Chapter 19: The Five-Way Deadlock
729 Words
The temperature in the classroom didn't just change; it fought itself. Ignis was radiating a heatwave that made the desks groan, Voltina was ionizing the air until everyone’s hair stood on end, and Slayer was emitting a killing intent so sharp it felt like papercuts on the skin.
But that wasn't the problem.
From the second row, a dark, purple aura began to seep from Nyx, her hands sparking with dangerous, black-tinted explosions. Beside her, Hana’s light-wings didn't look heroic anymore—they were sharp, jagged, and glowing with a cold, possessive fury.
"Oh?" Voltina purred, looking back at the two students. "It seems the little kittens have claws. You think you can take care of him better than the Top 3?"
"He’s my brother," Hana hissed, her wings flared out to block the path.
"And he’s my partner," Nyx added, her voice dropping an octave into a low growl. "He’s not going anywhere with 'mentors' who look like they’re scouting for a photoshoot instead of a hero mission."
Ignis laughed, a sound like crackling wood. "Listen, little girls. This boy has fire in his soul that would burn you to ash. He needs a woman who can handle the heat."
Jack sat in the center of the crossfire, his eyes darting between the three Pro-Goddesses in front of him and the two Terrors behind him. The air was thick with the scent of ozone, smoke, and expensive perfume.
[ SYSTEM WARNING ]
[ STRESS LEVELS: 400% ]
[ EVASION IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR SURVIVAL ]
"Uh... ladies?" Jack squeaked, his voice cracking. "I think there’s been a mistake. I’m just Rank 20. I’m—"
Slayer leaned down, her hand resting on the hilt of a dagger near Jack’s leg. "Rank 20? I don't see a rank. I see a masterpiece in the making."
That was the final straw. Nyx and Hana stepped forward at the same time the three Pros reached for his arms.
SNAP.
Jack’s brain finally short-circuited. He didn't think about his "Demon Laugh" or his "1,000-Fold" strength. He just saw five pairs of hands coming for him and panicked.
[ SKILL ACTIVATED: LIGHTNING SPEED ]
CRACK-BOOM!
With a thunderclap that knocked the pens off every desk, Jack vanished. He didn't run for the door—it was blocked. Instead, he reappeared in a blur behind the podium at the front of the room.
Professor Zero, who had been trying to stay out of the madness, suddenly felt two strong arms wrap around his waist from behind. Jack had crouched down, hiding his face against the back of Zero’s heavy fur coat, clutching the Professor like a terrified toddler who had been caught stealing candy and was now hiding behind his dad.
"Professor! Save me!" Jack’s muffled voice came from behind Zero’s back. "Expel me! Give me detention! Put me in a cage with a Beast! Just don't let them touch me!"
The entire class stared. The man who had shredded a Phase-2 Beast was now using the "Ice King" as a human shield.
Zero looked down at the muscular, scarred hands clinging to his waist, then at the five furious women currently glaring at him. He sighed, the frost on his breath turning into a weary mist.
"Hinata," Zero muttered, "I am a Pro-Hero, not a daycare center."
"I don't care!" Jack yelled, tightening his grip. "You have ice powers! Freeze the room! Freeze the girls! Freeze ME! Just make it stop!"
Flame, watching from his desk, buried his face in his hands. "He’s a god in the field and a total loser in the lounge. How... how is this my rival?"
Voltina stepped forward, a playful smirk on her lips as she looked at Jack peeking out from behind Zero’s coat. "You can hide for now, Jacky. But the internship starts Monday. And we’ve already signed the paperwork with the Board."
Jack’s eyes went wide. He looked at Zero. "Tell me she's lying."
Zero looked away, his silence more painful than any claw mark. "The Board of Directors... they wanted the money from their sponsorships. You’re interning with all three of them. Joint agency training."
Jack’s grip on Zero’s coat loosened as his soul practically left his body. He slumped to the floor behind the podium, staring into nothingness.
"I'm dead," Jack whispered. "The Beast didn't kill me... but Monday definitely will."
- Writer
