Chapitre 20: This is Just the Beginning (1)

Sitting on a long bench on Nova's Cafeteria, I was savoring the flavor of a chocolate Ice-cream, the chocolate bar in my hand was melting faster that I could eat it. And a small trickle of the chocolate escaped and sliding down my wrist, but I was quicker, I licked it clean before it could escaped.

I smirked to myself. "~Hehe, No one escapes me untouched."

"That's really cringe," Anna said, sitting beside me with an unpleasant look.

I laughed, not feeling offended, "You just don't appreciate my talent."

Anna rolled her eyes and went back to lick her own ice-cream, unlike me her movement was elegant.

The scene from just an hour ago played in my head, and I couldn't help but chuckle again. The great [Glory], standing on the stage before everything became chaotic.

All the students were roaring as they express their fury. Many items were thrown at his direction, Shoes, Tomatoes, and some one even managed to get a stone—for crying out loud, Glory dodged them all with smug efficiency of his, but even his skill couldn't save him from the humiliation.

"What do you think? Was it all true? Everything they're saying about him?" Anna broke the silence.

I kept my expression calm. "Who knows? But the evidence are all there, isn't it? Then, It must be true."

Anna stared at her ice cream for a moment, as if lost in thought. Then she spoke again, this time her voice was softer.

"Were heroes really the one protecting us?" She said, "Or did they just don't care at all? What if all the hero's were the same?"

Her words hung in the air. I frowned, my grip tightened on the now half-eaten ice cream bar. Anna's questions weren't just silly or unnecessarily. They were the kind of questions that tore people apart from the inside.

I glanced at her, her eyes were clouded with doubts. She had always admired heroes. Her belief in them was unwavering.

And I broke that for her.

Her questions are reasonable, I mean just think about it, people admired a particular hero, but one day they find out they're nothing but a bunch of criminals possessing great powers… it could shake anyone to their core.

She just kept eating her ice cream, though her pace had slowed down, as if she couldn't quite enjoy it anymore.

As the lunch break ended, we stood up and began walking back to our class. The campus around us felt heavy, the usual lively environment was now replaced by a stifling silence. Everywhere I looked, students were lost in their own thoughts, their faces were all same mirroring the confusion and disappointment that Anna felt.

When we entered the classroom, I noticed that the atmosphere here was no different. It was like watching someone stripped from their faith.

'Its quite funny.'

It reminded me of people that discovered that their gods weren't real. That their prayers didn't reached anyone.

And this. This was exactly what I wanted.

People worship heroes like gods. They think they're invincible and untouchable. But I know better. Heroes can fall. They can die. And I am living proof of it.

I wanted to show the world that heroes weren't what they always seemed.

But Yes, there are also few heroes who would sacrifice their everything to save someone, but others… others were nothing more than greedy cowards, consumed by power and fame. And the world didn't need those kinds of heroes.

No. I would tear them down. One by one.

Suddenly the wristband on my arm buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. The message on the screen displayed was really shocking:

Student announcement - Classes are canceled for the day.

The sudden notification sent a ripple of surprise through out the room, and whispers of my classmates quickly turned to loud murmurs. Nova had never canceled classes before. Not once.

'He finally made his move.'

Anna glanced at me. "What's going on?"

I answered, stepping away from my desk. "Who knows? Any ways I got to go, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you."

But I wasn't heading home.

I had one last thing to do, one final step to ensure Glory's destruction.

[Same day]

Nova Headmistress office –

Sitting on her leather chair, Ruby had a smirk appeared at the corner of her lips.

"Just like he predicted," she said softly.

The name displayed on the holographic screen of her wristband sent a chill through the air:

Markus Bloodstone.

Her smirk faded, replaced by a cold and neutral expression as she tapped to answer the call.

"Yes?" She asked calmly.

There was a few seconds of silence, followed by a deep, commanding voice broke it.

"I have a mission for you," Markus began.

Ruby suppressed the grin which has spread across her face, her chest swelling with pride. Everything was falling perfectly into place, just as Zane had planned, his flawlessly orchestrated strategy. His brilliance never ceased to amaze her, and even in this moment, she couldn't help but marvel at how far ahead he has predicted.

"I'm listening." She replied.

Markus continued, his tone carried a linger of frustration, "As you know, Glory has caused... quite the complications. His mistakes have drawn both the media's and public attention, and now they are questioning us. The trust in the Hero Association is degrading, and that is something we cannot afford. You're currently stationed near him, so I'm authorizing you to handle this matter. Do whatever it takes, subdue him or silence him. Permanently, if necessary."

Ruby raised her eyebrow, her voice measured. "Wait, permanently? That could provoke his noble family no? It will harm both Nova and me–"

Markus cut her off sharply, "Don't worry, this will remain confidential, No one will know what happens. The Hero Association reputation must be preserved, no matter the cost.

Then Markus said the words which she hated the most, words that has sent a cold chill down her spine.

"You are our greatest creation Ruby. We gave you a gift, You can easily take him down."

Her stomach crunches, and her heart clenched in disgust. Creation. That single word unlocked many of her memories, which she wishes to forget.

The uneasiness made her voice falter, "Understood sir. Leave this mission to me."

The call ended, leaving Ruby alone in her office. Her hands clenched into fists on the desk as she remembered Markus's words.

"Lets see who truly holds the power in this world." She murmured silently.

*Knock.. knock!*

Suddenly a knock broke the silence, Straightening her posture she called, "Come in."

The door creaked open, a man with blond hair, emerald eyes walked inside. He greeted her with a light bow, "So this is the famous Headmistress 'Ruby Oliver'. A pleasure to meet someone so young and talented."

Ruby offered a polite smile, though her every senses screamed caution. "How can I help you?"

Glory's smile widened as he stepped closer, his hand already moving to his dimensional ring. "Oh, nothing much—"

In an instant, his spear materialized into existence in his right hand, its tip hurtling toward Ruby's chest with lightning speed. But Ruby was attentive, her instincts were on high alert. With swift reflexes, she drew her double-edged sword and parried the attack, their blades meeting created a burst of sparks. The clash was over in the blink of an eye, leaving the room echoing with vibrating sound of clashed metals.

Glory stepped back, his emerald eyes glowing with excitement. "Impressive reflexes," he said, twirling his spear.

"What are you doing?" Ruby demanded, her tone was icy.

He smirked, the air around him shifting as earthen energy swirled. "Quit the act, I know who you are, Pride. So do me a favor and Just die."

The energy around him solidified, forming hundreds of metallic spears, which spun like a drill in the mid air. In an instant, they all launched toward her.

Ruby dodging each one of them , her movements were quick, but one spear grazed her shoulder.

"Aagh!"

She hissed in pain, clutching her wound. But as Glory's gaze sharpened, he noticed something unusual, there was no visible damage appeared on her skin.

*~Whoos*

He whistled in amusement. "So that's your power, huh? No physical damage, hmm? What's this…? Ah! You do feel pain! Interesting. . . let me see more!"

Ruby glared at him, her crimson eyes glowing with fury. She raised her hand, and casted her spell "[Flame Bullets]", the air around her ignited as hundreds of flaming orbs formed. Without delay, she launched them all at once.

The explosion shook the room, shaking the very foundations of the building. Smoke and heat filled the air, but as it was cleared, a tungsten shaped dome stood in between her and Glory.

Glory stepped out, while smirk mockingly. "Is that all you've got? You're weak. You only reached Rank 7 because you are their so called 'creation'. Nothing more."

Ruby's hands trembled, as her rage finally peaked, "Don't you dare call me that!"

Compressing all her strength, she activated her ultimate spell, "[Hell Flame]".

The moisture in the room evaporated instantly, a red orb formed in front of her as it changes its color to Orange, then yellow and finally into a radiating violet-blue. The sheer heat released from it caused the nearby objects to melt.

Without a word, she hurled it at Glory.

The orb shot through the air like a meteor, its power was truly devastating. Glory braced himself as he raised his spear. The moment it struck, the spear's metallic surface absorbed the attack as it burst into red glow as it infused with the [Fire Essence].

Ruby's eyes widened in shock. "What!?"

Glory laughed as he pointed his spear at her. "Heh, My spear is called [Point Breaker], an ancient artifact," he explained further. "It can absorb the impact of all the elementals in existence and. . . your greatest attack is now mine."

With that he released the energy stored in the spear which vibrated with deadly force. Ruby's heart pounded as the attack hurtled toward her, she has no means to avoid it.

But before it impacts, a voice echoed in the office.

"[Distortion]."

End of chapter.