The air was thick.
Arthur and his team were escorted into a large, white hallway where the remaining contestants sat in scattered clusters.
The usual competitive energy was gone, replaced by a heavy and dreadful astrosphere.
- Team 1 huddled together. One girl clutched her knees to her chest, her shoulders shaking silently.
- Team 4 looked hollow.
- Team 6 was no better. Violet sat with her face buried in Joseph's shoulder. Jackie always loud and brash was slumped against the wall, staring at his trembling hands.
Meanwhile, Arthur was fairly different. He was focused and calm.
Gwin noticed his expression and said, "I'm surprised to see a determined look on your face."
Arthur turned to her, "Believe me, what we face was hell. But getting sad or depressed about it. Isn't going to help, the best thing to do is to keep moving forward."
Miles said nothing but felt his Wyrm wrapping itself around him.
The doors slammed open.
Eagle strode in which caused every eyes to locked onto him hoping for an explanation.
"Congratulations, only 2 teams failed this year. I'm seeing an improvement." Said Eagle
No one cheered.
A boy walked to him, "Do you have any idea what we went through. There's no way in hell a couple of rookies could defeat a S rank threat." He shouted.
Eagle smirked, "You right, throughout the years every rescue test was strictly C to B rank depending on your skill level."
The boy wanted to argue but Eagle wouldn't let it happen, "The purpose of this test wasn't to see if you could win against an unbeatable opponent," he continued, "It was to simulated the toughest challenge any hero needs to expect throughout their lives."
He held up a finger.
"No matter what the people come first. Regardless if you are in the top ten, the strongest hero in the world or believe you can easily defeated your target. If you let an innocent life meet their end because you were too hyper focus on the glory. Then pack your bags and leave."
His gaze swept the room, lingering on those who charge for the villain first instead of planing on helping the civilian.
Then, a second finger, "Secondly, you will die." A beat, "Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in thirty years. But it will happen—suddenly, brutally, and without warning."
A choked sob came from Team 9's corner.
"It's not an industry with a happy ending. You all are young and some were groomed by our celebrity into joining this line of work. But most of you, might not even live past the age of thirty. Ask your mentors, how many close friends have they lost. All because they weren't ready scary portion of being a hero. The simulation was not even the villains true behaviour because I had to make it survivable for you guys. Because they're smart enough to know, that you guys are not ready for them."
The words hung in the air, undeniable.
Arthur's fingers twitched. He thought of Gwin's lifeless eyes in the simulation. Of Miles' broken arm. Of the little girl's whimpers.
All that wasn't even the real experience from an S-rank villain.
---
Eagle folded his arms, "There's one more thing you need to understand. Believe me when I tell you that this bit of information I'm sharing will save you one day."
A hologram flickered to life above him, displaying four silhouettes, "One day, you guys will obtain a nemesis. Take a look at the category above."
1. The Ideologue– "Challenges your beliefs. Forces you to question everything."
2. The lost– "They feel special when you fight them and give their life meaning. Same way how they give you meaning."
3. The Hated– "Wants you dead for reasons beyond logic. Often goes after your loved one. These types of people are common."
4. The Lover– "Will destroy you because they care too much. Goes far to stalk and kidnapping."
"Every hero has a nemesis," Eagle said, "Maybe you've met yours already. Maybe they're waiting." His voice dropped, "But one day, they will come. And if you're not ready?"
The hologram shifted—showing a hero's gravestone.
"They'll ruin your life before they end it."
Silence.
"Let me tell you a story, a girl in my highschool school was obsessed with me and was in love. I didn't feel the same way because I had a girlfriend. She didn't handle rejection well and become more dependent on having me. That same girl become my nemesis once she killed my family to give her some attention. And she loved it. One day, after I was hospitalized due an encounter with a S rank." Eagle paused.
He took a deep breath in then out, "She appeared, took a once in lifetime opportunity and violently assault me at my weakest. Make manner worst, she was pregnant with my child. Then using some of DNA, she took a DNA test and give the results to my wife only two days of us being married. She immediately divorce me."
Everyone was mortified from what they heard.
"It's not too late to hang up the cape and live a simply life. Results will be posted in three days. You are dismissed."
Eagle left without another word.
---
No one moved at first.
Then, slowly, the room stirred back to life as each person made their way to their dorm.
Joseph caught Arthur's eye across the hall. For once, there was no smirk, no challenge. Just a silent acknowledgment.
Gwin tugged Arthur's sleeve, "Hey. You okay?"
Arthur watched Jackie stumble out, his usual swagger gone. Watched Violet wipe her eyes with Joseph's sleeve. Watched Miles flex his unbroken arm to reassure himself that it's still there.
"Yeah," he lied, "Let's go."