Hero Academy — Main Courtyard
The sun hung high, pouring golden light over the white marble halls of the Hero Academy. The wind carried laughter, hurried footsteps, and the sound of aura beams slicing through the air as students trained in the side courtyards.Ryan walked through that vibrant energy beside Ethan Stormbreak and Ryu Nox, trying not to look out of place.
"Man, I couldn't get past that stage in Legends of Hero yesterday," Ryan said, scratching his head. "It's hard even for me."
Ethan grinned, confident as always. "No problem, man. I can give you a tutorial."
Ryu smirked. "Says the guy who hasn't even beaten the game yet but wants to teach others. That's wild, Ethan."
Ethan shot him a glare. "Shut up, Ryu."
But before the lighthearted mood could last, a sharp, arrogant voice cut through the air.
"Well, well... look who decided to show up."Kane Jayson stepped forward, flanked by three classmates in spotless uniforms. His smile gleamed with the cold shine of freshly polished steel."Stormbreak, Nox... and the boy with no aura. What a fine trio."
Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Still as charming as ever, huh, Kane?"
"I only speak the truth," Kane said, crossing his arms. "Tell me—why hang around him? Everyone knows that kid Ryan is... dead weight."
Ryan's body stiffened, but before he could speak, Ethan took a step forward.
"I hang out with whoever I want," Ethan said calmly, though his voice carried a dangerous edge. "And that so-called dead weight is my friend. Next time you open your mouth to insult him... not even your Crimson Reflex will save you from me."
A murmur spread through the courtyard. Kane's group exchanged surprised looks.
Ryu chuckled. "Ouch. That one stung, even for me."
Ryan tried to defuse the tension. "It's fine, Ethan. Not worth it."
But Kane didn't stop. His smirk returned, sharper."Oh really? Playing the hero again, Stormbreak? I bet your 'great friend' here forgot to tell you his mom cleans my house."
The air froze.Ethan's fists clenched, sparks of energy crackling between his fingers.
"You're pathetic, Kane." He turned his back. "Come on, guys. Trash isn't worth our time."
They walked away, leaving the heir of House Jayson fuming in silence.
Classroom — Later
The room glowed under suspended magic lamps. The chatter of students echoed in the corridors.
In the back row, a group of girls whispered between giggles.
"So, who's the cutest guy in class?" one asked."Kane, obviously," said another. "Or maybe Ethan... that smile.""I like Ryu. He's funny."
The quiet one, a blonde with bright eyes, looked up from her notebook."I think Ryan's... actually really handsome."
Silence."The guy with no aura?!" one gasped."What weird taste..." said another."He's cute, sure, but... no aura," another mocked.
Across the room, Ryu nudged Ryan with his elbow. "Dude. The blonde's staring at you. Go talk to her."
"Annie?" Ryan stammered. "No way. She'd never..." He looked away. "She'd just reject me."
Ethan smirked. "You already have a 'no'. Now you just need confirmation."
Ryan sighed. "You two are impossible."
Lunchtime — Academy Garden
The wind was soft. Ryan sat alone on a bench, watching clouds drift apart in the blue sky.
Then a shadow fell over him.
"Hey," said a gentle voice. "Are you okay?"
Ryan looked up and froze.Annie stood there, holding two cans of juice. She pressed one lightly to his forehead. "You look tired."
"A-ah!" Ryan almost dropped it. "I'm fine... just thinking."
"That's good." She smiled. "You're Ryan, right?"
"Yeah. And you're... Annie."
She laughed. "Didn't think you'd remember."
They sat side by side. Time seemed to slow as they talked—about classes, teachers, dreams. Annie listened with genuine curiosity.
Until the question came."I heard people calling you 'the boy without aura.' Is that true?"
Ryan looked down."Yeah. I was born without even a spark. No trace of power. Nothing. A total zero."
"Then... why are you here?" she asked—not judging, just curious.
He took a deep breath."Because I want to be a hero. Even without aura. Even if I have to fight twice as hard, bleed, and break my bones—I won't give up."He looked to the sky, voice steady. "One day, I'll become a hero. I'll shatter every limit. You can write that down."
Annie watched him in silence—then smiled, eyes shining."Written." She handed him her phone. "Give me your number? I think you're really interesting."
Ryan blinked, stunned. "Seriously?"
She nodded.He typed it in, blushing. Annie laughed softly."For a boy without aura, you're quite the dreamer. And brave too."
From Afar
Behind a nearby tree, Ethan and Ryu peeked like undercover spies.
"Well? How'd it go?" Ryu whispered."She was smiling a lot while talking to him," Ethan murmured, amused. "Never seen him that nervous."
Ryan walked up, trying to hide his grin. "We just talked, and…"
"And?" Ryu leaned in."She gave me her number."
The shout that followed made the birds scatter."HE DID IT!"
Later — Quiet Night
The moon hung high as Annie walked home alone. Streetlights flickered; distant cars hummed softly in the night.
Then footsteps echoed behind her. Three shadows approached—masks, harsh voices."Good evening, sweetheart. Hand over everything."
Her heart pounded. Before she could scream, Ryan stepped out from the darkness, standing between her and the men.
"Give back what's hers... or you'll regret it."
The man in front laughed. "This the boy with no aura? Easy prey!"
The first lunged. Ryan dodged and countered with a punch to the gut.The second swung a metal rod—Ryan ducked, spun, and kicked his legs out.The third grabbed him from behind, but Ryan twisted free and slammed him against the wall.
Silence returned. Ryan was panting, a cut on his lip."You okay?" he asked, wiping the blood away.
Annie stared at him—shocked, awed."I... I'm fine. You saved me."
Later — Pharmacy and Park
Annie dabbed at his wound, hands trembling. "You... fight really well."Ryan smiled humbly. "Been training since I was a kid."
They sat in the park afterward. City lights shimmered in the distance, reflected in her eyes.
"Thank you, Ryan," Annie said softly."For what?""For saving me." She smiled. "You're my hero now."
He blushed. "H-huh?!"She giggled. "Kidding." But the smile stayed.
Way Home
Ryan insisted on walking her home. When they arrived, he stopped before a grand mansion surrounded by perfect gardens and glowing windows.
"She lives here…" he thought, chest tightening.She turned, still smiling. "Good night, Ryan.""Good night, Annie."
When she went inside, he stood there for a moment, gazing at the distant lights.
Then he whispered to himself, determined:"She's just a friend... but one day, I'll become someone worthy to stand beside her."
The wind blew gently, carrying the promise of a new dawn.