February 28th, 2013 — Thursday Morning at Oakwood Highschool Academy
The day at school started out like any other—routine classes unfolding without much fanfare. But beneath the surface, there was an unmistakable tension in the air.
Officially, the school's ranking battles had begun, and the first match was already set. Kiana would face Cassie in a fight scheduled for after classes at 1:30 PM.
It was still early morning, during the first period.
Kai walked into the classroom with his usual half-tired, half-bored expression. His eyes lazily scanned the room until they landed on Kiana, already seated at her desk.
But something about her had been bothering him since the day before.
For a brief moment, he considered apologizing—for the way he'd snapped at her… for calling her a "monster"... even for spilling coffee on her.
As he moved toward his seat, Kiana glanced at him. The moment their eyes met, memories from her training session yesterday—and the thoughts she'd had because of it—flashed in her mind.
Her cheeks flushed red.
Before Kai could get any closer, she quickly turned away, leaning toward her friend Megan, who sat just behind her, pretending to be preoccupied with something else.
Kai paused mid-step.
Yeah... That made it pretty clear she didn't want to talk to him.
He let out a low sigh, dropped into his seat, and rested his chin on his hand.
"Great. Guess she's mad at me now… Whatever. I tried," he muttered under his breath.
Samuel, sitting nearby, caught the quiet complaint and shot him a curious glance.
For someone like Samuel—who was always trying to understand people—it wasn't hard to pick up on the tension hanging between Kai and Kiana.
"Dude," Samuel said awkwardly, "you called her a monster without even knowing her… then dumped coffee on her… and let's not forget what you said after the aptitude test."
Kai shrugged, throwing his arms behind his chair like none of it really mattered.
"So what? She said the kid who got beat up deserved it. I just told the truth," Kai answered, his tone edged with mild disdain.
Samuel sighed, shaking his head.
"Yeah, well… I hate bullying too. But honestly? She sounded more pissed than serious. Sometimes people say stuff they don't mean."
Kai stretched out in his chair, letting out a long, frustrated breath.
"Ugh… this is such a pain," he grumbled.
But deep down… even he knew he'd gone too far.
The rest of the morning drifted by quickly—mostly because Kai spent the first few periods asleep at his desk.
When the bell rang for break, he stretched, feeling only a little more awake but still dragging that usual morning sluggishness.
At the door, Josh and Jacob appeared, standing there like sentinels.
Kai noticed them immediately.
No words needed.
He stood, shoved his hands into his pockets, and casually walked out of the classroom to join them.
Back at her desk, Kiana watched him leave, her brow furrowed with frustration.
"Ugh… I still need to talk to him... And how am I supposed to return his shirt? I was going to apologize… but every time I see him, all I can think about is... ugh! How did this mess even start?"
Lost in her internal battle, she didn't notice Megan staring at her.
"Girl, you've been watching that guy all day," Megan teased with a sly grin. "Still mad at him? Or… is it something else?"
Kiana sighed, doing her best to hide the emotional storm brewing inside.
"It's nothing… I was just thinking of apologizing for the slap," she muttered, turning away to avoid more questions.
But Megan's knowing look lingered.
A few corridors away…
Kai followed the two boys to a more secluded hallway where the rest of the group—those who now answered to him—waited in a loose circle.
As he approached, their casual chatter died instantly.
Kai glanced over each of them with that calm, calculating gaze that was quickly becoming his signature.
"So?" he asked, raising an eyebrow like he already knew the answer.
Dimitry—still wearing his hand in a bandage—stepped forward, voice steady and serious, as if reporting to a superior.
"Josh found out where the next delivery's happening… and the time. It's going down today at 2:30 PM. What's your move? What do you want us to do?" Dimitry asked, locking eyes with him.
Kai's expression didn't waver. That cold sharpness settled over him again.
"Nothing. Leave this one to me," he said flatly. "I'm going to deal with the delivery… and figure out who's giving Liam his orders. Someone told him to come after me—and I want to know why."
His gaze darkened, shifting from Dimitry to the rest of the group.
"I'm assuming none of you decided to drop my name to the wrong people… Right?"
The air thickened with the subtle challenge behind his words.
Dimitry stood firm, giving a half-shrug, his tone direct but not disrespectful.
"If I had… do you really think I'd send someone weaker than me to come after you? You dropped me while holding back."
That earned the faintest smirk from Kai.
Fair point.
At least for now… he could trust them.
"Alright… Text me the location. And if you hear anything else… let me know," Kai said coolly as he turned to leave.
Whatever this was turning into… he'd handle it.
One way or another.
The rest of the school day passed quickly, and soon, 1:30 PM had arrived.
Kai stayed on campus—not for the fight—but to track Liam. The same kid who had tried to jump him earlier… the same kid who, according to Josh and the others, had a delivery scheduled for today.
Standing quietly inside the gym, Kai kept to the shadows, observing everything around him. His eyes stayed locked on Liam, waiting for the perfect moment to follow him.
Meanwhile, in the center of the gym, the fight between Kiana and Cassie kicked off with the kind of raw energy that only came from a long-standing rivalry.
Cassie struck first—charging forward with a fast hook, full of overconfidence.
Kiana stood calm, wearing a faint smile like she wasn't even breaking a sweat.
As Cassie closed the distance, Kiana sidestepped effortlessly, her counter landing sharp and clean, forcing Cassie to stumble back but not fall.
Maintaining her stance, Kiana kept her movements crisp and light, like she was toying with her opponent. Every swing Cassie threw was dodged with ease, and every counter from Kiana hit its mark—controlled, teasing, but never going all out.
Her mischievous smile never faded.
Cassie, growing desperate with every failed strike, finally shouted in frustration as she lunged forward again.
"You're getting weaker! This fight's dragging on… That means I can actually win against you, Miss Star Student!"
Kiana chuckled softly, her voice calm but laced with playful menace.
"Honestly? I've just been holding back. It'd be a shame if the beating ended too quickly."
With a swift burst of speed, she struck Cassie square in the chest. Not hard enough to knock her out—but enough to send a clear message.
Cassie reeled, struggling to catch her breath, but Kiana wasn't done.
A light elbow push sent Cassie stumbling to the side again.
With each passing second, Cassie grew more exhausted… while Kiana remained flawless, still fighting as if it were her warm-up round.
She danced around every desperate lunge, letting Cassie get just close enough to think she had a chance… before delivering another stinging, calculated blow.
The crowd soon caught on.
Whispers spread through the stands.
"Kiana's toying with her…"
"She's not even breaking a sweat…"
Finally, when Cassie went for one last, wild punch, Kiana shifted sideways with effortless grace.
In a single, decisive motion, she struck Cassie hard in the side of the neck.
Cassie's legs wobbled.
Her gaze unfocused… and with one final step, her body gave out completely.
She hit the floor—out cold.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause.
"Well deserved! Challenging the school queen… look how that turned out!" someone yelled from the bleachers.
Across the gym, Kai watched with his Six Eyes activated.
Every detail of Kiana's movements—every micro-adjustment in her balance and every ounce of restraint—was crystal clear to him.
Cassie's technique was completely perfect, but Kiana was no slouch and... She's like Dimitry... She's not normal.
Even though he found the spectacle mildly entertaining, his focus stayed on Liam.
Kai never let his gaze drift.
His eyes remained fixed… patiently tracking Liam's every step.
And when the fight ended, Liam stood from his seat.
This was it.
The delivery was about to happen.
Kai stayed in uniform as he discreetly followed from a distance.
Liam and two other boys—the same ones from the locker room incident—left the school grounds carrying a small, medium-sized package.
Not small enough to fit in a backpack… but not big enough to draw immediate suspicion.
Staying several paces behind, Kai trailed them through the streets.
They headed toward Oak Park Station and descended into the subway.
Kai followed.
The train took them toward downtown Chicago.
Once they reached Washington Station, they transferred to another line.
Kai stayed with them, moving like a shadow.
When they finally got off at O'Hare, the three boys walked two blocks… then disappeared into a back alley.
Kai stopped a few corners away, scanning the area.
He needed to stay hidden.
Glancing around, he spotted a nearby pharmacy.
Without hesitation, he ducked into the pharmacy, grabbed a disposable mask from the nearest rack, and slipped it on in one smooth motion.
Then, with one subtle motion, he twisted the ring on his finger—canceling the camouflage that kept his hair dark.
White strands fell over his forehead.
With the mask covering his face and his real hair now exposed…This was the "Grey" identity.
A safer option for what was coming next.
Staying low, Kai crept toward the alley entrance and activated the Six Eyes again.
Liam stood near the center—package in hand.
Four unfamiliar, rough-looking men surrounded him.
Kai's gaze sharpened.
Money exchanged hands.
The contents of the package… whatever it was… held more weight than he expected.
This wasn't just schoolyard nonsense anymore.
It was time to step in.
Without warning, Kai surged forward like a ghost tearing through the air.
Before anyone could process what was happening, he was already in front of Liam—right as the exchange began.
The man holding the package blinked in confusion.
Too late.
Kai's right leg snapped upward, driving a brutal kick into the man's chin and sending him sprawling backward.
Before Liam could react, Kai spun low and swept his legs out from under him, slamming him to the ground.
The two other boys barely had time to flinch before Kai floored both with one swift, well-placed strike.
He didn't even slow down.
But then…
Behind him… three of the men were reaching for weapons.
Kai caught it all.
His Six Eyes captured every twitch, every flicker of muscle.
In a split-second burst, he launched forward with a flying knee, catching the man in the center square in the chest.
The impact sent him crashing into the wall three meters away, knocked out cold.
Kai turned on the second man.
A single punch—direct to the jaw.
Lights out.
Only one remained—already aiming his gun.
For one brief second, doubt flickered in Kai's mind.
Can I handle this?
The gun fired.
Three shots.
To anyone else, it would've been over.
But Kai wasn't anyone else.
His eyes tracked the bullets' paths with perfect clarity.
The first three rounds missed—easily dodged.
The next two…
He saw their trajectory.
His body moved instinctively—almost effortlessly.
On an impulse at that moment, an almost uncontrollable curiosity.
Would this hurt me?
With a sharp pivot, he reached out—and caught one.
Fingers closing around live metal mid-flight.
No pain… Nothing...
He opened his hand, letting the bullet fall to the pavement.
The last man froze—panic flooding his features.
Dropping his weapon, he turned to run.
But Kai blurred past him—moving faster than the eye could track.
Before the man took a full step, Kai appeared in front of him.
The three schoolboys stood frozen nearby, too stunned to speak.
White hair. Blue eyes. Oakwood Academy uniform.
"…What the hell is going on?" Liam muttered, stumbling backward.
Kai's glowing eyes bore into the man's skull.
"Who are you…?" The guy's voice shook. "You're wearing a school uniform… I thought… I thought we had this cleared with the school. Why are you interfering?"
Kai took a slow step forward, voice low and cold.
"I'm Grey."
His tone dropped even lower.
"And I'm in charge now. This delivery's over."
Without giving him time to respond, Kai sprang up and landed a devastating kick square in the man's chest.
The crack of impact echoed through the alley.
Down he went.
The remaining schoolboys didn't wait.
They bolted without looking back.
Kai watched them flee, his mind already moving ahead.
He approached the package, ripped it open… and froze.
Inside—high-grade tech components.
Circuits. Plates. Experimental hardware.
"What the hell is this?" he muttered under his breath.
Scanning the ground, he noticed the scattered bills.
$5,000 in cash.
For this?
He knelt beside the first man he'd dropped—now barely stirring.
Kai grabbed him by the collar, lifting him with one hand, his Six Eyes glowing brighter in the alley's dim light.
"What's with the tech inside this box?"
The man groaned, trying to focus.
"You… you guys broke the deal we had… This was supposed to be a simple drop…" His voice trembled.
Kai's glare intensified.
"Deal? Consider it canceled. Complain to whoever you want. There's no one above me now."
His voice dropped even lower.
"Last chance… What exactly is this tech for?"
Struggling for air, the man finally spat out the truth.
"I bought it… for weapons… Black market tech… stolen from some lab…"
That was enough.
With a quick strike to the man's chin, Kai knocked him out cold.
Rising to his feet, Kai glanced around the alley and stood for a moment longer, scanning the alley one last time. Four unconscious men, a pile of stolen tech, and five thousand dollars in cash.
All of it… dumped at his feet.
Great… Now what the hell am I supposed to do with this? There's no way I'm exposing myself over this mess.
The solution came to him almost instantly.
Cosmic.
A deep breath escaped him as he pulled out his phone. Without hesitation, he dialed a familiar number.
After two short rings, the line clicked.
"Cosmic. It's me." Kai's tone stayed low, steady. " We need to meet, I have some news. I'm sending you my location. And… I need a favor."
A quick explanation. And a meeting set.
After ending the call, Kai launched himself out of the alley, his eyes still fixed on the last known direction of Liam and his friends. But when he scanned the area… they were already gone.
Damn it…I wanted to know why they attacked me at school and who sent them. Then again… if I asked directly… they'd know I'm Kai...
Now holding the package—and with a wad of cash totaling five thousand dollars stuffed into his pocket—he headed toward the meeting point he had arranged with Cosmic. The questions swirling in his mind hadn't stopped. If anything… they'd only grown louder.
A few minutes later, at the meeting spot...
Cosmic arrived and immediately noticed Kai, still wearing the pharmacy mask.
"At least this time it's not a Halloween mask," Cosmic joked, folding his arms with an easy grin.
Kai lowered the mask, his expression neutral as always.
"Very funny… Looks like you're picking up my sense of humor by osmosis. Besides… a vampire lurking around Chicago would've drawn more attention."
Cosmic laughed, the tension between them easing for a brief moment despite the circumstances.
"So…?" Cosmic asked, shifting his tone back to business.
"Well, about that delivery scheme I told you about… This package? Stolen tech from somewhere. It was supposed to go to four guys who planned to use it to make weapons," Kai said, handing the package over with little ceremony—but with the quiet satisfaction of a job done.
Cosmic accepted it, inspecting the contents with a more serious look now.
"So this is what they've been delivering?" he asked, his tone tightening.
"Looks like they'll run anything. It's more like an illegal delivery network. The kids doing the runs don't even know what's inside. The other package? Drugs. Already taken care of," Kai said, keeping his voice practical, focused.
Cosmic nodded slowly, taking in the information but keeping his usual casual air as he pieced things together.
"I'll take this to the GDA. I doubt this and the drugs are enough for them to officially crack down on the delivery ring… but at least this might get them looking into where the stolen tech's coming from. And hey… bonus points for you," he added with a grin.
Kai didn't laugh. He just kept staring at Cosmic, voice steady and low.
"Just… keep my name out of it. Alright?"
With a reassuring smile, Cosmic nodded.
"You have my word," he said. Then, as he turned to leave, he paused—glancing back over his shoulder with a half-smile. "By the way… it's good seeing you actually doing something out here. You've changed. We haven't trained together in days. Let me know when you're free."
Kai gave a small nod and the faintest smile—but stayed quiet, standing there for a few more seconds, watching Cosmic disappear down the sidewalk and then vanish into the sky.
There was a slight sense of relief in his chest… but it didn't chase away the lingering weight that something bigger was still coming.
The information he had now felt important… but far from complete.
At least… the five thousand dollars in his pocket would more than cover his new suit.
Kai stayed there for a moment longer, gaze fixed on the empty sky where Cosmic had disappeared.
Whatever's coming next… at least I'll be better prepared this time.
Same day — Thursday Night — Art Rosenbaum's Shop
The night air was cold, and the streets of Chicago felt emptier than usual as Kai walked toward the shop. He wore the same Halloween mask from weeks ago—a Dracula mask that concealed most of his face. The corner was quiet, and the streetlights stretched long shadows across the sidewalks.
As he pushed open the door, the bell above chimed through the small shop.
Arthur, standing behind a counter cluttered with fabrics and scraps, looked up and smiled when he saw who it was.
"Well, look who's back," Arthur said with a wide grin, tossing in a little joke. "Dracula, right?"
Still wearing the mask, Kai answered with a smile hidden beneath the disguise.
"Yeah… seems like the Halloween spirit's still following me." He walked over to the counter. "I'm here to make the payment. Got the money for the suit."
Arthur gave him a once-over, eyeing Kai's build as if trying to read more than what was visible. But then he focused on what really mattered.
"Excellent. Good to see you again. Makes things a lot easier." Arthur started rearranging some fabrics on his table, preparing for measurements. "You can call me Art, by the way. Let's see… how are we looking today? You seem taller—around five-seven? What's your age?"
"Around fifteen," Kai said, holding out his arms as Arthur approached with a measuring tape.
Arthur began measuring, moving quickly but carefully—shoulder width, height, and several more specific measurements.
"Tall for your age… You're definitely going to grow more. Probably means you'll need another suit in the future," Arthur said, still jotting down notes. "I'll leave a bit of extra room, just to make this one last a little longer."
Kai, still with the Dracula mask on, tilted his head slightly.
"When can I pick it up?" he asked.
"Well, I'd already prepped everything I needed for the order. Just needed your measurements," Arthur replied, looping the tape around Kai's chest for the final numbers. "So it'll be fast. You can come get it late Sunday night… or early Monday morning. I know—crazy convenient, right?"
Kai nodded to himself, thinking, Well… for the price, it better be.
"That's it, then. I'll come back soon to pick it up." He pulled out twenty-five hundred dollars from his wallet and handed it over. Arthur took the money without hesitation.
Already storing the cash away, Art grinned.
"About the mask… I'll make it out of stretch fabric so it'll mold to your face. Can't exactly measure your features with you keeping your face hidden, now can I?"
Kai gave a small nod.
He glanced around the shop one last time, taking in the racks of hero suits lining the walls. Something about it all felt… lighter. One more thing checked off his list.
With that, he turned and walked back out into the cold Chicago night.
March 1st, 2013 — Friday, 5:10 AM
The day had started early, and Kai's coffee sat steaming on the table… but the usual burst of energy he relied on just wasn't there. After getting back late from Arthur's shop the night before, he now found himself facing the exhaustion that came with his new routine.
Taking a sip of the bitter coffee he'd made before anyone else in the house woke up, he grimaced. It wasn't nearly enough to chase away the sleepiness… but resting wasn't a luxury he could afford right now.
So tired... When did I even start caring this much? What a pain... Mark could just get his powers already and handle all this stuff… Kai thought to himself.
He grabbed his backpack and slipped out of the house earlier than usual. After all, if everyone was still asleep, flying was way more pleasant than catching the bus.
On the way to school, an odd sensation lingered at the back of his mind—an uneasy feeling that something important was about to happen… though he couldn't tell what.
The school grounds were still quiet. The cold morning air made the place feel even more deserted. The sun was barely rising, and only a few early students had started to arrive.
Kai took up a spot near the school entrance, arms crossed, standing there like a distant observer. Through the glass panels of the main entrance, he watched the empty halls and faint movement in the distance. The whole scene felt detached… like he was watching someone else's world.
Finally, around 6:45 AM, he saw him.
Liam appeared, walking in with a group of friends. From where he stood, Kai watched every move. The kid acted indifferent… like nothing had happened in that alley yesterday.
That raised a red flag.
"Did he report what happened… or is he pretending it never did?"
Liam was a second-year student, and Kai quickly pinned down the corridor and classroom he was headed for. Oakwood was huge, but with Kai's sharp eyes, no detail escaped him.
From a distance, Kai watched Liam's movements through the upper glass portion of the classroom wall. Not once did he get closer—just observed—until the school gradually filled with more students, and the morning routine swallowed everyone up.
Turning away with steady steps, Kai headed down a few corridors toward Jacob's classroom. When he stepped inside, Jacob sat slouched at his desk, still half-asleep.
Kai walked straight over.
"Hey, Jacob. Keep an eye on Liam for me. He's in one of the second-year classrooms over in Block C," Kai said, his voice direct but calm. He needed to make sure someone was monitoring things. The information wasn't clear yet… but the fact that Liam wasn't showing even a hint of anxiety told Kai that something was brewing behind the scenes.
Jacob, still looking a little confused, nodded slowly.
"Sure. I'll keep watch," he replied, already pushing his chair back and heading for the door.
Back in his own classroom, Kai sat down as students trickled in. As the lesson began, he rested his head on his hand, half-listening, half-waiting—hoping for any news about Liam.
He wanted answers.
But the day dragged on… and nothing happened.
Kiana still avoided meeting his gaze, but that was the least of his concerns now. What really gnawed at him was the lack of any new moves—no action from Liam… no whispers from whoever was really behind this.
The questions lingered… unanswered... all day long.
Later that afternoon, after school had ended, Kai found a secluded spot—determined to make another attempt at using the Red Void.
He'd spent most of the day thinking about it, analyzing what he might've done wrong during previous tries. He knew the technique had potential… but what he didn't know was why he couldn't control it.
Closing his eyes, Kai centered himself. The Void energy within him pulsed—steady, familiar. But he needed more. Reaching out with one hand, forming a specific hand sign, he summoned the red sphere again.
Just like before… the moment he tried to compress and stabilize it, the energy shattered—collapsing into nothing.
Frustration crept in, but he didn't stop. Again… and again… until exhaustion started weighing down his arms.
Finally, he threw his hand to the side, letting the last remnants of energy scatter into the air.
Letting out a long breath, he stared at the empty space in front of him—at that unreachable thing he'd been chasing.
"Maybe the Red Void is just something I made up… a projection… something impossible here… just a leftover dream from all those anime and manga from my past life." He muttered under his breath. "Maybe… this world simply wasn't built for it."
With a final sigh, Kai stood, brushing dust from his clothes as he walked away from the training spot.
This is getting too repetitive, I need to take a break from this.
For now… the idea of mastering the Red Void would have to wait.
Maybe someday… somehow… he'd figure out the right way.
But today… wasn't that day.
March 4th, 2013 — Monday Morning — Oakwood Highschool Academy
For most students at Oakwood High, the day started like any other. But for a few, the air felt heavier… charged with tension.
In the most isolated corner of the school grounds, Christopher, Bruce, and a handful of other boys stood gathered. They'd chosen a spot far from the busy classrooms and corridors—an area where no one would interrupt them.
Chris was visibly on edge, his jaw clenched tight and his gaze distant. Frustration radiated off him like heat from pavement on a summer day.
Suddenly, he punched the wall beside him. The sharp, echoing crack of impact filled the space, leaving visible dents behind.
"Dammit! Two complaints already! Missed deliveries on the scheduled day… and others still delayed!" Chris growled, his face twisting with irritation as he glared at the damaged wall.
Bruce, calm and collected as always, watched from the side. He could see how close Chris was to losing control—but right now, keeping a level head was more important than ever.
"Relax. You're the cold, calculating one—always three steps ahead of the rest of us. Smartest guy in the room, remember? This isn't the time to lose your cool. Let's think. Who missed their deliveries? What level screwed up?" Bruce said, his tone steady but with just enough bite to snap Chris out of it.
Chris sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady himself… but frustration still laced every word.
"Two second-level guys. Liam's client said someone robbed him and took the delivery… The other client said no one showed up at the agreed time." He paused, glancing around at the other boys as if willing the situation to magically fix itself. "These dumb clients don't matter… but we've gotta fix this fast. You know who we're playing with. Big players. If we want in… we can't mess this up. The three of us—we can build an empire here." His words tumbled out with a mix of rage and desperation.
Bruce watched him carefully, keeping his cool but letting just enough firmness creep into his tone to ground the conversation.
"We need more details. Who's above them in the chain?" Bruce asked, his voice colder now, already shifting into problem-solving mode.
Chris paused, mentally piecing together the structure of their network before replying directly.
"Above Liam is David. The other guy was under another second-year rookie—Dimitry. No one above him. The third-level guy from that group graduated last year. The rest of them… all useless nobodies." Chris's words came fast, more focused on solving the crisis than on making his explanation pretty.
Bruce let out a dry, humorless chuckle. Just enough to release a bit of tension.
"So… who the hell was dumb enough to hit our delivery?" Bruce asked, his voice dropping a note deeper.
Chris shook his head, frustrated and clueless.
"I don't know! Who'd be that stupid? I'll call David and Liam over. And send someone to talk to Dimitry. I want to know exactly what happened." His tone left no room for argument—he was already gearing up to take control of the mess.
The group fell into a heavy silence. The weight of the failed deliveries hung in the air like a storm waiting to break.
For Chris… failure wasn't part of the plan.
A few minutes later, Liam and David arrived at the spot.
Chris stood with arms crossed, staring both of them down. The atmosphere thickened with every passing second. He didn't want excuses. He wanted answers.
Liam, keeping his head low and his posture slouched, looked every bit the definition of nervous. The kid was tense… trapped in a situation he clearly didn't know how to handle. David, standing beside him, stayed quiet… giving Liam room to explain.
Chris, his voice dropping lower and sharper, broke the silence.
"So, Liam… What the hell happened with the delivery?" His words cut like a blade—direct, unforgiving.
Liam hesitated…
"We… we were attacked, sir." His voice cracked halfway through—but at least he tried to stay honest.
Chris wasn't having it.
"I already know that. Be specific. Who did it?"
Before Liam could speak, David stepped in—already knowing where this was going.
"He said it was some guy named Grey. Wearing our school uniform." David's tone was flat… no room for doubt.
Bruce's brow furrowed, confusion flashing across his face.
"Grey? Don't know any Grey worth noting… Then again, it's a big school…" he muttered, trying to make sense of it.
But then… Liam's next words made Chris freeze.
"So you're telling me… some random unknown kid… stole the client's money… took the delivery… beat up grown men… and you—you're, what… ranked 30-something—couldn't stop him?" Chris's stare sharpened, voice turning dangerous. "Hard to believe… Describe this Grey."
Liam, face still downcast, now looked absolutely desperate. There was no escaping the truth.
"Sir… he had white hair… blue eyes… He took down all four guys who were supposed to move the package. He dodged bullets. I didn't even have a chance. I was lucky to get out of there…" Liam's last words came with a trembling sigh—relief mixed with lingering fear.
Chris clenched his jaw, tension rippling through his whole frame.
"Dodging bullets…?" he muttered under his breath, a cold chill crawling down his spine.
Someone at our level? Or Bruce's… or worse… Maybe even someone who'd had the injections too.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Suddenly, one of the boys they'd sent to question Dimitry came running back—out of breath.
"Boss! Dimitry just told me what happened with his delivery!" The kid's voice wavered, adrenaline still high.
Chris shot him a look. No words—just waiting.
The boy gulped and pushed through.
"He… he said some guy named Grey grabbed the backpack… and broke his fingers."
The words landed like a punch to the gut.
Chris snapped.
In a blur, moving faster than most eyes could track, he lunged—grabbing both David and the messenger by their shoulders with crushing force.
Both boys winced under the sudden pressure. Even David had to grit his teeth.
"I won't tolerate this!" Chris roared, voice low but dangerously sharp. "I want to know who this Grey is."
He turned to Bruce— with a clear order, as if everyone already knew what they should do.
"Spread the word. I want everyone looking for this 'Grey.' White hair. Blue eyes."
Bruce, with a calm expression, gave a nod.
"Sure, Chris. But hey… now that we've got a name… half the job's done, right? No point losing your head over it."
Chris exhaled, slowly releasing both boys.
"Yeah… guess you're right. Good thing I've got a smart friend like you…"
He paused—then shifted his glare toward David.
"So… what about that kid from Kiana's class? Did you teach him a lesson?"
David stayed composed.
"Sir… Liam tried to jump him. But he failed."
Chris, still fuming but more controlled, narrowed his eyes.
"Two failures? What now…?"
Liam, visibly embarrassed, muttered—barely audible.
"Sir… I ambushed him in the locker room after the physical tests. I… I don't remember much after that. I was sure I had him, but… he punched me… I think I slipped on the wet floor and hit my head. Next thing I knew, they were dragging me outside… saying I'd passed out."
Chris blinked… then, out of nowhere, burst into laughter.
A full, uncontrolled, throat-deep laugh.
"I'm surrounded by idiots…" he chuckled, shaking his head.
David, wanting to cut the mood short, stepped in.
"Chris… I'll have this handled. Don't stress."
Chris inhaled deeply, finally regaining composure.
"You better. If this isn't settled by Friday… forget about knocking fifty grand off the debt."
The weight of that warning settled hard on the group.
This… was far from over.
In Kai's classroom, just before the lesson started...
Cassie walked in with a tired expression, visibly battered from her fight with Kiana. Her bruises were obvious—black eye, bandages scattered across her face—drawing immediate attention. But she carried herself with proud, upright posture. Without saying a word, she went straight to her seat in the front row near the door, on the opposite side of where Kiana usually sat.
The whole class watched in silence, whispers spreading among them. Cassie settled into her chair, looking composed despite her injuries, but the tension between her and Kiana was thick in the air.
Kiana glanced at her with a subtle, provocative smile. Cassie, refusing to show weakness, stayed silent—but her face made one thing perfectly clear: she didn't like being challenged.
Then, out of nowhere, Cassie raised her voice, breaking the awkward silence and shutting down all the murmurs at once.
"If anyone's got something to say… come say it to my face. But you'll have to meet me in the ring after."
Her eyes swept across the students around her with a fierce, daring glare.
The room fell dead silent. Everyone suddenly found great interest in the floor. No one wanted that smoke. Even with her loss to Kiana, Cassie still held the 9th spot in Oakwood's physical ranking—a position most wouldn't dream of challenging.
Her ruthless stare silenced anyone thinking of pushing their luck.
Kiana simply kept her faint smile, holding her gaze on Cassie, which only deepened the girl's simmering rage. Still, despite the tension, Cassie chose to let it go and focused on the class.
By the end of the second period, during the teacher swap...
Kai, on his way toward Dimitry's classroom, spotted a boy moving quickly down the hall. The kid was peeking through the glass panels lining the classroom walls. Moments later, another boy followed the same path. They exchanged a glance and shook their heads—clearly not finding who they were looking for.
Something was going on.
Kai noticed the unusual activity but didn't stress over it. Maintaining his usual indifferent expression, he kept walking toward Dimitry's room.
Meanwhile, Cassie got up from her seat and headed to the girls' bathroom.
In the corridor...
Kai kept walking. More boys now scanned the windows of every classroom they passed. But he ignored them. It was obvious… they weren't looking for him.
Just as he turned the corner near Dimitry's room, Liam and four others intercepted him, stepping in from both sides to block his path.
Typical.
Kai stayed relaxed, hands in his pockets, glancing around lazily at the group circling him.
What a pain... Not wasting time on this.
With casual indifference, he locked eyes with Liam, who was stepping forward.
"Guess I didn't hit you hard enough back in the locker room, huh?" Kai said coolly.
The jab hit its mark. Liam's face twisted in anger, teeth clenched.
"You got lucky then. Today… won't be the same," Liam growled.
At his signal, the boys started closing in.
But before anyone could throw a punch…
A sharp, loud female voice cut through the hallway noise.
"HEY! What the hell's going on here?"
Cassie.
She emerged from the bathroom, bruises and bandages on full display—but standing with her usual confident posture.
The boys froze. A few instinctively stepped back when they saw her.
"Crap… That's the 9th-ranked girl," one of Liam's friends whispered, wide-eyed.
Liam sneered but quickly backed off.
"Looks like you got lucky again, rookie. But watch your back," Liam snapped, turning away with the others, leaving without another word.
Kai watched them go, then glanced at Cassie.
"You're welcome, by the way," Cassie said, her tone as cocky as ever.
Kai sighed.
"…Thanks," he replied, honest but unenthusiastic.
Cassie smiled, lacing her hands behind her head and wincing slightly from the pain.
"For a second, I thought you wouldn't say it. I'll walk you to the classroom, just in case they try again," she said, flashing him a sly grin.
Kai studied her for a moment. Her help… honestly surprised him. Not the kind of thing he expected from someone like Cassie.
But… thanks to her, his plan to talk to Dimitry had just gone out the window.
Still, it didn't seem like Cassie was the type to help just anyone.
"Why'd you help me?" Kai asked, his curiosity breaking through, though his tone stayed flat.
Cassie gave a short laugh, eyes still forward.
"Look, I'm not a fan of how things work around here, but I don't usually get involved. Thing is…" She paused, choosing her words. "I saw the way you spoke to Kiana last week… called her a monster, said the world would be better off without her." She laughed harder now. "No one's ever said that to her face before. Everyone here worships her like some school queen… and you… a low-ranked nobody… with crap physical scores…" She laughed again. "Pffff… Put her right in her place. That was priceless."
Kai smirked faintly, uneasy with her praise. He knew full well he'd gone too far with Kiana.
"Yeah… I was a bit harsh," he admitted, still thinking about the whole thing.
Cassie playfully punched his arm—light, but still enough to jolt him.
"Don't make me regret stepping in for you," she said, flashing her trademark confident grin, hands back behind her head like nothing happened.
Together, they headed back to class.
By the time they arrived, the lesson had already started. Both were late.
Kai opened the door and walked in first. As he entered, Cassie followed right behind him.
Before sitting down, she turned to Kai.
"If you need backup again… you owe me lunch at the school cafeteria."
Kai, not wanting to drag the moment out, simply nodded with a small smile and went straight to his seat.
From the other side of the room, Megan leaned over toward Kiana, whispering just loud enough.
"Told you… bad people attract bad people."
Kiana said nothing… but something about the scene bothered her more than she liked to admit.
The tension from earlier still lingered when the next break arrived. That's when Jacob and Josh showed up at Kai's classroom to get him.
Kai stepped outside, his head still a bit foggy—thoughts swirling about the deliveries and what the hell was going on with the school's underground mess.
As he walked toward the door, he spotted Cassie passing by on her way to the cafeteria.
She stopped beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder with a teasing smile—despite the visible bruises still fresh on her face.
"Careful… I won't be there to bail you out next time," she said, half joking, half serious.
Kai gave her a small smile and nodded, moving on to meet up with Jacob and Josh without another word.
From inside the classroom, Kiana had been watching.
She still hadn't returned Kai's shirt… hadn't apologized for the slap… and now Cassie was suddenly hovering around him?
No… that didn't sit right.
While walking beside Kai, Josh spoke up.
"What was that with Cassie? She's ranked ninth, right?"
Jacob chimed in, equally curious.
"Yeah. She's ninth. Between her and Kiana, people tend to avoid getting assigned to your classroom for deliveries. Out of all the high school years, your class has two top-ranked fighters who aren't part of the system."
Then he gave Kai a pointed look.
"She knows about you?"
Kai shrugged with a crooked grin.
"No one here knows how strong I really am. Just you guys. She probably thinks she saved me earlier."
Josh laughed.
"I used to be terrified of her… but after meeting you, everyone else feels like small fry," Josh said, lowering his voice like confessing a secret.
Jacob elbowed him hard.
"Shut up, dude. Every time you open your mouth, it's nonsense."
Kai ignored their banter, keeping his gaze ahead.
"So… what's your story anyway? I heard you guys were troublemakers… Especially Dimitry," Kai asked.
Jacob's expression turned more serious. Staring at the floor as they walked.
"We're not rich, you know? Got into this school thanks to our parents' sacrifices… some of us on partial scholarships. But this school… this place… its survival of the fittest."
Kai nodded slightly, taking it in but not exactly sympathizing.
Jacob sighed and looked at Kai.
"Dimitry… wasn't always like this. Lost both parents back in middle school… been couch-surfing since. The school gave him a scholarship for his physical abilities… sponsored him. But… he's got bills, man. Hospital stuff for his little brother. He had a part-time job… got mixed up with street gangs for money… then last year, he joined the delivery scheme to pay off the hospital debt."
Kai listened… thinking it over without softening.
"There were other ways to get money. Didn't some kid kill himself last year?" Kai asked bluntly.
Silence fell between them for a few seconds. The air grew heavy.
Jacob answered at last, a little sadness in the look.
"Yeah… He took the fame, but that wasn't on Dimitry. Different class… different guys."
Josh broke the tension with his usual dark humor.
"You know how it is… when the world turns its back on you… you slap its ass on the way down."
Jacob shot him a glare and jabbed him in the ribs.
"Shut up, man… what's wrong with you?"
Finally, Jacob turned to Kai, looking serious again.
"Look… I know you're the one calling the shots now… but if you can… just… don't bring this stuff up with Dimitry."
Kai let out a tired sigh, barely reacting.
"Not sure if that makes me like you guys more… or less."
After walking a bit further, they found Dimitry.
Kai approached him directly.
"Hey. Was gonna come talk to you earlier… but didn't get the chance," said Kai.
Dimitry, looking worn out, nodded like he'd been expecting it.
"Figured as much. That's why I told them to come get you… Not sure what you want from me, but… some second-year kid from Block D came asking about the delivery. I told him some guy named Grey took the package… and broke my fingers."
Kai gave him a satisfied little smile.
"Good. Means I'm getting under their skin."
Dimitry, clearly confused, hesitated.
"No idea how you changed your hair color… but they're all hunting for this Grey guy now. White hair. Blue eyes."
Kai smiled faintly again.
"So that's why they've been checking classroom windows."
Kai reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet, and grabbed a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
"Y'know… I was gonna leave you guys empty-handed… but here."
Kai handed the money to Dimitry.
"This is part of what I grabbed from Liam's failed delivery last Thursday."
Dimitry stared at the cash, counting it in disbelief.
"A thousand bucks… Same amount as before…"
"Split it however you want. I don't care." Kai spoke with his usual detached tone. "Got more than enough from the info you gave me… and stopped some pretty dangerous stuff from hitting the streets. Keep reporting back."
"...Thanks," Dimitry said as he tucked the bills away. Then, with a bit more firmness in his voice, he added, "When they bring the next delivery... I'll let you know. I've figured out one thing—the person dropping these off… doesn't go to our school."
Kai gave him a single nod, quiet but clear.
With that, Kai turned to leave, hands in his pockets, wearing that same uninterested expression.
But deep down… he knew.
The name Grey… was starting to work just like he wanted.
Now… all he had to do was wait.
Interlude – Between Fabric and Punches
Vance Hayes Mansion – Night – Kiana's Room
The room was a bit messy, which wasn't usual. A pile of clothes sat in the corner, open chemistry books were scattered across the desk, and draped over the chair… the shirt.
That shirt.
Kiana held it in her hands, her fingers gripping the fabric as if it were to blame for all the thoughts she didn't want to have.
Why am I still holding onto this? Why haven't I returned it already?
She buried her face in the shirt for a second, taking a deep breath before quickly pulling it away like she'd just done something shameful.
"Idiot…" she muttered to herself, tossing the shirt onto the bed.
She paced back and forth, arms crossed, staring at the ceiling and then out the window.
The problem wasn't just the shirt. It was… him.
Kai.
The way he acted like nothing ever affected him. Like he was always just a spectator, watching the whole world like a stage play from the audience… But lately, there was something else.
Cassie.
They barely talked, but… they were talking. And that alone was enough to irritate Kiana in a way she couldn't even explain.
He doesn't talk to anyone. Why her? Of all people… her?
She let out a loud sigh, grabbed the shirt again, thought about crumpling it up and throwing it away… but ended up folding it carefully and stuffing it into her drawer.
"Damn it… this is my fault. Tomorrow…" she muttered, then paused—shaking her head as if rejecting her own thought. "Tomorrow I'll… pretend he doesn't even exist," she whispered under her breath, like making a promise to herself.
Even though she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it.
Blackwood Gym – 10:32 PM – Cassie
The sound of punches filled the air.
Cassie unleashed a rapid sequence against the heavy bag, her fists wrapped in worn-out bandages. Sweat dripped down her forehead, soaking into the bandages on her face. Her arms were already trembling… but she didn't stop.
With every strike, an image flashed in her mind.
The fight against Kiana.
The moment she was taken down. That look of contempt she received. The humiliation in front of the whole school.
She clenched her teeth, speeding up her punches.
Weak… I was way too weak.
The heavy bag swung hard when she slammed a shoulder into it, almost knocking the whole thing loose from its frame.
She took a deep breath, resting her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
She knew the gap between her and Kiana was huge. She knew that just being angry wouldn't fix anything… she needed more.
Slowly straightening up, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror at the corner of the room. Her eyes were full of determination… but there was still a weight behind them.
"Next time… I'm not just gonna take the hits," she murmured, clenching her fists tightly.
She went back to pounding the bag, her whole body screaming in exhaustion, but her mind… locked in.
Grayson Household – Kai's Room – Around Midnight
Kai carefully opened his closet door.
The room was dark, except for the faint streetlight filtering through the blinds. Mark was sleeping soundly. Kai pulled out a thin cardboard box from under a pile of old clothes and placed it on the bed.
He opened it slowly.
Inside, folded with precision… the suit.
Durable fabric, discreet layers of protection. Reinforced stitching at the joints. Art Rosenbaum's craftsmanship.
Kai ran his fingers along the collar, thoughtful.
"I don't plan on running around wearing this… But… if I need to…" he whispered, closing the box again. "…I want to be ready."
His mind drifted to the girl with the pink light powers—her name was already popping up in rumors here and there… Atom Eve. He remembered seeing her fighting on TV, and how he hadn't arrived in time to help… That feeling of having no control over the world around him… and the growing certainty that sooner or later, something new was coming.
He stored the suit deep inside the closet, piling more clothes on top.
For a few seconds, he just stood there, staring at the closed door, then up at the ceiling.
Just in case…
And, as always, he fell asleep with one eye open… and his mind thousands of miles away.