Lucas entered Complete Azure Flame Mode.
He slowly rose to his feet.
Though furious, he forced himself to remain calm.
"Meyrambek... give us one chance. Just this once. Spare us for now, and come back after we've recovered. Until then... have some mercy. After all... you're one of the Top Eight."
Meyrambek burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha..."
Still laughing, he sneered,
"How pathetic... hahaha..."
His laughter gradually faded, replaced by that same twisted, psychotic grin.
"On one condition..."
His gaze slowly swept across Maria, So-Hyeon, and Symbat, who was watching from the second floor of the school.
With that same disgusting smile, he said,
"Give me those three beauties my eyes landed on... for one night."
The moment Lucas heard those words, rage exploded inside him.
His teeth clenched tightly.
He had noticed exactly who Meyrambek had been looking at.
"Never..."
Lucas growled through gritted teeth.
Meyrambek's twisted grin widened.
"I asked nicely."
"This wasn't a request."
After a brief pause, he continued,
"I'll kill you and that red-eyed brat anyway..."
"...and take what I want by force."
"No..."
"It won't end there."
"One day..."
"...every woman in this world will be beneath my feet."
"You disgusting bastard..."
Lucas spat angrily.
"...You filthy animal."
In the next instant—
Meyrambek appeared directly in front of Lucas.
The speed was so overwhelming that Lucas couldn't even react.
Grabbing Lucas by the throat with one hand, Meyrambek effortlessly lifted him into the air.
With that same crooked smile, he whispered,
"You're so weak."
"And after betraying us..."
"...you chose to side with that pathetic red-eyed loser?"
"You'll regret it..."
"...regret siding with that weakling."
Suddenly—
A mysterious woman wearing a masked kunoichi outfit slowly descended from the sky.
In a calm voice, she spoke a single word.
"Repeat that."
At that moment...
Everyone felt it.
Something was terribly wrong.
She was surrounded by White Flame Mode.
The power system consisted of:
Wind Mode.
Flame Mode.
Green Flame Mode.
Azure (Blue) Flame Mode.
Red Flame Mode.
Purple Flame Mode.
White Flame Mode.
And finally...
The highest known stage at the moment—
Black Flame Mode.
Silence consumed the battlefield.
Everyone froze.
Even Meyrambek.
Lucas fell to the ground from Meyrambek's grasp.
Meyrambek desperately tried to regain his composure.
But fear had already crept into his heart.
Although he tried to remain calm, his voice trembled without him realizing it.
"Y-You..."
"...you..."
Less than a second later—
The kunoichi was already standing directly in front of him.
Or rather...
In front of what was most likely Meyrambek's already lifeless body, which remained standing only out of momentum.
The masked woman calmly held two things in her hands.
A crystalline core.
And...
Meyrambek's severed head.
Without a word, she crushed the crystal core in her hand until it shattered completely.
Then she casually threw Meyrambek's head onto the ground.
She flicked the blood from her hand as though it were nothing.
Afterward, she walked toward the unconscious Aibar.
She stared at him silently for several moments.
Then, looking at him with nothing but disgust, she muttered,
"Tch..."
"...Ugly."
Without another glance...
She quietly flew away.
The instant the mysterious woman disappeared...
Everyone finally breathed again.
Like fish thrown back into water after nearly suffocating.
Several hours passed.
Aibar slowly opened his eyes.
He gradually pushed himself to his feet.
His gaze fell upon Meyrambek's corpse.
Without saying a single word, Aibar lifted Meyrambek's headless body onto one shoulder.
Then he picked up the severed head lying before it.
Carrying both in silence, he slowly walked away.
He reached the school gate...
Passed through it...
And disappeared from sight.
While Aibar was burying Meyrambek...
Maria called him.
After finishing the burial, Aibar returned to the school.
Everyone in his class had survived.
However...
Sharapat-sensei, who had suffered critical injuries during the attack on the school...
Had passed away.
The following day...
The school was temporarily closed for two weeks.
At Aibar's own request, he promised that he would personally restore the entire school within those two weeks.
Aibar, Maria, and Azamat headed to the market to purchase the materials needed for the repairs.
Aibar's body was completely wrapped in bandages beneath his clothes.
His face was hidden behind a solid black mask that covered it entirely.
Meanwhile...
Everything that had happened finally reached the Government of Kazakhstan.
The authorities were now fully aware of the situation.
Aibar, Maria, and Azamat were traveling by public bus.
Azamat was wearing the new body Aibar had built for him.
Though still made entirely of metal, he looked almost indistinguishable from an ordinary human.
The only noticeable difference was his face...
Emotionless.
Just like Aibar's.
After all...
He was still a iron.
Eventually, they arrived at the market.
The three began looking around for construction materials.
As they continued walking, Azamat calmly spoke.
"Master, don't worry. The bricks and the heavier materials are already being delivered by cargo trucks."
Without stopping, Aibar replied calmly,
"Good."
"We only need construction buckets, paint, nails, and bolts now."
"I think we already have the rest of the tools at home."
Azamat nodded.
"Of course, Master."
"No need to worry."
Walking beside them, Maria suddenly couldn't hold back her laughter anymore.
She burst into giggles.
Aibar glanced at her.
"Did something happen?"
Maria's laughter subsided into a small smile.
"The way you and Azamat talk..."
"It's like two undercover agents discussing a classified mission with completely emotionless faces."
"It's strangely fun to watch."
Azamat puffed out his chest.
"My lady, that isn't funny at all."
"Please don't compare me to my stubborn master."
"He's stubborn."
"I'm cute, obedient, and a loyal servant."
"I'm not a disobedient fool like him."
"Hmph."
Maria burst into laughter again.
Aibar simply let out a quiet sigh.
Azamat looked at Maria.
"My lady, you truly seem like a wonderful person."
"If my stubborn boss ever makes you cry..."
"...tell me."
"Umm..."
"We'll both be upset with him."
Maria laughed once again.
Smiling gently, she said,
"Azamat, you're a wonderful person."
"I guess my Aibar is lucky to have someone like you."
"I should've just come alone."
Aibar muttered calmly.
"Don't be grumpy."
"We're only joking."
Azamat replied.
Aibar suddenly sped up his pace, leaving the two behind.
Azamat and Maria stopped and watched him walk away.
Turning toward Maria, Azamat sighed.
"I apologize..."
"He can be..."
Maria smiled softly.
"I know."
"And I understand."
"Don't worry about him."
"I'll always stay by his side with you."
"I'll support him."
Azamat smiled faintly.
"Thank you, my lady."
"My stubborn boss can be exhausting sometimes..."
"But he's a good person."
"Of course."
"He really is."
Maria answered calmly.
"He can be incredibly charismatic and composed."
"And sometimes..."
"...he's adorable."
"The way he tries to comfort people while keeping a perfectly serious face..."
"And the moments when he completely misunderstands something and ends up acting like an idiot..."
"I find all of it adorable."
"And..."
"...he's incredibly kind."
A faint blush spread across Maria's cheeks.
She smiled shyly.
From farther ahead, Aibar raised a hand and waved at them.
Maria and Azamat immediately hurried after him.
Soon, the three were walking together again.
Several hours later...
They had finished buying everything they needed.
As they continued through the market, they passed a woman sitting on the roadside begging.
Wrapped in her arms was a baby.
Maria immediately reached into her wallet.
Before she could take out any money—
Aibar gently stopped her.
Looking at him in confusion, Maria asked,
"Aibar..."
"What are you doing?"
"Let go of my hand so I can take out my money."
Aibar slowly shook his head.
"No."
"Your kindness is worthy of praise."
"But..."
"...not this time."
He released her hand.
Then quietly added,
"Please..."
"...lend that money to me."
Maria blinked.
"Huh???"
"Aren't you already rich?"
"What are you planning to do?"
"Please."
That was all Aibar said.
Unable to refuse, Maria reluctantly handed him the money.
Taking it, Aibar continued walking.
A short distance later, they noticed a one-armed disabled man pushing his wheelchair while honestly earning his living.
Aibar approached and stopped him.
Holding out the money, he asked,
"Sir..."
"Is this yours?"
"It looked like it fell on the road."
The man glanced at the money before smiling gently.
"No, son."
"It isn't mine."
Aibar replied calmly,
"Perhaps..."
"...it was meant for you."
The man shook his head.
"No..."
"What if the person who lost it needs it even more than I do?"
"I couldn't do something like that."
Aibar quietly sighed.
"...Alright."
"Then please..."
"Give me your blessing."
"This was a gift from that young lady over there."
He pointed toward Maria, who was standing beside Azamat.
"She has been helping everyone today."
"So..."
"This belongs to you."
"That's what she would want."
Aibar gently took the man's hand and placed the money into his palm.
Tears welled up in the man's eyes.
"May you..."
"...and that young lady and gentleman over there..."
"...all find happiness."
"I pray your happiness becomes as countless as the stars in the sky."
"Thank you."
He embraced Aibar.
Several minutes later, after saying goodbye, Aibar returned to Maria and Azamat.
Looking at Maria, he said,
"He gave his blessing to you."
Maria looked confused.
"I could've given money to that woman too."
"Why did you stop me?"
"We could've helped both of them."
Aibar looked at her calmly.
"You act first..."
"...and only think afterward."
"Or perhaps..."
"...you simply don't pay attention."
Maria froze in shock.
"Did you notice the gold bracelets that woman was wearing?"
"I did."
"You didn't."
He paused.
"And did you look closely at the baby's face?"
"It was even paler than yours."
"And despite all the noise in the market..."
"...the baby never woke up."
Maria frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
Aibar answered quietly.
"That baby..."
"...had a complexion similar to mine."
"You could tell from the hair."
"But..."
"...that was while the baby was still alive."
Maria's eyes widened.
Azamat silently closed his eyes.
He understood exactly what his master meant.
"The baby..."
Aibar continued.
"...had already passed away."
"And the police will arrive here soon."
Several minutes later...
His prediction came true.
Later, the three sat inside a small restaurant.
Seeing Maria still shaken, Aibar gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright."
"It's over now."
"You didn't make the mistake of funding them."
"You almost did..."
"But mistakes..."
"...are what make people stronger."
Maria slowly turned toward him.
Her voice trembled.
"Tell me, Aibar..."
"Was that baby..."
"...really her child?"
"If it really was..."
Before she could finish—
Aibar quietly embraced her.
"Forget about it."
"Instead..."
"Remember something good."
"You saw how happy that elderly man was..."
"...didn't you?"
Azamat:
"Lady Maria..."
"I've started respecting you."
"Because of you..."
"...Master received a blessing as well."
"That stingy man unfairly used your kindness..."
"...so he could receive the same blessing."
Aibar looked at him calmly.
"So I'm just 'Aibar' now?"
"Of course."
"You feel like a son to me."
"So I'd like permission to call you that without formalities sometimes."
"Alright."
Aibar replied.
Azamat turned toward Maria.
"My lady..."
"Today, you're the true hero."
"Even more than my stingy boss."
"There isn't even room for debate."
Aibar calmly began.
Azamat immediately covered his mouth.
"You don't get to speak."
Maria burst into laughter.
Azamat grinned.
"Today's score..."
"Everyone thinks the stingy boss is the hero."
"But my score says..."
"Stingy Boss: 0."
"Lady Maria: 1."
Maria smiled softly.
"Alright..."
"I'm okay now."
Then she looked at Aibar.
"Azamat..."
"Please don't call him stingy."
"You know better than anyone that he isn't."
She continued.
"I've already figured it out."
"About a year ago..."
"A mysterious masked man became famous on the internet several times."
"According to witnesses..."
"He secretly placed homeless people and families living in poverty into apartment buildings across five different countries..."
"...and then disappeared."
"People even believed those apartment buildings belonged to him."
"One resident claimed they heard the building's owner call the masked young man..."
"'Master.'"
"I really admired him."
"A nameless hero..."
"Who helps people without seeking fame."
Azamat looked surprised.
"So, my lady..."
"Were you his fan?"
Maria smiled.
"Yes."
"He's a hero who never seeks recognition."
"And to finish my point..."
"I know that after our teacher passed away yesterday..."
"...Aibar personally visited the family..."
"...and gave them substantial financial support."
"And Almaz..."
"I learned his story as well."
"In the end..."
"It all started because Symbat was looking at Aibar's photo."
"I happened to notice it."
"It was a picture from the day Aibar first transferred to this school."
"Maybe Symbat secretly took it while he was sleeping."
Aibar calmly interrupted.
"We should get going."
"It's time to head home."
Maria completely ignored him.
"And in that picture..."
"He was wearing that exact mask..."
"Those exact glasses..."
"And that exact hoodie."
She smiled confidently.
"You really don't know how to hide yourself, Aibar."
"Everyone else forgot about that incident."
"But I didn't."
"I kept investigating."
Aibar answered calmly,
"I'm not the only one who wears that kind of hoodie."
"Lots of people wear masks and glasses too."
Maria smiled.
"There's another piece of evidence."
"That masked man's height..."
"...was almost exactly the same as yours."
"There are simply too many coincidences."
"And you couldn't have been cosplaying him either..."
"Because when you transferred here..."
"...that incident had only just begun attracting attention."
Azamat finally spoke.
"Yes, my lady."
"My master is that very person."
Aibar silently looked across the table at Azamat.
"My master..."
Azamat continued.
"...there's no point hiding it from Lady Maria anymore."
He turned toward Maria.
"In each of those five countries..."
"...my master owns one or two residential apartment complexes."
"Kazakhstan."
"Uzbekistan."
"India."
"Japan."
"And South Korea."
"Those are the countries."
"And yes..."
"The people managing those buildings..."
"...work for us."
"My master never wanted personal recognition."
"So everything was arranged that way."
Maria smiled in amazement.
"So..."
"Aibar became a hero even before gaining superpowers?"
"That's incredible."
"Of course."
Azamat replied proudly.
"The world's three most famous corporations all belong to my master."
"Even then..."
"He never served as CEO himself."
"He appointed trusted people to those positions."
Curious, Maria asked,
"What companies are they?"
Azamat answered,
"Veltrix Motors — the world's largest automobile company."
"Electric vehicles."
"Supercars."
"Heavy-duty trucks."
"Nexora Technologies — home appliances and everyday technology."
"Refrigerators."
"Washing machines."
"Air conditioners."
"Smart home systems."
"Consumer electronics."
"Asterion Mobile — smartphones and personal gadgets."
"Smartphones."
"Tablets."
"Smartwatches."
"Laptops."
"Headphones."
Maria stared at him in complete shock.
After a small cough, she finally asked,
"Wait..."
"These are the companies that make the things we use every single day?"
By now...
Both the school and Eclipse knew Aibar's true identity.
The rest of the world, however, remained unaware.
Symbat made sure that secret never spread.
With the help of the student council president, she gathered every student in the auditorium.
Standing on stage, she declared,
"Listen carefully."
"What you saw today..."
"...stays in this school."
"If anyone lets even a single word about Aibar reach the outside world..."
"...you'll be speaking to Aibar himself first."
"And trust me..."
"I won't be saving you."
Almaty, Kazakhstan. Deep within the mountains — Eclipse Headquarters.
The office door slowly opened.
A woman dressed in a kunoichi outfit stepped inside. This time, she wasn't wearing a mask. Her long cyan-blue hair was tied back, her gray eyes were calm, and her beautiful face was fully visible.
Ayaka calmly spoke:
"Yes... what is it, Miyuki?"
(Miyuki Kanzaki, 21 years old. The third strongest and one of the most respected members of Eclipse. Ayaka's closest friend.)
Miyuki answered calmly:
"My lady..."
Ayaka interrupted her.
"How many times have I told you...? There's no need for formalities when you're with me."
Miyuki lightly cleared her throat.
"My apologies... Ayaka."
She let out a quiet sigh before continuing.
"Because of you, we have to stand before that grumpy old man again. Seriously,where did you even find that damned loser... what was his name again? Ah, right... Aibar. And why did you order me to save him? Meyrambek was just about to crush him."
Miyuki frowned.
"Pff... I can't believe I even said that idiot Meyrambek's name."
A faint smile appeared on Ayaka's face.
"Calm down... and thank you."
She looked directly into Miyuki's eyes.
"No matter how unreasonable my orders have been... you've never once abandoned me."
Miyuki quietly walked over and took a seat at the large conference table.
Looking at Ayaka, she calmly asked:
"Ayaka... but honestly, tell me. How did this Aibar guy captivate you? Did he hypnotize you or something? You actually ordered me to kill one of our own comrades because of him. Who exactly is he?"
Ayaka answered without hesitation.
"He's a hero. A true hero. Even though he's on the opposing side... I can't help but respect him. He's the greatest hero I've ever seen."
Miyuki tapped the table with her finger.
"Pff... he's probably just another attention-seeking hero. If I taught him a lesson and hit him over the head once, he'd throw away that so-called heroic pride, kneel before me, and say, 'The world is yours.'"
Ayaka smiled faintly.
"Then... let's make a bet. Let him gain a little more experience... even if he never becomes the strongest."
She pointed a finger at Miyuki.
"One day... he'll stand against you..."
Then she lowered her hand.
"...and against every other Eclipse member as well. He won't bow to anyone. Even if it costs him his own life... he'll fight until the very end."
Ayaka's faint smile remained.
"You'll see... when that day comes."
Eclipse Headquarters. The Secret Boss's Chamber.
The room was shrouded in darkness.
A man sat silently on the edge of his bed, his head hanging low.
Slowly... he raised it.
Black hair.
Brown eyes.
He appeared to be a middle-aged man with a faint mustache and beard.
He was Rasul...
Aibar's father.
A faint smile formed on Rasul's face.
"...Aibar."