The explosion that followed swallowed him whole. One second, he was there; the next, only flames remained.
But Max could've sworn for a split second... he saw a figure walking through the fire.
---
Elsewhere in the city, Leon sat rigidly in his small chair in a modern, glass-walled building.
While others ran in and out of the room, he stayed still, unmoving, unshaken, just gazing at the smoke coming from the tall building through the transparent glass window beside him.
"I have to study hard, work hard, and change my family's situation within the next two years," he whispered to himself as a luxury black Jeep passed by the road just outside the wall.
The hum of chatter, the orderly rows of chairs, the sleek architecture, and the trees around confirmed this was a high-end school.
The arrangement of the desks and tables confirmed his classmates were between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.
Some had uniquely massive bodies, making the tables groan as they slammed their hands down. Others were physically frail but razor-sharp mentally.
Yet among them all, only two remained seated while the rest ran through the room.
Jade, a very handsome, intelligent, and rich guy.
Judging by his looks and luxuries—like his gold wristwatch—his unique uniform distinguished him from the other students, as if the school received funds from him.
"Can I borrow a pen?" A student sitting in front of Jade whispered. Before Jade could respond, the pen was already in the student's hands.
He never waited for approval, even from presidents or elites; asking meant permission granted in his mind.
As Jade turned, ignoring the student's theft, his eyes locked onto the girl he'd been crushing on, waiting to seize his chance like a hawk.
Zoe smiled as their eyes met. She'd once been rejected by Jade, but after last month's incident during the vacation, she sensed a change.
"Look at his glowing eyes..." Vera bowed her head, cheeks reddening. Her voice was so enchanting—the kind that could sway kings in wartime.
"He's looking at me... Oh God!" Wanting to steal the attention, Vera brushed her palms against Zoe's spine as she whispered.
Though every attempt of hers was cunning, none were good enough.
"Why's that guy always staring at that building? Does he think admiring it will change his life? Or earn respect for his filthy father?" Vera laughed.
Leon heard her. He knew she meant him; he was the only one with a father who worked as a painter.
Vera, the only daughter of the nation's second-most-powerful elite, wielded immense wealth and influence.
Despite all her wealth, she had no respect for elders, not even her parents' parents.
As the class's two childhood friends, they did everything together—bathing, lunch, even attending the training sessions where everyone was grouped based on their ability, strength, power, and wealth.
Jade's wealth rivaled Saturn's mass. He stood above laws, authorities, and rules. Teachers and staff bowed to him before lessons or tasks began.
When Mr. Lee entered, Leon straightened up, but the others acted like they'd seen a stray cat.
As usual, Mr. Lee pretended not to notice their insults.
He moved toward the long table holding his black-and-white book, wanting to rest his legs before he started with the lesson.
"Hahaha! Let's see how he stands up after sitting..."
Tiger—a godlike student—whispered. His low voice carried through the room and hallway, drawing a crowd to the door.
Guessing Tiger's prank, Mr. Lee chose not to sit. He knelt for a while, then, noticing the faces at the door, he stepped to the table's front as he placed his book on it.
"Wait, guys, have you all seen the recent plane crash? Guess where it landed this time?"
Vera shouted as she stumbled upon the news popping up on her phone during her live stream.
Everyone began turning on their phones to check whether the information she shared was true or just another one of her acts.
Eyes widened, faces brightened, while breaths caught in throats. Some wished to be there, while Vera smiled every time her eyes glittered at the flames in the video.
Not having any automated or smart device, Leon remained still, waiting.
"Did it crash into painters? Because the headline says it crashed into a building that was undergoing painting work."
Her voice shimmered with emotions that were sweet enough to start a war and cold enough to end one.
Leon tilted his head sharply, but as soon as his gaze fell on Zoe, he lowered his head fast. He liked her, but since he was of poor background, he never made a move on her.
And now that the headline had mentioned painters in the plane-crash news, he knew for sure that he would be the source of attention for the week.
"Leon… come, I have urgent information for you." Mr. Lee called his name as soon as the call he was on ended.
As he walked toward Mr. Lee, who now stood in the hallway, the air stirred with murmurs:
"I don't think the painter mentioned in the headline is his father." Zoe's voice rose first, filled with great sympathy.
But it was overshadowed by Vera and Tiger's voices:
"I'm very sure it's him. Then so be it. If it's him, he'll remain beneath us—like he always has—despite the fact that he's hard to control."
The words followed Leon like a shadow, weighing his boots down further.
"Follow me." Mr. Lee didn't even wait for Leon to fully close the gap between them. He didn't look back as he began walking straight to one of the doors.
Leon's eyes glowed faintly, but he shook it off and followed Mr. Lee.
"Did I do something wrong? Did Vera report me like she always does when she wants to put blame on others for no reason?"
Leon kept on scratching his scalp as he followed Mr. Lee.
As they walk through the hallway, eyes were drawn to him like a murderer sentenced to death.