The Weight of the Draft of Destiny
[Hero Academy – Main Hall – Morning]
The morning sun filtered weakly through the towering windows of the main hall, casting long, golden lines over rows of anxious students. The murmur of voices was a nervous tide—rising, falling, unsure—until the doors opened.
Silence hit like a thunderclap.
Lorien Valtier stepped through.
The Seraphim Hero himself. His mere presence filled the air with a quiet authority that pressed down on every heartbeat. His eyes, shimmering faintly with the light of a thousand stars, swept over the hall. Every student—whether arrogant, hopeful, or terrified—stood a little straighter.
"Good morning, young heroes."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried, calm and thunderous all at once.
"Today," he continued, "we discuss the most important Draft of the decade."
A tremor of unease rippled through the crowd. Ryan felt it too—a pressure that settled deep in his chest. The Draft of the decade? What does that even mean for someone like me?
Lorien's gaze shifted toward the back of the room, where a familiar figure leaned against the wall.
"Darius," Lorien said, tone patient but commanding. "If you would."
Darius groaned. "Seriously, man? There wasn't anyone better for this?"
The class chuckled softly.
Lorien smiled faintly. "You lost the bet. You present."
"Playing cards with you and Kelvin should be illegal," Darius muttered, walking to the front with an exaggerated sigh.
He stopped when he noticed a few faces in the crowd. "Ryu Nox, huh? Looking sharper than ever."
"Uncle Darius!" Ryu grinned and waved.
Lorien gave him a warning glance. "Focus."
"Yeah, yeah…" Darius rolled his shoulders. "Alright, listen up, rookies."
He raised his hand, and a glowing holographic panel materialized above him, filled with data and flickering images.
📜 National Hero Draft – Official Announcement
"The Draft," Darius began, "will happen in two weeks."
The reaction was instant.
"WHAT?!"
Voices overlapped in disbelief. "It's supposed to be six months from now!"
"Two weeks? That's insane!"
Lorien's tone turned grave. "There's been… an incident. The world can't afford to wait any longer."
The whispers died. That one sentence weighed more than any threat.
Darius continued, his voice firm now. "Then let's break it down."
🌀 Challenge 1: Lightning Run
"Obstacle course. Reflexes. Aerial platforms. If you hesitate—you lose. Team-based or solo. Each player commands illusion troops depending on strategy. Real attacks are limited and timed."
He flicked his hand, and the hologram changed again.
🧠 Challenge 2: War Chess
"A tactical battle using illusionary armies. Strategy is your sword here. You win with your mind."
⚔️ Challenge 3: Conflict Zone
"Team fights. Three to five heroes per squad. Think battle royale, relics, morality tests… and a sprinkle of chaos."
Darius smirked, clearly enjoying himself now. "And for the grand finale…"
⚔️ Final Challenge: Duel of Fates
"One-on-one battles. The top eight will fight until only one remains standing. That hero will be crowned the new generation's symbol."
The class buzzed with energy again—excitement and fear blending into something electric. Ryan's heart pounded hard in his chest. The new generation's symbol... I don't even have an aura.
Then Lorien stepped forward, ending the murmurs with a glance.
"But before the Draft begins," he said, "we measure your auras."
[Aura Measurement – Hero Academy Platform]
A floating crystal shimmered in the center of the room, glowing softly as students lined up. The energy in the air changed—it was heavy now, charged with nerves and expectation.
"Annie Halloway," called Lorien.
Annie stepped forward, graceful and confident. She placed her hand on the crystal, and it pulsed with radiant light.
"Reading: One million, nine hundred fifty units," announced Darius.
The crowd murmured in awe. Annie smiled, trying not to blush.
Next was Kane Jayson. His aura flared violently, red and sharp.
"Two million, one hundred thousand units."
Kane smirked, brushing his hair back. "Talk to me."
Ryu Nox approached. His aura shimmered like cosmic dust, purple and white.
"Two million and forty thousand units."
Darius gave a proud nod. "My nephew, huh? Not bad."
Then came Ethan Stormbreak. The moment his hand touched the crystal, golden lightning spiraled outward.
"Two million and fifty thousand units!" Darius exclaimed.
Gasps filled the room. "The son of Inavy Stormbreak... of course."
Ethan smiled faintly, though his eyes darted toward Ryan—concern hidden behind calmness.
Finally, it was Ryan's turn.
He hesitated but forced his legs to move. Every whisper in the room felt like a knife against his back. Don't trip. Don't stutter. Just... breathe.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the crystal flickered once… twice…
…and went dark.
The display glowed faintly: 0 Units.
The room erupted.
"Zero?!"
"He's really got no aura!"
"What's he even doing here?"
Each voice stabbed deeper than the last. Ryan's hands trembled, but he stayed silent, teeth clenched.
Up front, Darius frowned. "That's... weird."
But Lorien Valtier's eyes had already changed. His pupils glowed faintly—Seraphim Eyes activated.
What he saw wasn't emptiness. It was movement. Something vast. Ancient. A storm trapped beneath still waters.
This energy… it's alive.
He walked forward slowly, every step deliberate. "Boy. What's your name?"
Ryan opened his mouth, but someone in the crowd laughed. "Old man Valtier's nervous over a zero!"
"I'm… Ryan Valeborn," Ryan stammered.
Lorien stopped in front of him. For a moment, their eyes met—and the hall seemed to fade.
This boy… carries something beyond aura. Something that shouldn't exist.
Lorien's expression softened. He leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm counting on you in this Draft… new prodigy."
Ryan blinked, stunned. "P-prodigy…?"
Before he could say anything, Lorien turned back to the crowd. "That will be all for today."
The students broke into whispers again, but this time, the tone had shifted. Some still laughed. Others looked uneasy. Ethan clapped Ryan on the back quietly. "You okay?"
Ryan nodded weakly, though his heart was still racing. Why would Lorien Valtier say that?
At the edge of the room, Kane Jayson watched. His eyes burned with fury. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"That bastard... is stealing the spotlight?"
He turned away, jaw tight, the sound of his teeth grinding almost audible.
Ryan remained where he stood, staring at his trembling hand. The one that had shown nothing. The one Lorien Valtier had looked at like it held the stars themselves.
For the first time in his life, Ryan felt something stir—not around him, but within.
Not light. Not fire. Not wind.
Something deeper. Something waiting.
And somewhere beyond that hall, in the shadows of the Heroic Capital, unseen eyes watched and whispered:
"The world moves again. The balance trembles. And Chaos… is waking."
End of Chapter 6 – "The Weight of the Draft of Destiny"
"In the world of heroes, what shines isn't always what truly lights the way."