The answer was clear: no. I had been a student there myself, after all. But my circumstances were different—I was an outlier, chosen by a mix of luck and chance rather than through my own merits. Alex, Henry, Vinico, Gina—they were different. They had clawed their way into the academy through grit, hard work, and sheer competition. Then there was Lore. She wasn’t just strong; she was something else entirely. Extraordinary didn’t even begin to cover it.


    As the crowd began to settle, albeit barely, we pushed forward, the tension in the air still palpable.


    Lore, visibly drained from using her meta nature, stayed in the middle of our group, shielded by Alex, who took the lead. His demeanour exuded an undeniable air of invincibility, a confidence that seemed to suggest he was untouchable.


    And, for the most part, he was right. The nature of his power made him untouchable as long as that air of invincibility surrounded him. It was more than a display of arrogance; it was a tangible effect that gave others the feeling they could never hope to overcome him. Even Lore, as powerful as she was, would struggle against him if they clashed directly. She might manage to delay him, perhaps outthink him, but outright defeating him would be a gruelling challenge.


    I walked alongside them, pointing out the paths to take, but the real force at play wasn’t me—it was Jade. Her meta nature bleeding into the surroundings like invisible blood, silent and unseen, yet impossible to ignore once you knew what to look for. Possibilities shifted, probabilities bent, and somehow, the chaos seemed to part just enough for us to keep moving forward. Without her quiet interference, we’d still be stuck in the middle of that mess—or worse, swallowed by it. What struck me was how effortlessly she did it. Jade didn’t blink, didn’t twitch a finger, didn’t give even the slightest sign that she was the one pulling the strings. Yet, as I watched her out of the corner of my eye, I could feel it—feel her Likeness—forcefully altering the edges of reality, despite its painful cries. It was like watching gravity in action: invisible, inevitable, unstoppable.


    Before us, the crowd was restless, pressing in from all sides.


    At one point, Vinico split himself into clones, sending them scurrying in different directions to scout paths and angles.


    I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the sight. His clones were clever, sure, but I doubted they’d do much good in a crowd this dense. It was like throwing pebbles into a rushing river and expecting it to change course. Still, his attempts had a certain charm, and if nothing else, they were entertaining to watch as they stumbled and got stuck in the crowd.


    Gina, as always, seemed carefree, her excitement bubbling over. She was practically bouncing as we advanced. Meanwhile, Henry held up the rear, his eyes darting around to ensure no one followed us too closely or caused trouble.


    After what felt like an eternity of pushing, squeezing, and dodging, we finally reached the front rows. Normally, the stage was reserved for performances—singers, dancers, and entertainers displaying their meta abilities to dazzle the audience. But now, it was empty. Yet, every face was turned to the empty stage, every pair of eyes scanning the skies as if some part of them already knew–


    The Crown was coming.


    I adjusted my position slightly, craning my neck to see past a tall man in front of me.


    The first sign was a tremor in the air - a deep, resonant vibration that made the very marrow of bones hum. Then came the booms, like thunder breaking directly overhead, but with a crystalline quality that spoke of something far more divine than mere weather.


    The sky fractured. Ribbons of golden light tore through the heavens, scattering brilliance across the crowd and forcing people to shield their eyes. Still, no one looked away. The air itself crackled with an otherworldly energy, sharp and alive, raising goosebumps on every exposed arm. The sheer force of the sound drove most of us to clap our hands over our ears, though it barely dulled the intensity.


    And then, before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening, a figure descended, enveloped in a golden halo that radiated an almost blinding light.


    He fell like a star.


    The crowd immediately erupted into a chaotic mix of cheers, gasps, and shouts. Enthusiasm rolled through the space like unstoppable waves, suffused with awe and primal restraint.


    The sheer presence of the figure, the impact was felt not in the ground, but in the soul.


    Knees buckled, not by choice, but under the crushing weight of his divine aura. Even the proudest heros and the most unyielding metahumans found themselves bowing, foreheads pressed against the cool stone in instinctive submission.


    The man who had descended was beyond mortal comprehension. Above his head floated an illusory crown unlike any other—majestic, golden, alive. Golden dragons coiled and swam above him like living symbols of authority. A radiant, holy halo surrounded his entire being, so luminous that it was impossible to fully look upon his face.


    He was the embodiment of divinity in mortal form—a god masquerading as a man, or perhaps an emperor from some long-lost epoch.


    His presence was overwhelming, commanding reverence from all who looked upon him.


    The sheer magnitude of his meta nature demanded it.


    There was an old saying about the Crown: “Wherever his gaze falls, the world bends to his will; all that exists within his sight is his dominion, and all who dwell there are his subjects—bound, body and soul, to his unyielding rule."


    Those words weren’t just legend—they were law. His powers were unparalleled. To meet his gaze was to submit; his will bent all others with absolute certainty, compelling even the impossible.


    And even in death, his dominion held fast. Those he slew were not free from his grasp; their fates remained chained to him, their very souls claimed as eternal vassals in his unyielding empire.


    In that moment, there was only one way to describe him: holy and transcendent.


    “Oh, wow,” we all exclaimed in unison, voices hushed and breathless.


    The entrance alone was nothing short of perfection, a scene straight out of myth.


    The sheer magnificence of his arrival had us—and everyone else—still on our knees. As if his presence wasn’t something mere mortals like us could hope to withstand standing upright.


    For a fleeting moment, I dared to imagine what it would take to reach his level. The thought felt absurd. Not with how I’m going about things now, I concluded.


    Then again, if I started to dive deeper into the void and fish more, who knew what might happen? But even so, this man was colossal. And what’s more unsettling? He wasn’t even the apex. There were a dozen more meta-humans like him and even some stronger than him. What kind of power must they wield if this man, who stood as if he could casually swallow stars, was merely one of many?


    Crown’s radiant gaze swept across the prostrated crowd, his expression unreadable behind the golden halo. Yet when he finally spoke, his voice carried a surprising warmth. It was calm, almost conversational—like someone casually commenting on the weather


    “Oh, get up, all of you,” he said, waving his hand with a dismissive flourish. “The whole bowing thing gets old fast.”


    The crowd hesitated, torn between their ingrained reverence and the authority in his casual command. Slowly, trembling legs began to straighten. People rose, hesitant and unsteady, though no one dared to meet his eyes directly.


    “Just passing through, really,” he continued, as if he hadn’t just split the heavens and descended in divine glory.


    His tone was almost nonchalant. “Thought I’d drop by, make sure everything’s...” He paused, the golden dragons circling lazily above his head, their forms almost hypnotic. “...running smoothly.”


    The crowd remained spellbound, barely daring to breathe.


    “Right then. Carry on.” He stretched, the motion sending gentle waves of golden light rippling across the hall.


    Then, without ceremony or grandeur, he simply ceased to be bound by the earth. The ground let go of him as effortlessly as water releasing a leaf, and he ascended with the casual grace of someone stepping into a higher realm. The golden dragons followed, their forms beginning to fade into the light.


    The sky sealed itself behind him, golden light retracting like threads being drawn through fabric. The thunder of his arrival played itself in reverse, fading to whispers, then to silence.


    For a long moment after his departure, no one moved. A thousand faces remained turned skyward, and now, without his presence, we were left to process what we’d just witnessed.


    "Did you see? Did you see how he just—" a voice broke through, breathless and exhilarated.


    "The dragons! They were alive! Breathing!"


    "His voice," another muttered, almost to themselves. "It sounded so… normal. But it wasn’t. It wasn’t normal at all."


    "I can still feel it," a young woman added, wrapping her arms around herself. "Like sunlight… in my bones."


    Vinico''s hands fluttered in the air, trying to capture the impossible grace of his movement. His eyes hadn''t left the sky since his departure. “Did you see how he moved? Like the rules didn’t apply to him. Like gravity… like everything just let him go.”


    “That smile in his voice, though,” Gina sighed, hugging herself as if to hold onto the fleeting warmth of the memory. “How does someone sound like that?”


    Nearby, a group of young men had broken into animated discussion, their voices a mix of awe and longing.


    “That,” one of them said firmly, his hand slicing through the air for emphasis, “is what real authority looks like. Not these superheroes with their rehearsed speeches and poses. He didn’t need any of that. He just was. And the world bent around him.”


    “I’m going to train harder. I know we can’t be like him, not completely… but maybe we can carry even a fraction of that? That confidence. That purpose.”


    “He made me want to be better. Not just stronger. Not just more powerful. But… better. Someone who deserves to live in his world.”


    The conversations continued well after him departing, voices mixing with laughter and sighs, theories and dreams blossoming. Every few minutes, someone would point to a cloud formation or a ray of light breaking through, wondering if it was him watching.


    Young men stood taller, mimicking the effortless confidence they’d witnessed. A few even practiced walking, trying to capture that elusive mix of grace and command.


    “I mean,” one joked, “how do you even practise that? ‘Lesson One: Be a god.’” The group burst into nervous laughter, but no one truly disagreed.


    Still, as the crowd slowly dispersed, one sentiment seemed to echo among them all, unspoken but shared: He was more than we can ever be. But maybe, just maybe, we can be more than we are.


    <hr>


    "I bet he''s lonely sometimes," Gina mused, her voice soft and wistful, eyes still glued to the sky. But then, almost theatrically, she clutched her chest and gasped. "Oh my god, can you imagine? A man like him, lonely? It’s tragic. I could fix him."


    "Lonely? Him?" Alex scoffed, his excitement undimmed. "Did you miss the part where he can command anyone? Even death doesn’t stop him."Stolen novel; please report.


    Lore rolled her eyes dramatically. "And that’s exactly why! When you can make anyone do what you want, how do you know who really wants to be with you? He needs someone... authentic. Someone who understands him."


    "Oh please," Gina interrupted, flipping her hair and letting out an exaggerated sigh. "He wouldn’t need to command me. I’d obey him willingly, happily, any day, every day! Did you see the way he moved? The confidence, the power. Ugh, I would die just to carry his coat."


    Some girl nearby our group groaned loudly, enough to attract her surroundings attention. "Same! Like, he doesn’t even have to ask. He just exists and I’m ready to throw my entire life at his feet."


    Gina clasped her hands together as if in prayer. "Seriously, if he looked at me with those eyes and said, ‘Gina, walk off a cliff,’ I’d be like, ‘Which one, my lord?’" She sighed deeply, hugging herself. "He’s not just powerful. He’s perfect."


    I tried to drown out their ridiculous fawning, but my gaze drifted to Jade—and my stomach dropped. She stood motionless, her eyes still locked on the spot where the Crown had disappeared, her face frozen in awe. A cold feeling settled in my chest. What the hell? Was she charmed by him too?


    "Hey," I said softly, taking a step toward her.


    Jade blinked, snapping out of her trance. She turned to me, her expression unreadable. Was she comparing me to him? Measuring me against that impossible standard? My throat tightened, and I braced myself for the worst.


    Then, without warning, her face broke into a dazzling smile. Before I could even react, she grabbed my hand with an excited grip.


    "Did you see him?" she exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. Her gaze flicked back to the sky, wide and glittering. "He was so cool! Like, beyond cool! Like—like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life!"


    Cool?


    The word hit me like a gut punch. Depression crept in as I stood there, questioning my entire existence. Am I not cool enough for her? Indeed! I glared at the spot where Crown had vanished/


    Was she as charmed by him as everyone else?


    “Honestly," Gina was saying, "if he smiled at me, I’d faint. Like, straight up collapse. And then I’d thank him for it."


    Lore wasn''t wanted to be left behind. "Please, Gina. You? Faint? I’d claw my way through this crowd just to get to him first. You wouldn’t stand a chance."


    Their thought alone made my dumbfounded.


    After witnessing the awe-inspiring presence of the Crown, we decided to call it a day. The energy spent fighting through the crowd for the best viewing spots had left us all drained. None of us had the stamina—or the patience—to continue exploring. Luckily, the SuperNot Convention still had three days left, which meant plenty of time to come back.


    Besides, we were staying nearby for the weekend, so there was no rush. Who knew? Maybe another superhero would show up and steal the show tomorrow.


    As we trudged to the cars, the group was anything but quiet. To my surprise, even Jade had joined the ongoing debates, something I hadn’t expected. The discussions had split everyone into two very loud factions.


    On one side—led by Lore, Gina, and Jade—was what I could only describe as the Crown Worship Fangirls. Their argument? Crown’s "superior handsomeness" absolutely obliterated any other hero’s appeal. Each time they sighed over his "casual grace" or "divine beauty," I felt my eye twitch. It wasn’t just the compliments; it was the way they said it, as if he weren’t just a superhero but some celestial being sent to humble mortals with his existence.


    "He wasn’t just handsome," Lore declared, hands clasped dramatically over her chest. "He was… otherworldly. No other hero comes close. Admit it."


    "Otherworldly?" Alex shot back, incredulous. "What does that even mean? He’s just a guy who descended with fancy lights and dragons."


    "Excuse me?" Jade gasped, looking personally offended. "Just a guy? Did you see him? The presence? The dragons?"


    "Yeah," Henry jumped in, "but could he hold his own against the Limitless. Looks won’t save you when someone’s throwing planets at your face."


    The second faction, led by Alex, Henry, and Vinico, had their own mission: dismantling the Crown hype train by debating how he would fare against other heroes in hypothetical battles. It had turned into a full-blown courtroom drama, complete with counterarguments, rebuttals, and some truly ridiculous hypothetical scenarios.


    Listening to their back-and-forth, I was utterly speechless. Was there even a point to any of this? It didn’t feel like a discussion about heroes anymore—it was just an excuse to bicker and poke fun at one another.


    By the time we piled into the car, the tension had reached a boiling point. No one was speaking to each other with a straight face. Jade, usually the composed one, sat with her arms crossed, staring out the window with an audible huff. Lore looked unbearably smug, clearly satisfied with whatever point she’d made last, while Gina was still grinning like she’d just been personally blessed by Crown himself. On the other hand, Alex and Henry were glaring daggers at the back of Vinico’s head.


    Vinico, to his credit, just shrugged and stretched out in his seat, looking utterly unbothered. His expression all but said, What? I wasn’t even trying.


    I stared at them, completely baffled. One minute they were debating superheroes, and now it felt like someone had declared war in the car. The absurdity of it all was enough to make me sigh.


    I didn’t care much for their bickering, honestly. The only thing that mattered was that Jade and I were sitting together in the back, tucked away where no one could see us. Let them argue—it didn’t matter. We had our own little world back here, and that was enough to make me quietly happy.


    Or at least, it should have been.


    When I glanced at her, ready to share a subtle smile or even reach out to take her hand, that comforting thought evaporated. She was fuming. Her expression was sharp, fiery—practically burning—and I could feel the heat radiating off her frustration. It wasn’t just her; Lore and Gina had the same ferocious energy, but somehow seeing it in Jade was… unsettling. I dared not disturb her while she was like this.


    God, I thought, sinking further into my seat. They just saw someone famous, and now they’re fighting like kids. Granted, it wasn’t just someone famous—it was Crown. But still.


    Before I could dwell on it further, Gina twisted in her seat, fixing me with an accusing glare. “North!” she snapped, her tone sharp enough to cut steel. “You tell these idiots! Who’s better—the Crown or Limitless?”


    I froze, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. Her tone made it clear that silence wasn’t an option. Don’t drag me into your childish nonsense, I thought, sighing inwardly. But I knew if I didn’t answer, they’d assume I was being cold, acting like I was somehow above their argument.


    Alex shot me a glance from the front seat, smirking. “Oh, this’ll be good. Let’s hear it, North. Who’s the real top dog?”


    “Don’t hold back,” Lore added with a sweet but entirely false smile. “I mean, unless you’re scared you’ll pick the wrong side.”


    I could only bite the bullet.


    I shrugged, trying to project an air of calm that I absolutely didn’t feel. “Have you guys heard of Samadhi?” I asked, keeping my voice casual. “She’s literally transcended life and death. She’s no longer bound by the world.”


    For a moment, silence fell over the car like a heavy curtain. Everyone stared at me, their faces ranging from disbelief to outright exasperation. Even Jade, who had been so angry just seconds ago, looked at me as if I’d suddenly sprouted wings and declared myself a god.


    “Oh, please,” Gina groaned, throwing her hands in the air. “Samadhi? That’s your pick? She’s like a walking meditation app. All she wears is a red curtain. What even is her power? Staring at you until you feel bad about yourself?”


    Lore snorted, hiding her laughter behind her hand. “I mean, if you wanted to pick a boring answer, you could’ve just said the Abyss or something. At least he’s intimidating.”


    “You’re worse,” Gina added, shaking her head in irritation. “I thought you’d actually add something to this conversation. Instead, you just threw a wrench into it.”


    Alex laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Look at you, North. Coming in with the third-party vote no one asked for.”


    “Bold move,” Vinico muttered with a smirk, leaning back in his seat. “Wrong, but bold.”


    I sank back into my seat, rubbing my temples as their chatter picked up again. Dodged a bullet there, I thought, feeling a strange sense of victory. Let them argue all they wanted—at least I wasn’t part of it. For once, staying out of the chaos felt like a win.


    The car ride was uneventful. Soon, we arrived at the house Lore had booked for the night. She punched in the code the owner had sent, and we all shuffled inside, dragging our overnight bags like tired soldiers after a long campaign. The house was stunning. The entryway opened into a spacious layout that made my own place feel like a glorified broom closet. High ceilings, sleek furniture, tasteful art on the walls—it was clear the owner had spared no expense. It was nice, undeniably nice. But as I took it all in, there was an unmistakable sterility to the place. It didn’t feel lived in.


    I couldn’t help but compare it to Jade’s house. Her place wasn’t nearly as big or fancy, but it radiated warmth. Every windowsill was lined with thriving plants, her corners thoughtfully arranged with books, trinkets, and signs of life. She had a magic touch—her space felt alive, like it belonged to someone who cared.


    Even her succulents looked happy, which was a feat I’d never managed to accomplish. My succulents always looked like they were actively plotting their escape.


    This house, though impressive, felt more like a showroom. Beautiful, but hollow.


    Once inside, Lore gathered everyone in the dining area. We formed a circle around her, everyone instantly alert. Everyone could feel the energy shift in the room - that electric tension before a storm breaks.


    “There are four rooms in the house,” she announced. “We’re seven people. Whoever reaches the room at the end of the second floor gets it.”


    Seven people, four rooms, and one clear prize—a room so coveted it didn’t need further explanation.


    Gone was the tired, quiet group from the car. Eyes darted around, measuring the competition.


    Lore added with a mischievous grin, “You can use your powers. There are no rules, as long as we don’t destroy anything.”


    The words had barely left Lore’s mouth before all hell broke loose.


    Vinico moved first—his meta ability activating like a biological detonation. One second, he was standing there; the next, he erupted into a teeming swarm of duplicates. It wasn’t like watching a single person multiply—it was like a time-lapse of a petri dish crawling with bacteria, expanding endlessly in every direction.


    A thousand Vinicos filled the space in an instant, spilling into the staircase, cramming against walls, blocking doorways, and even perching on furniture. The sheer volume of him was dizzying, his grinning faces plastered everywhere I looked. It was overwhelming, absurdly so. Even actual bacteria would have been humbled by his efficiency. Through the living sea of Vinicos, I caught glimpses of the original, already making his way toward the second floor. He used his clones as stepping stones, scrambling upward like some kind of twisted parkour athlete. If this was a contest of speed and sheer chaos, he had already won—or so he thought.


    “Stop!”


    Lore’s voice cut through the mayhem like the crack of a whip. Instantly, I felt the familiar, terrifying weight of her power slam into me. My muscles locked in place, frozen mid-step. My entire body turned to stone, paralyzed by her decree. Even my breathing stalled; the only part of me that could move was my mind, and even that felt sluggish, like swimming through molasses.


    So this is what it feels like, I thought grimly. I’d seen her ability in action before, but experiencing it firsthand was a whole other level of horrifying. Her meta nature didn’t just stop movement—it crushed you under the weight of her authority, leaving you feeling insignificant, powerless. I knew I could break free if I activated my tangibility powers. I’d slip right out of her control like a ghost. But revealing my secret in this ridiculous fight wasn’t worth it. Instead, I stayed frozen, observing, cataloging the chaos around me.


    Lore moved forward with the poise of a queen surveying her domain. Her expression was sharp, her confidence practically radiating as she stepped toward the staircase. The Vinicos nearest to her parted like a crowd before royalty, clearing a path without hesitation.


    But fate had other plans.


    As she planted her foot on the first step, it slid out from under her like it had hit black ice. Her overconfidence presence crumbled in an instant as she went down hard, landing on her butt with a thundering crash that echoed through the house.


    If I could have moved, I would’ve doubled over with laughter. Even frozen in place, I could feel the smug satisfaction bubbling up in my chest. This wasn’t just bad luck, I thought. No, this was Jade. I couldn’t see her, but I knew her meta nature was at work.


    Lore scrambled to her feet, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fury. “Who—” she began, her voice trembling with rage, but she was cut off by a sudden shift in the air.


    Alex’s aura flared to life, a shimmering distortion around him that made the very space he occupied seem untouchable. With a single, deliberate step, he broke free from Lore’s hold as if her power had never existed. His meta nature, rooted in his unshakable belief in his own superiority, allowed him to shrug off any power that dared to challenge his dominance. His clothes fluttered slightly, as if the air around him bent to his will. He didn’t believe Lore could stop him, so she couldn’t.


    Meanwhile, I, Henry, and Gina could only watch from the sidelines. Our meta natures weren’t suited for direct confrontations like this, leaving us effectively useless in the chaos. We exchanged helpless glances as Alex surged ahead, racing up the stairs while Lore scrambled to recover.


    Yet, suddenly, something shifted. My vision blurred, and a wave of disorienting déjà vu crashed over me, pulling me under like an undertow. When I blinked, I realized I was back where I had been moments ago—standing near the starting point.


    Lore was still explaining the rules calmly, as if none of the chaos had happened yet.


    But something was off.


    Where’s Gina?