The air in the waiting room was thick with tension, the kind that clung to skin like static before a storm.
Teams stood in loose clusters, some whispering, others silent all waiting for the verdict that would decide their futures.
Then, the door swung open.
The idol instructor strode in with a sleek black briefcase clutched in her hands.
"Results are in," she announced, "Turn your attention to the screen."
The monitor flickered to life, displaying the final rankings in bold, unflinching numbers:
---
The ranking was listed in the following order: Team, audience ranking, Verified hero ranking, elder ranking and then final score.
|Team 6| 95%| 90%| 4/5| 87|
|Team 3| 67%| 49%| 3/5| 45|
|Team 1| 79%| 85%| 1/5| 34|
|Team 9| 50%| 75%| 2/5| 26|
---
A beat of silence. Then—
"Congratulations," the instructor said, popping open the briefcase with a theatrical flourish.
Inside, gleaming hero licences lay nestled in velvet, each bearing a photo, stats, and the Association's golden seal, "As of this moment, you are all official heroes."
No cheers erupted. No embraces. The weight of the achievement settled over them.
"Now," she continued, snapping the case shut, "the final question: Do you continue to the combat exam, or walk away with your licenses intact? Remember, regardless of whether you win the combat exam or not. You still going to keep your card."
The room held its breath.
Then team 1 walked forward, "We're going to drop out. We all agree that passing was our main priority. And there will be heavy risk if villains watch how we fight and use it against us." Said Jason
The instructor open the briefcase and allowed them to take their cards before walking out. Following up, Violet walked forward as well, "I'm leaving too." She grab her card and storm off.
Both Joseph and Gwin were confused wondering to themselves why she leaving.
When no one else moved from their spot.
The instructor's smile turned sharp, "Excellent. In three days, the 8-bracket tournament begins. It will be a last man standing."
She tucked the briefcase under her arm, "Spend your time wisely—train, rest, and prepare. Dismissed."
Immediately Gwin sprint after Violet. She managed to catch up with her leaning against the hallway wall away from the waiting room, "Violet, can we-" before she could step forward, Violet release a suspicious gas, forcing a violent cough Gwin and blood dripping from her nose.
Slowly walking towards Gwin, "I waited for so long, hoping for the day I can make you cry the same way you made me cry that day." Violet turn to her, with her scarf removed.
Gwin was violently coughing till the point she was on her knees, "I'm sorry, that wasn't me back then."
Violet swiftly kicked her across her face which knocked her down, "You lucky that Glamour was told to leave." She moved and mount Gwin stomach, "I wish I could make this reality." Then she swiftly chocked her.
Gwin tried to fight back but her body was extremely weaken from the gas, "I'm...sorry-"
Suddenly a blazing fist punch Violet away from Gwin with enough force to send her flying.
When Violet got up to see Arthur holding Gwin in his arms, "We will met again, Gwin." She released a massive smoke gas, before disappearing.
---
(Violet speaking)
I'm not like Joseph. Who believe in Arthur.
I'm not like Jackie. Who wants to beat Miles.
I'm someone who wants retribution and justice for what Stalker did to me.
Day in and day out, I never felt like myself. Fearful of what people were saying or thinking.
I thought the only solution was just to be alone. And I was happy with that...till I heard you become a hero.
At first I thought it was lies, but it was true. You were walking around in your whore suit, behaving the same way how I remember you.
How could anyone see you as a hero. Why are you getting reward for all the misdeeds that you caused?
It's unfair. It's unfair. It's unfair.
...
It's simply unfair.