[Saturday, 9 August 2045]
Lucas groaned as his arms trembled violently, the muscles burning like fire. "One… two… three…" he muttered under his breath, forcing himself to push against the stone floor. Every fiber of his being screamed for rest, but he couldn't stop now. He had to grow stronger. He had to be ready.
[Stats]
Strength: Lvl. 1
Speed: Lvl. 1
Defense: Lvl. 1
Agility: Lvl. 1
Blood Moon Art: Blood Manipulation
"Four… five…" Lucas counted shakily, his forehead slick with sweat. His vision blurred, the edge of the courtyard twisting in his gaze. "If Sophie were here… she'd want me to keep going, every single day." His hands slid slightly, hitting the rough stone as he lost control of his last pushup. But she's not here. She's not real. Anger surged through him, mingling with the pain, and he let it fuel him. I'l channel all of this into training… into becoming something stronger.
A voice broke through his haze. "Yo, Luke. All students, main hall. Now."
Kell's shadowed figure lingered near the courtyard gate, his expression unreadable. "Thanks, Kell. I'll be there."
Kell nodded briefly and walked off, but there was a heaviness in his steps, a subtle guilt Lucas couldn't place. Shrugging it off, he pushed himself to his feet. Surprisingly, his arms didn't ache as he had expected; they felt lighter, almost ready to take on more. Lucas decided to shortcut through the cafeteria, snatching an apple on his way. One quick bite, and he made for the main hall.
The main hall was filled with murmurs, the collective anxiety of hundreds of students vibrating through the polished floors. The tension in the room thickened as Mrs. Wineburg, Mr. Terrence, and a handful of other teachers stood at the front, their faces unusually grave. A tall man in a sharp red suit, white shirt, and heart-patterned tie stepped forward. His mustache curled meticulously, his presence both commanding and oddly out of place among the anxious students.
"Our school is under investigation," Mrs. Wineburg announced, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension. Students glanced at each other, confusion painted across their faces. "We need full cooperation. Mr. Valentine, from Night Agents HQ, is here to—"
"Interrogate, let's call it what it is," the man interrupted, his deep voice resonating through the hall. "Thank you, Mrs. Wineburg. I am Mr. Valentine." His eyes, dark and intense, scanned the crowd before settling momentarily on Lucas. "This morning, my team found my daughter…" His voice faltered, almost breaking, "...dead near this institution. That is why I am here."
Lucas felt a cold knot form in his stomach. The boy standing before him, masked in authority, was now visibly vulnerable. "We won't linger," Valentine continued, regaining composure. "This is a precaution. My team is searching the forest as we speak."
The announcement left a palpable weight in the air. Students whispered among themselves, fear and curiosity interlacing. Valentine's presence alone made it clear: the forest was no longer a place of playful exploration—it was dangerous.
Lucas finished his apple, thirst clawing at him. Without a word, he slipped back to the cafeteria to quench it.
The cafeteria was buzzing with casual chatter. "Girls go to Venus for genius, boys to Jupiter for… well, stupidity," someone joked as Lucas passed. He ignored the laughter, heading straight for the vending machine. One Nost$, and he watched as the machine greedily swallowed the bill.
"How about a Bane Cola?" he muttered to himself.
June appeared at his side, her presence light but piercing in his awareness. "Hey, Lucas."
"Hi, Ha-Joon." Lucas nodded, acknowledging her.
"Did you hear about the girl in the forest?" June asked casually.
"I heard. They announced it in the main hall," Lucas replied, scanning the room. "Why weren't you guys there?"
"It wasn't mandatory. All info was on the school app." June's eyes flicked past him, disinterested in the morbid topic.
Lucas's thoughts drifted to Kell. "Have you seen Kell?"
"Kell Anderson? No," June said without concern.
The scent of Ha-Joon drifted in the air, stronger than usual. Lucas sipped his cola, gulping it down greedily. The thirst didn't subside. He opened another can. "I need… more," he muttered under his breath.
"See you later, Lucas," June called, walking away.
Lucas's vision wavered. The craving rose in his chest. "I have to feed… before it takes control again," he whispered.
The labs in the training section were silent, almost eerie. Lucas's steps echoed down the hall as he approached the familiar door. He knocked. "Hello? Is anyone here?"
"Yes, come in," a voice replied.
Inside, the room smelled of antiseptic and metal. Mr. Valentine was there, shirtless, revealing the sleek contours of his muscles—and the prosthetic arm that gleamed under the fluorescent lights. "The Prosthetica 5000," Valentine explained, noticing Lucas's gaze. "Only skilled engineers can modify or repair it. They should return shortly."
Lucas sat in a chair, trying to calm the rising tension in his chest. Valentine's eyes softened as he spoke. "My daughter was about your age… Sophia, my little Venus. She loved teaching. She wanted to become a teacher here."
Lucas's breath hitched at the familiarity of the name, though he didn't realize why.
"It was a vampire," Valentine said bluntly. "Her killer… I despise vampires. Once we locate the responsible vampires, nothing will protect them ever again."
Lucas's fists clenched. "My mother… my sister… taken and killed by the same monsters. That's why I'm here. That's why I train. That's why I'll join the Night Agents one day."
Valentine nodded, his gaze assessing Lucas's frame. "With enough dedication, you'll make a formidable agent. Gain muscle, lose excess weight…"
Lucas's chest heaved. "I want to kill them. All of them. Every last monster!"
"I like that," Valentine said with a nod, handing Lucas a business card. "Finish your first year, then call me. Hard work and dedication pays off."
Just then, the lab door swung open. Barnabas and Courtney entered, bringing a wave of sterile energy with them. Barnabas, a biologist and engineer, moved with practiced efficiency. "Sorry for the delay. Urgent matters."
"My blood work results?" Lucas asked eagerly.
Barnabas adjusted his lab coat, a blot of blood visible on the fabric. Your results: Blood Manipulation. You can control blood."
Lucas blinked. "Okay…"
"Not a Moon Art ," Barnabas added. "We'll notify you once we identify your gift fully. Work hard in the meantime."
Lucas left the lab, gripping the card and his newfound knowledge like a lifeline. He paused at a mirror in the hallway, staring at his reflection. Stronger. Faster. Better. He imagined the form of Sung Jinwoo from Solo Leveling, pushing himself further with every breath.
Back on the stone floor of the courtyard, he counted again. "One… two… three… four… five…" He fell, exhausted, but a grin tugged at his lips. He had outdone himself.
Could it be the same Sophia? Lucas wondered, the thought lingering as the sun dipped low. Tonight, he would hunt. Tonight, he would face the thirst he could no longer ignore.