(A/N):
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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The front door opened with a soft creak just as Rudra and Layla were laughing over something trivial.
The music dimmed slightly when Will Stronghold stepped in,
Carrying a neatly wrapped gift box in both hands.
His ever-awkward but earnest smile was in place,
And right behind him came his parents —
The iconic hero couple, Commander and Jetstream.
The crowd shifted instantly; whispers spread like wildfire.
"It's them! The Commander and Jetstream!"
"Whoa, they actually came here?!"
Layla's face brightened.
"Will! Mr. and Mrs. Stronghold! I'm so glad you came!"
She said warmly, hurrying forward to greet them.
Rudra nodded politely to the couple,
Nod~
"...."
Who greeted him with the same warmth,
Remembering him from the school faculty list he saw after Will explained to him about what happened during class division taking place on the first day.
Commander gave a friendly grin.
Grin~
"Professor Ra-One, right? Will mentioned you. Didn't think we'd be meeting at a birthday party!"
Rudra gave a light smile.
"The world has its surprises, Commander."
Before anyone could say more,
The sound of heels clicked sharply against the marble floor —
Thud. Thud.
And the crowd's attention turned toward the door again.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Gwen Grayson had arrived.
Her presence drew eyes immediately.
She wore a sleek black dress, her hair styled perfectly, her usual cool demeanor radiating confidence.
A few of her friends trailed behind her, equally polished,
But Gwen stood out like a diamond among glass.
Her expression was distant at first —
Until her eyes landed on Rudra.
"...."
For a heartbeat, her cold façade melted.
A subtle shimmer flickered in her eyes, and a small, controlled smile curved her lips.
She began to move toward him,
Each step deliberate, poised, like a queen approaching a throne.
Layla, who had just turned back after greeting Will's parents, noticed Gwen's approach —
"...."
And her smile froze halfway.
She straightened slightly, every line of her posture sharpening.
"Gwen!"
Layla said with a polite yet slightly brittle tone.
"I didn't think you'd make it."
Gwen's smile widened, syrupy-sweet and entirely insincere.
"Oh, I wouldn't miss your birthday, Layla. It's such an important event, after all."
They hugged, briefly —
Too briefly, too stiffly.
The kind of hug that said more about rivalry than affection.
Rudra, sitting on the couch between them,
"...."
Could practically feel the static crackling in the air.
His fingers tightened slightly around his glass of apple juice as he glanced between the two girls,
Both now smiling too hard, standing too close.
A few nearby students had stopped pretending to dance or eat.
They whispered excitedly, phones subtly angled to record.
"Is it just me, or does this feel like a showdown?"
"Oh, this is definitely a showdown."
Layla sat beside Rudra again,
Her tone bright —
Overly bright —
As she said,
"Professor, you remember Gwen, right? She's in your class too."
Gwen took a seat opposite them, crossing her legs gracefully.
"Oh, I'm sure the Professor remembers me,"
She said, her voice calm but carrying an undertone of challenge.
"After all, I'm very attentive in his private lectures."
Rudra glanced between them,
"...."
Sensing the growing heat of unspoken rivalry.
'Great,'
He thought dryly.
'From fighting villains to surviving teenage diplomacy… this might actually be harder.'
Layla leaned back on the couch,
Her arm brushing just slightly against Rudra's shoulder,
"...."
A subtle gesture —
A claim, a statement.
Her smile didn't falter as she turned to Gwen.
"...."
Rudra sighed inwardly, setting his glass down.
Sigh~
He was about to say something —
Anything —
To diffuse the growing storm when a familiar,
Slightly nervous voice broke the tension.
"Uh, hey guys…"
It was Will Stronghold, shuffling over,
Scratching the back of his head with his usual awkward charm.
"Layla, your mom asked me to get you — it's time for the cake-cutting."
Layla blinked, startled out of her glare-fest with Gwen.
"...."
"Oh! Right."
She stood quickly, smoothing her hair and dress.
"Thanks, Will."
Turning back to Gwen,
She gave one last perfectly polite smile —
The kind that said,
'we're not done yet.'
"Excuse me, Gwen. Some of us have a party to host."
Gwen rose gracefully, eyes never leaving Layla.
"Of course. Don't let me stop you."
Layla walked toward the center of the room where her parents were waiting by the cake,
Her steps firm and elegant.
Gwen stayed behind, crossing her arms with an amused smirk as she watched her go.
Smirk~
Rudra exhaled softly, muttering to himself,
"And they call fighting villains dangerous…"
As soon as Layla disappeared toward the main hall,
Gwen turned her gaze back toward Rudra,
That sly little curve still playing on her lips.
Without a word, she reached out —
Slow, deliberate —
And took the glass of apple juice straight from Rudra's hand.
"...."
Before he could even protest,
She brought it to her lips and took a sip,
Maintaining direct eye contact the entire time.
Rudra blinked once.
Blink~
Then again.
Blink~
His expression shifted from confusion to disbelief as he pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling.
Sigh~
"...You know,"
He muttered, rubbing his forehead with a sigh,
"it's extremely rude to take someone else's drink like that. Especially when they're still holding it."
Gwen let out a soft laugh, pretending not to hear him at all.
Chuckle~
"Hmm? Sorry, Professor, did you say something?"
She teased, swirling the glass lazily before finishing the rest.
Rudra gave her a tired look that clearly said,
'I teach combat, not patience training,'
But decided against arguing further.
He just stood, straightened his shirt, and said quietly,
"You really are something else, Gwen."
Before Gwen could respond, Layla's father —
Mr. Williams —
Raised his voice over the crowd.
"Alright everyone! Gather around in the main hall! It's time for the cake!"
A rush of excited students followed his lead, chattering, laughing, and forming a semicircle around the grand table where the large pink-and-white cake waited.
Rudra sighed, shook his head slightly, and followed the crowd —
'After all, he had came to attend, and skipping now would be rude.'
The hall lights dimmed,
And a soft golden glow from the candles lit up Layla's smiling face.
Her parents stood proudly behind her,
Their hands on her shoulders.
The students clapped and cheered as everyone began the chorus of...
"Happy Birthday to you…"
When the song ended,
Layla cut the cake,
Clap~ Clap~
Clap~ Clap~
Pat! Pat!
The crowd cheering as colorful paper confetti burst from the party poppers.
A few camera flashes went off; laughter echoed in the room.
Layla, beaming, took the first piece of cake and turned to feed her mother,
Then her father.
Both smiled proudly, dabbing her cheek with a bit of frosting in return.
Then she turned to Will, smiling warmly,
And fed him the next piece.
Will took it with a smile while giving her his present.
And then—
She picked up another slice, turned,
And walked toward Rudra.
The chatter in the room quieted just a bit, several eyes following her.
Rudra blinked, surprised.
"Layla, you don't have to—"
But she was already standing before him,
Holding the plate up with both hands and smiling gently.
"You're part of this celebration too, Professor. You helped me more than you realize."
For a moment, Rudra hesitated —
"...."
The warmth in her tone caught him off guard.
Then, with a small, genuine smile, he took the cake from her hands and tasted it.
The taste was simple, sweet, and soft —
Like the moment itself.
The crowd clapped again, teasing laughter echoing around.
"Whoa, Layla want's to fed the Professor!"
"This birthday's going down in history!"
From the other side of the room,
Gwen stood with her arms crossed, watching —
"...."
Her expression unreadable.
The soft glow of the lights reflected in her eyes,
And though her smile stayed polite,
Something sharp flickered behind it.
As the laughter and chatter of the party filled the air,
Rudra leaned back slightly,
Finishing the last bite of cake on his plate.
The sweetness lingered on his tongue —
But then, in that exact moment, a sharp ding echoed in his mind.
A familiar golden-blue panel shimmered to life before his inner vision, visible only to him.
[DING...]
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[⚠️ New Task Received...]
[Mission Title: "Twin Serpents at Saffron Canon"]
[Objective: Capture or neutralize two of the most vicious villains — 'Mire Fang' and 'The Butcher' — during their secret meeting aboard the ship Eclipse Dawn at the Saffron Canon, 40 nautical miles offshore.]
[Time Limit: 4 hours.]
[Reward:
Raven Template Integration Progress +2%
Heroic Reputation +12★
500 Hope Points]
Rudra's expression shifted subtly,
"...."
His calm demeanor hardening ever so slightly.
'A mid-sea mission… double target… four hours. That means they're already in transit.'
He looked around the room —
Layla was laughing with Will and her parents,
Gwen was by the punch table, pretending not to glance his way.
The colorful lights and the music made it all feel so normal...
He couldn't waste time.
Taking a quiet breath,
"...."
Rudra reached into his coat's inner pocket and pulled out a sleek,
Metallic pen —
The one he had prepared earlier for Layla's creative training.
It shimmered faintly with astra's energy,
Its surface engraved with a faint, golden symbol.
He also drew a small folded note and scribbled something quickly across it.
His handwriting was precise, flowing —
Almost ancient in its form.
As Layla noticed him standing up,
She tilted her head.
"Professor? You're leaving already? The party's barely halfway through."
Rudra offered her a faint smile, the kind that was both apologetic and sincere.
"I'm sorry, Layla. Something important just came up — urgent business."
She frowned a little.
Frown~
"Oh… I see."
He held out the pen and the folded note to her.
"Here. A small gift — and some instructions on how to use it. Think of it as your birthday assignment."
Layla blinked, caught off guard.
"Assignment? At my birthday party?"
"Let's just call it… something that'll help you grow your power,"
He said softly, his eyes glinting with that familiar teacherly calm.
She took the pen and note carefully.
"I'll… try not to disappoint you then, Professor."
Rudra gave her a warm nod.
Nod~
"You won't. Trust yourself — that's all it takes."
Then, straightening his coat, he stepped past her and headed for the door.
As he walked, his system interface pulsed, showing a holographic map projection in his vision —
The pinpoint marking Saffron Canon glowing faint red.
Gwen's sharp eyes followed him as he left through the archway,
Disappearing into the night beyond the glass doors. Her expression tightened.
"Leaving during the party…?"
She murmured under her breath, curiosity gleaming in her gaze.
"Just what are you really up to, Professor?"
Outside, under the soft moonlight,
Rudra pressed his wrist panel —
His futuristic bike materialized in a cascade of red cubes,
Its core thrumming with astra energy.
He mounted it, the mechanical hum echoing faintly in the quiet suburb.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
[Mission parameters confirmed.]
[Estimated travel time to Saffron Canon: 35 minutes at Mach 2.]
Rudra smirked beneath his breath.
Smirk~
"Alright then…"
With a flick of his wrist,
The bike's thrusters ignited,
And in a flash of golden energy,
Ra-One soared into the night sky —
A comet streaking toward the open sea,
Leaving behind the fading sounds of laughter, music…
And two girls unknowingly watching him go for very different reasons.
Gwen moved silently,
"...."
Her heels barely making a sound against the polished floor as she slipped out of the glowing crowd of birthday lights and laughter.
The music faded behind her,
Replaced by the low hum of her own heartbeat —
Quick, sharp, focused.
She sank onto an empty couch tucked into the corner of the hall,
Half-hidden behind a curtain of balloons.
Her eyes glinted in the low light as she reached into her handbag and pulled out a sleek black tablet,
Its surface humming faintly with a dim blue pulse.
With a soft beep,
BEEP!!!
She pressed her thumb to the scanner.
The tablet unlocked instantly.
Her irises flickered faintly with silver light —
The mark of her Technopathy quirk.
"Alright, Professor Ra-One,"
She murmured to herself, her tone both amused and intrigued.
"Let's see where you disappear to."
Data streams began to dance across her screen.
Surveillance feeds —
Traffic cams, security drones, satellite pings —
All bending subtly to her will.
She traced the direction Rudra had taken after leaving the house,
Watching as one camera after another flickered to life in the night sky.
Then she saw it.
A red-golden streak darting through the darkness —
Not a plane, not a drone, something faster, alive with a streak energy.
It blurred through the night,
Setting off sensor alerts that made Gwen's eyes widen.
"What in the world are you…?"
She whispered, zooming in frame by frame,
Her heartbeat quickening.
Just as the streak disappeared toward the open ocean,
A voice broke her concentration.
"Gwen. What are you doing?"
The words froze her mid-swipe.
"...."
She turned sharply —
And there stood Layla Williams,
Her arms crossed, expression sharp and questioning.
The warm glow from the party flickered behind her,
But her tone was cold enough to cut through it.
Gwen blinked once, forcing a small laugh as she hurriedly powered down the tablet and slipped it back into her bag.
"...."
Blink~
"Oh—nothing, really. Just checking some… school-related files."
Fufu~
But Layla wasn't buying it.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she stepped closer.
"Don't lie, Gwen. I saw the reflection on your screen. That was… Professor Ra-One, wasn't it?"
For a moment,
Silence hung between them —
Heavy, loaded.
"...."
"...."
Then Gwen smiled, slow and knowing.
"You're sharper than most give you credit for,"
She said softly.
Then, leaning back with a faint smirk, she added,
Smirk~
"Tell me something, Layla. Aren't you the least bit curious? Don't you want to know where your favorite professor runs off to at night?"
Layla frowned, her hands curling slightly at her sides.
Frown~
"He's not my favorite professor. And even if he was — spying on him like this is wrong."
"Wrong,"
Gwen echoed, as if testing the word.
Her smirk deepened, playful but dangerous.
Smirk~
"Maybe. But curiosity isn't a sin, Layla — it's how people learn the truth. Don't you want to know who Ra-One really is? Why he just vanished in the middle of your party?"
Layla hesitated.
The conviction in her face flickered —
"...."
Replaced by the same unspoken curiosity that had been building since she'd met Rudra.
Gwen saw the hesitation.
And smiled.
'Got you.'
"Think about it,"
Gwen said softly, eyes gleaming as she leaned closer.
"We might even get to see him in action — the mysterious Professor Ra-One, doing whatever he's really here for."
Layla bit her lip, torn between instinct and intrigue.
Her heart told her this is wrong but she wanted to see too.
Gwen's smirk widened as she saw the flicker of doubt settle into Layla's eyes —
"...."
But before she could say another word, an excited voice burst through the air like a firecracker.
"Wait—wait—you're tracking Professor Ra-One?!"
Both girls froze.
"...."
"...."
When they turned,
They saw Will Stronghold standing behind them,
Eyes wide with amazement and a slice of half-eaten cake in his hand.
Around him, a few curious students who'd overheard began to whisper and crowd closer.
Gwen blinked.
"Oh, fantastic,"
She muttered under her breath.
Will, on the other hand, was practically bouncing.
"Are you serious? You can track him? That's— that's so cool! He's like, the most mysterious guy in Sky High!"
Layla sighed and palmed her forehead.
"Will, this is not—"
But it was already too late.
"Hey, did someone say Ra-One?"
"Wait, are you talking about the new professor?"
"Are we spying on him?"
Within seconds,
What began as a private whisper had turned into a full-blown buzz.
Students —
Half of Layla's party —
Were suddenly crowding around the couch.
Gwen blinked at the growing group,
"...."
But then something mischievous sparked in her eyes.
"Well,"
She said, standing up and brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve,
"since we all seem to be interested… why not make this educational?"
She pulled her tablet out again,
Connecting it to the living room's smart TV with a few quick gestures.
The screen flickered to life with a faint hum,
Hum~
And within seconds,
A grid of surveillance feeds filled the display.
The crowd of students gasped in unison.
Gwen's eyes glowed faintly silver as she waved her hand through the air,
Manipulating the feeds directly through her quirk.
"Let's see… red energy trail, high-speed velocity reading, heading east… ah. There you are."
She tapped her finger against the screen.
A camera feed zoomed in on a faint golden-red streak cutting through the night sky like a comet.
It was moving too fast for the average eye to follow,
But the trail left a burning signature that stood out against the dark horizon.
Will leaned forward, practically glued to the TV.
"Whoa… so that's him! He's flying with his bike! That's insane!"
One of the other boys whistled.
Whistle!
Layla crossed her arms, trying to maintain composure even as curiosity gnawed at her.
"You shouldn't be doing this, Gwen."
Gwen tilted her head, smiling slyly.
"And yet, here you are—watching."
Layla flushed slightly and turned away.
"It's only because everyone else is."
"Of course it is,"
Gwen said teasingly, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
As the crowd leaned in closer,
The screen shifted from the city skyline to the vast black expanse of ocean.
The red streak began to slow —
And soon, a large ship came into focus,
Its decks faintly illuminated by industrial lights.
Rudra's golden streak descended toward it.
Will's mouth fell open.
"Is he— is he heading to the middle of the ocean?"
Gwen zoomed in.
"Seems like it."
Her eyes flickered with excitement.
"Now let's see what our professor does when he's not teaching about 'creative quirk development'…"
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(Author's POV)
(A/N):
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review!!! And power stone too!!!
Guys it will motivate me more?