Nova Academy [2]

"Hope," the headmistress repeated, her voice carrying a mix of familiarity and authority.

She turned fully toward me, her crimson hair catching the light streaming from the large window behind her.

Every muscle in my body tensed. My hand moved instinctively to my belt, summoning my katana from the dimension pouch. The black blade appeared in my grip as I shifted into a battle stance, my sharp gaze locking onto her.

'It's impossible for anyone to guess who I truly was.'

Then, how did she find out?

"Why do you call me by that name?" I demanded, my voice cold and cautious.

She didn't flinch. Instead, a small, amused smile curled on her lips. Slowly, she raised her hands in a gesture of peace.

"Relax," she said lightly, her voice carrying a strange familiarity. "Don't you recognize me?"

I stiffened, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword. My mind raced, searching for any possible connection.

"Her voice… I've heard it before. But where?"

Seeing my hesitation, she let out a soft chuckle.

"Seriously?" she said, her voice slightly muffled. "You really don't recognize me?"

Her voice… it's familiar. I know it, but I can't place it… No, wait—could it be—?

"Pride?" The name escaped my lips before I could stop it.

Her smile widened.

"Took you long enough," she said.

Hero name: [Pride]. The Rank 7 Hero of the Hero Association.

My training companion.

My comrade.

My only friend.

How could I not recognize her? We both trained in the same room and under the same master, for a whole year.

Damn my memories!

But how did she become the headmistress? If I remember correctly, she was only twenty years old. only three years older than me.

"You're… the headmistress?" I asked anyways.

"Ruby Oliver, at your service," she replied with a mocking bow, as if taking a curtain call. "Surprised?"

Like hell, I was.

Back in the Hero Association, some heroes altered their features for anonymity, while others wore masks. I had done both—for extra precaution.

But [Pride] had always known. She, along with our master, had been one of the few aware of the truth beneath my facade.

Now, standing before me, she was no longer just a hero.

She was the headmistress of this academy.

And she had found me.

That easily?

But my hair back then had turned silver in color. Then how did she find out?

"How did you recognize me?" I managed to ask.

"I'd recognize you anywhere," she said with a teasing voice, folding her arms.

"But that's not the question we should be discussing right now, is it? What I want to know is—what happened to you? Why are you hiding from the Hero Association? And who is there, a new Hope, taking your place?"

Her questions cut through me, each one hitting a nerve. For a moment I hesitated—unsure if I should reveal everything.

I had known her for the past three years. We were in the same boat, enduring that painful year of harsh training together. She was my companion through it all—the one who consoled me when I broke down from the strain.

She had always been someone I trusted, someone who had walked the same grueling path as I, If there was anyone in the entire Hero Association I could confide in, it was her.

Sigh…

Taking a deep breath. I began.

I told her everything.

The ambush. The mysterious figure with golden blood who had killed me. My skill Immortality. The Hero Association's betrayal. The new Hope they had put in my place. Every detail spilled out, and with each word, the weight on my chest grew lighter. I felt revived.

Ruby's hands clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white. She took a sharp breath, her chest rising and falling as anger simmered beneath the surface. By the time I finished, her crimson eyes burned with fury, her jaw tightened.

"They betrayed you," she said, her voice low and shaking with rage. "How dare they! Those bastards..."

Her reaction was enough to reassure me that I had made the right choice. The right choice was that she was a trustworthy friend.

"Immortality, you say?"

"Yeah, it was there when I woke up, and I don't even know what it actually does."

"Hmm, before we know what that skill is, don't you dare use it, who knows, it might be connected to that golden blood entity."

"Sure, thanks for the warning."

"And you don't have to worry," Ruby said after a moment, her voice softening. "You're safe with me. I'll make sure no one at NOVA learns the truth, and I promise you that no one from the Hero Association will ever get to know about you."

"Thanks, Pride—I mean Ruby."

"It's Headmistress Ruby to you. You are at Nova. Now get back to your class before anyone gets suspicious."

"Yeah, Headmistress Ruby."

I nodded again and turned to leave—only to freeze as Ruby suddenly hugged me from behind. Her soft cheek pressed against mine, her warmth sinking into me.

"I'm glad you're safe," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I will keep you safe. So… don't do everything on your own. You can rely on me."

A lump formed in my throat.

"And… I'm sorry… sniff... I'm so sorry…" Her grip tightened as she clung to me, her body shaking. "...I didn't come to your aid. Sniff... For two whole months, you were in that dark place… you must have been scared, really scared…!"

Her words struck something deep inside me.

"You were always scared of the dark…" she choked out.

My chest ached.

"Yeah… I was scared," I admitted quietly. "Scared that I'd never see the faces of the people I love again."

She buried her face into my shoulder, her silent sobs warming my skin.

After a moment, she sniffed and wiped her tears, her cheeks flushed. "Mmhmm… okay… now go. Your classes are about to start."

I glanced back as I stepped out of her office—only to realize I was smiling like an idiot.

I felt lighter.

I didn't want to see her cry again.

To protect her smile. To keep everyone safe.

I had to get stronger.

And when that mysterious entity appeared again…

I would make sure it knew what Zane Skylark truly was.

I would teach it the meaning of fear.

The meaning of pain.

I promised myself.

***

Checking my watch, I got to know the second class was 'Weapon Mastery' and it's held on training ground.

As I entered the training hall, a hush fell over the students. Conversations that once buzzed through the air died down, replaced by the whispers and side long glances in my direction.

"Isn't that the guy the headmistress called over?"

"Yeah. What do you think it was about?"

"Maybe he's in trouble… or maybe he's someone important?"

I, on the other hand, kept my expression neutral and my footsteps steady as I made my way to a corner of the hall.

I could feel their eyes on me, but I chose to ignore the murmurs, leaning against the wall, I waited for the class to begin.

However, the silence didn't last long.

A group of three students broke away from the crowd, their gazes locked onto me. They walked with a cocky swagger, their smirks betraying their intentions.

'I don't want to deal with this now.'

The leader of the group, a tall blond-haired boy who looked like he came straight from Terranova, stepped forward. "Hey, you," he called out, his tone sharp and mocking.

I glanced at him but said nothing.

The blond boy's smirk widened as he came closer, flanked by his two companions. "So, what did the headmistress want with you, huh?"

My eyes narrowed slightly, but I remained calm.

"That's none of your business," I replied coolly.

The blond boy's smirk halted, replaced by a flash of annoyance. "None of my business, huh? Don't act all high and mighty just because Miss Monica said something nice about you. That doesn't make you special, you bookworm—"

"What do you think you're doing?" Anna, who was looking from the side, stepped forward, her presence commanding enough to make the group hesitate. Her fiery red hair seemed to glow under the training hall's light as she glared at the blond boy.

"Tsk. Let's go, my mood is ruined." The boy said as he walked toward the other classmates.

"I didn't need the help, but… thanks." I spoke.

"I know, I was worrying about them, any ways, why did you come to NOVA?"

"Umm… To train and get stronger, I guess."

"Eh? Strong you? Do you want to take over the planet or something?"

"Pfttt… Hahahaha!" Without any realization, I began to laugh.

"!"

'Beside Ruby, none ever made me laugh before.'

As I thought that, Ruby's crying face appeared in my mind.

Ruby's sobs echoed in my mind. I couldn't let anyone else carry my burdens—not her, not anyone. It was my fight. And I will make sure I keep my promise.

End of chapter 8.