Brian, who had gained an incredible Marine Avatar power, was now known as the protector of the island.
Meanwhile, Thierry was busy investigating and researching the mysterious blue ball that had been found — an object believed to grant incredible power.
On the other hand, Homura Zarek was training with Wukong.
Not to gain powers…
But to control himself.
Both physically and mentally.
Wukong looked at him calmly.
"You should try clearing your mind sometimes."
Homura frowned slightly.
"Master… what does it mean when they say 'fall for a need, not a desire'?"
Wukong replied:
"It means to live with something… not to chase it."
Homura looked confused.
"What does that even mean?"
Wukong turned away.
"Time will show you."
He paused.
"But for now… training ends here."
Later that day—
Brian and Homura returned to their secret house.
Thierry was already there, waiting.
"You're finally here," Thierry said.
Brian sighed as he sat down.
"I'm tired… so what did you find?"
Thierry picked up the blue ball.
"I found something important."
Homura crossed his arms.
"What do you mean?"
Thierry looked at both of them.
"We can't continue our investigation here."
Brian frowned.
"Then where?"
Thierry answered:
"In the city."
"There's a place there…"
"An academy of heroes."
Brian leaned back, thinking.
"So… if we go there, we can train and become stronger?"
Thierry nodded.
"Yes."
"With your Marine Avatar power… you can grow even more."
Brian looked at his hand.
"With this power… I can actually control it better."
Homura stepped forward.
"We should ask the master first."
A voice suddenly came from behind them—
"You don't need to."
They turned.
Wukong stood there.
Watching them.
"You have already made your decision," he said calmly.
Brian spoke:
"Master… should we go?"
Wukong looked at all three of them.
"Yes."
He began walking away.
"But remember…"
"The world outside this island is full of danger."
He stopped.
"And not everyone becomes a hero."
Then he left.
The next day—
They prepared everything they needed.
And finally…
They left the island.
For the first time.
Far away…
In space…
Two figures were watching Earth.
Jayson spoke first.
"This planet has so many living beings…"
"More than a billion humans."
Yuna smiled slightly.
"We don't need all of them."
"Just twenty."
Jayson nodded.
"If they satisfy us… we will make them stronger."
"And if they don't?"
Yuna asked.
Jayson's eyes darkened.
"Then we use them."
Yuna added:
"Or experiment on them."
Jayson laughed quietly.
"We could even create something new…"
"Something darker."
Yuna crossed her arms.
"But we still haven't found it."
Jayson looked at Earth.
"The ultimate power of the galaxy…"
Both of them laughed.
"Ha… ha… ha…"
After a long journey—
Thierry, Brian, and Homura finally arrived at the city.
In front of them stood something massive.
A huge structure built into the mountains.
The Grand Academy of Heroes.
Homura looked around.
"This place is huge…"
Brian asked:
"Why is it built on a mountain?"
Thierry narrowed his eyes.
"Because it's not just a building."
"It's part of something bigger…"
"A gigantic castle."
A voice interrupted them.
"Oh… new students?"
They turned.
A boy stood there, calm and confident.
"My name is Mark Uzumaki."
"One of the leaders here."
Thierry looked at him.
"A leader?"
Mark nodded.
"Yes."
"And people like you come here for one reason."
"The test."
Homura smiled slightly.
"Sounds interesting."
Mark turned around.
"Follow me."
"If you think you're ready."
They entered through the giant doors.
Inside…
Everything felt different.
Many people were there.
All with different abilities.
Different personalities.
Some looked strong.
Some looked dangerous.
Brian whispered:
"There are even girls here…"
Thierry smirked.
"Focus."
Mark stopped walking.
"This is where your journey begins."
He looked at them seriously.
"If you want to become heroes…"
"Then prove it."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
And at that moment—
They understood.
This was not just a school.
It was a test.
The tension in the air thickened, pressing down on every participant as they prepared for the next phase of the test. The battlefield buzzed with nervous energy, a mixture of excitement and fear that no one could fully hide. Some stood tall with confidence written across their faces, while others shifted uneasily, trying to mask their anxiety.
Thierry remained still, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield, calculating every possible outcome.
"We stay together," he said calmly, his voice firm but controlled. "That's how we all make it through."
Brian cracked his knuckles, a grin forming despite the pressure. "Or… I could just end this quickly. I might use my Marine Armor now."
Thierry's gaze snapped toward him instantly. "No. Not yet," he said, more serious this time. "We don't even know what kind of abilities we're dealing with. Move too early, and you become the target."
Brian exhaled, slightly annoyed but understanding. "Yeah… fine."
A few steps behind them, Homura Zarek stood in silence.
No powers.
No special aura.
And yet… his presence was steady.
His training—both physical and mental—had shaped something far more controlled. His breathing was even, his eyes calm, his body ready.
"Power or not…" Homura said quietly, his voice carrying quiet certainty, "I will win."
Then—
"Three…"
The entire battlefield froze.
"Two…"
Muscles tensed. Eyes sharpened.
"One…"
"Everyone—ATTACK!"
Chaos erupted instantly.
Figures dashed across the battlefield like flashes of light. Powers ignited in every direction. One fighter stretched his arms unnaturally, striking from a distance with elastic force. Another slammed their hands into the ground, causing thick waves of mud to surge forward, trapping opponents mid-step. A massive fighter charged through the field like a beast, relying purely on overwhelming strength to send others flying out of the arena.
Within seconds… the first eliminations began.
Bodies were thrown out of bounds. Cries of frustration echoed. The battlefield was merciless.
Yet in the middle of the chaos—
Thierry, Brian, and Homura held their ground.
They didn't rush.
They didn't panic.
They moved with purpose, avoiding unnecessary fights, reading their opponents, surviving instead of wasting energy. It wasn't flashy—but it was smart.
Still… the difference in power was clear.
The strongest participants were beginning to dominate.
Time passed.
One minute.
Then two.
The number of fighters dropped rapidly.
Pressure tightened.
"We're still in," Thierry said under his breath, his eyes locked onto the field. "Just three more need to go."
Brian's attention shifted suddenly, his focus breaking for a moment. "Yo… that girl," he said, clearly impressed. "She's insane. Look at her movements—and she's not even using powers."
Homura didn't even look. "Focus," he said sharply. "This isn't the time."
His eyes flicked forward. "They're closing in."
Thierry immediately noticed it too. The elastic user. The mud controller. The heavy fighter.
All targeting them.
Brian smirked slightly. "Now can I go all out?"
Thierry hesitated for a split second. "…Not yet. If you reveal too much, they'll all turn on you."
Brian rolled his shoulders. "Then we fight smart."
But before they could move—
Something changed.
Andria stepped forward.
No warning. No hesitation.
Her presence alone shifted the rhythm of the battlefield.
Then she spoke.
Her voice… carried something unnatural.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't forceful.
But it reached everyone.
A strange distortion filled the air. Opponents froze for a fraction of a second—just enough.
Confusion.
Distraction.
Mistakes.
And in that single moment—
Multiple fighters were eliminated instantly.
Silence followed.
The battlefield… had been reduced.
Only eight remained.
The fight stopped.
Andria turned slightly, her gaze landing on Thierry, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You owe me one."
Brian blinked, completely stunned. "Yeah… I'm definitely in love," he said without thinking. "Wait—how does that even work?"
Thierry didn't react much. "We would've managed," he said calmly. "But… thanks."
Andria tilted her head slightly. "My ability only works on kind people," she said casually. "And… I have two powers."
Brian's eyes widened even more. "Two?! That's insane. So… will you be my girl?"
Homura stepped forward immediately, his tone sharp. "Brian. Stop."
There was no anger in his voice—just control.
"It's not a victory if you lose your focus."
Andria laughed softly, clearly amused. "Brian, huh…?" she said, studying him for a moment. "There's something strong inside you. Maybe… I'll give you an answer later."
And just like that—
She turned and walked away.
The group watched her leave, each lost in their own thoughts.
Thierry broke the silence. "She sensed something," he said quietly. "There are six boys… and two girls left now."
Homura nodded slightly. "One of them is Mobi," he added. "And the other… well… we'll see."
Brian scratched his head, still distracted. "She's kind… I like that," he said. Then he shook himself slightly. "But yeah—we focus."
At that moment—
Mark stepped forward once again.
"Well done," he said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Eight participants remain."
His eyes swept across them.
"You have passed the first stage."
A brief pause.
"Prepare yourselves."
His tone dropped slightly.
"The next level… is where true heroes are separated from the rest."
Silence fell again.
This time… heavier.
No one spoke.
Because now they understood.
This wasn't just a test.
This wasn't just an academy.
This… was a battlefield that would decide who was worthy.
Far beyond the academy—
In the cold silence of space—
Two figures continued to watch.
Waiting.
Planning.
And soon…
The ones who survived here…
Would face something far worse.