Izumi's Apartment – Morning, Two Months Later
The sun peeked through the curtains of Izumi's small apartment. The air was filled with the faint aroma of miso soup and grilled fish. Dressed in his school uniform, Izumi stood near the front door, adjusting his bag.
A soft knock came from outside—the gate creaked open.
"Breakfast, Izumi!" his mother called warmly, stepping inside with a small bento box.
She walked up to him and gently placed a hand on his cheek, smiling with eyes full of love.
"You're the best son any mother could ask for."
Izumi blinked, surprised, then looked away quickly—face slightly red.
"M-Mom… I'm late for school. Just eat the breakfast, okay?"
She laughed softly, handing him the box. "Take care, sweetheart."
Izumi's Backstory – Nine Years Ago
Izumi was only eight years old when the shouting began to feel normal.
"Dad, please… just give me one more chance!" Izumi cried, tears streaming down his face as he knelt on the floor.
His father towered over him, fury in his eyes.
"No! Look at your sister, Saki! Her magic is already blooming—she's gifted. And you? You can't even control a single spark."
From the other room, Aisa, a girl around Izumi's age, watched with worry.
"Dad… why does Uncle always hit Izumi?" she asked softly.
Her father replied sternly, "You and Arisu must never interfere. That's their family's issue."
Izumi's days became filled with fear. The beatings were regular. His mother would sometimes step in, shielding him. But one time, when she dared to protect him—she was struck too.
When Izumi turned ten, the fights became worse. One night, in the middle of another screaming match, he stepped between his parents.
"Stop hurting her!" he shouted.
His father didn't hesitate. The blow knocked Izumi to the floor. That night ended with a broken family.
His parents divorced.
Izumi and his mother left everything behind and moved into a small apartment.
That apartment became their sanctuary—quiet, simple, and filled with healing.
Izumi walked through the school gates, his expression calm but distant.
"Hey, Izumi! Long time no see," Sol called out with a grin.
"…Yeah," Izumi replied shortly, nodding.
A black car pulled up near the entrance. The door opened, and Aisa stepped out gracefully. Her eyes immediately found Izumi in the crowd. She didn't wave. She didn't speak. She just watched.
There he is… she thought. I always wanted to talk to Izumi… but I never had the courage.
Izumi walked past her without noticing and entered the classroom, his thoughts elsewhere
As Izumi sat down in class, the door slid open behind him. Footsteps approached.
"Izumi," Aisa said softly.
He turned, surprised to see her standing there, eyes filled with something deeper than regret.
"I… I'm sorry," she said.
Izumi blinked. "Why are you saying sorry?"
"I saw everything… back when we were kids. You were hurting. And I… I did nothing." Her voice trembled.
Izumi looked at her for a moment, then said gently, "I never blamed you."
Tears welled in Aisa's eyes. "You're like a brother to me… but I know we can never truly be siblings."
Izumi gave a small, warm smile. "Then it's an honor… to be seen that way by you."
Aisa sat beside Izumi, a quiet pause settling between them.
"I always wanted to talk to you," she said, looking down at her hands. "But I didn't know how."
Izumi looked out the window. "Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. You were there. That's enough."
A small smile formed on Aisa's lips. "Then… can we start over?"
Izumi turned to her, meeting her eyes. "Yeah. Let's start from today."
A bell rang. Class was about to begin, but something had already changed—two hearts, once distant, now quietly reaching
From the back of the classroom, Ryker leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and eyes sharp.
He'd come in late, as usual—no one questioned it. But his gaze wasn't on the teacher or the lesson. It was locked on Izumi and Aisa.
So… she finally talked to him, Ryker thought.
His expression was unreadable. A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes were cold.
Good. Izumi needs someone… but he better not forget—
Ryker's hand gripped the edge of his desk.
—this world doesn't give second chances for free.
The classroom door slid open with a sharp sound.
A tall man with sharp eyes and a calm voice entered. It was Aria-sensei, their homeroom teacher.
"Settle down," he said, walking to the front. The noise faded instantly.
He glanced at each student before speaking again. "After one week… your guild trial begins."
The room erupted in excitement.
"For real?!"
"Our first real step!"
"I can't wait to join a guild!"
Aria-sensei raised a hand, silencing them again.
"This is your first true test. Whether you pass or fail, the path of a hero is your choice. No one will force you. But if you choose this road—practice hard. Prepare for pain. Only the strong will stand."
Izumi's eyes lit up with quiet resolve.
Ryker, from the back, smiled faintly. So it begins…
Aisa looked at her hands. My chance… to walk beside them.
Aria-sensei turned to write the trial details on the board.
The Next Day – Hero Academy Training Grounds
The wide, open field buzzed with energy. Training dummies, sparring rings, obstacle courses—everything was set.
Aria-sensei stood at the center. "Today marks your preparation. Form temporary teams. Train like your life depends on it—because one day, it will."
Groups quickly formed.
Sol, confident as ever, gathered a small crowd.
Aisa, quiet but strong, stayed near the edge, waiting.
Izumi, standing alone, prepared silently—until someone approached.
"Hey," Aisa said. "Want to train together?"
Izumi nodded. "Sure."
From afar, Ryker watched, arms crossed. He stood with Celica and Shin.
"We're ready anytime," Celica said.
"Let them catch up," Ryker replied.
Training Begins
—Izumi and Aisa spar, their movements rough but improving with each clash.
—Sol faces off against two students at once, pushing his limits.
—Ryker's group doesn't train publicly—they go to a secret underground arena to face real combat scenarios.
Later that day, Aria-sensei gathers them again.
"You have six days left. Prove yourselves."
The training ground had emptied. Moonlight slipped through the windows. Ryker sat alone, back resting against a cold support wall, sweat on his brow, eyes distant.
Aisa walked in quietly, noticing him.
Without a word, she sat beside him.
"…Ryker," she said softly. "What do you think about heroes?"
Ryker glanced at her, then looked back up at the ceiling.
"…Heroes? Guilds? They're just humans chasing titles. No matter how strong they become… they'll never be gods."
Aisa turned toward him. "What are you saying?"
Ryker smirked faintly. "Nothing. Just thinking."
She looked down at her hands. "I want to become a hero to protect the world. My family… my friends."
Ryker closed his eyes. "That's noble."
Then he added quietly, "But I never wanted to save the world."
Aisa's eyes widened. "Then… why did you join the guild path?"
Ryker stood slowly. "Because sometimes… to change the world, you have to stand above heroes."
He walked away, his figure fading into the shadows.
Aisa sat alone, watching Ryker walk away.
"To change the world… you have to stand above heroes."
His words echoed in her mind like a riddle wrapped in pain.
She clenched her fists gently in her lap.
He's not cold… he's hurting. That wasn't pride. That was sadness.
Aisa looked up at the moonlight spilling across the floor.
Ryker… what did the world take from you? Why do your eyes look like someone who's already lost everything?
She placed a hand over her heart.
I want to protect everyone. But maybe… I also want to save you.