted. A hush rippled through the crowd like someone had opened the gates of heaven itself. Footsteps approached—measured, graceful, unhurried. Every head turned. Every pair of eyes followed.
He walked in as though he belonged to another world. Broad-shouldered, golden-haired, his mere presence forced the room to acknowledge him. A divine aura radiated around him, not flashy, not overwhelming—simply undeniable.
He stopped in front of me, his voice warm but commanding."Sorry I'm late. Something came up."
I smirked, lifting my head just enough to look him in the eye."Knew you'd be late, Gabriel. Sit. You're faster than usual today."
Lady Aurelian's breath hitched. She blinked as though she was dreaming."Wait—you… you're…!"
Her voice failed her. She didn't need to finish. Everyone already knew.
Gabriel Caelum, hero name Seraphim Ascendant, Crimson Spire's valedictorian. The one the media called the Incarnation of the World Guardian. Though he was British, America claimed him anyway. The boy chosen by God Himself, wielder of the gift Lux Aeterna—the eternal light of angels.
Her shock was almost comical. I sighed, sat up straight, and called her by her true name."Amelia Frossard. Snap out of it."
She stiffened, as though I'd pulled her out of a dream, and turned her gaze toward me.
"Right. Gabriel, Amelia. Amelia, Gabriel." I gestured lazily between them. "Now that you've exchanged your dramatic introduction, we're a team."
Gabriel chuckled softly, settling into the chair beside me."I wasn't even planning to participate," he admitted, folding his hands together on the table. "But since they changed the rules… it looks interesting. I'll join. I only have one issue, Alexei."
"Yeah?"
"We're still one short. Squad battles require four."
I leaned back again, unfazed."Already handled. Just relax."
And, as if summoned by my words, another figure slipped into the room. Not divine like Gabriel, but with an unmistakable weight to his steps.
Number three in our academy's rankings. A boy with sharp, foxlike features and irises patterned like dice. His grin was as crooked as it was confident.
"Sorry I'm late," he said, not sounding sorry at all.
This was Felix Armand, hero name Fortune's Gambit. Gift user. His power: Dominus Fortunae—the authority to override luck itself, bending probability to his will.
I spread my hands with mock ceremony."There. Full house. Now can we finally start strategizing?"
Gabriel shook his head, amused. Amelia still hadn't fully recovered. And me? I just smiled.
Because for once, everything was falling into place exactly the way I wanted.