In the dimly lit meditation chamber of the V-City Ice Clan HQ, Nemu Cryoson sat alone in the center of the glowing Mystic Array. The frosty symbols inscribed into the ground pulsed dimly beneath him, sending Mystic Energy into his body that refined his Cryokinesis. His eyes were closed, his breathing steadier by the moment—until a fierce knock rang through the chamber.

  A soldier hesitantly entered, his breath visible in the freezing air.

  "Sir, we have the information you requested," announced the soldier, holding forth an iPad.

  Nemu's eyes snapped open, irritation flashing across his face. "You dare disturb my meditation for this?"

  The soldier did flinch, yet he stood his ground. "Sir, it's concerning the man who attacked you. His name is Kai Ciphera."

  And that changed everything on Nemu's face. He now stood, grabbing the device out of the soldier's hands.

  "Kai Ciphera," he muttered, the name dripping with contempt.

  His gaze skimmed through the screen:

  

  
• The New Mercenary Champion of Z City.


  
• Graduated early from high school.


  
• Defeated the Z City Fire Clan Head in a duel.


  
• A late bloomer—awakened his ability a year after his 17th birthday.


  

  Nemu tightened his grip on the device. "He killed the Fire Clan Head? Why wasn't he arrested?"

  The soldier straightened himself. "Sir, we investigated that the duel was sanctioned. The Fire Clan Head and the principal of Z City High signed an agreement that the fight would have no consequences. The government had no right to intervene."

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  Then—Nemu laughed. A cruel, mocking guffaw that resonated within the chamber. "That old fool really underestimated this bastard."

  But upon dying down, Nemu's brows tightened into a deep scowl as he scrolled down.

  Kai Ciphera was below Level 2 when he beat the Fire Clan Head.

  Nemu stopped scrolling, his fingers hovering instead over the display of his device.

  "How?" Nemu muttered.

  He remembered his encounter with Kai—the crushing strength, the heat that emanated from his grip, and the intimating aura surrounding him. It was impossible for a mere Level 2 to do that.

  "Was it Amplification Pills?" he surmised quickly but dismissed it.

  If Kai were relying on drugs, he wouldn't have remained so composed.

  "Super Strength?" Nemu scoffed, rereading Kai's listed ability. He instinctively reached up to touch the spot on his neck where the burn had already healed. "Super Strength doesn't generate heat. Kai Ciphera is hiding something."

  The soldier awaited subsequent orders, but Nemu's fury erupted and threw the iPad, splintering into shards of metal and glass.

  The soldier took a step back.

  Nemu's fists clenched with rage. "Even if that son of a bitch has hidden abilities, I will kill him after I'm done with that ant who dares call himself a Cryoson!"

  The temperature in the chamber swiftly began to plummet as he generated a cold aura around himself, leaving a frosty trail on every wall with an undercurrent of vengeance.

  "Get the fuck out of my sight!" Nemu ordered with a glare as the soldier immediately exited the room without further ado.

  Nemu was finally alone again and attempted once more to close his eyes and breathe deeply to calm himself. But the smug image of Kai still burned in his mind.