When we were getting ready for the training match Caitlyn assigned, she split us into two teams. I was teamed up with Visor and Mia, while she grouped herself with Zack and Alex. She gave each team ten minutes to come up with a strategy.
But five minutes had already passed, and no one had said a word.
Visor just stared silently at the other team, as if calculating their every move. Mia fidgeted, nervously rubbing her thumb like a kid embarrassed after getting caught doing something wrong. I glanced between the two of them, waiting for someone to speak—but it was clear nothing was going to happen unless I made the first move.
Just as I took a step forward to break the silence, Visor turned to us and asked, "Do you have any plans?"
We both replied, "No."
"Then… can I lead?" he asked.
Mia and I exchanged a quick glance—an unspoken agreement passing between us. I gave him a firm nod, and Mia shyly said, "Yes."
Visor stepped up and laid out a plan. As he explained it, I was genuinely surprised. I never expected him to be this smart—his ideas closely mirrored mine, maybe even sharper in some ways. The plan was simple, tactical, and easy to execute.
I found myself staring at him in disbelief. He caught my gaze and frowned slightly. "What are you looking at, weirdo?"
I quickly turned away, brushing it off with a cold expression like I hadn't been staring at all.
Mia started preparing according to the plan while Visor turned to the other team and called out, "We're ready."
As Visor called out to the other team that we were ready, Zack grinned and pointed at us."Let's make a deal," he said smugly. "If you lose this round, one of you leaves the team."
He smiled like he'd already won, like it was a sure thing. And I knew exactly who he was planning to kick out—me. The powerless one.
Before Visor could fully respond, he shouted, "That's not part of the—"
I stepped forward and cut him off. Looking straight at Zack, I looked at him coldly and said,"Fine. But if we win, every one of you takes a punch from me."
Alex and Zack burst out laughing like it was some kind of joke. Caitlyn didn't say a word. She tried to hide it, but I saw it in her eyes—fear. She was scared, even if her face stayed calm. I can't blame her she saw my training while we are in the Agency and I punched every big rocks with just one punch.
The match began. We moved into formation—Visor and I at the front, Mia at the back in support. We positioned ourselves in a triangle, just like we planned.
The sharp sound of the starter gun echoed. That was our signal.
We sprinted forward, crossing into enemy territory. But just as we did, the sound of rustling leaves snapped us to attention. Something—or someone—was moving fast. We froze, glancing in all directions.
"He's surrounding us," Visor said under his breath.
"I'll stop the speedster," I said without hesitation.
Visor turned to me, worry written all over his face.
"You have to trust me," I told him. "Don't look at me like I'm powerless. Sure, I've got a small body—but I'm still a man. I'm stronger than you think."
He paused, then gave a firm look. Without a word, he turned to Mia, who nodded and activated her ability.
Mia climbed onto one of her healing bubbles and handed us each our own—small glowing orbs that would keep us connected and supported. She floated up into the trees to stay hidden and track us from above.
With Visor rushing off toward his part of the plan, I stayed behind.
This fight was mine now—the most annoying opponent of all. The speedster.
Zack began circling me like a predator, his movements a blur. I sprinted into the open field, drawing him away from cover—and just as I expected, he followed.
I came to a sudden stop. He did too, landing a few feet in front of me with a cocky smirk.
"What now?" he mocked. "You think being out in the open will help you stop me?"
He let out a low chuckle. I stared at him blankly, saying nothing, just to get under his skin.
He clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed."I won't have mercy on you," he growled.
Then he launched forward at full speed, his fist flying at my face. But I dodged—barely.
He skidded to a stop, standing exactly where I'd just been. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"How did you dodge that?" he demanded.
I tilted my head and said calmly,"What? You think just because I don't have powers, I can't dodge someone who does?"
His expression darkened. Energy sparked around his feet as he shot toward me again, faster this time. He unleashed a barrage of strikes, but I kept moving—slipping past each attack. He was fast, but I'd trained for this. Still, I could feel my energy draining. And from his heavy breathing, I knew he was tiring too.
We both paused, standing a few feet apart, gasping for breath.
He smiled. "I'm not done yet."
I took a deep breath and rose to my stance."What? This is just getting started."
I drew my katana from my back and held it in position. He chuckled again and charged. But this time, I leapt over him mid-sprint, flipping in the air—and with a clean slice, I severed the watch from his wrist.
He gasped as it flew through the air. His eyes locked onto it, desperate.
"No—!" he shouted, lunging to catch it.
Panic surged in me—I jumped too, stretching toward it, but he was just a second faster. He was going to beat me to it.
And then, pop—a translucent bubble appeared out of nowhere, enveloping the watch and floating it back toward me.
"Yes!" I breathed, catching it midair.
From the distance, I saw Mia nestled in the trees, her hands glowing. I couldn't see her face clearly, but I could feel her smile.
"Damn it!" Zack shouted, slamming his fist into the ground.
I stepped toward him, holding the watch."They're still in the game," I said firmly. "Don't give up on your team. They can still win this."
He looked at me for a long moment, then sighed and extended his hand.
"Nice battle."
I took his hand and shook it, respectfully.
But in that moment, the bubble holding the watch suddenly popped—and the light from Mia's power faded.
I froze.Mia… had been eliminated.
Caitlyn. It had to be her.
Without another word, I turned and sprinted toward Visor.
He was still fighting Alex—and now, he was alone.
But not for long.