Super Ability Academy Pluton is known as the best among the five academies in the world. While the other four struggle with terrorist attacks and constant complaints, this academy has never suffered any damage to its reputation.
Alright, since everyone is gathered here, we can begin.
First of all, Security Leader James, could you explain the incident again?
A Japanese man in a suit stood up, glanced around the room, and took a breath.
"Yes, Director. It has already been confirmed that the attack was carried out by the Human Cult."
"What they did was a suicide attack using one of the latest technological bombs. Even though there were no casualties, the real question should be this—"
"How did those bastards obtain such high-tech bombs?"
"These bombs can only be supplied by two parties: the government or corporations. Therefore, it is highly likely—"
"I'm afraid I have to interrupt you, Mr. James."
The one who spoke was the witch. Everyone in the room turned their attention to her, carefully waiting for her words.
"Couldn't the Human Cult have imported the bombs from outside the country?"
"Miss Witch, what you're suggesting is indeed a reasonable assumption. However, we are currently in the capital. Even if they imported them, they would have to pass through multiple cities to bring them in. During that process, they would require assistance—either from the government or wealthy businessmen. In any case, obtaining them internally would require far less effort and fewer resources. Therefore, that scenario is highly unlikely."
"What if they produced them themselves?"
This time, the voice came from a man in the room. A middle-aged man with white bandages covering his eyes and long hair tied into a ponytail.
"Teacher Mr. Zero, the bomb fragments are currently under analysis. Therefore, I cannot provide a definitive answer at this time. Still, acquiring such resources is not easy. Moreover, we have no confirmed information that they possess someone capable of that."
"Mr. James, it seems you haven't received the latest report. The last attack occurred a few weeks ago."
James froze for a moment. He had no knowledge of this.
But since it came from the Director, it was likely accurate—and possibly classified by the government.
All eyes turned toward her.
"Ahem… A few weeks ago, the Human Cult attacked the hero G-Purple in Semali City. During the attack, they were equipped with the latest technology, AUX-27. As for the bomb… it appears to be a ZMN-48 model."
Normally, these people attack low-level heroes in groups using knives and rifles. The heroes, trying not to kill them, often end up injured, dead, or crippled.
"However, for those who may not know—G-Purple is a B-rank hero."
Diana's eyes sharpened.
The room fell into stunned silence. These lunatics had managed to acquire technological weapons.
Such weapons were reserved exclusively for specialized government units. Yet now, a cult was using them against heroes.
"Hah… regardless, send this information to the Hero Association. Inform the government and the media that this was a technological malfunction and that there were no casualties. The students don't know enough about the situation—they will accept that version as the truth."
"Now, we need to strengthen our security measures. At the same time, we must determine why they chose to detonate the bomb during class rather than when students were arriving."
"For the next month, reduce the academy barrier's defensive output by half and activate the detection systems."
"Director… are you suggesting they infiltrated the academy?"
"No. If they had attempted infiltration during that time, they would have been detected. This is something else… something we do not yet understand."
"James, I'm assigning this to you. Investigate the academy without alarming the students."
James was surprised. He couldn't understand why the teachers and the director kept interrupting his speech, but when he looked around the room, he suddenly realized it.
The relationship between the government and superpowered individuals was not that good. That's why the two teachers and the director kept cutting him off—because if the wrong words reached the wrong ears…
James swallowed hard and sat down.
"Also, increase protection for the S and A classes scheduled to leave campus in two months."
"Director, what about the B and C classes?"
"Fornerd, as the B-class instructor, do you believe additional protection is necessary for B and C classes?"
"Director, the Cult could target them as well!"
"Listen carefully, Fornerd. B, C, and D classes are not targeted for elimination—not here, nor in other academies. Organizations prefer to recruit individuals from those ranks. They are… valuable in a different way."
"N-no, but—!"
"Fornerd, students in A and S classes are supported to ensure they do not grow to resent their countries. This has always been the case. However, B, C, and D classes are different. There are simply too many of them, and the government does not allocate that level of funding. In the end… they see it as a waste of resources."
Fornerd clenched his fists, his entire body trembling with anger.
"H-hey, Fornerd, calm down. No matter how cruel it sounds, it's the truth. Director Diana didn't say this to insult us," said Mei, the C-class teacher. Her expression reflected a burden she had long since accepted.
Fornerd glared at her, teeth clenched, before finally exhaling and leaving the room.
Diana rested her arms on the desk. Her expression remained unreadable.
Superhumans and ordinary humans had learned to coexist. However, as villains continued to slaughter the families of ordinary people—and as lower-ranked ability users supported them out of inferiority—conflict had begun to rise once again.
After the Superpower War, humanity was divided into five nations. Where once there had been hundreds, now only five remained. By agreement, superpowered individuals were forbidden from holding high-ranking government positions.
Even in peace, true equality never existed.
This was the fundamental truth of humanity:
The strong dominate the weak.
And if you value the weak too much… they will overstep, grow arrogant, and eventually turn against you.
"The meeting is over. You may leave. We will reconvene once we have further updates. Thank you for coming."
With that, the room slowly emptied.
---
Noah wandered through the academy, eventually making his way to one of its most remote areas—a forest.
The academy itself was as vast as a city.
Looking at the trees reminded him of his adoptive family.
My adoptive father, Oliver, told me and my sister Sarah to be careful.
Sarah struggled to hold back her tears as we embraced.
And yet… I felt nothing.
Love. Longing. Sadness.
I understood those emotions. I could imitate them.
But eventually, even that lost its meaning.
I simply acted based on what a person should feel in a given situation.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
But there was one emotion I truly felt.
Happiness.
Killing heroes… taking their abilities… feeling myself grow stronger…
That feeling—
It was unforgettable.
I was six when I first gained a power.
I had been abandoned in an orphanage, sitting alone on tree branches, just like now.
Some brats called me a monster because of my red eyes and empty expression.
Then they called me a villain.
And threw stones.
I didn't care.
They couldn't even hit me properly.
But then… something awakened.
I don't know how to describe it.
Anger.
Contempt.
Like watching an ant claim it could kill an elephant—
I looked down on them.
The last thing I remember… was snapping a child's neck.
And gaining telekinesis.
After that, I was imprisoned.
They asked why I killed them.
I didn't answer.
Then Oliver came.
He adopted me.
The Valier family was warm.
They showed me kindness.
Treated me like I belonged.
Eventually… I felt something close to guilt.
So I pretended.
Pretended to feel.
Pretended to care.
But when I was nine… I met a man.
A pedophile.
A rapist.
His ability was teleportation.
And it became mine.
He approached me like I was prey.
But I broke him.
The desperation in his eyes… the way he begged…
He was buying time.
Because his ability had a limit.
He had used it to travel across countries.
And now it needed thirty minutes to recharge.
I understood that.
Breaking people.
Crushing their hope.
Forcing them to submit.
Yes…
That feeling.
P L E A S U R E.
Taking their abilities… feeling myself grow stronger…
That was even better.
So I decided.
I would kill heroes.
And take everything from them.
After that, I hunted someone gifted in telekinesis.
Another for magnetism.
Then I used iron dust to create armor—something like a medieval knight.
D-Rank Super Body.
Teleportation.
Cloning.
Telekinesis.
Magnetism.
Shadow.
Perception.
Siren Voice.
Mimic.
Even after killing so many… I still failed to obtain many abilities.
But I learned something.
The longer I stayed close to someone…
The higher my chances of taking their power.
"—I'm here."
Ah.
My guest had arrived.
I activated my shadow ability.
It had countless functions.
Too many to even list.
To others, I only revealed shadow step and telekinesis.
I hid everything else.
My body melted into shadow, reshaping completely.
Yet even in this form…
My smile remained.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fornerd."
Fornerd was a B-class teacher. Unlike S and A classes, all other classes were supervised by B-rank teachers. A-rank teachers were either former heroes or individuals who had retired from hero duty and become instructors. They did not teach any classes other than S and A.
"You don't know me very well, Mr. Fornerd, b—"
"Stop wasting my time! Who are you!? What do you want!? Why did you contact me!?"
"I want to ask you something. Is society equal?"
"What?"
"I'm asking if society is equal. Tell me—can you only reach B rank? But do ranks define what we are as humans? Our effort, our thoughts, our ideas… Is it fair that everything is compressed into a single letter?"
Fornerd looked at the smiling shadow in the trees and listened carefully. Suddenly, the voice echoed from behind him, then from his right, and then from all around the forest. He could no longer tell where it was coming from.
"Yes... this is the Siren Voice ability."
Yes, this was the Siren Voice ability. It had been obtained from a former villain I had killed—the Lust Princess. Her ability was simple: she seduced men with her voice and used them for assassination. However, it did not work on heroes of C+ rank or higher.
But I wasn't singing. I was instead triggering his inferiority complex and using it to manipulate him.
And yes, I had already heard the meeting. I infiltrated it by hiding inside Fornerd's shadow, and since Light wasn't present, no one noticed me. After all, I'm not called a Z-rank villain for nothing.
"You are not the one at fault, Teacher Fornerd. This society, these people are the ones who are wrong! CAN YOUR EFFORTS REALLY BE MEASURED BY A SINGLE FUCKING LETTER B!?"
Fornerd clenched his teeth. His breathing became heavy. His eyes began to tremble.
As I looked at his face, my smile widened.
"Y-yes… why does just a SINGLE FUCKING LETTER B determine my entire life!?"
"Mr. Fornerd, let's make a deal. I am the leader of the Human Cult. You may call me… Sebastian."
"The purpose of that attack was to identify individuals like you—thoughtful, perceptive, and aware. And you have been chosen by our God."
At that moment, the surroundings darkened. A single beam of light descended from the sky, directly onto Fornerd.
Fornerd froze. Then he dropped to his knees, raised his hands to the sky, and began laughing uncontrollably.
Even Noah, who was watching from the shadows, was shocked.
I only wanted a dramatic effect… but this guy's sanity seems to have snapped completely.
Anyway, I quickly created a clone. Then I used the Mimic ability to alter its appearance.
As Fornerd looked up, he saw a blonde figure with white wings descending from the sky. He was completely speechless. The "angel" gave him a calm, peaceful smile.
"O chosen one of God… The government has become corrupt. The heroes have become corrupt. Our God wishes to bring change to this world. Tell me…"
The angel slowly descended, clasping its hands together and closing its eyes.
"Tell me… do you wish to become God's warrior and rise to the very top?"
Fornerd was stunned. Tears began to form in his eyes as he answered.
The angel, struggling not to laugh, gently wiped the tears from his cheeks.
"Then, Fornerd, I assign you a mission. You are a teacher. Unlike others, it is in your hands to awaken those students. Teach them the truth, Fornerd."
The angel withdrew its hand slowly.
"I trust you, Fornerd. You will become a leader for our future. If you ever wish to speak with God again, come to the same place. I trust you."
Fornerd reached out to touch the angel, but suddenly everything was swallowed by darkness.
He found himself standing beside a lake, surrounded by flowers. At first he was confused, but soon his eyes filled with determination as he began walking back toward the academy.
Watching from the shadows, Noah left his clone behind. The clone returned to the forest and hid there, ready to respond if Fornerd made contact.
Human Cult… it seems I owe you something.
If I ever encounter one of your members, I won't kill them—unless it becomes absolutely necessary.
With that thought, he slowly walked away.
And somewhere deep in his mind, the fox had already begun planning a thousand different moves.
Author:Zeravon