Prologue – Voice of the Legacy
Sixteen years ago, the entire world trembled before the threat of Tyrus, the Devourer of Worlds.A creature born of cosmic darkness, so powerful that no armies, no bombs, not even the union of nations could stop it.
And then, three heroes rose.
Kelvin Nox, The prodigy of a Thousand Lights, who commanded darkness as if conducting a symphony.Darius Valtier, the Shield of Humanity, whose sword shone like a promise of victory.Inavy Stormbreak, the Heir of Chaos and Greatest Hero live , whose might tore through skies and seas.
They did not just fight.They won. They sealed Tyrus forever, and with that, they gave birth to a new era: the Age of Heroes.
The deep voice of Aurelius Russel, a veteran police officer and a man of respect, echoed as if narrating destiny itself:
"This is the world we live in, son. A world shaped by heroes. And each of us must decide… what role we want to play."
Scene 1 – The Dream at the Dinner Table
The smell of home-cooked food filled the Russel household.Jonathan, seated at the table with his parents, siblings, and cousins, could hardly contain his excitement. His eyes gleamed as if carrying the weight of a dream far greater than himself.
— I… I want to be a hero! — he suddenly declared, almost shouting, his fist clenched on the table.
Silence fell heavy. Forks stopped midway. His older brothers exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.
— You? A hero? — the eldest scoffed. — You can't even run two kilometers without gasping for breath.
— And what's your aura level again? — another mocked.
Jonathan flushed red but held their gaze. His mother, worried, tried to ease the tension:
— Son, I believe in your heart, but… being a hero isn't easy. Maybe you should follow in your father's footsteps. Being a policeman is also an act of courage.
Aurelius, silent until then, slammed his palm against the table, his grave voice booming.
— Jonathan, tell everyone. How much aura do you have?
The boy hesitated, cheeks burning hotter.
— F-fifteen units… — he whispered.
Laughter exploded around the table. For most youths, fifteen units was nothing. Even the weakest registered hero usually surpassed eighty.
— Fifteen?! — sneered his middle brother. — Not even fit to be a guild's pet!
— Hahaha! Maybe a janitor's sidekick! another jeered.
Aurelius rose, furious, his voice thundering like a storm.
— ENOUGH! You think it's funny to mock your brother's dream?!
Shameful silence returned. Aurelius turned to Jonathan, knelt beside him, and gripped his shoulders firmly.
— Son, no matter how impossible they say it is… if this is your dream, I believe in you. We're in this together.
He raised his fist before the boy. Jonathan, teary-eyed, touched his father's fist. In that moment, their hearts sealed a silent pact.
Scene 2 – The Arena of Prospects
The next day, Jonathan stood before the colossal arena.Banners of the Hero Association fluttered, and the crowd roared for the young candidates.
Heirs of the most powerful families were there—prodigies radiating raw power.
Among them, Jonathan spotted a familiar face: Dante Valtier, son of the legendary Lorien Valtier, president of the Association. Confidence flowed from him, surrounded by admiring gazes.
Jonathan swallowed hard.
"These guys are monsters…"
His heart pounded like a war drum.But he refused to back down.
Scene 3 – The Tests
The first challenge: The Battle IQ Test.Jonathan struggled with tactical scenarios, his mind freezing. The result flashed in red on the panel: the lowest score of all.
The second: Speed Trial.A course filled with obstacles, digital timers, aura sensors. Jonathan stumbled on the first turn, crashing to the ground as the others blazed through in seconds. Result: Failed.
Finally: The 1v1 Tournament.Jonathan stepped nervously into the smaller arena. His opponent—tall, aura blazing, smirk dripping arrogance.
— I'll crush you quickly, loser, he spat as the gong rang.
The duel was over in moments. Jonathan lunged forward, only to be slammed into the ground.
The crowd laughed. His opponent raised his arms in mock triumph:
— This is what they call a dreamer? Go home, failure!
Jonathan staggered out, eyes shimmering with tears.
On the final board, his name appeared dead last in the Draft.
Scene 4 – Despair
Outside, Jonathan collapsed to his knees. Tears spilled freely.
— Damn it… — he muttered, punching the ground. — Why now? I awakened my power just last week… why won't it activate when I need it most?!
The world itself seemed to laugh at him. His dream felt farther than ever.
Scene 5 – The Streets
Heading home, Jonathan wandered through dim alleys—until three thugs cornered him.
— Well, look here. Fresh meat, one sneered. — Hand it all over.
Jonathan inhaled sharply. His body ached, his spirit was broken.
— Get out of my way, he said firmly.
The thugs cackled.
— Oh, the loser's got a tongue!
They lunged, fists and boots raining down. Jonathan crumpled, coughing blood. One raised an iron pipe for the finishing blow.
And then it happened.
Time slowed. Sounds dulled. Every movement sharpened, predictable—breath, muscle, intent.
Jonathan's body reacted instinctively.
Enhanced Reflexes – Echoes of Perception.
He dodged the killing strike as if he'd seen it seconds before. The pipe whooshed past. Jonathan countered with a clean uppercut to the thug's jaw, dropping him instantly.
The others rushed, but Jonathan already read them. He weaved, spun, landed precise strikes like a veteran boxer. Within minutes, the thugs lay groaning on the ground.
From behind a wall, a passerby filmed the entire scene.
Jonathan panted, hands trembling. For the first time, he had used his gift.
Scene 6 – Home Again
Jonathan returned home, head lowered, face bruised, eyes swollen red.
Aurelius met him in the living room.— What happened, son?
Jonathan broke down in his father's arms.— I failed… I'll never be a hero. I was dead last, Dad. Last place!
Aurelius held him tight but stayed quiet. Then, pulling out his phone, he showed the screen.
A video topping the networks, millions of views. Title blazing:
"Boy fights off thugs alone — superhuman reflexes?"
Jonathan's eyes widened.— That's…
— You, Aurelius said firmly. — Who said your journey is over, Jonathan? It's only just begun.
He gripped his son's shoulder, staring deep into his eyes.
— Tomorrow, your training begins.
Jonathan wept again—but not from sorrow. A new fire burned inside him.
Cliffhanger – Chapter 2
In the stillness of the night, far away, a hooded figure watched the same video on a holographic screen.Their eyes glowed red.
— Jonathan Russel… a street boy with echoes of perception, the figure murmured with a sinister grin.— Perhaps… you might be useful.
[To be continued in Chapter 2]