Morning arrived with a sudden internal ruckus, with news headlines flashing all over the city.
The Hero Association was in disarray.
Reports of a powerful A-rank superhero attacking the Blac estate had become main stream media's narrative within hours.
Although the government response had yet to come in fully, considering they are most probably outwitting the presence of both the Hero Association and Black Corporation for themselves.
Behind closed doors, the Hero Association scrambled to contain the fallout. An official statement was issued, brief and carefully worded:
> An incident occurred involving an A-rank hero currently under investigation. The Hero Association does not condone unauthorized operations and will cooperate fully with any inquiries from the Blac Corporation. <
They kept it neutral. Polished. No names. No blame.
But within internal channels, tensions were high given that they lost an A-rank hero, especially considering that they lost against black corporations.
Meetings with Blac Corporation representatives were tense and formal.
The Blac family's legal team was already pushing hard, demanding accountability and compensation.
The Association, knowing the weight the Blacs held, offered temporary silence—along with promises of internal reviews and quiet punishment.
They knew better than to escalate. Not with the Blacs.
Even though the Hero Association was strong, the heroes were not their private army, nor could they stop the funds they received for damage control caused by heroes by confronting one of the twenty richest families.
The world may change, but somewhere in the corner, money still finds its way to the top.
---
Meanwhile, Somewhere in Sector 9 – Linton Street, Hero City
A small apartment sat nestled above an old curry shop existing at the edge of a rundown alleyway, its cracked windows open to morning light and the smell of burnt toast.
On the second floor, within peeling walls and a kitchen too small for two people, something big was about to happen.
A blur of blonde hair bounded down the stairs, nearly slipping on the last step.
"Big sis! I have to tell you something, I have awakene—!"
Before the girl could finish, a hand darted out in ambush.
"Ah-ah—open wide!"
"Huh?!"
Too late.
A slice of toast was shoved directly into her mouth by her older sister, who stood barefoot in an oversized T-shirt, holding a second piece in her own teeth, looking towards her little sister through golden eyes and pink hair sometimes falling in her line of sight as she tucked it back behind her ears.
"No ruckus before breakfast," she said around her own bite, as if this were law.
"Mphh!?" The younger girl made a muffled noise of protest, cheeks puffed like a stuffed dumpling, but the older one just nudged her toward the table.
"Sit. Eat. Then speak. That's how civilized people work, baby beast."
The blonde girl huffed but plopped down. A beat passed—chewing, munching, the clink of jam on ceramic.
"Nmm... Big sis, I have good news! I became a hero—" While eating, the girl tried to speak about how, when she woke up, she saw a golden light around her hair and body, similar to what is depicted on television about people experiencing the awakening of superpowers.
However, she was interrupted in the middle by the notification.
Ding!
A soft alert buzzed from the tablet on the counter.
Her sister blinked, wiped her hands on her shorts, and checked the screen.
A moment later, she froze.
"…an order?" she whispered, squinting closer.
Before she remembered something, she stood up from her table, setting aside the tablet on which she had received just a random order, and focused on her priority.
Without a word, she spun around, darted down the narrow hallway, and returned with a slightly wrinkled envelope—one she'd clearly been hiding for a day like this.
"You got in," she said, almost in disbelief and excitement as she had received the letter very early in the morning. "Linton Prestige. You're accepted."
Lira dropped the toast entirely and pulled her little sister into a tight hug, spinning her around before setting her down.
"I knew it. I knew it! I told you that scholarship test wasn't hard! They said only ten city kids would get selected and I am one of them!" The little girl beamed, face glowing. Her fingers clutched the letter like a trophy.
Then she paused. "Uh… we still need to pay 180 GC for the admission formalities, though…"
Her big sister froze mid-celebration. "Wait—seriously? That wasn't in the brochure…"
The younger one gave a sheepish grin. "It was in the small text."
"...."
There was a silence.
Then the elder sister groaned, grabbed her forehead dramatically, and dragged herself toward the window like a defeated war general.
"Well… guess I'm picking up double shifts again."
She turned back, walked over, and held her sister's hand gently.
"You don't worry about anything. You just study and shine, okay?"
She led her to the small altar shelf in the living room, where two framed photos rested—one of a smiling woman in a chef's apron, the other of a quiet man in a hero patrol uniform.
The girls clapped their hands together in prayer, eyes closed for a moment.
"You don't need to fear, Mama, Papa," the older one whispered softly. "I'll work harder at the restaurant. She'll do the rest."
The younger girl looked up at her, eyes filled with affection. Her lips parted.
She almost said it.
Almost told her that just before she woke up, something inside her had lit up. That the world felt different now. Lighter. Quieter. Like she could feel electricity in her fingertips or hear colors in motion.
But then—
Her sister shoved another piece of bread into her mouth with a grin.
"Alright, brainiac, one more slice for good luck!"
The younger one blinked, then laughed—because of course.
Of course she'd ruin the moment.
"Maybe tomorrow," the little girl thought, cheeks stuffed once again.
Maybe tomorrow, she'd tell her.
That she had awakened. That she was special.
But for now?
It was just breakfast. And that was enough.
As the little sister laughed with her eyes for the last time looking towards the photo frame belonging to her parents, the little girl felt all the memories of their life being destroyed resurfacing—even though she was just 6 years old standing while holding a teddy bear, she saw her strong big sister cry—the determination finally brought hope.
'I will punish all the supervillaians and beat the one's who took you away papa.....'