The morning sunlight spilled across the academy courtyard, catching in the glass panels of the training tower. Emi Yukimura stood in front of her classmates, clutching the assignment sheets Harada had given her. Her palms were slick, her stomach in knots.
Class Representative.
The title still felt too big, like an ill-fitting uniform. But everyone's eyes were on her now — some doubtful, some bored, a few even supportive.
"Alright," she began, adjusting her glasses. "Today's schedule… is different. We've been assigned patrol rotations with the Association's registered heroes."
That caught their attention. A murmur ran through the class.
"Patrols? Already?" Rina whispered, half-excited, half-terrified.
Emi nodded. "They're introductory patrols. Observation and assistance only. Think of it as fieldwork. We'll be paired off and placed under a pro's supervision in different districts. Our job is to watch, learn, and—"
"—not get in the way," Kaede finished dryly.
"Exactly," Emi said, ignoring the jab. She lifted the sheets. "Assignments were decided by the faculty. Don't argue with me, argue with them."
---
Haruto & Ayaka → Shadowing Hero Voltstrike in the busy commercial district.
Mei & Daigo → Assigned to Hero Stoneheart in the industrial sector.
Rina & Tsubasa → Following Skywatch over the riverfront.
Renji & Kaede → With Hero Nocturne in the warehouse blocks.
Kengo & Aoi → Patrolling with Fogbane around the docks.
Ryo & Mika → Sent under Forgefire in the factory district.
Daichi & Yumi → Assigned to Groundshield near the train lines.
Akihiro & Yuna → With Hero Radiance in the central plaza.
Emi & Satoshi → Shadowing Lumenflare in the eastern market streets.
Each name landed with a mix of groans, smirks, and whispered commentary.
Haruto laughed when he heard his pairing. "Commercial district? Perfect. They'll see firsthand how much of a hero I am."
Ayaka muttered, "Or how much of a headache…"
When Rina and Tsubasa were called, the winged boy cheered — then immediately smacked his head on the ceiling beam, earning laughter from Mika and Renji.
Daigo just shrugged at Mei, who looked annoyed but said nothing.
And when Emi read her own assignment, she froze slightly. Satoshi? The stoic axe-wielder, always silent, always glaring? Her partner?
Satoshi only nodded once. "Fine."
Emi swallowed. This was her new reality.
---
The patrols were scheduled for later that afternoon, but Emi's first test came much sooner. The class started bickering again over equipment checks and routes.
"Why do we need to carry radios if we're with heroes?" Haruto complained.
"Because it's protocol," Emi shot back, sharper than she meant. "And if anyone forgets theirs, you're writing the report explaining why."
Kaede smirked, clearly amused by her new strictness. Even Ayaka raised a brow, impressed.
Still, Emi's voice wavered when she had to calm Mika from threatening to "decorate the streets with fire art" or when Renji cranked up a sonic hum just to annoy Kaede. It was exhausting. She felt like she was juggling knives, and every moment she expected one to fall.
But she didn't back down.
"Check your gear. Confirm your patrol zones. And meet back here at 1500 hours sharp. No excuses."
The class blinked. The tone was firm, commanding — and for the first time, they listened.
---
That afternoon, the cadets fanned out into the city with their assigned heroes.
Haruto was already showing off in the commercial district, sparks jumping as he tried to impress shopkeepers — Voltstrike cuffed him on the back of the head.
Mei used Echo Step to dart between alleys, confusing Daigo until Stoneheart barked at both of them to stay visible.
Rina clung nervously to Tsubasa's arm as Skywatch lifted them over the riverfront, glass shards glittering faintly in her hands.
Kaede and Renji's patrol was… silent. Nocturne preferred shadows, and the two fit right in — though Renji kept whispering "boo" just to watch Kaede glare.
Akihiro and Yuna drew crowds in the central plaza. Radiance let them walk slightly ahead, and even without trying, the pair looked like future heroes.
Emi, meanwhile, trailed the busy eastern streets with Lumenflare. Market vendors shouted, kids ran underfoot, and the smell of roasted chestnuts filled the air. Satoshi moved like a wall beside her, his stone-honed presence both reassuring and intimidating.
"You're quiet," Lumenflare noted, his light-blue cloak swaying. "But you watch. Good. Observation comes before action."
Emi adjusted her glasses, trying to hide her nerves. "Yes, sir."
Satoshi gave her a rare glance. "You'll manage. Rep suits you."
For a moment, Emi felt her chest lighten. Maybe she could do this.
---
By evening, the cadets returned to the academy, tired, sore, and buzzing with stories. Some had impressed, others embarrassed themselves, but all of them had gotten their first real taste of hero work.
And through it all, Emi kept track — of reports, of injuries, of who followed protocol and who didn't.
Her hand cramped from notes, her head pounded from stress. But when Solarius appeared at the end of the day, golden eyes sweeping over the class, he nodded once.
"Not bad, cadets. Your first steps into the world outside. Do not stumble on the next."
Emi stood straighter, clutching her notes. For once, she didn't feel like she was hiding behind the others.