The classroom buzzed with restless energy—the kind that only came on the last day of school. The walls were lined with colorful posters of pro heroes, their smiles frozen mid-victory, reminders of the futures every student was supposed to aim for.
At the front of the room, the homeroom teacher stood with a warm but stern smile, delivering his final speech to the graduating 8th graders.
"Each and every one of you," he began, voice carrying through the chatter, "is unpolished potential. Under the right guidance, you too can help shape a stronger, safer nation for society. Remember—becoming a hero isn't just a dream. It's a path waiting for those brave enough to walk it."
Some students sat upright, hanging on to every word. Others scribbled in notebooks, already planning their summer. But in the far back corner, by the window, Seiryu Tenno wasn't listening at all. His chin rested against his hand, eyes fixed on the clear sky beyond the glass.
The teacher's gaze caught him.
"Hey—Seiryu." His tone sharpened, drawing the attention of the whole class. "It seems like you already have it figured out, huh? Tell us, what is it you wish to pursue in life?"
All eyes shifted toward the boy in the back.
Seiryu finally turned, meeting the teacher's stare. He let the silence stretch, as though pondering the question, though in truth he already knew the answer. With a calm exhale, he spoke a single word:
"Football."
A few students snickered under their breath. Football? In a world where almost everyone aspired to be a pro hero, it sounded like a joke. But the pressure in Seiryu's gaze silenced the laughter just as quickly. His eyes carried no hesitation, no room for doubt.
This wasn't a joke.
Seiryu Tenno had already chosen his path—and he intended to walk it to the very end.