Rumble…

“Everyone get down!” Hiro shouted. The train had just barely stopped at the station, and a villain was already on a rampage. At least the train was stopped. He pried the doors open. Phew, the serum worked at least.

CRASH! The building directly in front of him crumbled in an instant. The ground rumbled, and began to split. Tightening his backpack and running at full speed he stumbled, but still managed to grab the boy who was about to fall down the splitting earth.

He looked back at the train. Screams and frightened faces filled the area. He looked around and muttered, “Where are the heroes?” 

He turned back to the boy, “Are you okay?” The little boy clung tightly to his chest, not saying a word. Just shaking. “It’s gonna be okay, I’m gonna–”

BOOM! Another explosion, but this time smoke filled the area. Must’ve hit an electrical line. His eyes stung for a brief moment but the pain quickly eased. The serum was working. He looked down at the little boy again whose eyes were slammed shut and was wheezing between coughs. He ran backwards as fast as possible, only turning his back for a brief moment to set the boy down. But the boy clung to him even harder. “Sir Hero,” the boy's eyes were now red with tears, “m-my sister. She-she–” he burst into tears squeezing him even harder. 

Hiro patted the boy’s head with is one free arm, “You’re okay now, where are your–”

“What a pain,” a gruff voice emanated from the smoke causing Hiro to shiver, “I was supposed to take that boy myself.” A tall man, who wore the most basic outfit and omitted the shoes, walked out from the smoke. “A real mess,” he groaned as he rubbed his bald head. 

From what he could tell, this man was the source of the tremors. A villain. And he was going to take this kid? Hiro held onto the boy tighter now, doing his best to get into a defensive position. It’s alright, all I need to do is stall long enough for the heroes to arrive. 

“Everyone, please leave, it’s not safe!” He could only hope that the fellow train-riders could get away. Some did run, but there was no way of knowing how many remained. 

The villain just laughed. “You think yourself a hero? Hah! That’s funny.” He wiped a tear from his eye, as if what he proposed was so ridiculous. “You’re so small! You may have muscles but that will pose no threat to me.” 

While the villain continued his monologue, he took the chance to whisper to the kid. “I can only help you and your sister if you do one thing for me, hide as fast as you can.” The kid protested for only a moment before running away. 

“Well little hero, if you aren't quaking in your boots already,” he slammed his hand on the ground causing it to split again, “you will be soon,” the cracks stopped just before him, and before Hiro could react the villain pinned him to the ground. “For I am Quake!”

If it weren’t for the splitting pain radiating throughout his body, Quake's smile would’ve caused his will to waver. He bit the inside of his cheek trying to mitigate the pain flaring his chest, then pushed away as hard as he could. But Quake was too strong. What do I do? I can’t die just as soon as I get here! This was quite the welcome to Strara–or more like Sefillia–capital of the greatest Hero Academy in the world. 

“Damn child!” Quake’s grip lessened, and Hiro was finally able to push the villain away from him. The little boy he had saved was peering from behind a train stall, his eyes glowing a bright yellow. The boy couldn’t have been more than 7 years old, but was already powerful enough to knock back a villain. So that’s why the villain was interested. But where–no time for this. Gotta focus. Quake was pushed back by another gust of wind. 

He stood up, getting ready to fight. There was no way Hiro could beat him at his state. After all, he only just managed to activate a power through the super serum. He barely even knew what it did. But, Quake’s fighting style was clearly that of a wild beast. Something similar to a boar. Direct, powerful, but not very adaptable. He twisted his body into a defensive martial arts form. 

Quake came at him again and he swerved behind Quake and kicked him in the knee, “Sloppy,” he said. If he could manage to make Quake target him then he’ll forget about everyone else. “Even a wannabe hero like me can take you down.”

“Cocky little brat,” Quake turned around, still recovering from the blow to the knee, “Did you forget I already got you once!” Quake barreled forward, the ground cracking underneath him with every step. “Don’t get ahead of yourself!”

He flipped to the side right before impact. He landed a little wonky due to the unstable ground but Quake was off balance again. He hurled a loose piece of the ground directly at the villain. “I’m bringing you to justice!”

The piece shattered midair, “Sure you are!” he laughed again, “Good luck with that!”

Quake came at him again, the ground rumbling and cracking even more. It was getting even harder to stand. He managed to block the next few attacks but couldn’t make a counterattack. Crack! Another one of ribs felt as if it shattered. And then another. There was no way he could keep this up much longer. He glanced back at the boy for a moment who was still hiding behind the train stall. I just need to hold on a little longer… He was sent flying back into the open train. “No… there’s still people in–”

“Stand down villain!” A commanding voice boomed overhead. 

Then Quake was wrapped in metal bindings that seemed to come out of nowhere. He couldn’t really tell what happened after since the little boy now stood in front of him. Tears and fear drenching his face. “Sir hero!” The boy fell to his knees, “Are you gonna be okay?” Sniffing between words the boy tried to stop his tears. 

He managed a smile, “Yeah, I’ll be okay, don’t worry.” There was no telling if it would be a lie, but the boy managed a smile.
“Do you think you can um… help me find my sister?”

He blinked. “I uh–I can see what I can do.”

The boy threw his arms around him once again. But he grunted as pain flared up from impact. “Oh, sorry. Sir um…” The boy pulled away, “what’s your name Sir hero?”

“It’s Hiro.”

“So I was right?!” The boy giggled, “What a silly name.”

Hiro managed to chuckle, “Yeah. But fitting right?” 

The boy nodded vigorously, “It really is! My name is Milo Natsu, and my sister Miscella…” his voice trailed off, and Hiro did his best to pat his head.

Straining through the pain he managed to say a few words, “Wll, Milo Natsu, you are so strong so just hold on a little longer. The heroes will find her.” 

A tall figure shadowed over them, “Is this him?” Hiro could make out only a few details, as his vision continued to blur. But she was unmistakable. The number 3 hero of Strara, Zella Gears. “Little one,” her voice changed to sound smooth, as if she wanted to soothe the pain around her, “do you know this boy?”

Milo looked between Zella and Hiro, “His name is Hiro, and he’s the hero who saved me just now.”

Zella smiled, “Really now, well, we need to take care of him. Would you mind going with my friends here to the safety shelter?”

Milo's face froze with a moment of fear. “But my sister is still–”

Hiro put a hand on his back, “Trust her okay? She’s a great hero. She’ll help find her.”

The boy who he just saved walked away, and only glanced back once to see Hiro slump over. His eyes closed. 

“The exam!” Hiro shouted as he sat up. He was in a hospital bed. His body felt a whole lot better but still throbbed in pain.
“Ah, so you’re awake.” Zella stood by the doorframe, “Perfect timing.”

The medic was hovering over him with a holo-tab open. “His recovery is almost complete. But his body is oddly adjusting to the treatment so there’s no way to tell when the pain will go away.”

“Good,” Zella approached the bed. “Why is the treatment not working?”

“Well,” the medic said, “He is actually recovering faster than I have seen in powerless child. Looks like…” she pressed a button before nodding, “he took the serum recently.”

Zella looked down at him, “So, Hiro was it?” 

“Y-yes,” Hiro stuttered against his will. He was more nervous than he thought. Granted, he was now face to face with one of the best heroes in Strara. Not only that, her ability and combat sense were spectacular. If she had more footage of her close-quarters combat, Hiro would’ve studied it alongside Elvin’s. But, she has so much control over her power that there’s hardly ever a need to fight full out. 

“The Hero Organization would like to commend you on your service today. I’m sorry I couldn’t get there sooner.”

“No it’s–” Hiro was about to protest when Zella held up a hand.

“But,” Zella sighed, “We unfortunately can’t commend you directly. You are an uncertified civilian, who still hasn’t even registered a power type. So, I would like to let you know, we will do our best to reward you with something you desire, as long as it isn’t anything like fame yet. Apologies.”

Hiro looked at the clock. “Do you think you could get me to the Academy in 20 minutes?”

Zella looked blankly at the time for a moment. “Ah, I see. The exam,” She smiled, “I think we can manage that.”

After signing a few non-disclosure documents, and submitting a quick report, he found himself in the front of the Academy examination building. He was left with some parting words though. He needed to make sure to do well, since she’d love to work alongside him as a hero one day. 

“You can't be a hero.” 

He's heard those words more times than he could remember. From so many different people. But, how could he not? That was the only option. The only thing he wanted to be. So why shouldn't he?

“You're power-less, you can't even sign up as a student.”

All he could do was smile. “Then I'll be the first.” After receiving their glares he'd follow up with, “There was a first hero right? Then why not a power-less one?” Or he'd shrug, “Who says I won't develop one?”

Hiro could never understand why so many told him no. That he couldn't do anything. Couldn't be a hero for a reason as simple as, he didn't have any power. However, in this situation… power would've been great. Since the practical exam was just that. A show of power. 

“Hey you,” her voice pierced his ears, especially as it turned into yet another patronizing scoff and mocking laughter.”Pfft, I can’t believe you actually had the nerve to come here. A talentless weakling can never become a hero.”

He could hear a few other snickers coming from the mob of kids now gathered at the Academy gates. If it weren’t for the massive distraction of the overwhelmingly huge city that this school made, he might have acknowledged her comment. One he was all too familiar with. 

“Tch, whatever. I refuse to believe they would waste a spot on you.” She brushed past him, purposely making him stumble and realize she existed again through the mass of hopeful student candidates. 

“Akiyama,” he said, allowing a small grin through, “Good luck.” 

She stormed off, and if she could’ve there would have been steam coming from her beat red face. He would never understand why she was so angry. After all, he figured out what she was. A rival. Someone after that top spot; to be the number 1 hero. And the best and almost only way to make it there was to attend the Academy. 

“I hear he has no power.” The whispers began. Hiro already knew it would be coming. He seemed to draw the hatred of the entire world for not being gifted. For having no power. A power is what Erisians began to call their superpowers. It probably came from some overzealous holotube person over a hundred years ago. And it’s practically required to have one. 

Hiro looked at his hand, curling it into a fist. But yesterday morning he managed to take the serum. Not the best time, if only he could’ve taken it earlier.  But, all that mattered was that he had one, and could now officially enter the Academy. As a hero student. 

He made his way through the front gate, and was given his entrance codes for the entrance exam. But the exam was not what he thought it would be. 

The test portion wasn’t too terrible. He did decent, and sometimes really well in his studies, but the practical was just.. Uhg. 

“Seriously?” A blue-haired boy whined next to him, “This is such a waste of time. Are you sure you want to do this?”

A red skinned boy with white hair sighed, “I told you. This is important to me. Perhaps you could lighten up. It may do you some good.”

Hiro glanced at him. Who would ever complain about a test for a dream school? The guy had this look on his face as if to say; I don’t want to be here. 

“Aren’t you here to be a hero?” Hiro wanted to bite back his words once the guy looked at him. And smiled. Hiro shuddered. Just what was this guy’s problem? 

“Hah, right. All you people really care about this stuff don’t you?” He took Hiro and the red-boy by the shoulders. “Perhaps…” he lingered on the word, mocking his…friend’s? statement from before, “you two should be buddies. Relish the hero's life huh?”

Hiro had so many questions go through his mind but only managed to blurt out, “Huh?”

“Rivas, my new buddy uh…” blue-hair looked at Hiro, “help me out here,” he whispered.

“Hiro.”

“Right, my bud Hiro…” he bit back a laugh. “Wait, Hiro? Isn’t that–”

“On the nose?” Hiro sighed, “Yes, but it’s fitting. I’m going to be the next number 1 hero.”

“Of Strara?” Rivas blinked in amazement. 

Hiro shook his head, “Of Eris.”

The two guys looked shocked, but then the blue one smiled and laughed as he clapped him on the back. “Whaddaya know. Maybe this won’t be such a drag after all.” 

“Reiki…” Rivas pulled him back, giving Hiro some space. “Sorry about him. He’s a bit much, but not too terrible once you get to know him.”

“Hey!”

“Anyway,” he did a slight bow, “My name is Rivas. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance.”

“Uh, yeah. You too.” Hiro bowed awkwardly back, not used to this proper etiquette. “I’m Hiro.” 

“And the overbearing bundle of energy is Reiki.”

“Wow,” Reiki shook his head, “And I lost my introduction rights.” He cleared his throat, “The name is Reiki, and the pleasure is all yours.”

Hiro cocked an eyebrow. If it weren’t for the bell, this odd introduction may have gone on longer. 

Reiki clicked his tongue. 

“And the system beckons,” he snapped his fingers and smirked, “to become glorified idols. Maybe even save some villains.” His almost villainous smile returned, causing Hiro to flinch. 

Hiro was given his number and entered the arena when it was his turn. The practical test was outrageously simple. Yet, the most difficult. All he had to do was attack a training dummy. Reiki and Rivas were done long before Hiro was even allowed inside the main waiting room. Once it was his turn, he couldn’t help but hold his breath.