After a while, Sarah said her goodbyes and left.
Noah glanced at Aiko and gave a small shrug.
"Don't think too much about her. She hit her head when she was a baby… she's been a bit off since then."
"Seriously?"
"Probably."
Aiko let out a soft giggle.
"You two seem pretty close. Even if she doesn't show it, she looks worried about you."
"Mmh…"
After a brief pause, Aiko nodded.
"Anyway, sorry—I have to get to class. Let me give you my number before I go."
She hesitated for a moment, her expression turning serious.
"But I want you to know this, Noah… no matter how much you want to help, my inventions are dangerous. Still… if you ever need help, I'd be willing to return the favor."
"Mm, no problem." Noah smiled faintly and watched her leave.
…
A few minutes passed.
Yet Noah didn't move from his seat.
I'm being watched…
His eyes narrowed slightly.
But who? Someone from class? Or… did someone grow suspicious of me? The teacher didn't even properly see my face… so who is it?
A brief silence.
…They're gone.
"Interesting… very interesting," he murmured. "Watching me specifically, staring for a while, then disappearing… what's your goal?"
With that thought, he finished his third cup of coffee and stood up.
Carefully, he prepared to return to the dorm.
Right now, I'm restricted within the academy. If I act recklessly, someone might expose me with their ability… especially the principal.
Diana…
Her ability is said to be 'probability evaluation.' Whether that's true or not, I can't be careless.
Even if I've placed my pawns… one wrong move is enough to expose me.
Just then—
"Hey! Black-haired brat! Look over here!"
Noah lifted his gaze.
On the path to the dorm, four students stood ahead. He hadn't noticed them while lost in thought.
He didn't recognize them.
But their hostility was obvious.
How ironic… the school hasn't even been open for a month. When did I offend them?
"You from S-Class or something, trash?"
Noah let out a faint chuckle internally.
I see…
Most likely, they were students who failed to enter S-Class during the placement exam and couldn't accept it.
People like them usually targeted weaker-looking students from higher classes to satisfy their pride.
There was a difference between A-Class and S-Class…
but it wasn't as large as they believed.
The placement exam evaluated three things:
1. Ability control
2. Ability potential
3. Personality
And that's exactly why they didn't make it.
Sarah was arrogant… but at least she didn't look down on others without reason.
These guys were different.
Corrupted fools.
The academy knew that too.
Letting people like them grow stronger could be dangerous, so they were placed in lower classes—where they could waste their energy fighting among themselves.
As for me…
I entered S-Class because of my dual abilities.
Shadow Step.
Telekinesis.
My control over Shadow Step was excellent.
And my personality… indifferent.
That was enough.
The academy had five ranks. Each rank held a hundred students, from S to D.
But S-Class…
was never full.
—
"I'M TALKING TO YOU!"
Noah snapped out of his thoughts.
…Ah. I forgot about them.
He slowly walked toward the group.
Four of them.
The leader—tan-skinned, blond—was leaning against the building, smoking.
The others: one fat, two skinny and unpleasant-looking.
Noah gave them names in his mind.
Idiot A. Idiot B. Idiot C. Idiot D.
"How much money you got on you, brat?"
Noah answered calmly.
"Sorry. You're not authorized to know that."
Idiot D stepped forward, getting close to Noah's face with a threatening grin.
Noah remained unfazed.
They could be useful.
Livestock for someone like Mr. Forner.
He could manipulate them like a cult… send them after other students.
Or—
…capture them and take their abilities.
But first, he needed to analyze them.
I have many abilities… most of them sealed within my mind.
But what truly interested him was something else.
Is there any ability here… that could harm Light?
At that moment—
Idiot D threw a punch.
Noah didn't block.
He dodged.
A rule…
One of the most important things I learned while fighting heroes—
Never take or catch a hit before understanding the opponent's ability.
A punch could suddenly turn elemental.
Acid.
Or overwhelming physical force.
—
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"
A new voice.
Noah glanced back.
…Petrification ability.
"Get lost!" Idiot D shouted. "You wanna get beaten too?"
"You don't know who I am, I'm—"
He never finished.
Idiot D rushed forward and punched him.
The hit landed.
But—
"AGGH!"
Idiot D staggered back, clutching his hand.
It was like punching iron.
Noah's eyes sharpened.
Petrification…
Brayn's body had hardened completely.
Interesting.
This might be useful.
Idiot B and C stood up, ready to attack.
"Enough."
This time, it was Idiot A.
Brayn moved instantly.
A kick.
Idiot D hit the ground.
Then Brayn faced Idiot A.
Noah sighed.
…A waste of time.
Still—
I need to stay here for now.
There were people in this academy…
who had caught his interest.
—
There used to be youth competitions.
Children aged 8 to 12.
They would showcase their abilities… even fight.
Ironic.
But those who couldn't control their power weren't allowed to participate.
Which made it—
the perfect place to observe true talent.
And some of the abilities that had caught his attention back then…
were now inside this academy.
I'll find them.
And if necessary… I'll kill them.
But before that—
I have another plan.
—
Behind him, the fight continued.
Idiot A and Idiot D.
Both had petrification abilities.
But different.
One was solid like stone.
The other… more like hardened earth.
Noah watched for a moment.
Then lost interest.
And walked away.
His cold indifference stunned them both.
They simply stared at each other.
"Damn it… I stepped in to save you, and you—"
Idiot A looked at Brayn.
Being a good person…
was difficult.
—
Unexpectedly…
Idiot A and Brayn became friends.
But Noah knew nothing of it.
He had already returned to his dorm…
and slept until nightfall.
---
Somewhere unknown…
A woman sat upon a throne, wearing a white robe adorned with gold.
Before her, people knelt in silence, waiting for permission to speak.
The hall resembled something out of the medieval era—
grand, decorated in red and gold.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Speak."
Her voice was calm… and dangerously alluring.
"My Saintess," one of them said.
"The attack on Pluton Academy was successful. We diverted attention with the explosion and placed our agents inside."
A faint smile formed beneath the veil covering her face.
"Well done."
A brief pause.
"Remember… those children have the potential to become the foundation of our new era. Do not allow them to hate us."
"Yes, my Saintess."
Another stepped forward. Younger.
"There are also… rumors."
Her gaze shifted to him.
"Speak."
He swallowed.
"The Villains' Union is planning to declare war on the academy. They intend to kill everyone there."
A pause.
Then—
"And… there is another rumor."
Silence filled the hall.
"…We received information that Void is inside the academy."
—
For the first time, the Saintess trembled slightly.
Her lips parted, whispering a single name:
"Void…"
That name…
was a taboo.
In the past, he had slaughtered over ninety percent of their cult.
He had called them nothing more than insects.
The only reason anyone survived…
was the Saintess's sacrifice.