February 25th, 2013 — Monday Morning at Oakwood Highschool Academy
Kai dragged himself through classes like always, his bored expression his most loyal companion. It wasn't that he cared about social interactions, but of course, he couldn't help but notice Kiana glaring at him every now and then. He chose to ignore it. There was no time to waste worrying about that.
When the break finally came, Jacob appeared at the classroom door once again. He gestured toward Kai, who only lifted his head enough to catch the scene.
A boy rushed past Jacob, accidentally bumping into him. Jacob opened his mouth, ready to say something, but quickly shut it the moment he saw who it was. Kai observed, raising an eyebrow as the blond-haired, dark-eyed boy made his way directly to Kiana's desk.
The boy, visibly at ease, approached her with a confident smile.
"First place in the tournament, huh? Congrats. Your fight was really good."
Kiana glanced at him with mild disinterest, but her eyes quickly shifted—frowning—toward Kai, who was heading for the door.
Kai, without giving much attention to what was happening behind him, walked out, Jacob following close behind.
The blond boy, Christopher, watched Kai leave and turned back to Kiana.
"Hey… What's up? What's with the stare?" he asked.
Kiana didn't answer right away, but one of her friends nearby stepped in.
"He's a nobody. New student. Made a fool out of Kiana twice… But he's kinda cute."
Kiana rolled her eyes and answered with indifference.
"Ugh."
Chris, still not fully grasping the situation, pressed further.
"He disrespected you? Seriously? Some people have no sense at all. Want me to take care of him for you?"
Kiana shot back quickly and firmly.
"No! Drop it, Chris. If I want to handle it, I'll do it myself."
Chris grinned, but the look in his eyes made it clear he wasn't entirely convinced.
Meanwhile, Kai walked away from the classroom, heading down one of the school's corridors toward where Dimitry and the other rooftop boys were waiting.
With his usual calm tone and serious gaze, he asked.
"Jacob, why'd you bow your head to that guy back there?"
Jacob kept walking, but answered honestly.
"He's rich. And he's ranked higher than Dimitry in the school's physical aptitude rankings. He's got his own group, and we've got ours. His group's the elite around here."
"I see… So he's another star student like Kiana. What's the ranking gap between him and Dimitry?"
"Dimitry's 11th in the school. That guy, Christopher… he's 4th. Dimitry was supposed to have new tests this week to climb higher, but now…" Jacob swallowed hard, glancing at Kai before finishing, "With his hand messed up, it's not happening."
The conversation ended there as they kept walking.
When they reached the far end of the agreed-upon corridor, the other guys—seeing Kai—immediately lowered their heads. But Dimitry, with his bandaged hand, stayed firm. He pulled a wad of bills from his pocket and held it out toward Kai.
"Here. Your thousand dollars," Dimitry said, his voice darker than usual.
Kai took the money and slipped it into his pocket without a hint of surprise. He looked at Dimitry seriously, staying silent for a moment before asking.
"So… got anything new to tell me?"
Dimitry let out a long sigh, clearly drained.
"Not much. My hand's wrecked. I had two physical tests scheduled this week… plus a match lined up. Now I'm gonna start losing sponsorships. And without the deliveries, I'm out of cash too."
Kai stared at him with cold detachment.
"Your hand's your own fault. Ever thought about getting a part-time job?" he said calmly.
Silence hung heavy between them.
Kai continued, his tone sharpening.
"You've got a mission now. Not sure if Jacob passed on the message, but from now on, you're not letting anyone get bullied in front of you. And one more thing… Find out who else is handling these delivery requests. If you want money, take it from them."
Dimitry nodded wordlessly. He knew he didn't have a choice.
Jacob stepped forward with an awkward suggestion.
"Boss… I mean, Kai… Why don't you sign up for the physical aptitude tests and fight for the school? You could earn some real status here. Considering you beat Dimitry, you'd be just as famous as Kiana."
Kai slowly turned to him, voice calm but eyes sharp.
"Because I'm not interested in attention. I'll give orders from where I am… in the shadows… without anyone knowing. At least until I shut down this delivery racket. And when people talk about me, don't call me 'Kai' or 'boss.'"
Jacob, giving one last shot, asked.
"Then how about 'Grayson'?"
Kai shrugged, clearly unimpressed.
"Nope. That won't work either. I'm the only Grayson here… way too obvious."He paused for a second, then added."Use 'Grey.' But don't call me that here at school."
One of the other boys, Joshua, looked at Kai and asked.
"Grey? Like… the color?"
Kai shot him a look of mild irritation.
"Does it matter?" he answered, rolling his eyes.
"Shut up, Josh," Jacob muttered, giving him a sharp elbow to the arm.
And with that, the conversation was over. Class was about to start again, and Kai headed back to the room, leaving the group behind in silence.
The rest of the day passed without any major issues. Kai decided to head straight home afterward. The exhaustion and frustration from Friday's failed Void training still lingered, irritating him more than he cared to admit. But when he got home, there was at least one small thing that left him mildly satisfied—his savings had now reached $1,160. One step closer to his $2,500 goal.
February 26th, 2013 — Oakwood Highschool Academy
As morning arrived and the day for the physical aptitude tests drew closer, Kai knew he just needed to get through it. At Oakwood, where the facilities were top-tier, the tests were no joke. The school had several gymnasiums, and to streamline things, each class was assigned a different testing area.
The first students began being called up, and soon whispers started circulating among the more attentive ones. Someone mentioned that sponsors were present, and shortly after, several well-dressed figures in suits were seen entering the school's meeting rooms. It seemed the school wasn't just testing physical ability—there was some financial or larger interest behind all this.
The tests covered several categories: strength, speed, and precision—each using specific equipment tailored for the task. Every gymnasium was huge, with bleachers and clear divisions between the classes. Kai followed the process without showing a trace of anxiety. The test meant nothing to him. He'd already decided to do the bare minimum to avoid drawing attention.
When it was Kiana's turn, all eyes were on her. She executed every task flawlessly, breaking her own records and securing her spot as second in the overall school ranking. Her performance was impeccable, but she still looked unsatisfied—like she was waiting for something more.
When Kai's turn came, he did just enough not to stand out. His performance was average, exactly what one would expect from any regular student at the school. After finishing the last event, he started walking back to his seat, but before he could sit down, Kiana's voice reached him.
"So full of yourself, rude, and in the end, just another mediocre nobody," she said, her sarcastic tone laced with lingering frustration from the past few days.
Her words triggered something deep in Kai—a memory from his past life. A cruel comment made by his own mother during a moment of anger. Even knowing she hadn't meant it, the bitterness had stayed with him all these years. That same tone of contempt now stirred a silent fury inside him.
Kai's steps slowed. His usual disinterested expression shifted into something more serious. The irritation boiled over.
With a cold stare, he answered—more to himself than to her.
"You know… this shallow little world you live in… and that comment… just shows how pathetic and meaningless your life really is. It's a shame. Seems like awful people get praised around here. Honestly… the world would be a better place without people like you."
Kiana's eyes widened, her brows pulling together in pure rage. The frustration she'd been bottling up finally erupted, and before she could stop herself, she slapped him—hard.
Kai didn't flinch. He let the slap happen. His Viltrumite durability absorbed the impact easily. His head turned slightly from the force, but his gaze never left her. The strike was strong—he felt it—but it didn't hurt. Not really. He was too lost in his own anger… too caught in memories.
The sound of the slap echoed through the gym. For a few seconds, silence blanketed the area.
Kai looked at her with that same cold, detached stare, then turned and began walking away without saying a word. Whispers spread quickly among the students nearby as he left.
Kiana sat down on the bleachers, her face flushed with both anger and embarrassment. She seemed agitated, visibly shaken by what she'd just done.
"I lost it… Used too much force… Could've seriously hurt him," she said to her friends, clearly unhappy with her reaction.
Megan, one of her friends, tried to calm her down.
"Oh, don't worry about it. He walked away just fine. Maybe you didn't hit him as hard as you think. Besides, it's kinda his fault for being like that."
Ester, another friend, was more blunt—smiling as she spoke.
"That kid honestly deserved it. Should've hit him even harder."
Kiana remained irritated but couldn't shake off the guilt building up inside her.
I shouldn't have done that… I have powers… damn it…
Meanwhile, Kai had found a secluded corner of the school. He sat alone, trying to calm himself down. Samuel—the boy he'd helped earlier—approached and sat beside him.
"Dude… you kinda went off on her," Samuel commented, sensing the heavy air around them.
Kai replied with a simple.
"Yeah…"
Outwardly calm, but inside… the frustration still burned.
February 26th, 2013 — Oakwood Highschool Academy
In other classrooms, the physical aptitude tests continued. Some students stood out with their abilities, while others—whose parents were major contributors to the school—were being called in to meet with sponsors. Among them was Brandon Thorton.
Brandon entered the meeting room, where he was greeted by a tall, dark-skinned man with a shaved head and a scar running from his forehead to his chin on the left side of his face. The man exuded authority, and Brandon immediately knew he was about to make an important deal.
"Sit down, Brandon," the man said, his voice calm but commanding. "My name is Radcliffe."
Without hesitation, Brandon took a seat across from him.
"Yeah, I know who you are. You're one of the sponsors, right? I know you trained Bruce—the current number one at this school."
Radcliffe nodded, a faint smile on his lips.
"Exactly. Though I'm not exactly a sponsor… I offer certain opportunities to select students here. I'm one of the founders of this institution. Our goal is to prepare capable young individuals."
Brandon leaned forward, his interest clear.
"So… what's the offer, sir?" he asked, already anticipating something big.
Radcliffe's expression turned more serious as he leaned in.
"Well, in your case… it's an investment. Just like we did with Bruce and Christopher, you'd be eligible for a substance that enhances your physical potential—and may even grant you a special ability."
Brandon's malicious grin widened. His mind replayed the beating he'd taken from Kai—feeding his hunger for power and revenge.
"How much is this investment?" Brandon asked, fully prepared to agree to whatever number came next.
Radcliffe took a deep breath, his tone dropping even lower.
"Don't think it's cheap. We called you here because we know your family runs a multinational empire. The cost for this substance and its application is one and a half million dollars. While it enhances your physical abilities, the results vary from person to person. It might work… or it might not. Still… think your family will back you on this?"
Brandon smiled with pure satisfaction. The prospect of power—of finally putting everything back in its place—was too tempting.
"Deal!" he answered without hesitation, already picturing his revenge against Kai and his new status at the school.
Radcliffe extended his hand, and Brandon shook it, sealing the agreement. The air in the room seemed heavier—as if the weight of the decision lingered like an invisible shadow, and the promise of power and recognition was now within reach.
"So… when do I get the injection?" Brandon asked.
"Once the payment clears, you'll undergo the procedure and be kept under observation for two to four weeks," Radcliffe replied with his usual composed tone.
Brandon stood up, practically buzzing with excitement.
"I'll make the payment later this week," he said as he headed for the door.
After Brandon left, another man in a suit entered the room.
The red-haired, bearded man pulled out a chair and sat across from Radcliffe.
"Russell, what did you think of the aptitude tests so far?" Radcliffe asked, folding his hands in front of his face.
"I'm impressed. You were right fifteen years ago when you insisted on using this school. I should've bought a larger share," Russell said, glancing at him.
Radcliffe simply smiled with an air of superiority.
"Any chance we'll be able to replicate more of that serum, or are we still limited to the old stock?" Russell asked.
"We've made progress, but we still haven't identified or isolated the factor that triggers the abilities. Unfortunately, even when we replicate the exact formula… the new batches don't work," Radcliffe explained.
"That's a shame. We could've built an army of enhanced individuals. We could've controlled everything," Russell said with a sigh. "And the old vials? No notes?"
"We still have no idea what Dr. Gero did. Every old vial we recovered from him works… but none of the new ones do. The weird part is… even his formula didn't work before," Radcliffe replied.
"Maybe it's time-based? Maybe it activates over the years," Russell suggested.
"That wouldn't make sense. I've already had that checked. Something triggered the serum about three years ago. Since then, we've been testing it on several young subjects… and with blood samples, we're getting closer to isolating the factor that made it work," Radcliffe said, now visibly serious.
"Either way, with or without the serum, this school has been a smart investment. I'm at your disposal—just let me know if more opportunities come up," Russell added with a grin.
As their conversation continued elsewhere…
In one of the second-year groups, a student approached Christopher—the current 4th ranked student at the school.
"Hey, boss. Kiana did her test. Broke her own records… but she still didn't surpass Bruce," the student said while checking something on his phone.
Christopher glanced at the video the student brought over, his eyes fixed on Kiana's performance.
"That girl… she's only ranked above me because I withdrew from the matches we were supposed to have. Handed her those wins on purpose…" Christopher said with a bored tone. "I could surpass her easily if we had a direct fight."
Still watching the video, his focus narrowed in on Kiana's movements. His expression softened into a smug smile.
"That's why I'm still in fourth place. Look at her… Fighting her would be a total waste. She's gorgeous, and her family's not bad either. They've got money. That girl's going to be mine," he said with a sly grin.
The student holding the phone hesitated before speaking.
"There was… another situation, boss."
Christopher raised an eyebrow, clearly interested.
"Situation? What kind of situation?" he asked.
The student zoomed in on another part of the video, showing Kiana arguing with a boy. The clip ended with her slapping him across the face—Kai, visibly annoyed, walking away.
"That kid again… the same one from the classroom the other day…" Christopher muttered, irritation creeping into his voice.
His eyes narrowed at the sight of Kai.
"Call David. It's time to cash in a few favors."
The student nodded and ran off to find David.
Christopher stayed seated, his satisfied smile growing.
"You messed with my girl… Now you're going to pay for it."
Meanwhile, Bruce—the school's number one—had been watching the whole thing from a distance. He walked over and sat beside Christopher on the upper bleachers, a little separated from the others who respected them but didn't dare act too familiar.
"So… causing trouble again this year? Still chasing after Kiana?" Bruce asked.
Christopher glanced at him, throwing an arm around Bruce's shoulders.
"Well, look who finally showed up. Thought you weren't coming today."
Bruce laughed, settling into his seat.
"Of course I showed up. You think I'd let you hog all the glory?"
They laughed together.
Bruce stretched, looking relaxed.
"So… what's this about David? Going to use that debt of his to make him do your dirty work again?"
Christopher smirked.
"Of course. Pawns need to remember their place."
Bruce raised an eyebrow, teasing.
"Guess that makes me a pawn too, huh? You paid for my injection, remember?"
Christopher laughed, giving Bruce a light pat on the back.
"You're different. Your family's loaded—they just disowned you. You were never a nobody. That's different." He laughed a bit more, clearly enjoying the banter.
Bruce smirked with irony.
"Good to know being born a Lawrence still counts for something."
Christopher laughed sincerely, pulling Bruce a little closer.
"You know, you're the only one I consider a real friend here. I was thinking… maybe we should hit up a strip club tonight. My treat. What do you say?"
Bruce sighed, weighing the offer.
"Gonna have to pass. I've got four deliveries this week and no one to handle them… Seems like the pawns aren't pulling their weight."
Christopher scoffed.
"Ridiculous. How hard can it be to rough up a few lowlifes and force them to run the deliveries? Only reason I don't handle it myself is to keep my image clean."
Bruce grinned with a hint of sarcasm.
"Relax. Once I'm done with these four deliveries this week, I'll take you up on that strip club offer."
They both laughed just as David arrived, making his way through the crowd.
David greeted both with respect.
"Bruce. Chris."
David turned to Christopher, keeping a formal tone.
"You asked for me?"
Christopher answered with a firm but friendly tone.
"Yeah. You're in your final year, and your debt for the injection is still halfway paid. I've got a job for you. If you do it well… I'll knock fifty grand off what you owe."
David nodded, clearly interested.
"What's the job?"
Christopher turned serious.
"There's a first-year kid. I want you to deal with him. I can't touch him personally—some people asked me not to—but I still want him handled."
David hesitated for a second.
"Do I need to handle this myself, or can I use my crew? We've got three deliveries this week."
Christopher's smirk returned.
"Business is booming. Bruce's group has four pending… yours has three… the other schools got two each… and as for the rookie crew here—no updates. Seems like their leader, that Dimitry kid, busted his hand."
Bruce chimed in without looking over.
"As long as he gets the deliveries done on time… that's all that matters. And the other schools? Scott's still managing that?"
"Yeah," Christopher confirmed with a nod. Then he turned back to David with a calculating look.
"Prioritize the deliveries… but deal with that first-year kid like I asked. Whether you handle it personally or send one of your flunkies… I don't care. Do this… and I'll wipe fifty grand off your debt."
David nodded quickly.
"Understood, Chris."
He turned to leave, but Christopher called him back.
"Hey, David… What's your current rank, by the way?"
David, turned his head slightly.
"Seventh," he replied without hesitation.
February 26th, 2013 – Tuesday Night
The day had passed without any major issues for Kai. After the physical aptitude test, he went home and spent the afternoon with Mark. Later, when Debbie arrived, the three of them had dinner together. The conversation was light, nothing dramatic. As always, Kai kept his calm and disinterested demeanor, while Mark excitedly talked about his new friends and how school was going. Debbie mentioned how her week was progressing and asked Kai about his adaptation to the new school.
After dinner, everyone retreated to their rooms. Still full of thoughts about the earlier training and the tension with Kiana, Kai lay down. Mark, as usual, followed him, chatting about how exhausting yet exciting school had been that day. Before long, both were asleep in that familiar silence.
Elsewhere…
While the world outside moved at its usual pace, Kiana lay in her bathtub, her face submerged in hot water. The water covered her eyes as she sank deeper, trying to drown out her own thoughts. She knew she'd overreacted with Kai—but something inside her just couldn't hold back. The slap she'd given him still echoed in her mind. As much as he deserved it… she knew she had used too much strength.
Why did I do that? she wondered, keeping her eyes closed and sinking deeper, guilt swirling inside her—not for Kai himself, but for the sheer force she'd used.
Her anger had flared with his comment. Something had snapped inside her. But at the same time, knowing her abilities went far beyond those of a normal person left her feeling uncomfortable… and more than a little regretful.
I used too much strength. He didn't deserve that… I could've seriously hurt him… she thought, feeling a knot tightening in her throat.
Lifting her head from the water, her wet hair fell over her shoulders as she let out a long, frustrated sigh.
I lost control… I shouldn't have hit him… I shouldn't have reacted like that... Closing her eyes again, she tried to calm her breathing.
Right then, she knew she couldn't just let things remain like this. The situation was far from over, and she'd have to deal with it somehow.
The Next Day – February 27th, 2013 – Wednesday Morning – Grayson Residence
Kai stood in the kitchen, making coffee while half-watching the TV. The news was covering Omni-Man in action at 5:08 AM—he had stopped a monster attack in Mexico. Kai listened absentmindedly as he finished preparing his coffee.
A few minutes later, Nolan walked into the kitchen, still wearing his hero suit.
"Watching?" Nolan asked with his usual confident smile.
Kai glanced at him, coffee cup in hand.
"More like listening while I finished making this," he replied casually. "But it looks like you took down another monster that would've given any hero a hard time."
Nolan smiled and sat at the table.
"Perks of being a Viltrumite, son."
He eyed the coffee pot on the counter.
"Got some left for me?"
Kai poured him a cup and handed it over. Nolan accepted it with a light grin.
"Lately… since you started at this new school… you seem less grumpy at home."
Kai, wearing his usual sarcastic expression, took a sip of coffee.
"You too. Every year you seem a little more present… a little less alien."
Nolan laughed, his tone warm.
"I love Mark, you, and your mom. I'll protect you all."
Kai nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips as he continued sipping his coffee.
After a brief pause, Nolan seemed to consider something.
"Since I'm already up… want me to fly you to school?"
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Sure. But if Mark finds out, you'll have to take him too. Otherwise, he'll whine about it all day after school."
Nolan laughed again, stood up, and the two stepped outside. Nolan flew Kai across the city, the wind whipping past them as they soared through the air.
Landing smoothly near the school entrance, Nolan set him down.
"Have a good day, son," he said just before lifting off.
For the first time, Kai looked up at him and said quietly, "Thanks... Dad."
Nolan paused mid-air, giving him a thoughtful nod before disappearing into the sky.
They're already fifteen and still no sign of powers… Maybe it's better this way, Nolan thought as he flew back home.
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 – Oakwood Academy – 5:50 AM
Thanks to Nolan's early morning lift, Kai arrived at school before six. The campus was nearly empty, and he took advantage of the quiet to head straight to the gym. Even with the lingering frustration from not mastering the Red Void, he forced himself to give it another shot. But, as expected, the result was the same. The energy collapsed the moment he tried to control it. The red just wouldn't hold. At this point, he was starting to wonder if it was a permanent wall he couldn't break through.
By 6:15 AM, still frustrated, Kai left the gym and wandered through the school, observing the empty hallways. A few students were starting to arrive, but the place was still mostly silent.
As he walked, a noise from one of the courtyards near the gym caught his attention. Curious, he approached. Gently pushing open a door, he found a scene that felt all too familiar. A student lay on the ground, his broken glasses beside him. The kid looked hurt, but what really caught Kai's eye were the four boys surrounding him, clearly intimidating him.
"You want this to stop? Just agree to make the delivery for us. Otherwise… we'll keep beating you," one of them threatened.
Kai instantly recognized the tone—the same kind of coercion he'd been hearing about lately.
Among the four stood Liam—ranked 34th in the school's physical aptitude chart. Respectable, considering the scale of Oakwood. Short black hair, blue eyes, light freckles, and a clean undercut framed his athletic build.
Kai wasn't surprised. Not in this place. But something specific in the exchange caught his attention.
Delivery… he muttered mentally.
He observed from afar, clenching his fists. Trying to stay calm… but the school, the thugs, the hypocrisy—it all gnawed at him.
If I didn't have my strength… that could've been me. Doesn't matter the world… people are always the same. Someone's gotta put them in their place… Or they go rotten…
Control and order… Sometimes… maybe the Viltrumite mission isn't entirely wrong…
Kai sighed, preparing to step in.
But just as he started to open the door wider, the sharp bang of another door slamming on the other side of the gym made him freeze.
Then came the unmistakable voice, echoing across the space.
"Hey, you idiots! Why don't you pick on someone from your own league?" Her tone shifted as she took a fighting stance. "Assuming combat posture!"
Kai turned his head sharply. To his surprise… it was Kiana.
She charged at Liam, who barely had time to react before she had him locked in a tight arm hold.
"Guess you're still not learning, huh?" Kiana said coolly, tightening her grip.
Liam yelled in pain.
"Okay—okay—okay! My arm! I'll leave him alone! Just let me go!"
Kiana released him effortlessly. Liam and his friends scrambled away, shooting bitter glares over their shoulders as they retreated. The beaten student, still shaken, slowly got to his feet. Kiana walked over, picked up his broken glasses, and with a surprisingly kind tone said, "Let's get you to the infirmary. I'll take you there."
Still hidden behind the door, Kai watched the whole scene. Two things became instantly clear.
First—Liam was involved in the delivery network. More threads to unravel in the school's web of corruption.
Second—and far more surprising—Kiana… wasn't what he'd assumed.
So far, Kai had written her off as just another privileged, shallow, self-centered student… but seeing her now… helping this kid… standing up for him with such resolve…
It made him pause.
Maybe I've been too harsh on her…
As she helped the student up, gently adjusting his broken glasses and guiding him towards the infirmary, Kai slipped away quietly, keeping his distance. His gaze lingered on her for a second longer than usual.
Maybe… just maybe… she wasn't as bad as he thought.
After the incident, Kai headed toward the gym, where the ongoing physical aptitude tests were taking place. Still processing what he'd just seen, his thoughts lingered on Kiana… and now on Liam, who had just earned a spot on his list.
Upon arrival, he spotted Samuel waiting nearby. They exchanged a few words about the tests and school life. Samuel, already more comfortable at Oakwood, smiled.
"You gonna take the test seriously today? Thought you'd crush it after beating five guys in class the other day," Samuel joked.
Kai simply shrugged, wearing his usual tired expression. He could easily top the charts… but staying low profile was part of the plan.
"Just going with the flow… doing what I gotta do," Kai replied, masking how much he was holding back.
"Settling in already?" Samuel asked.
"More than I'd like," Kai muttered, barely turning his head to keep the conversation going. "You've been here long?"
"Longer than most think. Despite the name, this school isn't just high school. It's elite private—starts at age twelve. Been here since middle school."
Kai gave a small nod.
Later, when his turn came, Kai lined up for the tests. Holding back so much felt like its own kind of endurance trial. But he smiled faintly.
Holding back like this… it's its own kind of training…
The tests passed quickly, uneventful. Afterward, Kai stood by the wall near Samuel.
"Where's the locker room? Still getting my bearings around this place," Kai asked.
"You didn't even break a sweat," Samuel teased, pointing down a corridor. "Down there. Second door on the left."
"Thanks," Kai replied, heading that way.
In the locker room, he grabbed a nearby shower. Even though the test hadn't made him sweat, the frustration from that morning's failed Red Void training lingered on his skin.
As hot water poured over him, Kai let out a deep breath.
Maybe with time… I'll get a better handle on the Void… but the red one… That's starting to feel impossible…
Meanwhile, in the bleachers...
Kiana sat there, quietly observing the movement around her while her thoughts drifted back to the situation with Kai. His attitude during class had bothered her more than she cared to admit. And now, weighed down by guilt, she felt she needed to resolve things with him.
Losing her temper or holding onto anger wasn't like her. But something about his behavior… it had felt more provoking than she could handle.
Suddenly, she stood up, her mind made up.
I'm going to settle this right now.
She glanced around, scanning for Kai, but didn't see him anywhere. When she asked the nearby girls if they'd seen him, Cassie—short red hair, athletic build, and currently ranked 9th at Oakwood—gave her a sidelong glance and answered with a wicked smirk. There had always been tension between them. Cassie had been the highest-ranked girl until Kiana returned from her studies abroad.
"I saw him… down that hallway. Second door on the left," Cassie said, her tone dripping with malice.
Kiana didn't hesitate. With a brief nod, she followed the direction Cassie had given.
Inside the locker room...
Without thinking twice, Kiana pushed open the door. The first thing she saw was Kai—just stepping out of the shower, still dripping wet.
He didn't seem to notice anyone entering at first, but the moment their eyes met, the air between them turned thick with tension.
Kiana froze, stunned, her eyes widening as her face flushed deep red. For several seconds, she stood paralyzed, then quickly spun around, covering her face with both hands as her cheeks burned.
"Why are you naked?!" she blurted out, her voice high and panicked.
Kai, equally confused but wearing his usual deadpan expression, answered without thinking—completely oblivious to the impact of his words.
"Do you usually shower with clothes on? Damn… Are you a pervert on top of everything else?"
Kiana's entire face turned crimson. Flustered and growing more annoyed by the second, she shifted sideways, trying to collect herself.
"You're so rude! I came here to apologize!" she snapped, her voice trembling with embarrassment.
Kai, now with a faintly amused, sarcastic smile, walked over to the bench where his clothes were, grabbed a towel, and draped it around his waist.
"Couldn't wait outside the male locker room for that?" he asked calmly.
The misunderstanding deepened. The silence between them grew heavier.
Mortified, Kiana spun on her heel, ready to bolt for the door—but before she could take another step, voices and footsteps echoed from the hallway just outside.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Damn it," Kai muttered under his breath. Acting on pure instinct, he lunged forward, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward the nearest shower stall.
Kiana didn't resist. She was too shocked to react. Kai held her arm, standing rigid and tense, equally unsure of what the hell he was doing—but also fully aware they were both now trapped in a tiny shower cubicle with no easy way out.
The air between them was suffocating.
Kiana stood there, frozen, her back nearly pressed against the wet tiled wall. Kai inhaled deeply, forcing himself to stay composed. Meanwhile, the footsteps and voices grew louder outside.
"Hey, Liam… I saw the kid the boss told you to hit. He went into this locker room."
It was obvious now… they were talking about Kai.
Inside the cramped stall, they could hear the search starting.
"Stay calm. I'm not gonna do anything," Kai whispered, barely audible, sounding more annoyed than anything else. All he wanted was for this entire situation to disappear. What irritated him most… was how little control he had over any of it.
Kiana, still burning with embarrassment, couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. Her thoughts were spiraling, stuck replaying every awkward word they'd just exchanged.
"I know… You didn't need to drag me like this though…" she said softly, her voice catching.
Kai shifted back a bit, trying to give her space—but the cubicle was tiny. There wasn't much he could do. He stood there, part frustrated, part resigned.
"I just didn't want things to get worse," he said dryly, still annoyed—though more at himself than her. The truth was, he hated being in this position… acting on impulse like that… reacting instinctively to protect her… It felt like everything was spiraling out of control.
Outside, the voices continued.
"He has to be in here somewhere. I didn't see him leave. I've been watching the door."
Kiana, growing more flustered by the second, instinctively took a small step back… but that only made things worse.
"Stop moving! It's already cramped enough with both of us in here," Kai hissed under his breath, bracing himself against the stall door.
"And whose fault is that?" Kiana muttered.
"Maybe the person who barged into the boys' locker room without looking."
A few tense seconds passed...
"Kai?!" Kiana suddenly yelped, startled by just how close he was.
Kai turned his face away, trying to keep his voice low and steady despite the heat creeping up his neck.
"Damn it… I'm not doing this on purpose! Stop moving! I told you already!" he growled, still barely above a whisper—now just as red as she was.
When Kiana stole a glance at him, she caught the sight of his flushed face and… despite herself… let out a small laugh.
Kai turned to her, confused, only to realize she was laughing—nervously, awkwardly—but laughing nonetheless, her face still burning with embarrassment.
Seeing her like that, he sighed.
"I'll head out first. Stay here. If you walk out now, it's only gonna make things worse for you," he said, his tone finally calmer.
Kiana, realizing the guys from earlier were still nearby, instinctively reached out as if to stop him—but Kai had already cracked the door open, giving her a quick gesture to stay silent before quietly closing it behind him.
Still hidden inside the stall, she pressed her back to the wet wall, heart racing, ears tuned to every sound outside.
Kai moved swiftly toward the bench where his clothes were, quickly pulling on the lower half of his outfit. As he reached for his shirt, a voice interrupted him.
"So you're the famous Kai, huh?" Liam said with a smug grin, standing there with two other guys.
Kai had had enough.
In one swift motion, he surged forward with Viltrumite speed. His fist buried itself deep into Liam's stomach—just enough force to take him out without killing him.
Liam crumpled, gasping for air, unable to even scream.
Irritated, Kai pivoted and landed a clean kick to Liam's face, knocking him out cold.
Turning to the other two boys, Kai glared, his expression dark and cold.
"Can't a guy take a shower in peace around here?" he said, his voice sharp.
The two froze, unsure whether to fight or run.
Kai made the decision for them.
"Grab him and get out."
Without another word, they scrambled to obey, dragging Liam's unconscious body out of the locker room as quickly as they could.
Back inside the stall, Kiana heard everything but stayed where she was—more focused on regaining her breath and composure. Leaning against the slick tiles, she pressed a hand over her racing heart.
A few seconds later…
"Kiana… It's safe. You can come out now," Kai called, his tone calm again.
She stayed frozen for a moment, breathing deeply, then slowly opened the stall door.
When Kai looked at her, he instinctively brought a hand to his forehead.
"Kiana… your shirt… It's white…"
Kiana glanced down at herself—her wet, semi-transparent shirt—and gasped, slamming the door shut again.
"For crying out loud… This is your fault! Why do you always have to ruin my clothes?!" she yelled from inside.
Kai sighed, pulling off his own shirt and tossing it over the top of the stall door for her.
"Sorry about that. At least it's just water this time. Here. I'll just go with my undershirt."
Kiana quickly threw on his shirt, stepped out, still red-faced, and muttered.
"I… I'll wait outside."
Already drained from the situation, Kai grumbled under his breath.
"After all that… what's the point? You've seen everything already…" he said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Kiana turned sharply, cheeks burning again, flipping him off before storming out of the locker room.
Outside, she stopped to catch her breath, mentally replaying everything that had just happened.
It's my fault… all of it… she thought with a heavy sigh. And this isn't even about what I did earlier. It's… everything.
She paced a bit, trying to gather her thoughts.
I need to fix this… somehow.
Kiana looked around, seeking something—anything—to center herself. She walked toward the bench where she'd left her bag, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed the faint sound of someone else approaching from a distance.
She spun around quickly—but it was just another student heading toward the locker room. They hadn't seen anything.
Deciding to take another hallway and give herself space, she wandered off.
And as she walked, one question looped endlessly in her mind:
What exactly am I trying to fix? What do I really feel about all this? Why does it even matter?
Her sigh came heavier this time.
Kai's indifference… that cold, distant way of his… It was making her more uncomfortable than she wanted to admit.
She wasn't used to being ignored.
Especially not by someone who… seemed to be more than he let on.
Meanwhile, back at the bleachers...
Kiana sat, quietly observing the activity around her while her mind replayed everything that had just happened in the locker room. She was still a little irritated—more than she wanted to admit—but there wasn't much choice now but to move on.
She sat down again, doing her best to ignore the curious glances aimed her way.
From nearby, Cassie's mocking voice cut through the air, sharp and playful as always.
"How'd it go? Did you find him?" Cassie asked, flashing a wicked grin—fully aware that Kiana had gone looking for Kai.
Kiana turned toward her with a hard stare, visibly annoyed but still unsure if Cassie had done it on purpose.
"Don't start, Cassie," Kiana replied, her tone low but firm—making it clear she wanted the conversation to end.
Cassie, however, wasn't done. Noticing Kiana's shirt—clearly different from the one she'd been wearing earlier—Cassie's gaze drifted down the bleachers… spotting Kai, sitting below, wearing only an undershirt.
Cassie burst out laughing—long, loud, and practically dripping with sarcasm.
"So… was he good-looking without clothes too?" she teased, laughing so hard it seemed she wouldn't stop anytime soon.
Kiana's irritation spiked. Her serious expression did little to hide the anger bubbling under the surface. Without thinking, she stood up, unable to control the frustration any longer. Her voice rose, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
"I challenge you to a ranked match! Seems like some people around here forgot who's the best!" she declared, locking eyes with Cassie, her irritation burning bright.
Cassie met her gaze with an equally defiant smile. She couldn't refuse—ranked students were expected to accept public challenges. Besides… she wouldn't back down from this.
"I'm in. I'll knock you right off that pedestal of yours!" Cassie shot back, her fists clenched at her sides. She had no intention of letting herself be intimidated.
The tension between them skyrocketed. Word spread quickly among the students nearby—everyone knew a fight was coming. The rivalry practically electrified the air around them.
Kiana's eyes never left Cassie's.
"Tomorrow… we'll see who really owns this spot," she said confidently.
Cassie just nodded, her smile never wavering. She knew Kiana was strong—but Cassie had a few tricks of her own. Both girls were determined to prove themselves, and tomorrow would be a test of more than just strength… it would be about pride.
For Cassie, this had all gone exactly as planned. Rattling Kiana, forcing her to react emotionally—this was the opening she'd been waiting for. Tomorrow's match wouldn't just affect their rankings… It would set the tone for how the rest of the school viewed them.
And Kiana?
She wasn't about to let anyone—not Cassie or anyone else—doubt her abilities.
With one final, defiant stare, Kiana sat back down—waiting for the tests to continue… but her mind was already locked onto tomorrow's fight.
After all the commotion and with the physical aptitude tests finally over, the school day came to an end. Students poured out toward the exits.
Kai, making his way toward the gates, bumped into Josh.
"Josh."
Josh froze, eyes wide.
"What did I do?!" he blurted out, already bracing to confess to something… even if he wasn't sure what.
Kai cut him off with a small head nod.
"Relax. You didn't do anything. I've got a message for the others. Tell them… and find out where and when the next delivery is happening—the one Liam's supposed to handle. I heard him talking about it earlier."
Josh let out a visible sigh of relief.
"That's it? Thank god… I mean… okay! Got it!" he stammered, nodding quickly.
Kai couldn't help but smirk faintly at how easily flustered Josh always was.
Just as Kai was about to head home, his phone buzzed. It was a call from Mark.
"Bro, you still at school? Didn't you check the group chat? We're all meeting up—Derick, July, Beck… everyone. Arcade night, just like old times!"
Kai paused for a moment, considering. But this time… he didn't hesitate.
"Yeah… sounds good."
Maybe… after everything… some part of him actually wanted to be there.
And even if he didn't?
Fake it till you make it…
Interlude — Old and New Misunderstandings
Kai spent the rest of the afternoon with Mark, Derick, July, and Becky at the arcade. The sound of game machines and laughter filled the air as they played. Becky and July were still competing for Mark's attention—but now with a little more restraint, sticking to the agreement they'd made. If Mark wanted things to move forward, he'd have to take the initiative himself. Besides… being at different schools made it all easier to manage.
They started playing The Master of Fighters - 1998, and no one could knock Kai off the machine. One by one, each friend gave it their all—but it was like Kai was playing in another league. Unbeatable. His expression was unusually relaxed, his usual calculated demeanor giving way to something more impulsive, more... fun.
Laughter echoed every time Kai wiped the floor with someone at the arcade, racking up win after win. Derick, from the back, kept glancing between the flashing lights of the machine and Kai's face—smiling like he knew he was witnessing something rare.
Mark, too, seemed calmer than usual. Letting himself get lost in the fun, laughing at the jokes and at their repeated defeats. For once, he wasn't stressing over competition.
Later on, July, Derick, and Mark drifted toward another machine—this one a target-shooting game where they competed to hit the most bullseyes. They huddled around, trying to outscore each other. The conversation flowed naturally.
Derick, remembering an old incident, grinned mischievously and tried to throw July off her aim.
"Kinda miss you guys! Remember when July forgot her homework and started crying about it?" Derick teased.
July shoved him with her shoulder, annoyed but laughing.
"Not gonna work, nice try! But yeah… I remember! Mark pulled off some miracle printing job to save me. I still don't know how he managed it."
Mark laughed, trying to stay focused on his shot but enjoying the conversation too much to care.
"July… technically, I just delivered it to you. Kai's the one who found a way to print it. He never told me how… but yeah, he saved the day."
"Wait… Kai did that?" July paused, blinking as she processed the revelation. Her surprise was obvious.
Still squinting one eye as he aimed, Mark added with a smile, "Yep. We ran all over school failing at every turn. We'd already given up… but he didn't. Figured it out somehow."
While Mark spoke, Derick, more focused on the game, started hitting the furthest targets, getting hyped by the lights and sounds. His competitive side kicked in full force.
"I'm taking this one! No way you're beating me!" Derick declared.
Mark, still laughing, kept his focus on the game. "Kai always figured something out. Whenever I helped you guys with homework, it was because he taught me first. Every time. He never did his own, but mine? Yeah… Always had my back. Honestly… struggling a bit at the new school without him."
July grew quiet, thoughtful, while Derick finally nailed a perfect shot and burst into laughter.
"Boom! Victory! You guys suck!" Derick bragged, running a hand through his hair with exaggerated flair. "The best-looking and most talented… The Great Derick!"
"Oh, come on!" Mark laughed.
July couldn't help but laugh too, though she stayed a little more subdued for the rest of the games, reflecting on the conversation.
Becky, watching from the sidelines, suddenly broke the calm.
"Hey, guys! Let's go get ice cream—like the old days!"
Derick, still riding his victory high, smirked and shot a look toward Kai.
"Depends if anyone can drag Kai away from that machine. I'm starting to feel bad for those poor guys getting destroyed by him," Derick joked.
Everyone laughed, and without hesitation, they left the arcade still joking and laughing like before.
Kai, still glued to the game, hesitated for a second before finally stepping away to join his friends.
At the ice cream shop, they chatted casually while enjoying their treats.
Becky, her curiosity getting the best of her, glanced at Mark, trying to fish for information. Tilting her head with a playful smile.
"So, Mark… How's the new school? Anyone… interesting?" She asked.
Mark, juggling a spoonful of ice cream and his phone at the same time, shrugged.
"Just my new buddy, William. Cool guy… but he couldn't come today. Said he had stuff to do at home." He scooped another bite.
Kai, wearing a sly grin, glanced over and teased.
"William's the new Kai, huh?"He let out a soft chuckle, and the others quickly followed.
Laughter rippled around the table, but Mark raised his hands in mock defense, grinning back at Kai.
"Jealousy detected! That's what happens when you switch schools… Your favorite brother had to make a new friend."
Kai, still smiling, shrugged with mock indifference.
"Of course you're the favorite brother… I only have one."
Leaning back in his chair, he made it obvious he was enjoying the back-and-forth.The others laughed again.
But for just a brief second… Kai's smile faltered, memories from his past life flickered through his mind.
I've had other brothers before…Back then… they didn't even know my birthday.Not that it mattered... Not really.But still…If I had to choose…Mark would still be the better brother.
A shadow passed behind his gaze, gone as quickly as it came.
Mark, oblivious, turned toward Becky and July, keeping the playful mood going.
"So, how's life at the all-girls school?" he asked.
July smiled softly, looking more relaxed.
"Honestly? Can't complain. The teachers and classes are actually really good."
Becky, her mouth full of ice cream, nodded enthusiastically.
"Gotta agree with July. But… we do miss how fun it was when all of us studied together."
July, still smiling, turned toward Kai, who sat a little apart, scrolling lazily through his phone.
"So you and Mark… Really ended up at different schools? I can't picture it."
Mark pulled a face, crossing his arms.
"Yep. He took some fancy scholarship exam behind everyone's back… and came in first place."
Becky's eyes went wide as she turned to Mark.
"Wait… seriously?"
Kai, without looking up, answered in his usual bored tone.
"Wasn't that big a deal. The test was easy… I studied a lot before. And honestly? That place only cares about status and rankings and all that crap. I have more fun with you guys."
Becky smirked, waving her spoon like she was teasing him.
"Good answer! But come on, Kai… Don't tell me there's no one interesting at that school? Can't believe everyone there's just rich and stuck-up."
Kai sighed, visibly tired of the questions, but smirking just enough to soften the mood. Leaning back again, he answered:
"Look… I've got a few classmates, but nobody I'd actually call a friend. They're pretty much all full of themselves. The school runs on rankings… and just to make it worse… the second-ranked student is in my class. A girl. Let's just say… every day she finds new ways to piss me off."
Derick burst out laughing, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
"Wedding bells! No doubt about it. Kai just said more than four words about a girl. Next time we see him, he'll be dating her!" He cracked up.
Kai shot him a sarcastic look.
"Wow, Derick. Genius observation. With that logic, Earth's flat and one plus one equals five." He winked, the sheer weight of his sarcasm making everyone burst into laughter—especially Derick.
Becky, laughing along, chimed in fast.
"Kai… dating? Impossible! Unless she's some kind of emotionless robot just like him. Honestly… I'd sooner believe he'd date one of those arcade machines."
She leaned forward, grinning while everyone kept laughing.
Derick, still laughing, gave the table a playful slap—almost knocking over his cup.
"Man, my school's a drag. Non-stop assignments… but hey, at least it's close to where I live now. Best choice really—since my parents split, I decided to stay with my dad."
Grabbing the empty ice cream cups, Derick started stacking them into a wobbly tower like it was some kind of challenge.
"You doing okay with that, dude?" Mark asked, giving him a concerned look.
"Of course! I'm getting showered with presents now. One new game every week! Life's never been better!" Derick laughed, still stacking.
They all chuckled at Derick's carefree attitude and how easily he found joy in simple things.
July, staring at the growing tower with mock disapproval, let out an exaggerated sigh.
"You gonna stack those until the ceiling? The cashier's already glaring at us."
Derick didn't answer—too focused on his tower.
Sharing a mischievous glance, July and Becky nodded at each other.
Together, they blew at the cups, sending Derick's tower crashing down all over him.
Laughter exploded again as Derick, staring at the toppled mess, dramatically complained.
"Aw, come on! You killed my vibe!"
Accepting defeat, he grinned anyway.
And just like that… the afternoon wrapped up—carefree, full of laughter, and far away from the school's usual tensions.
Elsewhere — The Hayes Family Residence
Kiana stood in the gym inside her not-so-small house, channeling the day's frustration into sharp, controlled strikes against the punching bag. Each punch and kick echoed through the space, making the chains that held the bag rattle with every impact. Her movements synced perfectly with the anger still burning from earlier, but she forced herself to stay in control—focusing on the precision and power behind each hit.
She moved fast, the rhythmic thud of her fists and feet filling the room. With every strike, the frustration eased… just a little. But the questions still gnawed at her mind—the whole mess with Kai, and especially that tense moment back in the locker room. The memory of him pulling her into the shower stall, hiding her… still lingered, clear as day.
Why… why did he help me? she wondered, landing a quick combination. And how… how did he even manage to move me that fast? Like it was nothing…
His performance during the physical aptitude test had been… average. Or at least that's what she'd seen. But watching him afterward… he hadn't looked tired. Not even close. And back in the locker room… the way he moved with such speed and certainty... and then… how those guys backed off right after he stepped out of the stall.
Without realizing it, Kiana slowed her punches, her mind racing ahead, forming conclusions that didn't fit the image she had of him.
He's not just some arrogant, mediocre, rude guy… There's something else about him… I'm sure I hit him hard enough to knock out a grown man… and he didn't even bruise. Plus… after the test… he wasn't the least bit tired… And I didn't even see him move properly back there…
Then… mid-thought… an unwanted image popped into her mind, halting her mid-strike.
His body was… really defined… she froze, almost missing the punch entirely. He must work out… or maybe he has some kind of power too…
The image of Kai—just out of the shower—flashed again in her head. She hated it, but the mental replay came with details she hadn't wanted to focus on before.
No body fat… like he was carved from stone… and that size— The thought slammed into her brain, totally uninvited.
In a reflexive burst of panic, Kiana broke off the train of thought, her cheeks instantly flushing bright red as if she'd been caught doing something scandalous.
"Oh my god… Kiana… what the hell are you thinking? He's insufferable!" she blurted aloud, burying her face in her hands. Her shoulders sagged under the weight of embarrassment and frustration.
Slowly, she crouched down, wrapping her arms around her knees, her breathing still uneven. Trying to calm herself… to push the mental images away… but failing miserably. She didn't know what the hell had just happened. All she knew was that the whole thing left her feeling like she was running from something inside her own head.
The gym fell silent for a few seconds, broken only by the sound of her own breathing.
Get it together, Kiana… she scolded herself mentally, rocking slightly where she sat on the floor. You're Silver! A badass superhero! Pull yourself together!
Squeezing her eyes shut, she forced herself to focus back on her training, pushing the intrusive thoughts as far away as she could. But now… more than ever… the curiosity about Kai felt like something burrowing deep inside her—something she had no idea how to handle.