As the exam concluded, only one team had failed completely—Team 2, the sole group that hadn't even managed to leave the first event.
The scoring system was straightforward: First place earned 10 points, second through fourth received 5, fifth place got 3, and sixth place took 1 point.
The final rankings were as follows:
- Team 3 (17 points)
- Team 1 (14 points)
- Team 6 (13 points)
- Team 9 (12 points)
- Team 4 (9 points)
- Team 5 (7 points)
When Arthur regrouped with his teammates, Sonic Burst suddenly appeared behind him, whispering in Arthur's ear.
"Random question—what the hell did you do to that kid? Because if he's actually dead, you're getting arrested."
Arthur blinked. He'd completely forgotten about the speedster was still trapped in his illusion. Immediately he deactivated his power.
The speedster's eyes snapped open—but he wasn't the same. His body was rigid, his expression hollow, as if his will had been completely shattered.
Sonic Burst and Team 2 rushed to check on him.
"Honeyyyy~" Gwin's voice sang out as she appeared behind Arthur, wrapping her arms around him in a tight squeeze.
Miles let out a relieved sigh as he joined them, "Thank God it's over. And we come first even."
The team exchanged high-fives, basking in their victory. Around them, the other examinees chattered—some celebrating their success, others grumbling over low scores. The atmosphere was tense but not hostile.
Until it was.
A sharp slap echoed through the room.
Silence fell.
Arthur turned slowly to see Louis, a member of Team 2, glaring at him, her hand still raised.
"You call yourself a hero?" she spat, "What you did wasn't heroic—it just proved why everyone still sees you as the Demon Child. None of you are fit to be heroes!"
Her tirade cut off abruptly when she met Arthur and Gwin's twin death glares.
Before things could escalate, Sonic Burst stepped between them.
"Alright, break it up," he said firmly, "First off, miss, you're completely in the wrong. Arthur wasn't the only one who used his powers for personal gain. Every single person here exploited their abilities to disadvantage others—just in subtler ways. For example, Jackie used his powers to make the water unusable for short period of time. Yet you are not complaining about that."
Louis opened her mouth to argue, but Sonic Burst didn't let her interrupt.
"Complaining because his ability was more effective than yours is pointless. If I recall, your power is invisibility—great for some tests, but not this one. Better luck next year."
Louis clenched her fists but said nothing. With a final scowl, she turned and stormed off.
Sonic Burst addressed the remaining teams.
"You've got two days to rest. After that—the next event begins. And this time… it's a rescue mission."
---
After the intensity of the exam, Arthur and his team decided to unwind at the Hero Association's cafeteria, a spacious hall filled with the hum of chatter and scented of delicious food.
The scent of freshly cooked spicy curry, savoury grilled meats, and sweet pastries filled the air.
Miles stretched his arms behind his head with a satisfied sigh, "Man, I could eat a whole buffet right now."
Gwin already piling her plate high with desserts, grinned, "Good thing the Association feeds us like royalty. Heroes in training need energy!"
Arthur smirked, sipping his coffee, "I must say that a glutton such as yourself, is full of surprises.
Gwin stuck her tongue out at him before stealing a sip from his cup where his lips were planted, "Our first indirect kiss. Can this day get any better."
Arthur didn't really care much since he loved his two new friend's company.
As they ate, the conversation drifted to random topics—favourite foods, hobbies, and places they wanted to visit one day.
Miles leaned in, suddenly curious, "Hey Arthur, since we're sharing info. I'm curious, what's your type of woman?"
Gwin's head snapped up so fast her ponytail whipped the air, "Ooooh, yes! Tell us!" Her eyes gleamed with way too much interest.
Arthur rolled his eyes but humoured them, "Hmm. Three types, I guess. First, plain and simple. I always enjoy someone who isn't too fleshy and doesn't need beauty enhancement to get my attention. Simply being yourself regardless of how boring it is, is oddly attractive."
Miles nodded, "Solid choice."
"Second," Arthur continued, "someone cheerful. The kind of person who's annoyingly positive no matter what. Who's able balance our dynamic."
Gwin gasped, pointing at herself dramatically, "That's me! I'm literally sunshine incarnate!"
Arthur ignored her, "And third… obsessive."
Dead silence.
Gwin's face turned nuclear red with cartoonish blood heart appearing and bursting from above her head.
Miles blinked, "That's… specific."
Arthur shrugged, "What can I say? Dedication is attractive."
Gwin buried her face in her hands, muffling a squeal.
Arthur, thoroughly amused, turned the question back on them, "Alright, what about you two?"
Gwin immediately slammed her hands on the table, "Easy! Tall, white-haired, lean but muscular, has heterochromia blue and red eyes, has a bad reputation but is actually kind, Flamestar is his mentor—"
Arthur choked on his drink.
Miles burst out laughing, "Wow, that was… detailed."
Gwin grinned, unashamed, "What? I know what I like."
Miles, still chuckling, gave his answer, "Me? Just… a nice girl, I guess. Someone kind."
Gwin fake-gagged, "Boring!"
"Not all of us need our partners to be walking red flags," Miles shot back.
Arthur snorted.
As the teasing settled, the conversation shifted to their mentors—how they'd met, their training experiences, and the quirks of the heroes who'd shaped them.
Gwin sighed dreamily, "Peter treated me more like a daughter than a sidekick. Which is kind of sweet."
Miles nodded, "Mr Perfect was a con artist in every way. But he was first to say that my powers can uses for good."
Both turned to Arthur expectantly.
He hesitated, then smirked, "Flamestar has my utmost loyalty. It's what I can give her at moment for being the first person to believe in me. I won't say it to her face but she the mom I feel like I was missing in my life."
Gwin wipe the tears from her eyes, "You softie."
Miles winced, "Wow, straight out of prison and you are living in a penthouse with 3 siblings, maids and a badass driver."
Arthur shrugged, "The perfect accommodation in my opinion."
Laughter filled the table, the warmth of camaraderie easing the lingering tension from the exam.
Each one situation made it hard for them to live a normal life but now, they were eating food, sharing stupid stories, and pretending, just for a moment, that the weight of the exams didn't exist. Each one found friends that never thought they needed.