The morning sun streamed through the classroom windows, but it didn't lighten the tension in the air. Kai, Axel, and Leo sat together, textbooks and notes spread across their desks. Today wasn't about battles or powers—it was a test day, something normal for everyone else but strangely intimidating after everything they'd been through.
Kai flipped through his notebook, trying to focus. His hands were still a little shaky from the recent fights, and his mind kept drifting back to the Dragon member and the device that had taken their powers.
Axel leaned over, whispering, "You ready for this? Because I'm not sure my brain is cooperating today."
Kai gave a faint smirk. "We'll manage. Just… focus."
Leo adjusted his glasses, his usual calm demeanor in place. "We've got this. Just treat it like any other challenge."
But they weren't the only ones in the room who noticed the tension.
Zara sat across from them, a sly grin on her face. She had been quiet the first few minutes, but now she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, and let her voice carry just enough for them to hear.
"Well, well… look who decided to show up. The heroes of the city… sitting in desks like little kids," she said, mockingly.
Kai's jaw tightened. He clenched his fists under the table, trying to ignore her.
Axel snorted quietly. "Little kids? She's unbelievable."
Leo, however, stayed calm, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Zara, focus on your own work. We're not here for a performance."
Zara's grin widened. "Oh, come on. I mean… you guys fight dragons, take down criminals, risk your lives every night… and for what? To sit here and fail a test like the rest of us?" She tilted her head, voice dripping with amusement. "Kai, Axel, Leo… is this your idea of being powerful? Or are you just… overrated?"
Kai's hands clenched tighter. His teeth ground together. He wanted to snap at her, to remind her of everything they had been through—the danger, the fights, the nearly-dead moments—but he held back.
"Keep talking," he muttered under his breath. "You'll regret it eventually."
Axel leaned closer, whispering, "Don't even bother. She's just trying to get a rise out of you."
Leo nodded. "Exactly. Focus. Let her waste her energy. We've got bigger things to think about than her mockery."
But Zara wasn't done. "And seriously… Leo? Sitting there like a robot. Can't you even smile? Kai, your glowing eyes… so dramatic. Axel, your 'I'm ready for anything' look… adorable." She leaned back in her chair, laughing softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Kai felt heat rise to his face, but instead of answering, he focused on the test paper in front of him.
Ignore her. Focus on what matters, he told himself.
Yet, even as he wrote, part of his mind stayed alert, scanning the room. Zara's teasing wasn't just harmless. She had a way of poking at people, of finding weaknesses, and Kai didn't intend to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
Leo and Axel followed his lead, concentrating on the test, but the tension lingered.
Zara watched them quietly for a few more moments, then leaned back, smirking. "Hmph… heroes by night, nerds by day. How… predictable."
Kai gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening.
This wasn't the battlefield they were used to—but he promised himself something: one day, Zara wouldn't be mocking them.
Not today.
Not ever.