The moment Virat stepped into the airplane, a rush of cool air welcomed him. The cabin had a subtle luxury scent—like leather seats mixed with ambition and teenage hormones. Behind him walked Inferno, tall and confident, followed by a strange guy dressed like he just walked out of an 80s anime delinquent gang.
As Virat scanned the interior, he was surprised—no, shocked—to see around 30 other students onboard. "All of them going to the U.S. for the Superhero Exam?" he whispered to himself.
Among the students, two familiar faces locked eyes with him.
"Salman and Shin?" he muttered.
The moment their eyes met, it was like time froze. They didn't say a word, but their expressions spoke volumes—confusion, rage, and that 'I-thought-we-lost-this-guy' look. Salman turned his face away with a scoff, Shin just kept his glare locked on Virat like a predator observing prey.
"Man," Virat said under his breath, "I just wanted legroom, not eye daggers."
As Inferno and the 80s guy began walking toward the private lounge at the back of the aircraft, Virat called out, "Hey, wait! Who even is that guy?"
The guy stopped, turned halfway, and gave a look that could send shivers down titanium spines.
"You won't hear much about me, kid," he said, his voice calm, deep, and oddly comforting. "I'm Brutal Demon. An Anti-Hero."
"Anti-Hero?" Virat blinked. "Is that like… part-time hero, part-time troublemaker?"
Brutal Demon didn't answer. He just gave a slight smirk and turned away.
"Well, okay then… edgy much?"
Inferno pointed to the row ahead. "I booked you a private seat, but if you wanna stay with the students to bond, it's your call."
Virat gave a slight nod and looked at the lavish private booth… then at the rows of awkward teenagers trying to look cool while secretly panicking.
"Yeah," Virat muttered, "Let's go for awkward panic bonding."
He chose a seat beside a boy with fluffy pink hair covering his eyes completely. He looked like someone who had fallen face-first into cotton candy.
"Hey, what's up?" Virat said, dropping his bag and plopping into the seat beside him. "What's your name?"
The boy slowly turned to him, surprised like someone who wasn't used to being spoken to.
"I-I'm Shinitsu Yahara. From Japan," he said softly, voice barely above a whisper. "Nice to meet you…"
"I'm Virat Singh. From Canada! But born in India!" he said proudly, giving a thumbs-up.
Shinitsu smiled weakly. "Y-you're very… enthusiastic."
"You'll get used to it," Virat grinned. "So… what's your power?"
"Oh! Uh… gravity manipulation," Shinitsu said, scratching his cheek. "I can increase or decrease gravity in an area… or focus it on someone."
"Whoa!" Virat leaned back. "You're like a walking black hole! Respect."
"And yours?" Shinitsu asked, eyes curious beneath the pink fringe.
Virat chuckled awkwardly. "Mine's… kinda complicated."
Before Shinitsu could ask more, a loud plop interrupted them. A purple-haired boy with goggles pushed up onto his forehead slid into the seat in front of them like he was in a music video.
"HELLOOOO DUDES!" he said with dramatic flair. "Hey—silver-hair kid—what was your name again? Um… Vi-rat? Yeah. Bro, how the hell are your powers complicated?"
Virat blinked. "I dunno. Because they are? I kinda need willpower and emotions to awaken them. It's… confusing."
The purple-haired kid dramatically gasped. "Oh my god. Are you a shonen protagonist?!"
"…What?"
"Forget it," the kid grinned. "I'm Xavier! From Sweden! Power: Extreme telekinesis."
"Extreme?" Shinitsu asked, tilting his head.
"Yeah. As in—'rip the entire roof off a stadium and throw it into orbit' kind of telekinesis," Xavier said proudly.
Virat raised an eyebrow. "Remind me not to piss you off."
Xavier laughed. "Only if you buy me food. I'm weak against snacks."
The trio shared a laugh. For the first time in a while, Virat felt like he wasn't alone on this crazy journey.
"So what's the plan when we reach the U.S.?" Xavier asked.
"Big exam," Virat replied. "Laws, ethics, and a live battle arena with a thousand students competing. Our ranks will decide which Superhero Academy we get into."
"Oh," Shinitsu gulped. "T-that sounds terrifying."
"Yeah. Especially if we have to face each other," Xavier added. "Hope I don't have to drop a jet engine on your head."
"…Noted," Virat said, half-jokingly.
A few hours passed. The students chatted, bonded, and even played a round of Superhero Trivia on their in-flight screens. Xavier somehow got every question wrong but still claimed to be the real winner because he was the "soul of the party."
As the plane began its descent, the sun started to set, painting the clouds in hues of orange and gold. The sky looked like a living canvas—fitting for the beginning of their new journey.
Virat looked out the window and whispered to himself, "I don't know how far I'll get… but I'll give it everything I've got."
Just then, a flight attendant passed by and stopped at their row.
"Mr. Virat Singh?"
"Yes?"
"You're requested in the private lounge by Mr. Inferno."
Virat stood up. "Right now?"
"Yes, sir."
As he walked through the aisle, students murmured, eyes following him with curiosity and admiration. Salman narrowed his eyes. Shin looked away.
Inside the lounge, Inferno was sipping a drink, looking out the window.
"Kid," he said without turning, "You're making friends. Good."
Virat smiled. "They're weird… but I like them."
Inferno turned to face him. "That's good. You'll need allies. But remember—only you can climb your own mountain."
Virat nodded. "Thanks, Inferno."
"Oh, and Brutal Demon left you a message."
"…He talks?"
"He said: 'Train your soul, not just your fists. The world breaks the weak.'"
Virat swallowed. "Intense."
The plane touched down, and the announcement came on:
"Welcome to the United States. The land of heroes, villains… and dreams."
Virat grabbed his bag, looked back at the seats where Xavier and Shinitsu waved, and smiled.
It had officially begun.
To Be Continued…