The time had finally come—the start of classes at the Gifted Academy.
Lumiel's alarm rang, but he was already awake. He hadn't gotten up early. He just hadn't slept at all.
With a quiet exhale, he got ready, dressed in his uniform, and stepped out into the morning streets. The crisp air brushed against his face, but his mind was focused. Today marked a new beginning.
As he walked, the system's interface suddenly appeared.
> [System: Danger nearby. Please remain walking.]
Lumiel's eyes narrowed. He scanned his surroundings and spotted movement in a nearby alley. Three rough-looking guys loomed over a small figure with sky-blue hair—another student, based on the uniform he wore.
"That guy's wearing the same uniform as me... He must go to the same academy," Lumiel thought.
Another box appeared, but this time it didn't contain text—it displayed Kurt's face.
"Hey, Mister Lumiel," Kurt said cheerfully.
"Don't call me 'Mister,' please. Just Lumiel."
"Alright then, Lumiel. You should help that guy. He's surrounded and looks powerless."
"I was planning to," Lumiel muttered. "You just startled me a bit."
"Hey! Where's my money, brat?!" one of the thugs barked.
"I-I don't have any…" the boy stammered, clearly terrified.
"Huh!? A kid like you, going to the Gifted Academy, has no money? Don't make me laugh!" the second thug jeered.
"He's obviously lying. Let's just beat him up and take what he's got," the third said with a grin.
Lumiel stepped forward. The system instantly reacted.
> [System: Appraisal complete.]
[Raskin — Gifted with Heat Control: Able to control the heat of his hands and anything he touches. Can emit heatwaves.]
[Hanley — Gifted with Iron Fist: Has fists harder than iron.]
[Trent — Gifted with Chain Manipulation: Can create and control chains from his body. Has certain limits.]
"This is quite useful," Lumiel thought.
Trent turned toward him. "Who the hell are you? Trying to play hero?"
The three laughed mockingly.
"I am the hero, though," Lumiel thought, eyes sharp.
"Just hand over your money and we'll let you go," Raskin said smugly.
"No," Lumiel answered, voice steady. "Leave him alone. What did he even do to you?"
"What the hell did you say, punk?" Hanley growled. "You looking down on us? There's three of us and one of you."
"Run!" the boy cried out desperately.
Chains erupted from Trent's hands, wrapping around the boy and tossing him to the side. He hit the wall with a thud, immobilized.
"You're not going anywhere until we beat you to a pulp," Trent sneered.
Lumiel's expression darkened. In a single fluid motion, he manifested his sword.
A surge of energy flowed through him as he raised the blade.
"Heavenly Slash."
The technique carved through the air, not cutting flesh, but slicing the thugs' clothes into shreds. In stunned silence, they looked down at their tattered uniforms.
"You'll pay for this, bastard! Just you wait!" one of them shouted as the three fled in humiliation.
> [System: New unregistered ability unlocked — Heavenly Slash: A technique that cuts only what the user desires.]
"So that was the attack I used earlier…" Lumiel muttered. "Oh! The kid!"
He rushed over and used Heavenly Slash again, this time slicing through the chains without harming the boy.
"Lumiel," Kurt's voice echoed through the interface. "It's almost 8 AM—you're going to be late for the grand ceremony."
Lumiel sighed. "You could've told me sooner."
He carefully lifted the unconscious boy onto his back and sprinted down the road toward the academy.
As he ran, Kurt chimed in again.
"Lumiel, the boy has awakened."
True enough, the boy shifted behind him, groaning softly as he opened his eyes.
"Hey," Lumiel called back. "Are you awake? Does anything hurt?"
Startled, the boy jolted upright on Lumiel's back. They both nearly toppled over.
"Whoa—hey! Don't move too much, I'll lose balance and we'll fall!"
"S-sorry…" the boy muttered, shrinking into himself.
"What's your name?" Lumiel asked.
"Skye," he answered nervously.
"Sky? What's with the sky?" Lumiel said, a bit confused.
"IT'S SKYE! S-K-Y-E, SKYE!" the boy shouted in frustration.
"Ohh, my bad, hehe," Lumiel laughed. "I'm Lumiel. I also attend the Gifted Academy."
"You go there too? That's a relief... I'm glad I already know someone," Skye said, visibly relaxing—before his eyes widened. "Wait, those guys who were surrounding me… What happened to them?"
"Those guys?" Lumiel said, grinning. "They ran away."
"Did you beat them up?" Skye asked, eyes wide.
"No, I just destroyed their clothes. They ran off on their own."
Skye blinked. He didn't quite believe him, but he was still grateful. "What a weird person…" he mumbled.
"Hmph? You say something, Skye?"
"N-no! I said nothing!"
"Well, if you say so," Lumiel replied, chuckling.
He kept running, a little smile tugging at the edge of his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt something warm.
He had made a new friend.