In the vast competition hall, where bright lighting blended with shadows of anticipation, the competitors were preparing for their upcoming rounds. The sounds of conversations, footsteps, and training weapons striking the metallic walls filled the air with an energy that suggested something thrilling was about to happen.
In a corner, Nott listened to Rion's chatter with obvious boredom, his sharp eyes scanning the ongoing preparations.
Rion: "This is your first time watching the competitions. Is there something I don't know?"
Nott: "No, nothing important."
Rion, smirking mischievously: "Hmm... really? Then you must have some kind of plan, because you always lose to Novin! Hahaha!"
Rion mocked him playfully, just as Wilson, the competition supervisor, raised his voice from the other side of the hall.
Wilson: "Choose your weapons carefully!"
Nott stepped forward with calm strides toward the table, where a selection of finely crafted weapons was neatly arranged. Without hesitation, he picked up a pistol with a comfortable grip, specially designed for training. Its rubber bullets packed a punch, capable of knocking someone down if they hit the right spot. Beside it, he grabbed a heavy iron knuckle, its cold texture seeping into his hand as he secured it firmly.
Rion approached, leaning his elbow on the table, watching him with curiosity.
Rion: "Picking the same weapon as always?"
Nott, coolly: "Yeah."
Rion: "You're so boring! Change your style! Surprise your opponent with a happiness grenade! Hahaha."
Rion laughed, trying to break Nott's ever-present seriousness, but he received nothing in return except a cold sideways glance.
Nott, sighing: "And you?"
Rion, grinning: "Hmm… that's a secret."
They moved together toward the training hall, where the other competitors were preparing. The place was bustling with activity. The walls were tall, adorned with artistic murals depicting the victories of past contestants. Various weapons hung from the walls... swords, staffs, and more... all meticulously arranged. In the center was the competition arena, surrounded by safety barriers, its floor gleaming under the light reflected from the large windows.
Moments later, Wilson stepped through the crowd, standing at the center of the hall, his sharp gaze scanning the competitors.
Wilson, in a firm voice: "Attention!"
Silence fell. All eyes turned toward the middle of the hall, where Novin and Vear stepped forward, facing each other.
Vear, smiling faintly: "It's been a while, Novin."
Novin, stretching his arms: "Yeah, time moves slowly."
Nott stared at the white-haired boy standing opposite Novin, not recognizing him.
Nott, curiously: " That white haired boy is Vear? I've never seen him before."
Rion, excitedly: "You're so lucky! You never came to watch the matches, and now you get to witness his fourth appearance after a long absence! I've barely seen him four times, and I only spoke to him once! He's mysterious... comes and goes so quickly... And when I tried talking to him, he looked at me in this weird way. We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then I just burst out laughing... I don't even remember why, but it was hilarious! I'm so excited!"
Wilson raised his hand, signaling the start of the duel.
Wilson, firmly: "Begin!"
In a fraction of a second, Novin activated his ability, dashing toward Vear at an insane speed, like an arrow slicing through the air. Vear didn't move. He didn't seem afraid. He just stood there, as if expecting the incoming strike.
Novin's powerful fist targeted Vear's abdomen, producing a resounding impact throughout the hall. The sheer force sent Vear flying backward, crashing into the hall's wall.
Everything stopped. A deadly silence blanketed the space. No one moved. Nott observed the scene, while Rion furrowed his brows in astonishment.
Vear, coughing: "Ugh… ugh…"
Wilson, without hesitation: "The match is over! The winner is Novin!"
Up in the stands, Rion gawked in shock.
Rion: "Huuuuuh?!"
To his right, Ira stood with his arms crossed, showing no emotion.
Ira, in a low voice: "…This was expected."
Rion, flustered: "But… isn't Vear strong? My dad takes him on his side missions!"
Nott: "I thought so too…"
Ira: "Idiots. His matches always end this way. He simply can't keep up with Novin's speed. There's a specific condition to activating his ability."
Rion: "Hmm… Now I get it."
In the arena, Novin took a few steps forward, looking down at Vear, who was sprawled on the ground. His voice was cold.
Novin: "You're still the same, Vear."
Vear, smiling despite the pain: "Heh… It's fine. That was fun."
Wilson: "Vear, return to your room. You're done."
Vear: "Alright, dad."
Wilson then turned to the remaining competitors, his voice strict.
Wilson: "Next, Ira versus Rion!"
Excitement lit up Rion's eyes. He rushed to the center of the arena, grinning with enthusiasm.
Rion: "Wish me luck, brother!"
Nott, leaning on the barrier: "I don't care."
Rion, laughing: "Hahaha! Alright! I promise I'll win!"
On the opposite side, Ira stood firm, his icy gaze betraying no emotion.
Wilson: "Begin!"
~ Vanish ~
In a thrilling moment, Rion disappeared in the blink of an eye, using his ability. The air around him shimmered as if his very mass was dissolving.
Ira: "Heh. Still the same fool as ever."
Ira's words echoed through the hall, laced with challenge as he smirked mockingly.
~ Swoooosh! ~
In a swift motion, Ira unleashed a powerful gust of wind, tearing through the air like a storm. The force surged toward Rion with incredible power, as if carrying the wrath of nature itself, pushing him toward the wall.
Time seemed to freeze as Rion realized he couldn't dodge the impact. His veins tensed, and his mind wavered between fear and determination. He could hear the wind roaring around him, but time was not on his side.
With a forceful crash, Rion was slammed against the wall, causing his invisibility to abruptly cancel.
Rion: "Ugh…!"
He hit the ground hard, pain surging through his body, but he refused to give up.
Ira: "Heh… Too easy."
Struggling, Rion slowly got up, looking at Nott.
Rion: "Don't worry, Nott… I promised you… and I'll keep my promise. Plus, I don't want to lose... this is the first time you've ever seen me fight!"
Ira: "So, you still haven't learned your lesson…"
Ira stepped toward Rion, victory seemingly within his grasp, exuding unmatched confidence. But while everyone assumed the fight was over, Rion was in deep focus, planning something far greater.
His fingers twitched around a small device in his hand, carefully hidden like a secret weapon. As he fully revealed himself, his "secret weapon" became clear... a tiny device attached to a cord in his hand, resembling a well-hidden magical tool. The room's lights glinted off its surface.
Ira: "Hmm? What are you doing? And what's with that cord…?"
Ira's suspicious gaze fixed on Rion, who smirked mysteriously, a glint of mischief in his eyes. He knew he was about to turn the tide.
Following the cord, Ira spotted multiple sticky bombs scattered across the floor, sparkling like gemstones under the hall's lights. His heartbeat quickened as he realized the imminent danger.
Rion, with a wide smile: "Goodbye."
In that moment, there was a heavy silence before the explosion. Rion pressed the button in his hand, as if freezing the world in place.
Ira: "Nooo!!"
~ Explosion ~
Electric stun bombs detonated, illuminating the hall with dazzling flashes. Sparks filled the air, dancing like scattered stars. The explosion shook the arena, forcing everyone back, stunned by the breathtaking sight.
Sparks flew in all directions, heightening the excitement in the hall and intensifying the competition. The moment was filled with thrill and suspense as lights and sounds intertwined, keeping everyone on edge, eagerly anticipating the battle's outcome.
Ira: "Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
His screams echoed through the air, interwoven with groans of pain as he collapsed to the ground, stunned, as if he had completely lost his balance. There was no escape from this fate.
Rion: "Yes!! I did it!"
Ira lay on the ground, pain evident on his face, while Nott's eyes widened in astonishment at the brilliance of the strategy. The hall was ablaze with excitement, and the spectators held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
Rion: "Hahaha! You deserved that."
Nott: "[He planted bombs on the ground when he first disappeared, then connected the remote trigger to a thin wire, holding only the wire and not the device itself so Ira wouldn't notice anything in his hands. He activated the bombs just as Ira got close to him... Well done, Rion...]"
Rion cheered joyfully, but suddenly, the air around Ira began to swirl violently as he slowly stood up, as if a storm was about to erupt. The atmosphere grew tense as a look of determination appeared on Ira's face, his eyes filled with unwavering focus.
Ira: "It's not over yet!!"
~ Swoooosh ~
Ira began to summon a massive whirlwind, surrounded by dazzling lights that danced within the vortex of power. The wind raged, consuming everything in its path, forming a terrifying storm.
Novin: "Is he planning to destroy the entire hall!?"
Nott: "Stop! Are you insane?!"
The immense wind tore deep cracks into the ceiling and walls, shaking the very foundation of the hall. The air was filled with raw energy, accompanied by a deafening roar.
Rion: "Damn it! What do I do now?!"
As Rion desperately searched for a way to evade the storm, Ira prepared to unleash it upon him. But just before he could, Wilson appeared like a flash of lightning, moving at an astonishing speed toward Ira.
~ Impact ~
Wilson struck Ira precisely at the neck, causing him to collapse unconscious. The scene was shocking, and for a moment, silence blanketed the hall.
Wilson: "I warned him not to cause another major disturbance."
The whirlwind vanished in an instant, and everything came to a halt. The hall was in chaos, but the tension dissipated after Wilson's intervention.
Wilson: "The match is over. The winner is Rion."
Rion: "Yes!! Hahaha!"
His joy was overwhelming as he shouted at the top of his lungs, waving his arms like a bird soaring through the sky.
Rion: "Didn't I promise you I'd win, Nott!"
Nott, Sigh: "Yes, well done."
As Rion celebrated his victory, cheers echoed through the hall. Suddenly, Wilson raised his voice to announce the third match.
Wilson: "Next, Novin versus Nott... Step forward."
Novin and Nott stepped toward the center of the hall, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.
Nott: "Still fighting bare-handed with no weapons, huh?"
Novin: "I don't need them."
Nott: "How arrogant of you!"
Wilson: "Begin!"
Their gazes locked, as if each was trying to sense the other's intent. Then, they braced themselves for the fierce battle ahead.
Suddenly, Novin darted forward at incredible speed, cutting through the air with the sound of his movement.
Nott: "[He's insanely fast...]"
Novin moved like an arrow, but just as he was about to strike, Nott swiftly dodged with calculated precision. The physical combat began fiercely, punches and kicks exchanged with sheer force, their impacts echoing throughout the hall.
Novin started circling Nott at an astonishing speed, transforming into a dynamic force, his body swaying in a rapid, circular motion. Sparks flickered around him due to the friction of his high velocity against the air. Nott struggled to pinpoint his location, as Novin's rapid movement turned him into a shadow that spiraled around him.
Nott: "Damn it, where are you?!"
Nott's frustrated shout filled the air while Novin smirked arrogantly from afar, seemingly enjoying this game of pursuit.
Novin continued spinning at an incredible speed, as if dancing on the edge of madness. His velocity increased dramatically, making Nott feel an overwhelming pressure and growing frustration. It was as if Novin had become a whirlwind wrapping around him.
Nott: "[I can't see him clearly!]:
As Nott swayed, struggling to counter Novin's rapid maneuvers, he found himself disoriented, unable to pinpoint his opponent's exact position. The battlefield turned chaotic, colors and shapes blending in his vision, intensifying his feeling of isolation.
Novin's circling movement formed a violent ring of force. With each rotation, he launched strikes and punches, creating a vortex of aggression surrounding Nott, who couldn't even detect where the blows were coming from.
The strikes came at a blinding speed, leaving behind tremors in the air and scattered sparks. The sound of the punches resonated in his ears, each one shaking him to his core.
Nott fought desperately to defend himself, but the sheer speed and intensity of the attacks exceeded his ability to keep up. His fists collided with empty air, while Novin's blows slipped past all his defenses, causing him to stagger under the immense force.
He wavered, struggling against the relentless assault, as if fighting against raging waves. Fatigue crept into his body, and doubt began to seep into his mind, making him question whether he could endure this relentless barrage.
As Novin's ferocious assault continued, Rion's cheers rang through the hall, adding to the tension and fueling the charged atmosphere. Nott felt a surge of anxiety, his thoughts racing with every strike, clinging to a faint hope of turning the tide.
Rion: "Focus, Nott! You can do this!"
Nott: "[You're distracting me, you idiot… I need to find a way to counter him.]"
Nott struggled to concentrate under the mounting pressure, his adrenaline pumping through his veins. He watched Novin closely, attempting to decipher the pattern of his rapid movements... until he finally spotted it.
Nott: "[I'll exploit the weaknesses in his movement. Since he's circling me at extreme speed, I'll manipulate that motion to disrupt his pattern and weaken his attacks.
He avoids direct collisions and maintains distance when attacking, making it hard for me to face him head-on. Instead, I'll use his circular motion against him, reducing the effectiveness of his strikes.]"
Nott's heartbeat quickened with every rotation Novin made, his mind formulating a precise strategy. As Novin continued to revolve around him at high speed, Nott fixated on his movements, waiting for the perfect moment to act. When Novin finally closed in with a powerful strike, Nott found the opening he had been searching for.
He made his decision in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he teleported to the newly formed starting point of Novin's circular motion.
Tensing up with determination, Nott positioned himself skillfully, countering Novin in a split second.
As he landed at the beginning of the circle, he launched a powerful kick straight into Novin's face. The strike connected with immense force, sending Novin hurtling backward unexpectedly, his body staggering as he crashed onto the ground.
Novin struggled to regain his balance, standing back up with difficulty. Though he returned to his stance, ready to retaliate, the fierce kick Nott had landed left a visible mark on his face, radiating both pain and unyielding determination.
Rion: "Amazing!! Well done, Nott!"
Nott looked at Novin with confidence, a sense of achievement washing over him. He had successfully disrupted Novin's strategy, and now he prepared to take control of the battle. The tension in the hall was electric, as everyone eagerly awaited what would happen next in this decisive clash.
In a moment charged with both exhilaration and tension, Novin shot toward Nott with blinding speed. Their hands clashed in a fiery encounter, igniting the battle's intensity. Their faces reflected determination and excitement, breaths quickening as their gazes locked in a fierce contest.
They start fighting with fists and kicks, turning the small hall into a battlefield filled with rapid and intense movements. They exchange punches and kicks at high speed, each trying to counter the other and gain control of the situation.
Novin twists and moves with astonishing speed, while Nott continues throwing powerful punches. However, Novin dodges them with skill and counters fiercely. The situation shifts quickly, with their positions changing every moment, making the scene even more thrilling and tense.
With each passing second, the fight intensifies, turning the air around them into a fiery battleground where there is no room for mercy or rest. Nott tries to track Novin's movements, but he is too fast to pinpoint.
Novin suddenly dashes toward Nott, aiming a strong strike, but Nott skillfully dodges and swiftly circles behind Novin, landing a powerful elbow strike to his back. The impact sends Novin staggering to the ground, pain evident in his expression.
Novin: "A...a...a...aahgh..."
Just as Novin is about to hit the ground, he takes advantage of gravity and his rapid descent, placing his hands on the floor and launching a sudden, swift kick toward Nott's face.
Nott: "[This... I can't block it!]"
In a split second, the kick lands directly on Nott's face with immense force, sending him flying backward.
Nott: "Ughh!!..."
Pain shoots through Nott's entire body. He stumbles back before completely losing his balance and crashing onto the ground. The pain intensifies, and Nott struggles to regain consciousness, but the blow was more devastating to his spirit than to his body.
Meanwhile, Novin, despite his exhaustion and injuries, remains standing, breathing heavily, his body weighed down by wounds. He bends slightly, wincing from the accumulated bruises.
Wilson: "The match is over. The winner is Novin."
Immediately, Rion rushes toward Nott, who is lying on the floor.
Rion, worried: "Nott, are you okay?!"
After briefly checking on Nott, Rion turns angrily toward Novin.
Rion: "Novin! You hit him too hard!!"
Novin remains silent for a few seconds, then looks at him coldly.
Novin: "Goodbye."
Rion: "Where are you going? You still have to face me!"
Novin: "I'm not interested..."
Rion: "W...what?! Come back here!!"
Novin turns back toward him indifferently.
Novin: "Shouldn't you be taking care of him?"
Rion, confused: "Huh? ...Oh, right, I forgot."
"Dad, I'm withdrawing from the match too."
Wilson, calmly: "Alright, then it will be postponed until next month."
Wilson then turns toward Nott, still lying on the ground.
Wilson: "And Nott... train harder."
Wilson's firm words leave a deep impact on Nott as he lies on the ground. His body aches, but the psychological pain from Wilson's words is even heavier, filling him with the weight of responsibility and the need to improve himself.
Rion helps Nott into a room and carefully places him on the bed after the exhausting fight.
Rion: "Brother, are you alright?"
Nott: "...Yeah, but can you leave? I want to be alone for a bit."
Rion: Sighs "...Alright, I'll go. But Nott... I believe the greatest victory in life is overcoming the sadness in your heart. If you conquer your sorrow, you've conquered everything that could ever defeat you.
There's no need to dwell on your past and seek revenge. Remember that well."
Rion leaves the room hesitantly, worried about Nott. He closes the door quietly behind him and goes to fetch the nurse. Meanwhile, the room remains still, shrouded in a heavy silence, like a blanket of sorrow.
Nott sits on the bed, leaning against the cold wall, feeling a deep pain tearing through his soul. He places a hand on his chest, as if the pain inside him had surpassed his body and reached his heart. His breathing quickens, but he tries to suppress it... he refuses to show weakness, even to the walls.
Suddenly, his chest starts rising and falling rapidly, and then... he lets out a muffled scream, gripping his hair and shaking his head violently.
Nott, in a broken voice: "Damn it!!"
All his emotions collapse at once. Tears stream down his cheeks, hot and uncontrollable. He tries to stop them, but he can't. His body trembles, and he clutches a pillow tightly, as if searching for something to hold onto amid the storm of pain.
He buries his face in his hands, leaning forward as his tears fall endlessly. His crying isn't just sobbing... it's an explosion of everything he had bottled up inside for years: pain, weakness, sorrow, helplessness. All those emotions he had tried to bury were now flowing out without mercy.
Nott, in a choked voice: "I'm still... weak..."
He utters the words as if they were poison being expelled from his heart, each syllable carving a deeper wound inside him.
Late into the night, Nott sat alone, thinking about his uncertain future. Despite his extraordinary ability to teleport, he felt inferior compared to his siblings.
Novin, with his incredible speed.
Ira, with her control over the wind.
Rion, who could become invisible.
They were all a psychological challenge for Nott. His teleportation ability felt insignificant in comparison, and that feeling of weakness tormented him.
He already knew what Wilson would say... his infamous phrase that Nott had heard countless times before.
"There are consequences to tampering with supernatural abilities."
But Nott no longer cared. Rage burned within his chest, and his desire for powerpower to take revenge... was an unquenchable spark.
In a moment of reckless determination, Nott sneaked into Wilson's room, taking advantage of his absence. He anxiously searched through his belongings, looking for the notebook that Wilson always carried.
The notebook that seemed to hold answers to all of Nott's lingering questions.
After a long, nerve-wracking search, afraid of getting caught, Nott finally found the notebook. His hands trembled as he picked it up and flipped it open with curiosity... only to be stunned by the first words written inside.
'To my brother.'
Nott, confused: "To my brother?... I didn't know Wilson had a brother... but since when? And why didn't he tell us? What does this brother have to do with us?"
Nott's mind raced, trying to make sense of it. Wilson wasn't the type to talk about himself, but he was always strict about training and protecting them.
Though this discovery was intriguing, it wasn't Nott's priority. This wasn't what he was looking for.
Nott, determined: "This doesn't matter right now..."
He continued flipping through the pages, searching for answers about his powers and the possibility of achieving his revenge.
As he carefully scanned the notebook, he felt as if its contents could change everything. His eyes widened when he saw his own name written on one of the pages.
His heartbeat quickened as he read on, every word deepening the sense of mystery and astonishment. The notebook was filled with theories and possibilities about their abilities... all of them. Complex ideas and scratched-out phrases, as if the writer had hesitated multiple times.
Suddenly, he stopped at a particular page where his name appeared again, but this time, beside a dangerous phrase:
Nott, eyes wide: "[Details of my powers!...]"
He began reading carefully, the mystery intensifying. The details were incomplete, as if parts had been erased and rewritten multiple times.
Nott, shocked: "What...?"
As he scanned the lines, his expression became a mix of excitement and disbelief... excited by the discovery, yet shocked by what he was reading. Then, his eyes landed on a phrase that seemed almost impossible to him. 'Time travel?'
Nott, in utter disbelief: "Time travel!!?"
There were other complex notes he didn't fully understand, but before he could process them all, he heard footsteps approaching. Wilson's voice was getting closer.
Without a second thought, Nott teleported back to his room, shutting the notebook quickly.
Vitalapis Academy – 1:34 AM.