Walking into the training facility, I was immediately struck by its sheer size—a small sports arena with bleachers seating hundreds. Classes 1-A, B, and C were already here, about seventy kids, actively flexing their abilities. It looked genuinely magical: bursts of fire, gusts of wind, and shimmering ice shields creating a beautiful, chaotic spectacle.
"Hey, for earlier, thanks for that. Getting suspended on my first day... my mom would've killed me. I owe you one." Tetsuya was genuinely grateful.
"Don't mention it. That Aviv guy—what's his problem? Plenty of others here clearly come from money, but none act so obnoxious. Is the Headmaster just letting that muppet do whatever he likes?"
"Sort of. In middle school, no one dared to step up to him when he bullied others. He just got used to it. His pranks got more frequent, but the Headmaster never reprimanded him or his goons." Tetsuya's eyes held a mix of sadness and repressed hatred. "Aviv started targeting me specifically after my family refused his proposal for Mikeyla. They thought that just because we don't have much money, my sister was for sale."
I immediately understood. My own sisters were constantly haunted by marriage proposals, romantic gestures, and gifts from countless high-ranking cockroaches. I'd long promised to turn any successful suitor into a trillion billion pieces. How could they even think they were worthy of my sisters?
Just then, I spotted Aviv and two skeletal-looking boys in the background. My internal irritation spiked. Aviv was after Mikeyla? That absolutely wouldn't do.
The atmosphere was vibrant, full of enthusiastic shouts and laughter. Fire, air, ice—all the elements were on full display.
"It's off the chains, huh?" Tetsuya asked, grinning.
"What?... Oh, right. Chains. Good one. Go show off. I want to see it again."
He became incredibly serious, a complete one-eighty from his usual goofy demeanor. His chain materialized almost instantly. The way it twisted like a living snake was intriguing, and I could already see its versatility. He made a four-foot vertical chain, contorted it into a circle, then a star, then a cube. He was certainly into shapes. He threw it like a lasso and reeled it back in. After a few minutes, he stopped, out of breath. Developing Evolved abilities took years of grueling effort.
"Nice, huh? Now... you." He bent over, resting on his knees.
"Mine aren't as flashy or entertaining. It's just destroy things. Super one-note," I admitted. Watching these kids create stone shields and ice sculptures only reinforced my earlier sentiment.
"Who cares? It's the single most destructive ability ever," he shot back, still panting. "Others might do fancy things, but when it comes to the Portals, many of us believe you are our best chance."
I felt bad for his misguided, narrow view. I was a firm believer that the Portals weren't going anywhere; that humanity's Evolved were too much of a coincidence. They were here to stay. Besides, the world already had plenty of monsters without waiting for a Rip.
"Alright. I need targets, though. Like your chains, maybe," I conceded.
"Y-You can... destroy other abilities as well?" he asked, stunned.
I let his silence be his answer. It was true. My eyes worked against anything that took physical form, though elemental wind was my blind spot. I had to see what I was destroying; evaporating everything in my sight field carried too high a risk of self-destruction.
"Would you like us to help?"
I turned to see two beautiful twin girls. White hair, porcelain skin, and bright red noses—they reminded me oddly of my mother's clown paintings.
"Luna and Mya! You two look well," Tetsuya perked up.
"Stop with the babbling and introduce us," the one on the right urged, making blatant eye contact with me.
"Yes, my Lady. Stivastin, meet Luna and Mya Monroe. And that girl behind them is their sister through marriage, Amie Prescott Monroe. Girls, I believe you know my friend Stivastin."
Friend. I supposed we were, now.
I also noticed the small girl standing behind the twins. She couldn't possibly be fifteen, yet she was here. She met my gaze and held it, without flinching. An amusing, stoic child.
"It's my pleasure, ladies. Please call me Stivastin," I offered politely.
"The pleasure is ours." They spoke in perfect unison, giving me a shiver.
"If you could make any ice structures, that would be a big help."
"Absolutely."
They moved quickly, forming six blocks of pure ice, each about six feet tall and two feet wide. They looked at me, their eyes sparkling with pride. The speed and quality of their formations were genuinely impressive. I noted how everyone else had stopped what they were doing to watch. Even Ms. Inoue was up on the bleachers.
"Those will do perfectly. Thank you both."
I walked twenty feet away, positioning the six blocks neatly in my line of sight. I fixed my gaze on them. The familiar, intense heat surged behind my eyes and took care of the rest.
POP, POP, POP!
All six blocks vanished with a sharp, loud sound, the air snapping to fill the vacuum. My stamina dropped, but it was easily manageable. A wave of applause erupted. These people were easy to please.
I waved them off, hoping the clapping would cease. Tetsuya and the twins rushed toward me.
"Dude, that was incredible! The Eyes of Destruction—it was unbelievable! I can't believe you're not participating in the Games, man. It's a waste!" Tetsuya was super amped up, the twins nodding in perfect agreement. Little Amie's eyes were shining like lanterns.
For a second, surrounded by the applause and the adoration, I could almost picture myself in the stadium during the next Games, but I quickly dismissed the thought. I'd rather fight the Black Subiton than deal with that nonsense.
"They're not for me. But train hard, and I might talk to my grandfather about sponsorship," I said, tapping Tetsuya's shoulder. "Your ability is unique and full of potential."
"Stivastin, if you're serious... I promise you, I'll give everything I have."
His passion was genuine. I couldn't help but root for the guy. We can't truly hate those who give their all.
Surrounded by smiling, shocked faces and constant clapping, I wondered: Aren't their hands killing them by now?
~
The two hours of Evolved Training passed quickly. The students, relieved of restrictions, were exhausted. The twins became more relaxed, talking candidly, while Amie continued to observe everyone without a word. She was certainly odd—small, stoic, and definitely at least fifteen.
Ms. Inoue gathered Class 1-A to talk about student handbooks and tomorrow's schedule. Blah, blah, blah.
The five of us—me, Tetsuya, the twins, and Amie—left together. I kept glancing at Amie, hoping to hear her voice, but she remained silent. What a stoic little girl.
I said my goodbyes and headed toward the gate. I felt popped, even though the entire day only lasted about five hours. New people were a headache, but at least I found some mundane enjoyment. The capital's academy wouldn't have characters like these.
Remy was waiting outside, flanked by most of the house staff and some of our soldiers. What the hell is this?
"Young Lord, congratulations on your first day, and your first friend," he greeted me, his arms open.
"Yeah, thanks. Why the... why all this?" I asked, gesturing at the entourage.
"We simply wanted to welcome you home."
"Hmm... no, wait. How would you know if I made any friends today?"
"Intuition," he answered, utterly shameless.
The spying bastard. He was reporting everything to my father. Arguing was pointless; if ordered by my family, nothing I said would stop the surveillance.
"Good. I suppose you also know about the Headmaster's grandson then, correct?" I asked, setting aside my annoyance.
"Max Isherwell's second grandchild, Aviv. His parents are both Third Grade Fire Manipulators. He is also currently courting the young lady who caught My Lord's attention: Mikeyla Mugino, granddaughter of Hoichy Mugino, former honor guard of His Grace, your grandfather."
My eye twitched. I hated that I had to envy his perfect recall of names.
"I see..."
He dismissed the staff and soldiers and came closer. "Do you want him gone, My Lord?" he asked in a low voice.
"No. I can't have Grandfather on my ass for something so asinine. Let's kill him with kindness instead. I'm going to take a shower and get Sol on the phone." I walked past him.
"Sounds like you're about to go behind His Grace's back. Am I wrong, M'Lord?"
"Can you even remember the last time you happened to be wrong? Get my brother on the phone."
~
After my shower, I took a sandwich from the maid—my mother's taste in people was truly impeccable.
My brother, Sol, appeared on the living room screen. He looked distracted, lost in something to his right, and I could practically hear his super-enhanced cognitive abilities churning even from hundreds of miles away.
Sol was a strategic asset, awakened with Enhanced Cognition. He was more valuable than a hundred combat Evolved. Since Finton joined the military, Sol was the heir apparent, set to become the Third Duke of Avesta. I hadn't seen him since my birthday four months ago.
"Sol."
He looked up, startled. "Stivi... Sorry, I kept you waiting. I'm super busy."
"Yeah, no, I'm the one who called you. You seem... good?" The guy looked skinny and exhausted. His ability, though non-combative, drained him more than most.
"We live in stressful times. But tell me, how's the new school? Enjoying it?"
"Actually, yes. I found some entertaining people and a few muppets."
"Sounds like school. I hate to change the subject, but did you happen to block both Sistin and Sicily's numbers?"
"No. Why?" I lied seamlessly.
"Well, they can't reach you. They're cutting their trip short, flying home tomorrow morning. Also... call Mom."
"Yes, of course. Tomorrow. I'm tired."
"So, why did you call?" he asked, leaning back.
I explained the situation with Aviv and the Mugino family.
"She must be something special to make you pull strings, having just met her. Now I get why you'd block the girls," he said with a coy smile.
"Fool. It's nothing like that. Can you help?"
"I can, but why not just dust him and be done with it? It's not like you to play it safe."
"I've obviously matured. Also, I can't have people know I had a hand in this. Mikeyla doesn't look like the type who wants people meddling. She doesn't need saving; just a little help."
"Very well. We'll offer him some apprenticeship for a year or so in the capital and throw some money at him," he said, gesturing to someone off-screen.
"What apprenticeship?"
"I don't know. People always need coffee."
The thought of Aviv realizing his prestigious apprentice job was just fetching coffee for office potatoes made me smile.
"Thanks, Sol. You do look more tired than usual. Black ones causing trouble?"
"Actually, it's not Portal-related. It's Emperor Seth... he is close."
His Majesty Seth Huang. The first Emperor and our great-uncle. I'd met him once. He'd asked me to destroy a chair, laughed, and we had cake.
"Is that so?"
Sol took a sip of his hot drink. "He might recover, but the healers have done what they can. It's just his age. It's the first succession of our Empire, and Viego is at the ready."
Viego was the rightful heir. "Then what's the issue?"
"Maliketh is gathering support. It might come down to our family to settle this."
Envy between the older brother (Viego) and the younger (Maliketh). A civil war would drown us in black flames, killing the very people our Evolved were meant to protect.
"It won't matter. If it comes down to a decision like that, it already means inevitable war."
"We cross that bridge when we get there. Stivi, I have to go, but I'll take care of this by the weekend. Also, call Cily first—it's the only way this won't end in a disaster. And... call Mom."
"I will. Thanks, Sol. Hey, we never talked about your love life, big brother."
"Goodbye."
He was walking proof that genius only covers things outside the matters of the heart.
At least the Aviv problem was handled.