I was currently sitting in front of the dresser in my room, being tended to by one of the maids. She was making some last-minute adjustments to my hair and suit—polishing the final details before we left. My mother, Sebastian, and I were due to attend a high-society gala. The kind of event where rich people sip expensive wine, talk business, and brag about how much money they made that year.
While the maid gently brushed down the folds of my jacket, I let my mind wander.
I'm ten years old now. And finally, my powers have begun to truly manifest.
I'm talking the full Kryptonian package: super strength, speed, durability, and flight. The only things I'm still missing are heat vision and Aetherion. I haven't been able to summon my divine armor yet, but maybe that'll come with age. I am still young, after all.
But not everything about this transformation has been great.
It started a few years ago—my senses suddenly going into overdrive. I began hearing everything, all the time. Conversations from other rooms, footsteps down the hall, the ticking of every clock in the mansion. At night, the noise wouldn't stop. No matter how tightly I closed my eyes or buried my head under the pillow, sleep refused to come.
And then there's the vision.
Yes, super sight sounds cool—until you lose control and start seeing people… naked. Which, I assure you, is not as fun as it sounds when it's everyone. Worse, sometimes I'd see beneath the skin itself—muscles and organs shifting under the surface. It made me sick. I had nightmares for days.
Then there's my mind.
My brain works… too well. My neurons fire dozens of times faster than a normal human's. It lets me learn faster, think faster—I've already made incredible progress in my formal and martial education. But the downside?
I remember things I didn't want to remember.
Fragments of my past life. Emotions, regrets, mistakes. Things that should have stayed buried have begun to surface. And while my life here—my new life—has healed many of the wounds I once carried, some of them still linger. Some of them cut deeper than I care to admit.
Maybe that's why I've barely left the mansion these past ten years. I only occasionally follow my mother to social events.
It's safe here. Quiet. Familiar.
Out there, the world is loud. Fast. Unpredictable.
And I'm not sure I'm ready to face it—yet.
I stopped myself from spiraling further down memory lane as I noticed the maid had finished her work.
Standing up, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.
I stood at 142 centimeters—roughly 4'8"—with deep black hair, now neatly styled back. My suit was jet black, pressed to perfection, paired with polished leather shoes. What stood out most, though, were my eyes—sharp and striking, a vivid crimson.
"How do I look?" I asked the maid.
"Very handsome, young master," she said with a respectful bow.
Indeed I am, I thought, smirking to myself as I turned toward the door.
Stepping into the hallway, I immediately spotted Sebastian already waiting for me. As always, he fell into step just behind me, silent and dependable.
As we walked, a small translucent blue screen appeared in the corner of my vision:
Name: Elijah Darkheart
Age: 10
Power Level: 9-A
I've already become quite strong, I noted with quiet satisfaction.
As We reached the grand staircase leading down to the entrance hall, I spotted my mother waiting for us. Regal and composed as ever, she gave me a quick once-over. After a moment of silent inspection, she nodded in approval.
"Very well. It seems we can leave," she said.
A butler opened the front doors without a word, and sunlight poured into the marble-floored hall. Just a few meters beyond the threshold, a sleek black car stood ready for us, engine already running.
Sebastian moved ahead, opening the doors for both me and my mother with perfect timing. Once we were seated, he took his place behind the wheel. A moment later, the car pulled away from the mansion gates, and we were on our way.
The ride was relatively short—only around fifteen minutes—since the Yaoyorozu estate wasn't far from home. I was honestly a bit nervous. This would be my first time meeting Momo. Someone who, in my past life, only existed on a screen. I mean, sure, I'd seen Pro Heroes like All Might and Endeavor on TV—but meeting a fictional character in person? That's something else.
But before my thoughts could spiral, we arrived.
Sebastian parked the car with practiced ease and opened the door for us. My mother stepped out first, elegant and poised, and I followed behind. At the front door, a line of servants was already waiting. Without needing a single word, they opened the entrance for us.
The interior of the Yaoyorozu estate was about what I expected: opulent, polished, and refined in every corner. The chandelier above the entrance hall alone looked like it cost more than some houses. Soft classical music played from somewhere deeper inside, setting the tone. A few dozen guests were already mingling—men in sharp suits, women in elegant gowns, voices politely chatting over champagne.
This kind of environment was familiar to me by now. I'd been attending similar events with my mother since I was five—though mostly as a silent observer, rarely an active participant.
As always, we were immediately noticed.
The moment we stepped in, all eyes turned toward us—or more precisely, toward her. Evelyn Darkheart didn't just command attention—she demanded it. Dressed in a deep crimson gown that matched her eyes, she radiated elegance and power. Every step was confident, every glance sharp.
And me?
I walked beside her in silence, as expected of a well-mannered heir.
My mother exchanged pleasantries with a few guests near the entrance. Some bowed, others offered compliments. I was mostly ignored, still "just" a child in their eyes. But I didn't care. My mind wasn't on them.
I was scanning the crowd.
Looking for someone.
And then—I saw her.
Momo Yaoyorozu.
She stood near a refreshment table, engaged in conversation with a pair of older guests. She wore a modest but beautiful white dress, simple yet elegant. Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail. Even from across the room, I could tell she didn't quite feel comfortable—her posture polite but stiff, her smile a little too practiced.
Just like me, I thought.
I turned to my mother. "May I go greet Miss Yaoyorozu?"
She glanced in Momo's direction, then back at me. "Go ahead. Be respectful."
I nodded and made my way across the room, ignoring the occasional glance or whispered comment. The young heir of the Darkheart family was always watched—always judged.
When I reached her, she noticed me immediately. Her eyes widened slightly, and she paused mid-sentence. The adults she was speaking to followed her gaze, smiled at me, and politely excused themselves, leaving the two of us alone.
I gave a slight bow. "Good evening. My name is Elijah Darkheart."
She blinked, then returned the gesture with perfect etiquette. "Good evening. I'm Momo Yaoyorozu. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"I've heard many good things," I said, offering a calm smile.
She smiled back, though it was a little unsure. "Likewise. I've… heard your family name mentioned a few times."
That made me chuckle lightly. "Hopefully only good things."
She tilted her head slightly. "I think that depends on who you ask."
We shared a brief, knowing look—and just like that, the tension began to ease.
"Do you enjoy these events?" I asked.
She hesitated. "I… try to. They're important, I suppose. But they're not really for me."
"Agreed," I said. "Most of the people here are more interested in profits than people."
That got a genuine smile out of her.
"I like books," she said suddenly, then looked embarrassed. "Sorry, that was random."
"Not at all. I like books too." I tilted my head. "What kind?"
"History. Strategy. And science."
I raised an eyebrow. "Science?"
She nodded. "Yes. When I'm older, I want to be a Hero. My Quirk lets me create any non-living material or object from my exposed skin, primarily by converting fat. But to do that, I need to know the molecular structure of what I want to make."
I already knew that, of course—but I didn't say so. "That sounds amazing. I mean, that would make you one of the most versatile heroes ever. You can create anything."
She looked a little embarrassed. "You really think that?"
"Yes. I meant it. I have a strength-enhancing Quirk, which is great and all, but it's not always about who's stronger."
She seemed surprised by that. "You really think that?"
"I do," I said simply.
She beamed, her smile lighting up her whole face. It was the first truly genuine expression I'd seen from her.
After that, we talked for a while longer—about our Quirks, school (I mentioned I was homeschooled), and a few mundane things. She wasn't what I expected. She was smarter. Kinder. More real.
Before I knew it, nearly twenty minutes had passed.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Sebastian leaning against the wall, arms folded, just watching like always.
Eventually, Momo's mother approached and gently called her away. Before leaving, Momo turned back to me and gave a proper bow.
"It was nice talking to you, Elijah."
"The pleasure was mine, Momo."
And just like that, she was gone.
And maybe, for the first time in both my lives… I actually made a friend.
Later that evening, after all the smiles and social games, we returned home.
I sat in my room, suit jacket discarded over the back of a chair, looking out at the night sky from my tall window.
And for the first time in a while, I felt a little less alone in this world. Of course, I had my mother and Sebastian. But a friend… a real friend… that felt different.
And for once—I found myself looking forward to the future.