As Max walked home, his mind replayed the battle and his victory over Poker. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized that this victory was merely the beginning. His power was far greater than he had initially imagined, yet he had no idea what it would bring him. As he reflected on his strength and combat techniques, his hands trembled slightly. His abilities were beyond what he had ever comprehended. The day he met Rex, he had understood it—this wasn't just some simple acid-based power.
Max needed to sleep. Tomorrow was his first day at school. He had earned the right to attend Imperium Hero Academy, the most prestigious superhero academy in existence. Most likely, the heroes had witnessed his battle with Poker and had become intrigued by him. With these thoughts swirling in his head, Max drifted into sleep.
The next morning, the sound of his alarm pulled him out of his dreams. He shot up quickly and got ready for school. He needed to be there by nine to meet his class. He rushed through his breakfast, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. His hair had grown longer—his wavy brown locks now resembled a lion's mane.
Dashing out of the house, he set off toward school. Unfortunately, he had missed the bus. As he turned the corner to take a different route, he passed by the place where he had fought the day before. He stared at the bank in astonishment. He still had a lot to learn about controlling his power.
As his thoughts raced, a sleek black limousine pulled up beside him. The door opened, and someone inside gestured for him to get in. Max narrowed his eyes, suspicion flaring within him as he activated his power in preparation. The window of the backseat slowly rolled down. For a moment, he feared it was someone seeking revenge for Poker… but then, a soft and gentle voice filled the air.
"Hey there, handsome. Looks like you're running late. Want a ride to school?" The voice belonged to Lucy, the girl he had saved.
"Oh, Lucy! It's you!" Max let out a relieved sigh, his tension melting away as he stepped into the car. "Thanks, I appreciate it. I am a bit late. Are you also heading to Imperium Hero Academy?"
"Yes, it's my first year. It turns out we're in the same class. Kind of a strange coincidence, don't you think? Yesterday, you saved my life, and now we're not just going to the same school, but we're in the same class." Lucy's cheeks flushed a deep red, and she avoided Max's gaze.
"Yeah, when you put it like that, it is a bit weird. But it's a good coincidence. I'm glad you're in my class." Max smiled warmly, his words carrying little weight for him, but for Lucy, they meant the world.
"I... I'm glad too…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, her shyness preventing her from expressing her thoughts clearly.
"Huh? What did you say?" Max tilted his head, genuinely not hearing her.
"Oh, uh… I said we've arrived. Look!" Lucy quickly pointed out the window, steering the conversation away.
Imperium Hero Academy was enormous—more like a city than a school. It had everything a student could possibly need. The reason was simple: students were not allowed to leave campus for long periods.
"This place is incredible! If I graduate from here, I'll definitely surpass Hypernova!" Max's excitement was palpable as he admired the grand academy.
"Why do you want to surpass Hypernova?" Lucy asked, puzzled.
"Because he's the strongest. If I surpass him, that means I'll be the strongest." Max's eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.
Lucy still didn't understand his obsession. She was about to ask again when the school bell rang, signaling all students to enter the academy.
The doors of the school opened—not just to an institution, but to an entirely new world. This was more than just a school day. This was the beginning of Max's journey as a true superhero.
Lucy and Max hurried to their class. The school was massive, and by the time they reached their classroom, they were out of breath. Max spotted Rex sitting by the window and felt a sense of relief as he made his way toward him.
"You're late. That's a first. Guess spending time with Lucy got you all distracted." Rex smirked, teasing him.
"No, last night was just… a lot. I couldn't sleep from all the excitement. By the way, how do you even know Lucy?" Max was oblivious to Rex's implications.
"Lucy is the granddaughter of the school's headmaster. She's from a prestigious family. I don't know how you managed to meet her, let alone be on such good terms with her, but if you get her on your side, it'll be a huge advantage for you. And judging by the way she's looking at you… well, let's just say she's smitten." Rex spoke with certainty.
"Don't be ridiculous. I saved her life yesterday, that's all. Why would she be in love with me? We just met." The moment Max finished speaking, the classroom door swung open.
The person who entered was none other than the 1-S class homeroom teacher—Professor Ardent, also known as The Burning Sage.
With his mere presence, the atmosphere of the room changed. He exuded a commanding aura, and all eyes were instantly drawn to him. The room fell into silence as he spoke in a firm, authoritative voice.
"Greetings, young heroes. I am Professor Ardent, also known as The Burning Sage. I will be your instructor. Our academy has three primary instructors, and I am one of them. For those unfamiliar with our system, let me explain. There are three main classes: 1-S, 2-S, and 3-S. Your class consists of only ten students. At the end of this year, your ranks will be determined based on your scores. The three lowest-ranked students will be eliminated. This rule applies at every grade level and even upon graduation. Only one licensed hero will emerge from this school. If you prove yourself, you may receive invitations from hero organizations even before graduation.
We are already aware of your abilities on paper, but we need to see them in action. Additionally, your evaluations will be broadcasted live on national television. This serves two purposes: it helps assess your standing among your peers and generates funding for the academy through viewership revenue. Keep in mind, in school-wide tournaments, your classmates are your allies. But in individual rankings, they are your greatest rivals. Maintain your distance accordingly.
Once you have settled into your dorms, rest well. Because tomorrow, you will face the Judgment Trial. This trial is not just about testing your abilities—it will challenge your very resolve."
With that, The Burning Sage left the classroom, his words leaving a heavy impact on everyone.
Only one hero would graduate. The stakes were higher than anyone had anticipated.
"You better survive until the end, weather boy. I want to be the one to kick your ass." Max smirked, even in a serious moment, never missing a chance to tease Rex.
"Idiot! Don't mock my powers. Weather control is rare and incredibly powerful, alright? It's a special inheritance!" Rex snapped, momentarily losing his composure, earning a few chuckles from the class.
After their brief bickering, Max's mind drifted back to the upcoming trial. The uncertainty of it gnawed at him, so he turned to Rex. "Do you have any idea what kind of test we're going to face?"
Rex simply shook his head.
Then, a soft yet knowledgeable voice chimed in.
"It will most likely be a one-on-one combat tournament. Victories will grant points, and since superhero battles always attract attention, broadcasting it live will be a great financial gain for the school." The girl speaking paused briefly before continuing. "Oh, I'm Aria, by the way. I overheard your conversation."
"Ah, I'm Max, and this is my friend Rex. Nice to meet you."
Aria was a curious and knowledgeable girl. Her short, light blue and white hair framed a small, sweet face. She was smaller than most high school students, her bright blue eyes shimmering like the sun whenever something piqued her interest.
"I saw you on the news yesterday. You have a rather unique ability. You caught my attention—I've never seen a power like yours before," Aria said, her gaze locked onto Max. "I can manipulate Air and Space. So, controlling air isn't as special as Rex made it seem."
Hearing this, Rex looked a bit embarrassed.
"But since I have two different abilities, I'm not as skilled in air control as you might expect," Aria admitted. She had already shared much about her abilities before the entrance exam.
"If the exam involves 1v1 duels, isn't it risky for you to reveal your abilities like this? Why are you telling us?" Max couldn't understand her reasoning.
"Because your ability intrigues me," Aria said, her eyes gleaming with fascination. "I told you about mine. Now it's your turn. What exactly is your special power?"
She watched Max with an intensity that bordered on obsession.
"To be honest, I don't fully understand it myself," Max admitted, glancing down at his hands. "Until recently, I thought it was some kind of acid, but yesterday, I realized it's more of an energy-based power. I still don't know the full extent of it, but one thing is certain—it's stronger than I initially believed." As he spoke, a faint, bright green glow flickered from his fingertips.
"That's not an answer!"
Aria suddenly leaned forward, planting her hands on Max's desk, closing the distance between them. Max instinctively pulled back, but Aria didn't stop—she was right in his face, her glowing blue eyes boring into his own, as if trying to unravel his very existence.
Her gaze wasn't just curiosity. It was something deeper—an insatiable hunger for knowledge, a fascination bordering on obsession.
Lucy, sensing the shift in Aria's demeanor, clenched her fists. A wave of jealousy surged through her, and she finally snapped.
"Aria! Can you come here for a moment?" Lucy's voice was sharp.
Aria hesitated for a split second before turning to look at her. She considered telling Lucy to wait but decided against it—it would be disrespectful. Without a word, she stepped away from Max.
Lucy handed Aria her bags and ordered her to take them to their rooms.
"You saved me back there—thanks," Max said to Lucy, exhaling. "That girl… there's something strange about her."
"No problem," Lucy replied with a gentle smile. "Aria can be… overly curious at times."
Max frowned slightly. "By the way, why did she take your bags? And how can you talk about her with such certainty?"
"Aria is my assistant," Lucy explained, her voice warm yet firm. "She's like a little sister to me. We grew up together."
Max and Rex exchanged surprised glances.
"But be careful," Lucy added, her tone darkening. "She's far stronger than you think. In the 1v1 exam… she might just be your biggest threat."