Serena's grip on Alex's hand was firm but gentle as she pulled him through the training center, her icy blue hair bouncing with each step. The massive dome echoed with the sounds of combat—grunts, explosions, and the metallic clang of powers clashing. Alex's eyes darted from ring to ring, taking in the spectacle. In one, two non-powered students sparred with practiced precision, their fists and feet a blur, while others lifted weights that would crush a normal person, sweat dripping as they pushed their bodies to keep up in a superpowered world. In another ring, a student with glowing veins hurled bolts of plasma, scorching the ground, while their opponent countered with a shield of kinetic energy that shattered the air with each impact.
They stopped at a ring where a beast-like woman stood, her fluffy ears twitching, tail swaying, and sharp fangs glinting as she grinned. Her opponent, a lean man, took a martial arts stance, his hands morphing into gleaming metal, fingers sharpening into claws. Nyx and Alice caught up, Nyx nudging Alice with a teasing grin. "Look at Serena, all cozy with your brother. Jealous yet?"
Alice's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, her gaze flicking to Alex and Serena's joined hands. Students nearby whispered, stealing glances at the group, some bold enough to stare at Alice, whose reputation made them wary.
Alex, oblivious to the tension, nodded at the ring. "Who're they? And who do you think wins?"
Nyx smirked. "That's Tara, beast-shifter. Enhanced strength, speed, and those claws can tear through steel. The guy's Kael, metal morpher. His body can turn into any alloy, but he's gotta be precise. Tara's got the edge in raw power."
Alice crossed her arms. "Kael's faster, but Tara's relentless. Depends on who lands the first hit."
Alex studied them, his mind already racing. Tara's stance is low, weight shifted forward—she's built for lunging, using her speed and claws to overwhelm. Kael's keeping distance, hands fluid like he's ready to shift them into weapons. He'll try to outmaneuver her, but her reflexes are sharper. She'll feint, draw him in, then strike when he overcommits. "Tara wins," he said confidently. "She'll bait him into a block, then use her tail to trip him and go for the throat. Not literally, but… you know."
Nyx raised an eyebrow, and Mia, lingering nearby, tilted her head, her golden eyes glinting. Other students overheard, murmuring as they turned to the ring. The bell rang, and the fight unfolded almost exactly as Alex predicted: Tara lunged, Kael dodged, his hands morphing into a shield. She feinted left, her tail whipped out, tripping him, and in a blur, she pinned him, claws hovering at his neck. The crowd gasped, then erupted in cheers.
Alice's lips curved into a proud smile, knowing her brother's intellect was unmatched. Nyx and Serena stared at Alex. "How'd you do that?" Serena asked, eyes wide.
Alex rubbed his neck, sheepish. "Just… watched their movements. Calculated the odds."
Before anyone could press further, Tara vaulted out of the ring, landing in front of Alex with a thud. Her feline eyes scanned him, curious. Alice tensed, shadows coiling at her fingertips, but Alex raised a hand. "It's okay, Alice."
Tara tilted her head. "How'd you know my moves, kid?"
"I just… analyzed your stance," Alex said. "Your tail's a giveaway—it twitches before you shift weight. Plus, Kael's too defensive; he telegraphs his blocks."
Tara nodded, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Not bad. I'll see you around." She sauntered off, her tail flicking.
Professor Varen approached, her youthful face stern but impressed. "That was some analysis, Alex. You've got a sharp eye."
As they talked, more students gathered, drawn by the buzz around Lily's son. Mia stepped forward, her golden hair catching the light. "Impressive," she said, her voice smooth. "How would a fight between me and Alice go?"
Alice's eyes flashed, but Alex answered first, his expression serious. "It'd be close, but Alice wins nine out of ten. Your light constructs are versatile, but her shadows are faster and can smother your glow. She'd overwhelm you with tendrils from multiple angles, cutting off your line of sight."
The crowd murmured, and even Varen raised an eyebrow. Mia's smile deepened, her golden eyes boring into Alex. "Interesting."
Before the tension could escalate, a new figure approached—Jin, the third-ranked student, slightly shorter than Alex but radiating confidence. His tattoos writhed like living serpents across his skin. "Hey, Alex," he said, voice casual but edged with challenge. "Care for a spar?"
Students protested, calling it unfair. Alice's shadows flared, but to everyone's shock, Alex grinned—a sharp, almost sinister smile that made Nyx do a double-take. He's been watching Jin's every move, Jin thought, every twitch, every glance. Like he's already dissected me.
"Sure, why not?" Alex said, removing his glasses and handing them to Serena. He combed his hair back, revealing a faint scar above his eye from the accident. His sharp features seemed even more striking, and Alice froze, seeing a new side to her brother. His expression softened as he met her gaze. "Don't worry, sis. I just want to see his abilities."
Alice glared at Jin. "Hurt him, and I'll kill you."
Jin chuckled, unfazed, as they stepped into the ring. The training center fell silent, students lining the sidelines—some pitying Alex, others cheering for the underdog. Serena frowned as girls whispered about Alex's looks, his scar adding a mysterious edge. Varen watched closely, noting the shift in Alex's demeanor—his eyes locked on Jin, calculating, like a predator sizing up prey.
He's not just dodging randomly, Varen thought. He's reading Jin's intent before he moves.
The bell rang. Jin vanished in a flash, reappearing behind Alex, a dagger materializing from his tattoos. He struck, but Alex sidestepped, the blade grazing his shirt. Jin's eyes widened, but he pressed on, summoning a flurry of weapons—swords, spears, chains—all born from his ink. Alex moved with eerie precision, dodging just in time, his eyes tracking every twitch of Jin's muscles. The crowd gasped as Jin's blades tore Alex's shirt to shreds, revealing a chiseled physique and a massive scar snaking across his back and side—a remnant of his accident.
Jin, frustrated, went for a serious blow, a massive axe forming. The teachers tensed, ready to intervene, but Alice emerged from the shadow on Alex's wrist, her tendrils halting Jin's attack mid-swing. Their eyes locked, and Jin realized he'd gone too far. "My bad," he said, stepping back.
Alex, unfazed, grinned. "It's fine. I knew Alice would step in. I just wanted to see your powers." He offered a handshake, and Jin took it, impressed. "You really powerless?"
"Yup," Alex said, shrugging.
The crowd erupted, stunned that a "normal" human had evaded the third-ranked student. Nyx whistled, eyeing Alex's now-bare torso. "Damn, Alex, hiding all that?" Serena blushed, clutching his glasses, while girls in the crowd whispered about his scars and build.
Alice, her face tight, grabbed his hand. Shadows enveloped them, and they vanished, reappearing behind the school. Nyx and Serena followed, Nyx's void energy depositing them nearby. Alice pulled a fresh shirt from her shadows, thrusting it at Alex. "You okay?" she demanded. "How the hell did you do that?"
Alex pulled on the shirt, sheepish. "I was just excited to see his powers. I… watched his movements. Knew where he'd strike."
Alice stared, realizing she'd underestimated her brother's sharpness. Meanwhile, in the dean's office, Dr. Veyra replayed the spar on her computer, her red eyes narrowing. "No records on him before Lily registered him," she muttered. "And nobody knew she had a son?"
Varen entered, her expression serious. "That boy's a genius. No powers, but his analysis is unreal. I want him as my personal student—he's got potential beyond abilities."
Back outside, Alex, Alice, Nyx, and Serena headed to the school gate, allowed to leave early. Lily's sleek SUV pulled up, and she stepped out, her presence commanding. Her eyes flicked to Serena, standing close to Alex, and she smiled. "And who's this?"
Serena bowed slightly. "I'm Serena, Alex's friend."
Lily's gaze sharpened, noting her icy features. "Your mother… Freya, the Ice Queen?"
Alex's jaw dropped, and Serena nodded, sheepish. "I don't usually tell people. Avoids complications."
"We'll keep it quiet," Lily said, her tone warm but calculating. Serena hugged Alex, promising to text, and left in a black car.
Alex turned to find Lily smirking, Alice squinting with balled fists, and Nyx grinning like she'd seen a comedy. "Can we just… go?" Alex mumbled, embarrassed.
As they drove off, Nyx invited to their mansion now that Alex's identity was out, the day's events left the school buzzing. Somewhere in the shadows, Mia watched, her golden eyes glowing faintly, her smile unreadable.