"So... you must learn to leverage your abilities, not charge into battle like savages. Understood? Also, tomorrow everyone will head to the labs to test for newly awakened Meta Abilities. Prepare accordingly—you’ve done this countless times before, so I won’t remind you what to bring."

Kong Cheng finished speaking and instantly tensed. Though this was class, a razor-sharp gaze pinned him.

*Watching me?* It wasn’t that simple. That stare carried a whisper of killing intent.

But it vanished in a flash. When he glanced toward the back door, only a fleeting trace of blue remained from an indifferent turn.

*Who was that?*

The question lingered as the bell rang.

Earlier that morning, the dean had announced Hero Headquarters would send personnel today. Celestial Wolf hadn’t clarified their purpose, but Kong Cheng already suspected why.

During break, he scrolled through recent Apostle Invasion headlines on his phone—the first time he’d actively sought news about Apostles since leaving prison five years ago.

"Strongest Apostle Attacks Hero Headquarters! Mira’s Triumphant Counterstrike!"

"Victory Secured!"

"Panic Grips North America and Pacific Zones as Apostles Advance!"

The screen flooded with such reports.

*Apostles attacked Hero Headquarters? And humanity won?* If true, they’d have no reason to come here—not while North America and the Pacific kept falling. Why travel all the way to Asia for this?

*Do they want me back?*

A wicked smirk curled Kong Cheng’s lips. His starless-dark eyes burned with fierce resolve.

...

Just before the final morning class, Hero Academy called an emergency assembly for all students and staff.

*Probably a victory speech,* Kong Cheng mused, *with Mira—the one who crushed the "strongest Apostle"—basking in glory.*

The announcement crackled over the intercom. He directed his students to the auditorium, planning to fetch Night Zero from her office upstairs. He’d already coordinated the details with Cheng Zhihui.

But at Night Zero’s door, he froze.

That familiar blue.

A girl in a black dress stood like a shadow-sprite—angelic face, water-blue hair brushing her shoulders. Her teasing sapphire eyes flicked down, fixated on Night Zero’s chest. Petite enough to be called a doll, she nonetheless radiated allure in that gown. Casually, she kneaded Night Zero’s breasts.

"They’ve grown, Night Zero-chan~! Could it be... *he’s* been pampering them?"

"No!!"

*Only once!* Night Zero squirmed, desperate to escape those hands. But the girl clung like stubborn gum.

"Stop... stop touching!"

"What’s your size now? B? C? Or... D?!" Her eyes sparkled from across the hall.

Kong Cheng stood rooted. The scene was scandalous: a doll-like girl leaping to hug his girlfriend’s waist, fondling her chest while muffled whimpers escaped Night Zero’s flushed lips.

*This is trouble.*

If he didn’t act, Night Zero would be in real distress.

He cleared his throat sharply and stepped forward.

Without mercy, he yanked the girl off Night Zero.

"Sorry, but you need the boyfriend’s permission before groping his girlfriend."

"—Though I’d never grant it anyway!"

"Obviously! I’d never allow it! Not even for a girl!"

Kong Cheng glared down at the girl in his grip. She didn’t resist. Instead, her hungry blue eyes devoured him, dripping with desire.

Then—she lunged into his chest. To save his collar from tearing, he released her. She clamped onto him like a koala.

A breathy, playful voice purred against his ear, thick with pent-up longing:

"I missed you~ So much, Kong Cheng... Onii-chan~~"

The otaku endearment echoed in his skull.

He stood frozen. Silent.

Seconds ticked by. Night Zero, missing his tension, only saw her boyfriend being manhandled—and fury flared.

"Enough! Say whatever you need properly! Get off him, Mira!" Her voice dripped with vinegar.

Mira slid down like a scolded child. "So harsh! I finally reunite with Kong Cheng-nii, and you won’t even let me hug him?" She pouted, her beautiful eyes shimmering with unshed tears of separation.

*Wait...*

*This is Mira?*

*The strongest hero at Hero Headquarters?!*

*The one who helped Night Zero free me?!*

He knew she was female—but this delicate, doll-like frame? And worse: her name meant nothing to him. Her face meant less.

*Did I mistake her for someone else? No... she spent years planning my rescue.*

"Not at all," the girl replied, as if reading his thoughts. She twirled a lock of blue hair. "Because, Kong Cheng-nii... you saved me once. You just never knew it."

An angelic smile bloomed on her lips.

In that instant, as if healed, the faintest smile touched Kong Cheng’s own.