My Borderline Supervillain-Slash-Hero System
Chapter 97: The Gathering Storm

Chapter 97: Chapter 97: The Gathering Storm

Early in the morning, Zane, Shelby, and Erlin stepped out of the Sunflower Hotel.

They were heading straight toward the Fresher Meet Village — and they weren’t alone. Today marked the first day of the Fresher Ranking Tournament, and the entire city seemed to be converging on the same destination.

The hotel had offered them a shuttle to the venue, but Shelby had declined. Now, they walked briskly toward the village gate.

Zane glanced around and quickly realized that Shelby’s decision had been the right one. The traffic was outrageous — both on land and in the sky. Aircars hovered above in a congested mess, and the roads were swarmed with people.

Though this road was usually busy, today redefined the word "busy" in Zane’s mind.

Students, spectators, and staff poured in from every direction. Some clutched admission tickets while others rushed just to catch a glimpse of the opening ceremony. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and excitement.

By the time the trio reached the village gate, there were already twenty long queues snaking from the entrance.

Security checks were being handled by a group of third-year senior students, who stood at attention — scanning IDs and mana signatures.

Zane, Shelby, and Erlin didn’t bother with the lines. As they walked directly toward the gate, one of the senior students opened his mouth to shout at them — but the words died in his throat as soon as he recognized Shelby.

"Oh—it’s Senior Shelby," the student blurted out, straightening up in respect.

Shelby simply gave a curt nod and led them through.

Inside the village was no less crowded, but it was far more organized. Patrols of second and third-year students moved through the space with practiced efficiency, keeping the flow in check.

Several of them called out respectful greetings to Shelby, even from afar.

Shelby turned to Erlin and handed her a special access pass. "Stay here in the observation lounge," he said gently. She nodded without complaint.

Then, Shelby and Zane proceeded toward a restricted zone, guarded by barriers and manned checkpoints.

Eventually, the crowd thinned, and Zane found himself staring at a vast flat grassland. The field had been divided into six sections — each with a group of students standing before a raised platform that overlooked the area.

Shelby pointed toward one of the groups. "That’s Eastern Tower," he said. "Go join them."

Zane nodded and walked over, joining the group at the far end.

He scanned the crowd and immediately spotted several familiar faces — fellow Tower students. However, the moment they noticed him, their eyes turned sharp.

Cold. Judging. Condemning.

Zane could feel their gaze cut into him like knives.

"Those eyes..." he muttered under his breath. "Just like back in Whistler Town."

He clenched his fists, anger bubbling within.

Shelby appeared beside him and whispered calmly, "Don’t show it. Calm down, boy. Use that fire in the tournament."

Zane took a deep breath, forcing the anger back down. Still, his voice trembled slightly. "Why are they looking at me like that? Is it because of him?"

He didn’t mention the name. He didn’t have to.

Shelby gave a wry smile and nodded. "Yup. Word spreads fast. From now on, be careful. Students, teachers—even the deans—might ridicule you. But hey, I’m still here. Public opinion doesn’t matter. We shape our own future. We prove ourselves with actions."

Zane stood silent for a moment. Then, slowly, he nodded. Shelby’s words calmed the storm raging inside him.

"Yeah... we shape our own future," he echoed. "Not others. If they want to judge me, let them. I’ll stand on my own two feet, tall—with all my pride and belief."

His eyes narrowed, a spark flickering within.

Today wasn’t just the beginning of the tournament.

It was the beginning of Zane’s reckoning.

The platform before them resembled a colossal lathe-shaped stadium, grand and imposing. As Zane looked up, he saw rows of people seated in rising tiers, each row marking a different level of authority.

Shelby pointed them out one by one.

"Those five hundred and twenty-five seats at the lower level," he began, "they belong to our teachers."

Zane followed his gaze upward.

"Above them," Shelby continued, "those hundred seats belong to the Union of Academic Elders — former instructors who broke through and became 7-Star Mana Core wielders. And further above, those ten—" he paused, narrowing his eyes "—those are the current deans. Hmm... Dean Kora is missing. And there’s a new face among them."

Zane focused on the unfamiliar but somehow recognizable figure among the deans. It was a robust man — firm posture, calm presence. Then it clicked.

Pudge Mordinga, the owner of the Rusty Mug. What is he even doing here? 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Moving on," Shelby continued, "those five over there are members of the High Order of the Academy. And at the very top — see those two thrones? One belongs to the Director, the other to the Founder of the Academy."

Zane activated his System, trying to analyze those seated on the platform.

But—nothing.

No data. No numbers. Just blank entries and unreadable fields. His System, which had scanned everything so far, failed here.

Shelby noticed. "Don’t do that," he warned in a low voice. "Mana scanning them is considered extremely rude."

He leaned closer, whispering, "All the teachers here? Most of them are late-stage 6-Star Mana Core Awakeners — experts in specific disciplines. And make no mistake, only the most qualified become teachers here."

He continued with a glance upward. "Those hundred elders? They’re 7-Star Core holders. Powerhouses. They form the backbone of our defense against villains and external threats."

"And the deans?" Zane asked.

"Same level," Shelby replied. "7-Star Mana Core wielders — but not chosen for strength alone. Each one is a master of their own Law. They’re specialists — dangerous and rare."

Zane’s eyes moved again toward the five members of the High Order.

"What about them?" he asked.

Shelby shook his head. "Even I don’t know much. But once, Director Aaron hinted that they’re stuck in the chasm between 7-Stars and 8-Stars — what some call 7.5-Star Awakeners."

Zane nodded slowly, absorbing it all. Despite Shelby’s warning, he continued using his System — subtle enough not to attract attention. No one reacted — until he scanned the man seated at the very top.

Director Aaron.

Their eyes met.

Instantly, Zane froze. The sensation that gripped him was terrifying — as if whether he looked away or didn’t, he would die.

It was a trap. An overwhelming pressure, unlike anything he had ever faced.

But then, something inside him stirred.

The hidden Solar Thread coiled within his mana core responded. A faint golden light surged into his eyes. His pupils briefly glowed like twin suns.

Director Aaron’s gaze paused... then shifted away.

"Interesting," Aaron muttered to himself. "A good seedling among this year’s freshers."

He tapped the small crystal embedded in his ear. "Gemini, are you seeing what I’m seeing?"

[Yes, Sir Director,] a sweet, feminine voice chimed in his ears. Gemini — his personal assistant.

"Pull up his file. I want to know everything about him."

[Looking into it... But I have a question], she said hesitantly.

"Go ahead."

[This is the second time you’ve shown personal interest in a fresher. Why is that?]

At the word second, Director Aaron’s expression darkened — an old memory flashing like a scar.

"That boy is mana-scanning everyone. Nobody even noticed — except me. That alone made him interesting. So, I gave him a taste of my Law — my Glaring Law. And he countered it. Neutralized it."

He narrowed his eyes. "That’s never happened before. A fresher... with a Law of his own. And it’s strong enough to cancel out mine? I’ll be watching him."

There was silence on the line.

[I... found his file,] Gemini said slowly.

[Sir, I...think...I...should...withhold...this...information...for...now.]

That only stoked Aaron’s curiosity.

"Spit it out, Gemini!" he snapped, irritation rising.

[He’s...Zane Carter. Son of Zorro Carter.] 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Aaron went silent for a beat.

Then he threw his head back and laughed — a deep, powerful sound that drew the attention of a few nearby.

"What a twist! The first person I ever took an interest in was Zorro... and now the second is his son. Is this irony... or fate?"

He cut the connection.

Staring down at Zane from the highest seat, Aaron smiled faintly.

"There is still hope for the Academy... my brother."

Down below, Shelby had noticed Zane staring too long.

He flicked Zane’s chin gently. "Boy, didn’t you hear me? Don’t mana scan them — especially the guy at the top."

Zane gave a nervous chuckle, his face pale and shirt clinging to his back with sweat.

"I agree," he said weakly. "I really, really shouldn’t have."