Blue Rose (Part I)

To my amazement, we had entered the hero association without much difficulty. Now, we were in the main lobby of the place where people could place a commission or register to become heroes.

People queued in lines, filling out paperwork, chatting animatedly with each other, or earnestly consulting officials behind the counters. Huge digital boards flashed with notifications and news about the latest events and hero achievements.

On one side, I noticed a group of enthusiastic individuals, most likely there to register as potential heroes. They seemed eager, discussing amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming with hope and excitement. A few even demonstrated their unique abilities to their peers, while others eagerly took notes or watched with a mixture of admiration and competitive spirit.

"Why are we here?" Once inside, I wasn't sure about our purpose unless Bianca wanted to have a chat with the heroes.

"What else? It's to see how the heroes here are." I wanted to question Bianca's idea but decided not to, figuring the most that could happen would be us getting asked to leave.

We approached a door guarded by an official, and Bianca flashed some sort of ID, granting us access. I wondered if her father's status was more significant than just being a high-ranking police officer.

Following Bianca, I was struck by the stark transformation of our surroundings. The interior was surprisingly lavish and vast, contradicting the building's external appearance.

Everywhere I looked was a training zone of some sort. It's as if space itself had been manipulated to accommodate all of this inside a modest building. Given the elite nature of this place, a space-expanding artifact wouldn't be out of the question.

"Recognize her?" Bianca's voice drew me back. She pointed towards a glass window overlooking a training arena. I squinted and saw a woman dressed in striking blue attire. She was unfamiliar.

A woman was dressed in a striking blue ensemble with a top and sweatpants. Bianca insinuated I should recognize her, but she was unfamiliar to me.

I wasn't really connected with many people and didn't keep up with the hero scene. Given my future plans, perhaps I should start paying attention to such trends.

"So, who is she?" I asked Bianca, noting her surprise at my lack of recognition.

"That's Blue Rose, the up-and-coming hero of the year," she explained. Watching Blue Rose, it was evident she was deeply committed to her training. In terms of physical prowess, she'd easily outmatch me. Surprisingly, she was still considered a rookie.

"You seem to know her quite well," I commented, sensing a hint of pride in Bianca's voice.

"We go way back. She's practically my best friend," Bianca responded, watching Blue Rose intently.

"Yikes..." I remarked, sensing I may have touched a nerve with Bianca. If Blue Rose had managed Bianca's personality all these years, she must have been either incredibly patient or just as eccentric.

Observing the training room, I was impressed by its facilities. They tested everything: strength, agility, reflexes, and even curse abilities. The test she is currently doing is an obstacle course that has many holographic obstacles coming her way.

Surrounded by remnants of ruined structures and potential adversaries, she would face consequences if she didn't act on time.

I was genuinely impressed by her performance post-training. Comparing her to others I had observed undertaking the same challenge, she was in a league of her own.

In every physical challenge, Blue Rose would undoubtedly surpass me. However, when it came to our curse powers, mine would outclass hers by a significant extent.

Blue Rose possessed a unique ability, allowing her to administer cuts and distribute venom. This was perhaps the reason behind her alias, with 'blue' alluding to her attire's hue and 'rose' indicating something beautiful yet dangerous.

Regarding her disposition, two possibilities crossed my mind. First, akin to me, her poisonous capabilities might mirror a reclusive nature, making her hostile to those who approach. Alternatively, she might be a pleasant soul, ever eager to form bonds, even if her curse powers suggest otherwise. It's not unusual for individuals to exhibit personalities in stark contrast to their abilities.

"Samantha~!" Just as Blue Rose prepared to exit the training area, Bianca burst in, energetically greeting her friend. Due to Bianca's vice-like grip on me, I had little choice but to accompany her and meet the hero up close.

Upon closer inspection, Blue Rose boasted a mane of deep blue, which seemed artificially colored. Her eyes were a matching shade of blue, and her expression was unyielding and stoic.

"Bianca..." At our introduction, she met my gaze with a penetrating glare, evidently dissatisfied with our intrusion. Given Bianca's quirks, I should have anticipated such a reaction.

"Still the same old Miss Grumpy. This is my boyfriend Andrew, and this is Samantha, known as Blue Rose." Bianca introduced us, completely disregarding Samantha's apparent annoyance. I wanted to correct her to state that we weren't a couple, but I equally had no desire to converse further with the individual before me.

Blue Rose and I locked eyes, neither of us backing down. After what felt like hours, Bianca finally intervened.

"Andrew, stop trying to charm my best friend!" Her voice feigned innocence, but I was well aware of her underlying motives. I bet Blue Rose was thinking the same.

"If you're here just to play games, Bianca, then leave." Blue Rose retorted with a frosty tone. While she continued to gaze at me intensely, she was clearly growing impatient with Bianca.

"It's been a while, hasn't it? I thought introducing you two might be intriguing." Even though she had mentioned it before, she seemed keen on us getting acquainted.

"This isn't the ideal spot for such meetings. The staff here are pretty stringent about non-members. I've wrapped up my training for the day, so let's head out." I was surprised she agreed to Bianca's suggestion, given she had earlier told her to leave.

And just like that, the three of us were together, and for some reason, I felt a challenge up ahead. Sighing at this, today is going to be a long day...