The sun was already setting when Kai left Nova High.
Students were heading home, laughing and talking about power rankings and the Top Ten. But Kai walked alone, his hands in his pockets.
He took a shortcut through a quiet alley.
The place was narrow and dark, with tall walls on both sides.
Kai sighed. "This day has been too long…"
Suddenly—
"Stop right there."
Kai froze.
Five students stepped out from the shadows.
The leader smirked. "Well, well… the powerless new kid."
Kai recognized them immediately. They were older students, much stronger than the bullies from before.
One of them cracked his knuckles. "We heard you embarrassed some guys earlier today."
Kai shrugged. "They embarrassed themselves."
The students laughed.
"You've got a big mouth for someone with zero power."
Kai looked around the alley.
There was no one else there.
This is bad, he thought.
Before he could say anything, one of them rushed forward.
BAM!
A punch slammed into Kai's stomach.
He crashed into the wall.
Another student kicked him hard in the ribs.
"Powerless trash!" one of them shouted.
Kai tried to stand, but another punch hit his face.
Blood ran down his lip.
The group kept attacking him.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
Finally, Kai fell to the ground.
The leader looked down at him with a cruel smile.
"Remember this, weakling. This is what happens when you don't know your place."
He kicked Kai one last time.
Then the group walked away laughing.
Silence returned to the alley.
Kai lay on the cold ground for a moment.
His breathing was heavy.
Then slowly…
He started to laugh.
"Haha…"
Kai wiped the blood from his mouth and slowly stood up.
His eyes were no longer calm.
They were cold.
"Five B-rank students…" he muttered.
A strange dark energy flickered around his hand.
"But that's enough data."
He clenched his fist.
Because during the fight…
Kai had been watching.
Watching every move.
Every ability.
And now…
He could use them all.
Kai looked toward the direction the students had left.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Maybe… I should pay them a visit."