Chapter 5: Shadows Don’t Lie

  The air in the elite classroom had shifted.

  Takiomi Kessei stood frozen near the doorway, his eyes locked with the white-haired boy in the corner. Draven Umbra—the name that had thundered through his skull—stared back, calm, calculating.

  Without a single word, both of them reacted at once.

  Their auras ignited.

  Takiomi’s body radiated a dark, almost liquid energy—like a storm restrained within a fragile shell. Shadows licked the floor beneath his feet. Draven’s presence, on the other hand, was bone-chilling. His aura surged in jagged pulses, silver and violet, distorting the air around him like warped glass.

  For a moment, no one else in the room could breathe.

  A battle of will.

  A silent war of presence.

  A forgotten past on the verge of eruption.

  But just as the tension reached its peak—

  A sudden shockwave shattered the atmosphere.

  Every desk and chair rattled. A cold, invisible force swept through the room like a tidal wave, cutting through both auras like they were nothing.

  And then they felt it.

  A chill down their spine.

  The door at the front of the classroom creaked open slowly, and a tall figure in a long black coat stepped in. His presence was so dense, so utterly commanding, that it silenced everything.

  Pro Hero: Kinetic.

  Elite class homeroom teacher.

  A living legend.

  His sharp eyes scanned the room. Short, silver hair. An expression like steel. He carried no visible weapon—he was one.

  He looked between Draven and Takiomi, his voice cold but calm.

  "So… we’re starting with dominance displays already?"

  No one dared respond.

  Kinetic took a few steps forward, his footsteps unnaturally quiet.

  "Put your egos back in their cages. You’ll get your chance to kill each other soon enough."

  He stopped directly between them.

  "But not in my class."

  Takiomi’s heart pounded. His aura slowly receded, though the fire in his eyes still smoldered. Draven smiled faintly and leaned back in his seat like nothing had happened.

  Kinetic turned his back to them, walking toward the chalkboard.

  "Welcome to Class 1-Ω."

  "The path ahead of you will break you, reshape you, and if you're lucky—make you stronger."

  He turned, gaze sharp.

  "But let me make one thing clear—"

  "I don't care about your pasts. I care about whether you survive what’s coming."

  Kinetic’s piercing eyes scanned the rows of students as he began pacing across the front of the room.

  “Hero work isn’t just about throwing punches and looking cool for the cameras.”

  His voice was calm, but heavy. Each word landed with purpose.

  “It’s about protecting people. That means knowing how to assess a threat, organize evacuation routes, and predict enemy movement under pressure.”

  The holographic board behind him lit up, displaying a burning city and panicked civilians. Simulated data streamed across the screen.

  “If you can’t lead a group of terrified strangers to safety while a Grim is tearing through buildings nearby… you don’t belong on the battlefield.”

  The room was silent. Every student was locked in.

  Takiomi clenched his fists. His mind raced—not just with thoughts of battle, but of something deeper. That dream. That name. Draven. The shadows were following him, even here.

  Kinetic snapped his fingers, and the lights dimmed.

  “Lesson one—citizen prioritization. Lesson two—team coordination. Lesson three...”

  His smirk was sharp.

  “Survival.”

  Just then, the bell rang with a deep mechanical chime.

  BRRMMM—!

  “Gear up.”

  Kinetic’s voice was clear and cold.

  “Time to show what you’re made of.”

  Training Ground - Simulation City: Sector-7

  The students stepped out of the changing halls one by one, now dressed in their personalized hero uniforms. The ground beneath them opened to reveal a massive simulated city—a realistic replica of a downtown urban zone, complete with collapsing buildings, overturned cars, and smoke-filled alleys.

  A massive digital screen above displayed the rules.

  OBJECTIVE:

  Evacuate civilians. Neutralize rogue Grims. Survive.

  Draven stood silently, his long dark coat swaying with the wind.

  Takiomi emerged next, his new combat gear a fusion of tactical sleekness and subtle armor plating—crimson lines tracing the suit like veins of power.

  They locked eyes again.

  But this time, there was no aura clash.

  No challenge.

  Just unspoken tension.

  Kinetic’s voice echoed across the field through the speaker system.

  “You have 20 minutes.”

  “The scenario begins… now.”

  A loud explosion rocked the far side of the city. Smoke billowed into the air.

  And then—screams.

  Fake civilians. Real danger.

  The test had begun.

  The simulation sirens wailed. Fires erupted across the artificial cityscape. The sky above dimmed, casting an ominous red hue over the battleground.

  High above, on the platform overlooking the training field, Pro Hero Kinetic activated his earpiece and spoke into the broadcast system. His voice boomed across the ruined city like a war horn.

  “Now it is your duty to protect these civilians and guide them to safety.”

  He paused, a wicked smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

  “If you fail...”

  He let the silence hang like a guillotine.

  “You will be suspended on your first day.”

  Gasps echoed among the students.

  “And if that happens, your provisional hero licenses from any school will be revoked.”

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  His tone turned ice-cold.

  “Which means... this will be the end for you.”

  Takiomi felt a cold shiver crawl up his spine.

  Kinetic leaned forward, his voice now lower, but razor sharp.

  “So get your ass out there...”

  “And perform like a true hero.”

  BOOM!

  Another explosion echoed across the map. Smoke towered into the sky.

  The students didn’t need to be told twice. They scattered into the simulation zone, teams forming instantly—others diving in solo, trusting their instincts.

  Takiomi’s eyes narrowed.

  His path wasn’t one of teamwork. Not yet.

  He dashed forward into the flames, his sword manifesting into his hand, the voice inside it already whispering.

  "Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes, Omen..."

  Takiomi’s Viewpoint – Sector 7-C

  The simulation city burned around him—an eerie blend of smoke, artificial screams, and collapsing metal. Takiomi dashed down a debris-filled street, scanning for any signs of movement. The voice inside his blade whispered again, cold and mocking.

  “Still playing the hero, Omen? Let’s see how long that lasts.”

  Suddenly, a deafening BOOM! erupted just ahead.

  The road cracked, and a section of the fake building burst apart in flames. Out of the smoke came five hostile figures, dressed like rogue villains—part of the simulation, but moving with brutal intent.

  Their eyes glowed red. Blades drawn. One of them charged.

  Takiomi didn't flinch.

  He raised his right hand, eyes glowing with deep crimson. His voice echoed through the smoke-filled street.

  “Mugen—Awaken.”

  The air around him twisted violently as his katana materialized in a flash of dark light, emitting a massive shockwave that blasted debris in every direction. Windows shattered. The enemy stumbled.

  Wum—WUMM—!

  The katana pulsed with an eerie rhythm, its jet-black edge laced with glowing crimson veins. Takiomi surged forward, moving like a blur.

  One swing. Two. Three.

  Every motion was precise—disarming, disabling, never lethal. He swept the legs of one villain, jabbed the handle of his blade into another's ribs, flipped over a crumbling barrier, and neutralized the third with a spinning sweep-kick to the head.

  Each opponent fell—not dead, but unconscious.

  Each move balanced between raw strength and deadly restraint.

  Takiomi moved to the last simulated villain, knocking the weapon from their hands and pinning them against a wall. Without hesitation, he tied them all up with the utility wire in his belt.

  Then, he heard something.

  Whimpers.

  He looked up—smoke rising from a nearby building. A “civilian hostage” scenario. He didn’t think twice. He ran inside, ignoring the flames, ignoring the countdown. His body moved on instinct.

  In just two minutes, he’d cleared the hostages and brought them to safety.

  Observation Tower – Hero Kinetic's POV

  Kinetic stood still, arms crossed, watching Takiomi’s performance on the massive surveillance monitor.

  One of the proctors leaned closer.

  “He’s going solo. Not exactly team behavior.”

  Kinetic didn’t respond at first. His eyes narrowed on the footage—on Takiomi's sharp reflexes, his judgment, his restraint.

  “He’s reckless.”

  He paused.

  “But controlled.”

  Another monitor showed a student panicking under pressure. Another showed a team arguing about orders.

  But Takiomi?

  He was efficient. Focused. Unstoppable.

  Kinetic smirked faintly.

  “A one-man army... but not without purpose.”

  Takiomi – Sector 4-B, Simulated City

  The wind howled through the crumbling buildings. Takiomi dashed down an alley, Mugen in hand, searching for more hostages.

  Suddenly, he heard a faint cry, followed by the crackle of energy.

  He turned sharply—just ahead, a girl was struggling against two simulation villains. Her arms were raised defensively, a barrier of wind pushing back a wave of flame, but it was clear she was reaching her limit.

  One of the villains leapt toward her, blade raised.

  Takiomi's eyes widened.

  “Too slow—!”

  FLASH.

  In the blink of an eye, Takiomi appeared in front of her with a burst of speed. His katana struck like lightning, knocking the attacker clean into a wall. A shockwave burst from the impact, scattering the debris around them.

  He turned to the girl, gently steadying her by the arm.

  "Are you alright?"

  She blinked, clearly stunned—but then her expression softened, and a familiar smile formed on her lips.

  "You again..." she said softly. "You're the one who saved me... during the entrance exams."

  Takiomi’s eyes widened for a second before the memory clicked. The girl with the tear-streaked face. The Grim. The shockwave.

  "It’s you..." he murmured.

  She smiled again and nodded, brushing dust from her skirt.

  "Thanks... for saving me again, mysterious swordsman."

  He looked away slightly, a flicker of awkwardness in his eyes.

  “Takiomi. Takiomi Kessei.”

  “Aika,” she replied. “Aika Ren.”

  Her eyes gleamed with determination now. “Let’s team up. I’ve got your back.”

  Takiomi gave a sharp nod. “Alright. Let’s move.”

  Aika’s Power – Atmospheric Channeling

  As they sprinted through the ruined plaza, Aika’s abilities came into play. She spread her fingers wide, and the air shimmered.

  The wind shifted, revealing the positions of hidden enemies.

  The ground cracked, producing vines to entangle hostile dummies.

  Flames bent to her will. Mist veiled their movements.

  Takiomi was impressed—but stayed focused.

  Together, they breached the main building, where the last group of "hostages" were believed to be held.

  The doors creaked open.

  Inside, it was dark—too dark.

  A deep, slow clank echoed through the chamber.

  Then they saw him.

  The Masked Giant – Code Name: Executioner

  A hulking figure stood at the far end of the hall.

  Nearly 7 feet tall, muscles bulging, veins pulsing with power.

  He wore a black iron mask, with crimson eyes glowing from behind it.

  In his hands: a massive scythe, its blade dripping with simulated venom.

  The entire room felt like it dropped ten degrees.

  A cold, suffocating bloodlust flooded the space, crashing against their skin like invisible waves.

  Takiomi froze, his instincts flaring.

  The voice inside Mugen whispered again.

  “That’s no simulation.”

  Main Simulation Hall – Final Encounter Begins

  The massive figure stood still for a moment, the dim emergency lights flickering over his obsidian armor. The masked executioner tilted his head as if examining his prey.

  Then—

  "AHAHAHAHAHA!"

  The villain's laughter rang through the metal walls, distorted and guttural like a monster echoing from the pits of hell.

  He stepped forward, dragging his bloodstained scythe across the ground, sparks flying beneath its blade.

  "So someone actually made it this far..."

  He cracked his neck violently.

  "Tch. Too bad... I was just starting to enjoy snacking on these lowly humans. Their screams are like music."

  He gestured toward a group of bound, fake hostages in the corner, shivering as part of the simulation. The man raised his scythe.

  "Guess I'll just dice you two up instead."

  Takiomi’s grip on Mugen tightened. His crimson eyes gleamed beneath his bangs as he stepped forward, radiating cold fury.

  "After this... you won’t have a tongue... nor a jaw to chew them with."

  The air shifted.

  Aika stood beside him, summoning a swirl of wind and sparks.

  Takiomi’s aura exploded—dark, sharp, controlled.

  The masked villain’s grin widened behind his iron helm.

  "Good... now scream for me."

  The masked man vanished in an instant—

  Takiomi’s eyes widened.

  From above—

  “He’s fast—!”

  A flash of steel.

  And then—cut to black.

  —BOOM!

  The ground cracked where Takiomi once stood. The masked villain's scythe slammed into the floor like a meteor, splitting the concrete apart and sending a shockwave through the hall.

  Dust exploded.

  Debris scattered.

  Aika screamed, stumbling back—

  But Takiomi had already moved.

  “That speed… he’s faster than before.”

  He reappeared mid-air above the villain, Mugen glowing with jet-black energy. With a sharp cry, he swung down, aiming for the collarbone.

  CLANG!

  The blades clashed. The villain laughed again, his strength monstrous.

  "You’re fun, brat! Let’s see how long you last!"

  He shoved Takiomi back with raw power and lunged again. His scythe twisted mid-swing—aiming not to injure, but to kill.

  Takiomi barely dodged, feeling the blade graze his cheek. Blood trickled down.

  Aika Joins In

  Aika clenched her fists and slammed her foot into the ground. A wave of wind exploded from beneath her.

  "You're not fighting him alone!"

  She summoned a spear of ice, lightning crackling across it, and hurled it straight at the villain’s back.

  The Executioner turned just in time—BOOM! The impact knocked him slightly off balance, giving Takiomi the opening he needed.

  Takiomi’s Dark Surge

  The voice within him whispered again—cold, ancient, powerful.

  “Unleash me, Takiomi… I hunger.”

  Takiomi growled under his breath.

  "Not now… not here."

  But the pressure from the fight was building. His heart pounded. His vision blurred. Shadows around him twisted unnaturally.

  For a moment—his eyes flashed crimson, deeper than before.

  Mugen pulsed with dark energy.

  “Tch... I’ll control it.”

  The Turning Point

  With renewed force, Takiomi vanished again—Flash Step!—appearing behind the villain mid-spin. He slashed upward, his katana tracing a glowing arc in the air.

  SLASH!

  The Executioner let out a growl as sparks flew from his armor. He stumbled forward.

  But instead of falling—

  He started laughing.

  "That all you got, Omen?"

  Takiomi’s heart stopped.

  “Omen…?”

  The villain turned his masked face toward him.

  "Tch, didn’t think you’d come back in this pathetic shell. Your blade still stinks of guilt.”

  Aika looked at Takiomi, confused.

  “What is he talking about?”

  Takiomi stepped back, his hand trembling slightly.

  The Executioner raised his mask just a bit—just enough to reveal a familiar smirk.

  "Let me jog your memory."

  His aura exploded.

  Black. Burning. Twisting like flames from another world.

  “You killed me once… now it’s my turn.”

  TO BE CONTINUED...