The Spectacular Rank F Hero

The next morning, Rin tried to go about his day as if nothing had happened. But the conversation with the mysterious figure lingered in his mind, like an itch he couldn't scratch. Their words echoed in his thoughts: "Your true nature will be revealed…"

He brushed it off, focusing on blending in and staying unnoticed—his original plan. But as he walked through the Academy's training grounds, he noticed more eyes on him than usual. Whispers followed him, students glancing in his direction with expressions ranging from awe to confusion.

"Did you hear? The Rank F guy nearly broke through Instructor Zeke's barrier yesterday."

"He actually dodged a D-rank energy blast without blinking!"

Rin forced himself to ignore the comments, but he could feel the tension building. It was becoming harder to stay under the radar.

---

Combat Class: Testing Limits

In combat class, Rin was paired up against Leon, a boastful Rank C who often liked to remind everyone of his family's hero lineage. Leon had clearly heard the rumors about Rin and was itching to "put the Rank F in his place."

"Alright, Rank F," Leon sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Time to see what all the fuss is about. Don't hold back—if you can manage that."

Rin sighed, adopting a casual stance. "Whatever you say, big guy. Just don't cry if it hurts."

The instructor, a grizzled veteran named Zeke, watched them closely, a flicker of interest in his otherwise impassive face. "Begin!"

Leon lunged forward, fists glowing with mana. He swung hard, aiming for Rin's face, but Rin ducked with minimal effort, sidestepping his attack with a casualness that seemed to infuriate Leon further.

"Quit dodging!" Leon shouted, unleashing a blast of energy that crackled with power.

Rin knew he should take it easy—make it look like he was struggling. But something in him stirred. Maybe it was the figure's words last night, or maybe he was just tired of everyone thinking he was weak. Either way, he found himself reaching deep, calling upon a power he'd kept buried for a long time.

In a split second, Rin's hand shot out, catching Leon's fist mid-strike. The impact reverberated through the room, and for a brief moment, there was silence. The air around them felt charged, and even Zeke leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he observed the exchange.

Leon struggled, his face red with effort. "H-how…?"

Rin met his gaze, his own eyes calm but fierce. "Maybe you should work on that temper, Leon. It's leaving you wide open."

With a flick of his wrist, Rin sent Leon sprawling backward, landing flat on his back, dazed and humiliated. A murmur spread through the class as students stared at Rin in disbelief.

"Alright, enough!" Zeke's voice cut through the whispers. "Class dismissed. Rin, stay behind."

Rin tensed. He'd known this was coming, but he wasn't sure what to expect from Zeke. The instructor's eyes held an intensity that seemed different from the typical stern look of an Academy teacher.

---

Confrontation with Zeke

Once the other students had filed out, Zeke crossed his arms, studying Rin in silence. The weight of the instructor's stare was almost as palpable as Leon's energy blast had been.

"Rin," Zeke began slowly, "I don't know how you managed to block that attack. But something tells me there's more to you than meets the eye."

Rin kept his expression blank. "Guess it was just luck."

Zeke let out a low chuckle, though there was no warmth in it. "Luck? That's what you're going with?" He leaned in, his voice dropping. "I've seen plenty of 'lucky' students in my time here. None of them had the reflexes, or the control, that you just displayed. So I'll ask again—who are you, really?"

Rin shifted, uncomfortable with the sudden scrutiny. He'd always known that his "Rank F" charade would wear thin eventually, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. And with everything that happened last night, he felt even more exposed than usual.

"Just a regular guy, trying to get by," Rin said, keeping his voice level.

Zeke stared at him for a moment longer before he let out a sigh. "Fine. If that's how you want to play it. But remember this, Rin—at the Academy, the truth has a way of surfacing. And when it does, I hope you're ready to deal with the consequences."

Without another word, Zeke turned and walked away, leaving Rin standing alone in the training hall. He exhaled slowly, his mind racing. It was clear that the Academy was starting to notice him in ways he'd tried so hard to avoid.

---

Aila's Visit

That evening, as Rin was lying in his dorm room, his door swung open without warning, and Aila stepped in. She closed the door behind her, her face a mixture of amusement and irritation.

"So," she began, crossing her arms. "You're really making waves, aren't you?"

Rin groaned, sitting up. "It's not like I asked for it. Blame Leon and his oversized ego."

Aila shook her head, smirking. "Word's already spread. Half the Academy thinks you're some hidden prodigy, while the other half thinks you're cheating. Either way, you've put yourself in the spotlight."

"Yeah, thanks for the reminder." Rin rubbed his temples. "You told me to show what I could do. So I did."

"Not quite." She leaned in, her tone serious. "I told you to let me see what you're capable of. I didn't say to make it everyone's business."

Rin raised an eyebrow. "So what? You want me to keep pretending I'm just a weak Rank F?"

Aila looked at him, a strange light in her eyes. "I want you to understand the consequences of your actions. You're in deeper than you realize, Rin. The Academy isn't just a place for training heroes; it's a hub for people watching for… potential threats."

Rin's pulse quickened. "Threats? I'm just trying to survive here, not cause trouble."

She sighed, lowering her voice. "Listen, Rin. There are people at this Academy who've been watching you closely since day one. They're interested in your 'bad luck' power and how you keep escaping situations that should be beyond your ability. And after today's display, you've given them more reason to watch."

Rin felt a chill run down his spine. He'd been so focused on staying under the radar that he hadn't considered he might actually be drawing attention from dangerous people. "So… what am I supposed to do?"

"Keep a low profile." Aila's gaze softened slightly. "At least for now. There are forces within the Academy you're not ready to deal with. If you don't want them coming after you, blend in, stay quiet, and avoid any more displays of power."

Rin nodded, though he knew it was easier said than done. Trouble had a way of finding him, even when he wasn't looking for it.

"Thanks for the warning," he muttered.

Aila turned to leave but paused at the door. "One more thing," she said, looking back. "There's more to your power than even you realize. If you're not careful, it could consume you—and everything around you."

And with that ominous note, she slipped out, leaving Rin alone to ponder the tangled web he'd found himself caught in.