A God Tier

GAIA woke up early in the morning, it's just 5:30 AM and her class will start at exactly 7. She deliberately woke up early to have time to organize her things.

While arranging her stuff, she looked for the necklace she needed to wear. She straightened out her clothes before rummaging through her suitcase. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the oblong black box that contained the necklace. She opened it and put on the necklace—a simple black circular pendant. It wasn't for decoration; it served a different purpose. Now she felt more at ease to step out. After sorting her belongings, Gaia decided it was time for a shower.

In just a few minutes, Gaia finished showering and got dressed before leaving the room. She saw Zeira in the living room watching the news on TV. She approached her, but Zeira didn't notice her as her attention was fixed on the TV.

"Another person with an ability has been killed by the vigilante group called HUNTER. The group is known for leaving a note or any object using the victim's blood with their group name."

Gaia's attention was also caught by the news. The TV displayed the signs using the victim's blood as a signature near the crime scene. It wasn't new to them. HUNTER targeted people with abilities who helped others, at least that's what Gaia knew. Usually, the people behind these heroic acts are those in Supreme Tiers.

"When will they stop?!" Gaia exclaimed, surprised by Zeira's sudden outburst. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remained focused on the TV. Gaia felt a sense of compassion for her, so she approached and sat beside her.

"Zeira," Gaia called out to her. Zeira wiped her tears and looked at Gaia, smiling with a hint of sadness.

"I'm sorry, Gaia. I didn't mean to burden you so early," she tried to cheer up her voice as she spoke to Gaia. "It's okay, Zeira. W-why are you crying?" Gaia wasn't sure if she had the right to ask, and she bit her lip as she realized it.

Zeira smiled weakly at Gaia. Gaia regretted asking, and she started crying again, hugging Gaia suddenly. Gaia felt a bit awkward, but she decided to ignore it to comfort Zeira.

"That group killed my brother. He just wanted to help those in need. But they mercilessly killed him," Zeira said amidst her tears. Gaia immediately understood why she reacted so strongly to the news. Gaia also felt a sense of anger, trying to calm herself.

"B-be strong for your brother, Zeira. I'm sure he wouldn't want you like this because of him," Gaia advised her, gently caressing her back as she continued to hug her. They stayed silent in that position, and Zeira eventually pulled away from the hug after a few minutes. She was still sniffling, but no more tears were flowing from her eyes. She turned to Gaia, smiled, a smile full of gratitude that Gaia accepted.

"Thank you, Gaia. At least I feel a bit relieved that I could share my feelings with someone," Zeira said with a smile to Gaia.

"I-it's nothing, Zeira. Let's get going and have breakfast," was Gaia's response. She didn't know how to handle such intimate conversations. Zeira laughed at her and nodded. Gaia waited for Zeira to get ready before they headed to the cafeteria.

After Zeira got dressed, Gaia and Zeira walked down the hallway towards the cafeteria. Gaia couldn't shake off the feeling of uneasiness due to the attention they were getting, mainly because she was with Zeira, who was popular in the Academy.

Zeira noticed that Gaia seemed uncomfortable with the attention, so she advised her not to mind them. Gaia was assured that if it weren't for Zeira, she might have already been caught up in trouble, just like what happened to her on the first day at the Academy.

They were close to the cafeteria when Zeira suddenly stopped, prompting Gaia to stop as well. Gaia looked at her and saw Zeira clenching her fist. It was then that Gaia heard a conversation from a group that caused Zeira to halt.

"Oh, Zeira's with trash! What a good combination! Garbage and a wanderer!" Gaia looked at the group of girls in front of them, and the girl who spoke had her back turned, so she couldn't see them. Gaia didn't know what to do; she even stepped back when she noticed Zeira stepping towards the girl who continued to talk about Zeira and me. The two companions of the girl, who were facing us, looked like they had lost color in their faces as they looked at Zeira, who appeared furious.

I looked at the girl with her back to us, conversing with two other girls in front of her. I bit my lip and looked at Zeira, and I took a step back in fear of seeing her focused on the girl who continued to talk about Zeira and me. But the two girls in front of her looked like they were losing blood, pale, while looking at Zeira who seemed to be scared in their eyes.

"A-ah L-lily..." one of the girls with the girl who has her back turned stammered.

"What? Am I not right? Her brother is dead, and now she's a wanderer because she has no one to rely on. Such a pi—" Lily, the girl who spoke, didn't finish what she was saying as she suddenly struggled to breathe. Gaia looked at Zeira, and she saw her eyes glowing, indicating that she was using her ability.

"Z-zeira..." Gaia called her, but it seemed like she didn't hear anything and continued approaching the girl who continued to speak about Zeira and me. The two companions of the girl who were punished by Zeira had already lost consciousness, quickly attended to by a few students.

"Zeira!" I shouted to her, trying to get her attention, but Zeira's heart was full of anger and hatred. Whoever comes close to her will also be held accountable. However, Gaia was determined not to let her do something she would regret. Gaia was about to grab her arm when a guy shouted.

"Zeira!" His voice echoed in the hallway, full of strength and authority, catching Zeira's attention. The light disappeared from Zeira's eyes, and the girl she punished lost consciousness, quickly attended by some students.

"Zhyke..." Zeira whispered, looking at the guy who shouted earlier. Anger was evident on her face, and her jaw clenched. Gaia supported Zeira as she almost lost her balance. But Gaia was surprised when Zeira slowly lifted herself. In her panic, Gaia shouted at the guy in front of them, "put her down!" Only then did she notice the light emanating from his eyes.

She turned to the girl with her back to us, having a conversation with two girls in front of her. I bit my lip and looked at Zeira, and I took a step back in fear of seeing her focused on the girl who continued to talk about Zeira and me. But the two girls in front of her looked like they were losing blood, pale, while looking at Zeira who seemed to be scared in their eyes.

"Stop it, Zeira. She's already unconscious," the guy named Zhyke said sternly, causing Zeira to relax. Gaia was bewildered as she realized that she was in the presence of a powerful person—an individual in the God Tier.