THE MAN WITH THE SSS RANK ABILITIES

Chapte 11: The Edge of Awakening

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Day Before

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All around the school, everyone was talking about Leo Carter—about his sudden ability and how strong he had become. Many whispered that he would only grow more powerful, stronger than anyone had expected. But others still doubted. How could an F-rank student possibly become that strong overnight?

Rumors spun in every hallway. Some called it a fluke. Others swore he had awakened something ancient. A few even claimed Leo had made a deal with forbidden forces. But no one could deny it—something had changed.

Leo, however, didn’t care about their whispers or the suspicious looks thrown his way. Their words didn’t reach him. His focus was sharp, his thoughts narrowed to one thing: revenge. He wanted every person who laughed at him, mocked him, bullied him—he wanted them all to pay. He could still feel the sting of humiliation, the heat of shame from being underestimated and ridiculed.

Now, the tables were turning.

Meanwhile, Ethan was shaken. He couldn't wrap his head around Leo’s sudden power. The guy had been weak, laughable even—and now this?

“What did I do to him that triggered this?” Ethan asked himself, trying to recall every interaction. Had he pushed Leo too far? Was it his fault?

Flashbacks hit him in waves. The day he shoved Leo in the corridor. The time he laughed when Leo failed to summon even the weakest flame. The look in Leo’s eyes when he stood alone during training, covered in bruises. Regret stirred in his chest.

But still—he couldn't let himself fall behind. Ethan gritted his teeth and forced those memories away. He had to think ahead, to plan. If Leo had power now, then Ethan needed a strategy. He wouldn't be outshined.

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Present Day

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Leo was walking across the academy courtyard, his eyes locked on Ethan, ready to confront him. The memory of Elaine’s parents haunted him. Ethan’s family was behind their suffering—and Leo would make sure justice was served.

But before he could even take the final step—

A blur.

Faster than the eye could catch.

A figure in a hood and mask appeared out of nowhere, gripping Leo by the collar, cold steel pressed to his throat.

Leo froze.

Panic.

Fear.

Shock.

He had never seen such speed, not even from elite-ranked students. His heart pounded, his breath hitched. He thought he was the strongest now. He thought no one could challenge him. But this…

This was different.

{ SSS Ability Detected }

A rush of heat surged through Leo’s body, his nerves igniting like wildfire. His fists clenched, his aura sparked. Power bloomed inside him like a living storm. But something felt... off. A sensation unlike anything he'd felt before—dangerous, raw, and ancient.

Without warning, Leo launched himself backward, creating distance between him and the masked stranger. His boots skidded across the stone floor, sparks flying.

The masked figure didn’t flinch.

They stood silent and still, knife gleaming under the sun.

And then—they charged.

The battle began with such intensity that students abandoned their classes to gather around the training ground. Teachers rushed to the scene, alerted by the shockwaves and sounds of combat.

The whole academy watched, spellbound.

“Who is that?” one student whispered.

“How did they get in?” asked another.

“I... I think they just appeared.”

Teachers murmured in confusion, trying to understand how security had failed.

Just as the head instructor was about to intervene, the hooded fighter launched a devastating left hook. Leo blocked it mid-air, their fists colliding with a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them.

The two exchanged blows in rapid succession. Fire met shadow. Wind clashed with force fields. Sparks rained down around them.

Leo darted across the field, then flipped into the air, aiming a vicious kick toward the masked figure’s chest.

But the attacker twisted, ducked, and countered with a blazing fireball.

It exploded across Leo’s chest, flinging him into the dirt.

The crowd gasped. Students clutched their mouths. And then… laughter.

“That's the guy who was supposed to be powerful?”

“He’s just a joke.”

Groaning, Leo lay on the ground, pain radiating through his ribs.

Elaine broke through the crowd, kneeling beside him. “Are you okay?” she asked, her hands trembling.

“I’m fine,” Leo whispered, but his voice betrayed him.

Elaine looked at him, doubt creeping into her eyes. He wasn’t strong enough—was he? Was this really the person who could avenge her parents?

She stood to leave, her expression dimming.

And that’s when the knife flew.

A gleam in the air. A deadly arc.

“ELAINE!!” Leo screamed.

But it was too late.

The knife struck her in the chest.

She collapsed, blood staining her dress, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Time froze.

Leo's heart shattered.

Something deep within him roared to life. The sky darkened. Wind picked up. Dust whipped in every direction. His body lifted off the ground as an immense, dark energy pulsed from his core.

His eyes glowed crimson.

His scream echoed through the entire academy.

In a flash, Leo attacked the masked enemy with a force that cracked the stone floor beneath them. Every punch carried fury, grief, and power. The masked figure stumbled but parried, vanishing at the final moment before Leo’s finishing blow could land.

Silence fell like a hammer.

The air felt heavy. The sky above the academy seemed to pause, as if watching.

Leo stood alone, his body pulsing with light and shadow, fury and anguish. The other students watched in awe and terror.

Even Ethan backed away, shaking. “What… what is he?”

The glow faded.

Leo turned and ran to Elaine’s side.

He cradled her in his arms. “No… no, Elaine, don’t die. Why didn’t you use your ability?”

Elaine coughed, blood on her lips. “It was too fast… I didn’t see it coming... I didn’t have time.”

Her voice was fading.

Students circled around, their faces pale. Sophia stood with her hand over her mouth, unable to speak.

A teacher dialed frantically. “We need an ambulance—now! A student is dying!”

But even as sirens wailed in the distance, Elaine’s body went still.

Leo’s scream split the heavens.

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The ground shook beneath them. Some students screamed. Others grabbed their friends, holding each other tight. A few ran from the training ground, convinced the earth itself would crack apart.

Leo floated into the air, cradling Elaine’s lifeless body.

A dark force surrounded them.

Black energy spiraled upward like a vortex. Static filled the air. For a moment, the world itself seemed to hold its breath.

And then..........

Elaine coughed.

A single breath.

Leo’s eyes widened.

And

Everything went black.

{ SSS Ability Detected 🔥🔥 }