The day after the explosive preliminaries, Lionel Academy buzzed with renewed life.
Students filled the halls with chatter. Newspapers blasted headlines. Social media overflowed with clips of Raze blocking tungsten and Voxen's awakening.
And in the midst of all this noise—
Principal Leonel stood at the podium with a calm, commanding voice:
"THE NEXT ROUND SCHEDULE WILL BE REVEALED IN ONE WEEK.REST. PREPARE.THE REAL TOURNAMENT BEGINS SOON."
A ripple of excitement moved through the academy.
Astra, however… was somewhere far above all the noise.
◆ ◆ ◆
A Hero Above the Clouds
She didn't return home after the announcement.
Instead—
FWOOOOOOOSH—!
Astra soared into the sky, cutting through clouds with effortless grace.
The city of Nexara glittered beneath her like clusters of stars fallen to earth.
She drifted in slow circles, letting the cool wind wash over her.
Ever since the "penguin incident"…ever since millions watched her stop a falling meteor with her bare hands…
everything felt different.
She couldn't fly too low anymore.
Every time she dipped near rooftops—
"IT'S ASTRA NOIRE!!""LOOK, MOM!! THE PENGUIN SAVIOR!""BIG SIS ASTRAAA!"
Dozens of people—adults, kids, workers, tourists—waved at her with bright, adoring smiles.
And Astra…
She always waved back.
Sometimes with both hands.
Sometimes with a shy smile.
Sometimes with a tiny, embarrassed bow.
Today, perched on the edge of a skyscraper, she hugged her knees and gazed at the city.
"…I didn't expect all of this," she whispered to herself.
The wind blew gently through her golden-yellow hair.
"That day, I just wanted to protect helpless creatures. And now… the whole world is watching me."
Her fists curled softly.
If she had this strength—
if the world believed in her—
then she wanted to use it right.
"…I want to help more. I want to be someone worthy of this power."
She stood, stretching her wings of force behind her.
"Alright. Let's see what today looks like."
FWOOOSH—!
Astra took off again.
◆ ◆ ◆
A Blazing Streak on the Highway
As she glided above the city's edge…
Something zoomed past her peripheral vision—
VRRRRROOOOOOOOOM!!!
A blur of black and neon-blue shot down the highway far below.
Astra blinked.
"…What the—? That's not a car. That's a missile with wheels."
She narrowed her eyes and dove downward.
Within moments, she caught up—
and saw the rider.
A bike.Midnight black.Arcsteel frame.Thrusters active.Speed limiter completely disregarded.
Astra exhaled sharply.
"…Of course. Of course it's him."
Raze Arcwell shot down the road like the bike owed him money.
His helmet gleamed.His suit was casual, not combat gear.And hugging him tightly from behind—
was Lily Arcwell, giggling uncontrollably.
"FASTER, BIG BROTHER!! FASTER!!"
Raze yelled through the wind:
"LILY, I AM GOING TO GET GROUNDED FOR THIS!!"
"But Luna isn't here!! GO FASTERRRR!"
Astra stopped mid-air, speechless.
"…He's going that fast because a six-year-old told him to?"
She zipped down and matched the bike's speed, knocking lightly on Raze's helmet.
BONK BONK.
Raze nearly swerved.
"A-Astra!? What are you doing—?!"
"What are YOU doing?" she retorted.
Raze sighed.
"It's not me. She's the one."
Lily leaned around Raze's shoulder and reached out excitedly.
"BIG SISTER!! YOU CAN FLY!!"
Astra's expression melted instantly.
"…She called me… big sister…?"
Lily giggled brightly.
"Big sister Astraaaa~!!"
Astra felt her heart explode into flowers, sunshine, and sparkles.
She panicked.
"I—I—uh—hello!!"
Raze deadpanned.
"Don't encourage her. She'll adopt you."
Lily chimed in immediately:
"I ALREADY DID!"
Astra covered her face.
"Oh no… she's too cute…"
Raze huffed.
"This is why I can't say no to her."
Lily proudly tapped his helmet.
"He listens because I'm the boss!"
Astra burst into laughter.
Raze groaned.
"I regret everything."
◆ ◆ ◆
A Day Spent Together
Astra flew alongside them as Raze slowed the bike.
They eventually stopped by a peaceful riverside park.
Lily ran around chasing butterflies.Astra sat on a bench, swinging her legs.Raze leaned against the railing, arms crossed.
A moment of calm washed over them.
Astra glanced at Raze.
"You looked… free. Riding like that."
He shrugged.
"Lily asked. That's all it takes."
Astra smiled.
"You really love her."
"…Of course I do."
A soft breeze rustled the leaves.
Astra looked toward the sky.
"Raze… sometimes I wonder if having power is a responsibility or a burden."
Raze answered without hesitation.
"For you? It's neither."
She blinked.
"It's a choice."
Astra froze.
"A choice…?"
Raze continued.
"You chose to save those penguins. You chose to use your strength to help people. Power didn't force you to. That's what makes you strong."
Astra stared at him quietly.
"…Thank you."
They sat in silence, comfortable and warm.
Lily eventually ran back, jumping into Astra's arms.
"BIG SISTER! CAN WE GET ICE CREAM!?"
Astra panicked internally again.
"O-Oh! U-Um! Yes! Of course!! Raze! Please come with us!"
Raze smiled faintly.
"Fine."
And so the three of them—
a flying prodigy,a powerless genius,and a tiny ball of chaos—
spent the entire day together.
Laughing.Eating.Talking.Bonding.
By the time evening painted the sky orange, it felt like they had known each other for years.
When they finally parted ways at the crossroads—
Lily hugged Astra tightly.
"Come home with us next time, okay?"
Astra hugged her back gently.
"I will."
Raze nodded at Astra.
"See you at training."
Astra smiled—small, warm, genuine.
"See you."
As she flew off into the sky, she whispered:
"I'm glad… I met them."
A day of peace before the battles to come.
And somehow—
this simple day togetherfelt more important than any fight.