FLASHBACK – Kindergarten Playground, 12 Years Ago]
The yard was a mess of kids' voices and sand.But in the most forgotten corner of the garden, a blond boy knelt down, crying.
— "Look at that! The rich kid can't even defend himself!"— "Crying again, Kane Jayson?"— "Your dad's rich, but you're a weakling!"
Three boys circled him, laughing.
Kane's eyes were filled with tears, his scraped knees trembling.He couldn't even respond—just curled inwards, smaller and smaller.
Then, a firm voice cut through the noise:
— "Hey! Three against one? That's cowardly!"
A boy with messy brown hair came running, his eyes glowing with righteous anger.
— "Back off, now!"
The bullies laughed.
— "You? A little brat?"
But the boy didn't hesitate.He shoved one of them aside and stood between Kane and the others.
— "If you want to fight someone, fight me."
Surprised, the bullies backed off and fled.The boy turned around, offering a hand.
— "Hi. I'm Ryan."
Kane stared at that hand with wide eyes… and then, for the first time in days, he smiled.
— "Kane... I'm Kane."
[FLASHBACK – Aura Evaluation Plaza, 5 Years Later]
The aura-measuring machines glowed as curious kids lined up.A voice boomed through the speakers:
— "Next up... Kane Jayson!"
Kane stepped onto the platform with confidence. The machine lit up.
"800 units of Primordial Aura."
The crowd cheered. Kane grinned proudly.
— "Wow, Kane, that's amazing!" said Ryan, eyes full of admiration.— "Now it's my turn!"
Ryan stepped up. Placed his hand on the crystal.The machine stayed silent for several seconds...
"0 units."
The silence turned into laughter.
— "Hahahaha! No aura!"— "What a joke!"— "He wants to be a hero?!"
Kane looked around. Everyone was laughing.Suddenly, a thought took hold:
"No one can know this loser is my friend...""What do I do...?"
He felt fear, pride, and the weight of the Jayson name.
"Just do what everyone else is doing..."
He forced a laugh.
— "Hahaha! No aura! What an embarrassment!"
Ryan froze.
— "What...? Kane... aren't you my friend?"
Kane looked at him... and lied with his eyes.
— "I don't even know you, kid."
Ryan fell to his knees. The tears came hard and fast.
— "KANE!!"
[PRESENT – Hero Academy Rooftop]
Ryan walked down the hallway when a cold voice echoed:
— "Hey, Ryan... I want a word. Alone."
Ethan stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
— "No way. If you touch him—"
But Ryan raised a calm hand.
— "It's okay, Ethan. Let's talk, Kane."
They climbed to the rooftop. The wind blew gently, but the tension was heavy like iron.
Kane stared at Ryan.
— "Look... I know you're hiding something. Come on. Just admit you've had aura all along. Quit the act."
Ryan sighed.
— "What are you talking about, Kane? I've been tested a thousand times. I don't have any aura."
Kane slammed his fist against the railing.
— "DON'T PLAY DUMB!"— "Lorien... Inavy... they both saw something in you today! You're strong—and you're lying!"
Ryan looked up at the sky. His eyes remained calm.
— "I have no aura, Kane.What you saw today… is just my strength.Training. Willpower. That's it."
Kane's fists clenched. His eyes burned red with rage.
— "I'll expose you in this Draft. I'll crush you, you pathetic nerd. And then everyone will see who the real hero is."
Ryan turned slowly. Met Kane's gaze with unwavering calm.
— "Then I'll see you at the Draft… Kane Jayson."
Silence fell.
The rivalry had begun.
[End of Chapter 7]
"The past never forgets. And broken bonds become the most dangerous chains."