The morning sun poured into the classroom, casting long shadows across the desks. Mark Palmer sat quietly, pretending to take notes, though his mind was buzzing with plans. Shattered Realms was running smoothly on mobile, but he wanted more—console integration, advanced AI companions, and a city-wide hero network simulation.
Lena glanced at him, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "Mark… you're kind of distracted today."
He smirked, leaning casually against his desk. "Just thinking about… schoolwork," he lied smoothly.
Aya nudged him with her elbow, grinning. "Yeah, sure. Schoolwork. You've been smiling like that all morning. Something else is going on, isn't it?"
Mark chuckled, flexing subtly in his mind—the same confident energy he carried as Photon Flex. "You could say that. Let's just call it… extra-curricular activities."
Rina, sitting a few rows ahead, shot him a sharp glance. "Extra-curricular… or superhero duties?" Her voice was teasing, but there was a spark of seriousness in her tone.
Mark's grin widened. "Maybe a little of both."
Nova whispered through his earpiece, calm and precise. "Mark, sensors indicate several rival drones monitoring the city. You have two options: continue your routine and risk exposure, or conduct a controlled hero operation to test your suit upgrades."
Mark flexed mentally, excitement tingling. "Controlled operation. Always fun."
As soon as school ended, he activated the suit in a secluded alley behind the building. The city skyline stretched before him, alive with possibilities. He tested new boosters, refined energy shields, and practiced high-speed maneuvers.
And, of course… flexed mid-flight.
He caught sight of a robbery in progress near a downtown jewelry store. The perpetrators had no idea what was coming. With a grin under his helmet, Mark swooped in, landing dramatically in front of them.
"You guys really shouldn't be doing this," he said, voice amplified. The suit's lights flared, throwing long shadows across the sidewalk.
The robbers froze, startled. Before they could react, Mark used his suit's short-range energy pulse, disarming them with precision. He flexed triumphantly, tossing them harmlessly to the ground.
Nova's voice rang in his ear. "Impressive display. Your signature style is forming."
Mark laughed, catching his breath. "Signature style… I like the sound of that."
Back at school the next day, Lena, Aya, and Rina each approached him with subtle curiosity. Lena's concern was genuine, Aya's teasing playful, and Rina's observations sharp and calculating. Clara, still at the periphery, scribbled notes in her notebook, intrigued by the growing mysteries surrounding Mark.
Mark's mind raced with strategy. He had to balance:
Hero work—keeping the city safe without being discovered.
Game development—expanding Shattered Realms beyond mobile.
School and harem dynamics—managing relationships without drawing attention.
Nova's voice reminded him, soft yet firm: "Mark, the challenges ahead require not only strength, but wisdom. Your dual life is delicate. One misstep… and everything collapses."
Mark flexed subtly, a grin tugging at his lips. "Don't worry, Nova. I've got style, brains, and speed. I can handle this."
Outside the school, a sleek black drone hovered silently, its camera trained on Mark. Its operator whispered into an earpiece:
"Observation is complete. Phase Three begins… engage when ready."
Mark had no idea… the next wave of challenges would test not only his hero abilities but the very future of Shattered Realms and everyone he cared about.