"I... I can't stop..."

  Sweat trickled down her chin, mixing with small droplets of blood that stained her arm. Every movement felt twice as heavy as the last, but still... she pushed on. It felt as if striking was the only way to silence the pain in her chest.

  The tree before her was devastated; deep fissures tore through the trunk as if something had tried to burst through it from the inside. The hole was wide, much larger than one would expect from someone with such a small, trembling frame. Taking a step back, her fists burning and her breath failing, she whispered:

  "One... more... time..."

  With a sudden lunge, her punch collided with the wood, toppling the tree completely. Groaning in pain and sinking to her knees from exhaustion, the girl looked at her wounded, bloody hands, noting the results of her labor.

  "So, you're one of the candidates for the selection?"

  The deep voice startled her. She spun around quickly, scrambling backward to protect herself. "Who's there?!" the little girl shouted.

  "KAAAAAAKAKAKA! Don't worry. I'm just curious about this year's new candidates." It was the man with the curled mustache. He stood there with his arms crossed, watching her. "So, you're from the Vermilion Clan? It's the first time a member of that clan has wished to study at my academy."

  The girl was stunned by how much he knew, but she slowly began to calm down. "Y-yes... I am from the Vermilion Clan. My name is Asuna Vermilion... and who are you?"

  She introduced herself; her long hair was tinged with shades of green and yellow, and bandages wrapped around parts of her body.

  "Asuna? I believe I've heard that name somewhere before..." The man approached, helping the little girl to her feet. "My name is Hiro, and I am the Headmaster of the H.I.R.O. Academy."

  "Hiro?! But what is the Headmaster doing out here?"

  The man gave a slight smile, looking quite excited. "As you know, I'm keeping an eye on this year's candidates. Some very strong students have signed up... it will be an honor to train someone like you." Observing the state she was in—wounded from her training and barely able to stand—he continued, "It looks like you need a little help. You know, I think there's a much more interesting way to improve your training."

  "R-really?!" the girl asked, astonished.

  "Instead of punching trees and rocks, how about using me as your opponent? I won't move a single muscle." Hiro pointed to himself, his ego shining through and leaving the girl speechless.

  "I don't think that's a good idea... As you saw, I knocked down a whole tree with my bare fists. If I punch you like that... I might end up breaking your bones!"

  "KAAAAAAAAAKAKAKAKA!" The old man laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "Don't think your blows will hurt me. Your level is far too low to cause even a single bruise." He looked at her with a more serious gaze. "I am the strongest in that academy. There are students capable of rivaling me in the future, but that doesn't mean I am weak."

  The girl seemed to understand his tone; underestimating him like that would bother anyone.

  "I was trained by a master capable of surpassing everything you do. Knocking down trees, crushing boulders... you can bet that's child's play for my students."

  Taken aback, Asuna settled into a fighting stance. If toppling trees wasn't enough to prove her strength, then there was something far superior to be reached. With his encouragement, the girl began to strike at the man, unleashing a barrage of punches, kicks, and shoves.

  In a mansion not far from that place...

  "Now that everyone is gathered, I want to congratulate each of you."

  The female voice was captivating, its sound like a melody, and the pleasing tone at the end of her words made her seem like the very definition of beauty.

  "You are finally more than a step away from becoming Captains of this kingdom."

  The lady speaking these words sat in a gold-plated chair. Her hair was bluish with yellow patches, her smile was flawless, and her body was statuesque—a true beauty.

  Present in the room were two young men and a girl. The eldest, with blue hair, wore red noble attire. The other boy had crimson hair with blue streaks and spiral marks across his body. Meanwhile, the small girl wore a large cloak, covering her entire body.

  "Law, Akio... the selection is approaching. Your sister will enroll and participate, and I need everyone to be in agreement with the plan."

  "Mother," Law said, "is Pan really a good choice for this? We already have one infiltrated Captain. My brother and I can guarantee success on our own."

  "Your sister is weak, but that doesn't make her useless. Having her on the board adds another 1% chance for my plan to succeed," the woman said coldly.

  Crossing her arms and looking irritated, the little girl couldn't help but be a bit defiant. "Mother, I don't understand. You talk about this plan... but what is it, exactly?"

  "Little child..." The woman leaned on her hands, her gaze fixed on the girl. "In the past, a member of our family founded the Empire of Valhalla. Because of that, members of the Pendragon Clan seized the throne." She slammed her hand onto the table, her anger flaring. "Do you know how much that infuriates me?! Arthur tried to kill me years ago because of the royal blood in my veins, fearing that one day I would reclaim the empire."

  With a strange laugh that plunged the room into total discomfort, she continued: "I need you in power within Valhalla to cause a massive rebellion. After that, I will deal with the King myself."

  Pan was stunned by her mother's words, shocked by the true reality of her family and her possible origin. With trembling hands, she lowered her hood, revealing short, reddish hair. "If it pleases you, Mother... I-I will not oppose it." In her thoughts, she lamented: 'If only my little brother were still alive... I would have a reason to run away from all of this...'

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Law, full of ego, sat with his legs on the table. "The plans for domination are certain, but what about our home? You know very well that Arthur will come for you, don't you?"

  The woman nodded. "Indeed. But the Church hunts those who threaten the kingdom or the world. Fugitives from dangerous clans are hunted and killed for the 'sake' of God."

  Akio suddenly chimed in, his expression serious. "Why don't we just take out all the Captains now? With that mole in place, it would be easy enough to wipe them out and seize power quickly."

  The little girl stood up, slapping the table as if challenging everyone present. "You are naive. You have no idea who you're up against..."

  Ignoring their furious glares, Pan took a breath and found her courage. "Captain of the Second Division: Forge Vermilion, known as the strongest man in the world. He scarred a mountain with his fists in the prime of his youth." She began to pace around the large table. "Captain of the Third Division: Red, the Holy Sword King. He raised the Leviathan Axe and can wield any divine weapon; there is nothing he cannot use." She stopped behind her mother, looking at her out of the corner of her eye. "Captain of the Fourth Division: Vamp, known for speed that reaches the speed of sound. She took down an entire gang of bandits in a single second."

  Walking toward the door, silence hung over them. "Do you see what you want to face? If you truly want to challenge those warriors, you better have a better plan... Unlike my little brother, I will not be discarded like you did to him. I can move forward on my own."

  "HAHAHAHA!" The woman laughed at her daughter's audacity, her perfect posture breaking for a moment. "You think you can live without us? Fine then, little child. I'll have your two brothers keep an eye on you. If you manage to exceed my expectations, I promise to grant you any wish you desire."

  Pan opened the door and left. Her footsteps echoed through the isolated, quiet corridor, but she couldn't stop her hands from shaking. Out in the night air, the wind seemed to whisper... and a sudden chill paralyzed the girl instantly.

  'W-what is this?! Why can't I move?' the little girl thought, paralyzed.

  "Hm, interesting... so another one from the Sun Clan will participate in this selection..."

  Regaining her ability to move, Pan spun around, drawing a wooden sword hidden beneath her long cloak. "WHO'S THERE?!"

  The old man raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, seemingly surprised by her reaction speed. "Easy now, easy!" he said.

  The tip of the wooden sword was pressed against the old man's throat. The girl felt the chill down her spine intensify due to the proximity... her eyes focused on the face revealed by the moonlight. "An... old man?..."

  "KAAAAAKAKAKA! There's nothing to fear, little girl." The old man crossed his arms, looking down at her. "I didn't expect you to be so sharp. You probably won't need my little bit of help."

  "Shut up! Just tell me what you want!" She tightened her grip on the sword. "Coming here and breaking into this mansion... have you lost your fear of death?!"

  Suddenly, the old man removed the cloak covering him, revealing his true appearance. The wraps around his wrists and shins—that striking and familiar look was fully revealed. "I may look weak to your eyes, but you can bet that wooden sword won't leave a scratch on me." He leaned forward, examining the girl. "From what I know, you are from the Sun Family. May I ask your name?"

  "My name is Pan Sun... and who might you be, sir?"

  "Pan Sun? I see. Another confirmed participant... I hope you show the same potential as your brothers. My name is Hiro, the Headmaster of the H.I.R.O. Academy."

  "H-I-R-O?" The little girl spelled out his name, her serious expression shifting to utter shock. "Y-y-you're the... HEADMASTER?!"

  "Exactly. I'm here to give the competitors a little nudge. To be honest, we have some very strong students with great potential this year: a boy with an incredible physique, a little girl strong enough to knock down trees... and now I have you before me, a possible master of sword techniques."

  The girl blushed at the recognition, her composure wavering for a moment. "I-I... I practice the way of the sword, but that's not actually my strongest suit... I'm more of a strategist." She coughed to regain her posture. "Anyway, you said you were here to help. Do you have something in mind to make me stronger?"

  "KAAAAAKAKAKA! Straight to the point, kid." The old man tapped her head affectionately. "Yes, I have something that will likely make you much stronger."

  Fumbling through his pockets, he pulled out a small red stone and placed it in Pan's hand. "Weapons with magic stones, runes, or even blessings can become far more powerful. Embed this small stone into your wooden sword, and you'll likely have better control over your power."

  Thinking he had done enough, Hiro turned and began walking away, waving a hand in a casual goodbye. Disappointed, the girl kept her sword raised. "Is this some kind of joke? A magic stone... pff, as if that's enough." She pointed directly at the old man. "Don't think I'm weak. I know my own strength, and I know just how strong you can be too!"

  Hiro turned back, his gaze turning serious. He clenched his fists with a wide grin. "Oh? Interesting... it seems I can't just leave empty-handed after all."

  'Hiro, the man who was once the rival of Forge, the strongest man in the world.' Pan thought about her opponent's history. "If you think I'm going to pass up the chance to fight the strongest, you're dead wrong!"

  He stood relaxed, hands raised, looking calm and confident. "Are you sure about this? If I hurt you, you probably won't be able to make it to the upcoming selection."

  "You bet I am!" Pan declared.

  Dashing toward the old man, Pan attacked with her wooden sword. Hiro blocked her strikes with his arms. The sound of battle echoed through the corridor; the mansion guards approached but found themselves unable to move. Their bodies were paralyzed by the Headmaster's presence.

  "Why are you only defending? ATTACK!" the girl shouted. "For a child, you're quite fast," Hiro noted. With a shove, Pan lost her balance. Hiro prepared a punch, his fists glowing with a blue light. "Let me show you the true technique of a warrior! SNAKE FIST!"

  With a single punch, a serpent formed from the force of his attack. It grazed Pan's face, destroying everything around them with sheer pressure. The boom echoed through the mansion, bringing the girl's brothers to the scene.

  "What on earth is happening here?" Law asked. "Well, look at that. It seems my lessons are over." "W-wait... HEADMASTER?! What are you doing here?" Law was stunned, seeing his sister on the ground, defeated.

  "Pan, when you manage to get stronger, show me your potential." Hiro looked at her face with admiration. "I don't care how long it takes; I'll wait as long as I have to."

  In a flash, Hiro vanished, leaving only a puddle of water on the ground. The guards slumped to the floor, panting. Pan trembled, finally feeling like she could breathe again.

  "Were you fighting him?" Law stood by his sister's side. "Hiro is like that—testing students at the most random times."

  "Yes... I didn't expect him to be so strong... I hoped I could at least cut him."

  "Hmph," Law gave a bitter smile. "You never stood a chance. Hiro is so strong that he regularly fights his greatest rival." He pointed to the puddle on the floor. "The difference between him and you is that he didn't have to move a single finger. See? You were actually fighting a clone. With every clone he makes, his power is cut in half. If you couldn't even wound him at 50% strength, imagine him at 100%."

  Pan was terrified. The shock hit her legs, leaving them shaky. She knelt on the floor, yielding to the fear. A mixture of a smile and the laugh of someone who survived a brush with death took over her. Cold sweat poured down her body, and her hands, still clutching the wooden sword, wouldn't stop shaking.

  She would never win...

  Headmaster's Office...

  "Finally, I've managed to test most of the participants who piqued my interest." Hiro appeared in his office, sinking into his chair and relaxing after his day's work. "Giyo, Asuna, and Pan... these three will be the strongest in the coming years, mark my words."

  Just then, a boy with short blue hair, wearing a vest adorned with the academy's crest, entered the room. "D-dad? What are you doing here?"

  Hiro jumped at the boy's sudden appearance. "SON! Well... your father was just... enjoying a little adventure, you know? There are such interesting students in this new selection... you could say this year will be the pinnacle of the new generation!"

  "Dad, you always do this... I hope you haven't been helping the new applicants. You know that's against the school rules."

  The old man broke into a cold sweat, surprised that his son had caught onto him so easily. "M-me?! I would n-never do such a thing... kakaka."

  Rising from his chair, the man stepped toward his son. He knelt down to the boy's level and gently tousled his hair. "You can bet that you'll stand out too... Kirio."