The academy was in chaos. Sirens blared, emergency lights bathed the halls in a crimson glow, and the distant sounds of battle echoed through the massive structure. Upperclassmen and instructors had already mobilized, engaging the creatures that had breached the city's defenses.
Aiden and Riko stood frozen on one of the academy's elevated walkways, overlooking the city below. Fires raged in the distance, smoke curling into the sky as monstrous figures tore through buildings and vehicles like paper. The city's defenses were struggling to hold the line.
A sharp voice snapped them out of their trance.
"Why are you two still here? Get to the evacuation zone!"
A third-year student, clad in the academy's advanced combat uniform, landed in front of them, her breathing heavy but her stance firm.
"We—" Aiden started, but another explosion cut him off.
Below them, a group of first-years was scrambling to escape, only to be cornered by a massive, wolf-like creature with jagged spikes protruding from its spine. The beast snarled, its eyes locking onto the defenseless students.
Riko's fists clenched. "They're not gonna make it."
Before the third-year could react, Aiden and Riko were already moving. Training without powers was part of the academy's curriculum—teaching them to survive, to fight using only their bodies. And right now, they had no choice but to rely on that training.
The Fight Without Powers
Aiden was the first to act, grabbing a fallen steel pipe from the rubble. He sprinted down the stairs leading to the lower level, Riko right behind him.
The creature lunged at one of the first-years.
Aiden swung with everything he had, the pipe slamming into the beast's skull with a sickening crack. The impact sent vibrations through his arms, but the creature barely flinched.
Riko ducked under a swipe of its massive claws, snatching up a loose chunk of debris and hurling it at the beast's eye. It roared in pain, momentarily blinded.
"Move!" Aiden shouted at the first-years, who snapped out of their fear and sprinted toward the nearest safe zone.
The creature recovered quickly, its enraged gaze locking onto Aiden. He barely had time to react before it lashed out, sending him flying into a concrete wall. Pain shot through his ribs as he gasped for breath.
"Aiden!" Riko dodged another swipe, positioning himself between the creature and his friend. His mind raced. They weren't strong enough.
A sudden blur of movement.
The third-year student landed between them and the beast, her weapon—a sleek, curved blade—glowing with energy. In a single, precise motion, she slashed through the creature's neck.
It collapsed instantly, its body disintegrating into dark mist.
She turned, her sharp gaze landing on Aiden and Riko. "That was reckless."
Aiden groaned, pushing himself up. "We couldn't just stand there."
The third-year exhaled, shaking her head. "You're not ready. Not yet."
A Harsh Reality
As the three of them regrouped, a loud roar echoed through the city, far deeper and more menacing than before. They turned toward the source.
At the heart of the destruction stood a massive creature, unlike the others. Towering over the battlefield, its armored body was lined with glowing red fissures, and its eyes gleamed with unnatural intelligence.
The academy's strongest fighters were already converging on it, but even they seemed hesitant.
Riko swallowed hard. "That thing… it's different."
The third-year's grip tightened on her weapon. "It's a class-four anomaly. Not something a first-year should even be looking at."
Aiden, despite the ache in his body, couldn't take his eyes off the battlefield. The sheer power on display—the way experienced fighters moved, how they countered attacks, the overwhelming force of their abilities—was mesmerizing.
But it also made one thing painfully clear.
They were still weak.
Riko seemed to come to the same realization. "We need to get stronger."
Aiden nodded, determination hardening in his gaze. "And soon."
The third-year sighed. "Then you'd better survive long enough to make that happen."
With that, she turned, rushing back into battle.
Aiden and Riko remained where they stood, watching as the fight continued to unfold. They couldn't join yet—not really.
But their time would come.
And when it did, they would be ready.