THE MAN WITH THE SSS RANK ABILITIES

Chapter 15: Echoes of the Forbidden Flame

The moon hung high over Avalon Academy, casting a silvery glow across the deserted courtyard. On the rooftop training chamber, Ethan stood alone. The cool night breeze tousled his hair as he stared into the distance, trying to piece together the events that had unfolded.

The atmosphere was charged with tension......a heavy silence blanketing the academy, as if the very walls were holding their breath in anticipation.

“Oh, there you are,” Sophia’s voice broke the silence as she approached him.

“I’ve been searching for you for hours. What’s wrong, darling? Don’t tell me you’re still brooding over what happened with Leo.”

She paused, her eyes searching his face.

“You know he can’t do anything for now. He’s locked up.”

For a moment, Ethan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Then, with a sigh, he spoke.

“Yeah, you’re right. He’s been locked up.....but we both know it won’t be for long. I still wonder how he came across such immense power. That kind of power is forbidden... Yet, a low-ranked SSS? I still can’t believe it. His moves and techniques—they make me question how he was able to do that.”

Sophia nodded, her expression thoughtful.

“I know you’re thinking about that too... so am I. But remember, you’re still the champion here. No one dares to challenge you.”

Ethan clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes.

“I must find a way to gain more power and become stronger. I can’t just sit back.”

“Alright, babe. We’re in this together—trust me,” Sophia said, moving closer to him. She gave him a soft kiss and a reassuring smile before turning to leave.

Ethan returned to his stance, preparing for a brief training session before heading back to his chamber.

Hours passed, and the academy settled into a profound silence. The stillness was so complete that even the smallest sound echoed through the halls.

Every corner of Avalon Academy was heavily guarded......a precaution against intruders like the hooded figure who had previously breached their defenses.

Meanwhile, in the academy’s hospital wing, Elaine stirred on her bed, a faint groan escaping her lips.

“Where... am I? What am I doing here?” she murmured, her voice weak.

A nurse quickly attended to her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Take it easy. You need to lie back—you’re not fully healed yet,” the nurse advised.

Elaine’s eyes darted around the room, confusion etched on her face.

“What am I doing here? And where is Leo? I need to know.”

“He’s fine,” the nurse replied. “He’s being taken care of.”

“What... what do you mean ‘being taken care of’? The last thing I remember was lying in his arms... looking at his face.”

“Yes, you’re right. We were told you were dying. You were rushed here for immediate treatment—that’s all I know,” the nurse explained.

Elaine’s eyes narrowed with urgency.

“I need to see him. Right now.”

Just as she was about to rise, the doctor entered the room, surprised to see her awake and talking to the nurse as if she were ready to leave.

“Elaine, where do you think you’re going?” the doctor asked, moving toward her. “You need rest—your wounds haven’t fully healed.”

“No—I need to see him. Please, let me see Leo. Or call him here if you won’t let me go to him.”

“I’m sorry,” the doctor said gently. “That’s not possible. He’s been locked up... by order of the academy council.”

“Locked up?” Elaine repeated, stunned.

“What do you mean ‘locked up’? He should be praised! Celebrated! He was trying to protect us—doing what others failed to do. And you’re telling me he’s imprisoned for that?”

Just as she was about to protest further, Sophia entered the room.

“Elaine, you’re awake,” Sophia said with a small smile. “I came by to check on you......to see how your recovery was going.”

“Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate your concern,” Elaine replied.

“I brought you these.” Sophia handed her a bouquet of fresh flowers.

“Thank you... they smell lovely,” Elaine said softly.

A silence settled between the two. They both looked away, but Elaine’s mind was swirling with thoughts.

Why would they lock him up? Why...?

Sophia eventually broke the silence.

“I should go now.”

“Thanks again for checking on me,” Elaine said.

“Oh, don’t mention it. What are colleagues for?” Sophia smiled as she reached for the door.

Just as she was about to leave, Elaine asked, “Where is Leo?”

Sophia paused. “He’s locked up in the attic.”

“What? For what?” Elaine asked, her voice trembling.

“He used a forbidden power,” Sophia said softly. “A dark one.”

“No... I don’t believe it,” Elaine said, visibly shaken.

“He did. And he did it for you. Because you... died. He was devastated. Something within him awakened. None of us know how or when he mastered it, but it happened......and you came back. Then you were rushed here.”

Sophia turned back toward the door. “I need to go. It’s getting late.”

Later that night, Elaine couldn’t sleep.

Her mind was consumed with questions.

How did he do it? Was he hiding who he truly was all along? The power… it doesn’t match his rank...

With a heavy sigh, she climbed out of bed, grabbed one of the hospital bedspreads, and laid it on the floor. Sitting cross-legged, she pressed a hand to her chest, still sore from the knife wound.

She closed her eyes, meditating, reaching out with her ability trying to locate Leo, to find out where he was being kept.

Suddenly, a surge of energy rippled through her. She inhaled sharply as her entire body was enveloped in radiant light. A powerful aura burst across the hospital room, almost like an impending explosion. Her spirit left her body, racing through the academy grounds, searching...

[Back to Leo]

Leo floated midair, his body wrapped in swirling black flames as he meditated, trying to master the abilities he had only just awakened.

A whisper broke his concentration.

He dropped to the ground, listening.

“Show yourself,” he called out. “I want to see you.”

A voice responded gently, “It’s me... Elaine. I’m here to see you.”

“How did you get here?” he asked, bewildered. “This place is guarded.”

Just then, Elaine materialized before him.

“Calm down, Leo........it’s me,” she said softly. “I’m not here to hurt you. I’m here because they wouldn’t let me see you... so I used my ability to come here. I needed to hear the truth from you.”

Leo stepped forward, trying to hug her, but his arms passed through her form.........she wasn’t fully physical.

“Elaine... I don’t have much time. I need to return before anyone realizes I’m gone,” she urged.

“I used a forbidden power,” Leo admitted. “I don’t even know how. But the moment you died in my arms, something awakened in me .......an angry, wild force. You came back, but after that... everything changed.”

Elaine’s form began to flicker and tremble.

“Oh no… I have to go. Something’s wrong. I need to get back,” she said in a panic.

[Back in the Hospital]

The doctor rushed into the room to find Elaine floating midair, her body glowing violently. No one dared approach—her energy was lethal.

Blood trickled from her nose, her condition deteriorating fast.

“She’s going to die!” the nurse cried. “Call the Grandmaster now!”

Meanwhile, Elaine was frantically trying to return to her body—but on her way, a shadowy figure appeared.

A stranger.

And without warning... she was attacked.

The moment before she could be captured—

Everything froze.

Like a game paused mid-action.