emperor's pride takes control

Atlas listened with feigned attention as Professor Meridian droned on about the origins of Resonance.

"In the year 2024," the professor began, his voice echoing through the grand amphitheater, "scientists around the world watched with bated breath as a one-of-a-kind phenomenon unfolded: two black holes, millions of light-years away, were about to collide."

Atlas stifled a yawn, the details already familiar to him from his studies. He knew the story well: the shock and awe that reverberated through the scientific community as the black holes merged, giving birth to a singular White Core; the subsequent awakening of Resonances in individuals around the world; the gradual shift in power dynamics as humans found themselves no longer at the apex of the food chain. It was a tale as old as time itself in Resonance, a testament to the unpredictable and awe-inspiring nature of the universe.

As the lecture drew to a close, Atlas tuned back in to the hushed conversations of his classmates. They were discussing an upcoming event at the cafeteria. Apparently, it was a tradition for the second-year students to "welcome" the freshmen by putting them in their place, a thinly veiled hazing ritual disguised as a learning experience.

Atlas listened to their unyielding remarks with a growing smirk. This was his opportunity, the perfect stage to showcase his power and ignite the admiration that Emperor's Pride craved.

The Genius Class entered the cafeteria, a grand hall with towering ceilings and tables laden with delectable dishes.

their attention was drawn to a commotion near the center of the hall. A group of second-year students, their uniforms emblazoned with a silver "II" on their lapels, were harassing a group of timid-looking freshmen. One sophomore, a lanky young man with a cruel smirk, held a trembling first-year by the collar, his voice dripping with venom.

"You think you're something special, huh, newbie?" he sneered. "Just because you managed to awaken a Resonance doesn't mean you're anything but fodder compared to us."

The other sophomores laughed, their taunts echoing through the hall. One of them, a burly girl with arms thicker than most men's thighs, snatched a tray of food from a passing student and dumped it on the floor, sending pastries and gravy splattering across the pristine tiles.

The lanky young man with a sneer etched on his face, spotted Atlas and his classmates. "Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with mock hospitality. "Look who it is, the Genius Class. Come to join the festivities?" A hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

Anya Ignisborn, her fiery temper flaring, didn't hesitate. With a flick of her wrist, a searing blast of hellfire erupted from her palm, narrowly missing the sophomore's head. "Festivities?" she snarled. "More like a pathetic display of arrogance!"

The other Genius Class students joined the fray, their Resonances flaring to life. Kaelan Zephyr summoned a miniature whirlwind, sending tables and chairs scattering. Elara Nyx conjured an illusion of a monstrous beast, causing the sophomores to hesitate in fear. Cassius Aureus manipulated the blood flowing in his veins, forming a crimson whip that lashed out at his opponents.

The sophomores, caught off guard, quickly regrouped, their own Resonances blazing with power. The lanky young man, his body flickering with electricity, unleashed a barrage of lightning bolts. The burly girl solidified her skin into a rocky armor, deflecting incoming attacks with ease.

The battle raged on, a whirlwind of elemental energies and physical prowess. The Genius Class students fought valiantly, but they were clearly outmatched. Their inexperience and lack of control over their powers put them at a disadvantage against the more seasoned sophomores.

He could no longer resist the temptation. Stepping forward, he raised his hand, the air around him shimmering with temporal energy. "Time Manipulation," he declared, his voice resonating with an otherworldly power that silenced the entire cafeteria.

A hush fell over the room as the other students, both sophomores and freshmen, turned to face him. Their eyes widened with shock and awe, recognizing the legendary S-Rank Resonance.

A wave of energy washed over Atlas, the whispers fueling Emperor's Pride. He crouched low, a stance reminiscent of his past life as a martial artist. With a sudden burst of Temporal Acceleration, he moved with blinding speed, his body a blur as he weaved through the bewildered sophomores. In a flash, he appeared behind the electrified young man, his open palm striking the boy's back with the force of a thunderclap. The boy crumpled to the ground, his electrical aura sputtering out.

Next, Atlas targeted the burly girl. As she turned to face him, her rocky skin shimmering, Atlas activated Chrono-Vision. The world slowed to a crawl, the girl's movements becoming sluggish and predictable. He dodged her clumsy punch, flowing under her arm like water, and delivered a devastating kick to her kneecap, shattering the rock-hard exterior and sending her tumbling.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Atlas evaded a hail of attacks from the other sophomores, his movements a blur as he weaved through their ranks. He landed a series of precise strikes, each blow amplified by his growing power. With each hit, he felt his mastery over time increasing, the admiration of the crowd fueling his rapid growth.

The sophomores, initially confident in their superior numbers, began to falter. Atlas's speed and strength were simply too much for them to handle. One by one, they fell, their Resonances extinguished by his overwhelming power.

As he fought, Atlas felt a familiar warmth spreading through his veins. His eyes glowed with a golden light, and his movements became more fluid, more precise. He had broken through to the Middle Stage of Nascent Mastery, his power surging to new heights.

But with this newfound power came a chilling change. Atlas's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing with disdain. He effortlessly dispatched the remaining sophomores, his voice dripping with arrogance as he taunted them for their weakness.

"Pathetic" he sneered, his words echoing through the stunned silence of the cafeteria. "the resonators of today are too weak"

Suddenly appearing before the stunned leader of the sophomores, Atlas flicked his forehead sending him crashing into a wall, the impact leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the marble. He stood over his fallen opponent, his breath calm and steady like he was simply taking a walk. His eyes, burning with a golden light, seemed to pierce through the young man's soul.

A hush fell over the room as the temperature plummeted, a bone-chilling cold radiating from Atlas. The air crackled with an otherworldly energy, as if time itself had warped around him.

Atlas's voice, no longer his own, echoed with an ancient, chilling resonance. "The echoes of the past shall resound in the future," he intoned, his words heavy with a sense of inevitability and doom.

The defeated sophomore trembled, his eyes wide with terror and awe. The words seemed to pierce through him, a prophecy whispered by a being beyond comprehension.

Atlas blinked, the golden light receding from his eyes as if nothing had happened. With a nonchalant shrug, he turned and walked away from the stunned sophomore leader, his heart pounding in his chest. He had narrowly escaped the clutches of Emperor's Pride, but the echoes of its words still reverberated in his mind: "The echoes of the past shall resound in the future."

A shiver ran down his spine as he tried to decipher the meaning behind the cryptic message. Was it a warning? A promise? Or merely a taunt from the malevolent entity that resided within his soul?

Pushing aside his unease, Atlas made his way to an empty table and sat down, his appetite dulled by the recent confrontation. He was soon joined by his fellow Genius Class students, their faces alight with a mixture of excitement and admiration.

"That was incredible, Atlas!" Anya exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "You single-handedly took down those arrogant second-years!"

"Your Time Manipulation is truly something else," Kaelan added, a hint of awe in his voice. Yet, there was a glint of determination in their eyes, a silent vow to one day surpass him.

Leona, however, seemed troubled, her gaze lingering on Atlas with a mix of concern and curiosity.

Atlas forced a smile, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Emperor's Pride. "It was nothing," he replied, his tone nonchalant. "They were simply overconfident and underestimated their opponents."

A group of first-year students approached their table, their eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you for defending us," one of them said, his voice trembling slightly.

Atlas nodded, his expression softening as he looked at the young students. He remembered the original Atlas's insecurities, his own past struggles as an orphan on the streets of Tokyo. He understood the fear and vulnerability these students felt.

"There's no need for thanks," he said, his voice gentle and reassuring. "We're all here to learn and grow together. It's important to support each other, not tear each other down."

The first-years beamed at him, their relief palpable. Atlas couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at having earned their admiration and respect after all raising his mastery even more is never a bad thing.

As the conversation continued, Atlas's mind drifted back to the cryptic message. "The echoes of the past shall resound in the future." He wondered if his past life as a yakuza leader was connected to his destiny in this new world. Was Emperor's Pride a remnant of his past, a manifestation of his own inner darkness? Or was it something more, an ancient entity with its own agenda?

As he pondered these questions, a new thought emerged. Could he harness the power of admiration without direct eye contact? Could the mere knowledge of others' respect and awe be enough to raise his mastery over his resonance?

Atlas resolved to test this theory. He would continue to train diligently, pushing himself to the limits of his abilities. But he would also seek out opportunities to showcase his power, to inspire awe and admiration in those around him, even if it meant putting on a facade of arrogance and confidence.