The battlefield fell silent.
All eyes were locked on the two figures standing amidst the ashes of the fallen beast. Awe and disbelief swept through the school as whispers turned into stunned murmurs.
> "Is he really a Rank 6?"
"Did Kaen just use green lightning?"
"I thought he was the weakest in the entire school!"
The once-ignored Kaen now stood at the center of a storm of attention, his power undeniable. And Josh—the boy no one knew—had just wielded a force that not even Rank S students had mastered.
Josh turned to Kaen, surprise still etched into his face. "That... that was insane. You—"
Kaen gave a sheepish smile, barely able to stand. "I guess I had it in me after all."
Suddenly, the system pinged in Josh's mind.
> DING!
Level Up!
Rank increased: S.
Basic Power Unlocked: Power Type – Erasure
Erasure Level 1: Active.
Before they could even process the message, a thunderous cheer erupted across the school grounds. Students gathered around them, clapping, shouting, chanting their names. The wave of admiration was overwhelming.
Moments later, the Rank S students finally arrived—only to find the battlefield cleared and no remaining threat. They were too late. All they found were rumors echoing through the corridors: two unknowns had defeated a demon beast.
---
The Principal's Office
Josh and Kaen were summoned immediately to the principal's office.
The room was vast and elegant, with enchanted crystal lanterns floating mid-air and magical bookshelves that shifted based on the user's needs. An ancient phoenix feather floated in a glass case behind the desk, glowing faintly. The walls were lined with maps of mystical realms and portraits of past legendary students.
At the center sat Mr. Zed, the principal of Argent High for Arcane Arts—a man in his late fifties, with long gray hair tied back, piercing gold eyes, and a cloak lined with symbols of power and authority.
He eyed them both intensely.
> "How did you two do it?" he asked, voice calm but sharp. "Where did you train? Who's your master?"
Josh stepped forward without hesitation. "We are our masters."
There was a long pause.
Mr. Zed narrowed his eyes, as though trying to see through their souls. Finally, he gave a slight smirk and stood from his chair.
> "Very well. I don't know how... but you've earned this."
He turned to the ornate chest behind him, opened it, and pulled out two white badges—the mark of Rank S students, the highest tier in the academy.
> "From this day on, you both hold Rank S. Don't waste it."
He handed them the badges.
Kaen's father observed the boys quietly from a distance, a smirk of approval tugging at the corner of his lips.
School closed.
On their way home, Josh finally broke the silence.
"Hey… I'm sorry for punching you. And for what I said. I was angry. I didn't mean it."
Kaen sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought up your past like that. It was cruel."
They exchanged a tired glance and smiled. The tension melted.
As they walked, Josh asked, "What was that power you used back there? I thought you were weak!"
Kaen looked genuinely confused. "What power?"
Josh's eyes widened. "Whaaaat?! You went full-blown lightning demon mode and you don't remember?"
Kaen only blinked, shaking his head. "I swear I don't."
They reached home, laughter still in the air. But as they stepped inside, Kaen's father stood waiting—arms folded.
"What exactly happened at school?" he asked, voice sharp and direct.
A chill swept the room. Silence.
Then he stepped forward… and pulled both boys into a hug.
"Thank you—for saving the school."
Later that night, they had dinner together and returned to their room. Talk of magic, monsters, and madness filled their conversations until sleep eventually claimed them.
---
The Next Day – At the School Gate
Josh and Kaen arrived early. The sky was golden, the gates crowded. Just as they stepped in, a familiar voice called out.
It was the bully—the tier 2 student Josh had once defeated.
He stepped forward, fists clenched, tears in his eyes.
"You… you defeated me in the hallway. Then you saved my life. Why?!"
Josh's voice was calm. "It felt right. No one deserves to die. No one should be left behind."
The boy's lips trembled. "But… how can someone like you even exist?"
He broke down, tears spilling.
"All my life… I've struggled. My classmates, my parents—everyone beat me down. I had to become powerful just to survive. I acted tough, I bullied the weak... so I wouldn't be the one getting hurt. I thought that's how you gain respect…"
Josh looked into his eyes.
"No," he said softly. "You built walls to protect yourself… but somewhere along the line, you started hurting others just to feel safe. That's not power. That's pain."
The boy's mouth fell open, speechless.
Then he felt something—a warmth.
Josh's hand rested gently on his shoulder.
"Being weak isn't a crime. And no one deserves to be punished for it."