[Three Days Later]
Screens flickered all across Hero City.From bustling cafés to academy dorms, from open plazas to massive billboards atop skyscrapers — everyone was connected to the same broadcast.
The voice of the reporter filled the air, carried by the collective hum of anticipation.
Reporter (TV): "...And now, live from the headquarters of the National Hero Association, begins the official announcement of the draft order for this year's Rookie Selection!"
The heart of the city seemed to stop for a moment.Children, veterans, even seasoned heroes held their breath as a digital panel began to spin at the center of the screen.
Golden letters appeared amidst the tension:
PROJECT ORDER — CONFIRMED
1st pick — Phoenix Guild2nd pick — Phoenix Guild3rd pick — Phoenix Guild4th pick — Vortex Guild5th pick — Guild of a Thousand Lights6th pick — Leviathan Guild
...9th pick — Guild of a Thousand Lights15th pick — Guild of a Thousand Lights
The broadcast split into multiple screens, showing live reactions.
On one side, Diana Flamesoul, leader of the Phoenix Guild, raised her fist with a triumphant smile — golden flames dancing in her eyes.On the other, Lorien Valtier, clad in his royal-blue uniform trimmed with gold, stood with arms crossed and a calm but visibly irritated expression.
Diana (smirking): "Aw, poor Lorien. Fifth? Ninth? Fifteenth? That's gotta sting."Lorien (dryly): "You must've bribed Destiny herself. Three consecutive picks? That's criminal."Diana (laughing): "Don't hate the player, Lorien."Lorien (cold): "You're lucky I can't punch people during a live broadcast."
The audience burst into laughter.The rivalry between the two legendary leaders once again dominated the networks.Hashtags and clips spread in seconds — #PhoenixDominating, #TeamLorien, #DraftOfTheCentury.
But while the world celebrated the spectacle, the true protagonists were still preparing for the moment that would change their lives.
A few days later...
The morning sun shone upon the Hall of Ascension, the most sacred place of the Association.A crimson carpet covered the polished marble floor, reflecting the banners of the nation's greatest guilds fluttering high above.Reporters, photographers, and families filled the grand hall. The air buzzed with flashes, murmurs, and excitement.
The elite rookies were all gathered there — young men and women who had fought, bled, and overcome everything to stand at that moment.
Among them was Inavy Stormbreak.
He wore a flawless black suit, a white shirt, and a crimson tie — the color of his lightning.A diamond-studded pendant in the shape of a lightning bolt hung from his collar — subtle, yet powerful.His eyes were calm, but behind them raged a storm.
Beside him stood Darius Valtier, in a navy-blue suit with a golden sun-shaped brooch.Rose Eldara, elegant and confident, wore a scarlet dress with flame patterns at the hem — a subtle tribute to the Phoenix Guild.
The hall fell silent as a familiar figure stepped onto the stage.
Ray Stormbreak, dressed in his formal hero uniform, walked up to the microphone. His voice was firm and commanding.
Ray: "Welcome, heroes of tomorrow.Today, you cease to be students.Today, you become candidates to protect the world."
A wave of respect swept through the audience.
From the main table, Diana Flamesoul looked up and smiled.Fate, once again, was on her side.
Ray glanced at the plaque before him, then drew a deep breath.
Ray: "With the first overall pick of the National Hero Draft...the Phoenix Guild selects...Inavy Stormbreak."
The world erupted.
Applause, cheers, flashes — his name echoed across the hall.Inavy Stormbreak.The boy who had faced the abyss.The lightning that almost defied the impossible.
For a moment, Inavy stood still, stunned.Then, slowly, he rose, a small smile forming on his lips.As he walked toward the stage, he felt the weight of the lights, the eyes, and history itself pressing on his shoulders.
Ray stepped down a stair and met him halfway.
Ray (smiling): "Welcome to our world... my son."
Inavy's eyes gleamed for a heartbeat — a flash of pure emotion — before he masked it with a calm, measured smile.
Father and son shook hands under a storm of applause.
Diana Flamesoul stood and extended her hand, smiling with fiery confidence.
Diana: "Welcome to the Phoenix Guild, Inavy."Inavy (serious but sincere): "It's an honor to be here."
The moment was eternalized.Cameras captured every second.The entire nation witnessed the birth of a new legend.
Ray (returning to the microphone):"With the second pick...the Phoenix Guild selects... Darius Valtier."
Darius threw his fists into the air, shouting:Darius: "YEEEEEEEAH, BABY! I KNEW IT!"
He almost toppled his chair as he sprinted toward the stage, arms raised, grin blazing.When he reached Inavy, he slapped his back so hard the mic picked it up.
Darius (laughing): "We're actually doing this, bro!"Diana (amused): "Welcome aboard — chaos and sun."
The audience roared with laughter, their energy infectious.
Ray: "And with the third pick...the Phoenix Guild selects... Rose Eldara."
Rose walked with elegance, her calm smile concealing the joy shimmering in her eyes.She shook Ray's hand firmly.
Rose: "Thank you. Truly."
Diana stood to give her a brief hug, whispering something that made Rose chuckle quietly.Within minutes, the trio was complete.
Inavy Stormbreak.Darius Valtier.Rose Eldara.
Three names that would shape the future.
The crowd clapped until their palms burned.Cameras spun, drones flew overhead, flashes lit the golden ceiling.
Even rival guild leaders rose to applaud in respect.
Backstage, Lorien exhaled softly, watching the screen with a faint smile.
Lorien (thinking): "So this is how a new era begins... Good luck, brother."
From a distance, Ray watched too — the expression of a proud man. Not just as a father, but as a veteran hero who knew the weight of that moment.
Ray (thinking): "The future... is in good hands."
And so, beneath golden lights and thunderous applause, the Phoenix Guild presented to the world its new generation —the chosen ones who would ignite the fire of a new era.
The crowd chanted their names, the sound echoing like thunder.
"Inavy! Darius! Rose!"
And as the cameras captured that historic moment, the narrator's voice echoed:
That day, the world witnessed the rebirth of hope.The Phoenix Guild rose once more from the ashes —and a new flame ascended to light the tomorrow.