Episode 3: No Matter How You Look at It, This Is Clearly a Superpower Story
“In my fief, we hold a flower festival every spring. There are golden pouches, peonies, lilacs, violets, and even peach blossoms—so many beautiful flowers!”
“A flower festival, huh? I’d love to visit if I ever get the chance.”
“Ah!? N-No, it’s not the kind of event someone like you should go out of your way for! It’s just… the townsfolk walking around, admiring the flowers that bloom here and there…”
On the road toward the Empire. Toward the Continental Academy. Seria chatted nonstop, like a baby bird chirping eagerly.
Perhaps she was just naturally talkative. Or maybe she felt awkward traveling with the child of a high noble family and was trying to fill the silence.
“My ability is fire manipulation. I awakened it by chance. My parents were so happy, but honestly, it’s so weak it’s embarrassing to even call it fire. At best, it’s like the glow of a firefly.”
“Still, the fact that you’ve awakened your power at all is proof of potential. Isn’t that why you’re heading to the Academy?”
“Really? Hearing that from you makes me feel a little more confident!”
Abel gave appropriate replies to her stories while quietly observing Seria.
She was the first awakened person he’d met up close, aside from his family. And especially someone who had awakened a fire-type ability—he’d only heard of it, never seen it in person.
She said her ability was weak, but that could just be modesty. After all, even a flame the size of a firefly can hold great destructive potential.
She might be the kind of person who hides her true nature. The Academy is known for being a hotspot of incidents and drama, and there was always the chance she could be at the center of one.
Plus, Seria was born a commoner. Abel wasn’t some snob obsessed with social rank, but if she harbored resentment over her status, that alone could push her toward darkness.
“Am I talking too much about myself? If you have anything you’d like to share…”
“It’s quite alright. Just listening to you is genuinely enjoyable. But if I were to make one request, it would be about that title—‘young master.’ I’d prefer if you didn’t use it anymore.”
They weren’t attending a ball as nobles. They were on their way to the Academy as awakened beings.
Status wasn’t meaningless, but what truly mattered was the strength of one’s awakened ability.
If someone had talent, even a commoner could stand proudly before royalty. Conversely, someone of noble birth with a mediocre ability might still be subtly looked down on.
“Even foreign royalty and imperial princes become nothing more than juniors, seniors, or peers at the Academy. Because under the title of ‘awakened,’ we’re all equals. I think it’s better for you to get used to that now, Seria.”
When Abel finished speaking, Seria nodded furiously.
Her expression was filled with unease, as if she’d just committed a terrible faux pas. She looked like a puppy frightened out of its wits.
A bit of nervousness was fine—but she shouldn’t shrink away too much. She was still an awakened one of the Ascal Kingdom. She deserved to walk with pride.
“You must be feeling very anxious. You’ve never even left your territory before. And your power, as you said, is weak. Just a moment ago, you told me your flame was so small it looked like a firefly.”
“Yes…”
“Here, take a look.”
Abel pulled back the curtain and opened the carriage window. The world outside was slowly being consumed by darkness as the sun finished setting.
“Look at those stars. Don’t they seem tiny? Maybe even smaller and dimmer than a firefly.”
Seria looked up at the sky.
Abel was right. The stars were all small and faint. At least, that’s how they appeared.
“But no one calls those stars pathetic. Even if they’re smaller than fireflies. Even if they don’t shine like the sun or the moon. They’re still stars of the sky.”
“….”
“You say you’re just a firefly. But to someone, you’re a star. To your parents. To the people of your barony. And for their sake—for the chance to one day become their sun or moon—we’re going to the Academy. Don’t you think so?”
Another series of nods from Seria—this time, with a relaxed expression.
“That’s all there is to it. You have no reason to belittle yourself, or to be anxious or afraid. We’re all the same. We all start as fireflies. But no one knows what the future holds.”
Now that he said it aloud, the line sounded painfully cheesy. And the way Seria was looking at him from across the seat—it made him self-conscious.
“Young Master Abel—ahem. Lord Abel, you’re… really different from me.”
“We’re the same. Just fellow first-years at the Academy.”
“I suppose that’s true? But… how do I put it… This might sound strange, but you feel like someone who’s lived two or three times more than me.”
“For the record, we’re the same age.”
“Ah.”
Seria fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before speaking again.
“The truth is, just like you said—I was really nervous. I kept talking so much just to hide the fear. I’m sorry, Lord Abel. Was I really that noisy today?”
“I already told you—you weren’t. It was enjoyable.”
Just because someone appears cheerful on the outside doesn’t mean they are on the inside. Abel had seen many characters like that. Many people like that too.
“I kept wondering… Am I just going to become a burden to my parents, to our barony, and to the kingdom? The Continental Academy is supposed to be filled with prodigies from across the land. Wouldn’t a powerless nobody like me just embarrass herself…? I kept thinking things like that.”
“….”
“But now, after hearing what you said, I feel stronger. I feel braver. I’m still nervous and scared, but I think I’ll manage. I feel sure of it now. Just like you said—for the sake of the things that are precious to me.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“That’s more like it. That brightness of yours is your greatest weapon. Please make good use of it at the Academy and help keep some of those guys who might fall into darkness on the right path.”
With that thought, Abel turned his gaze back to the window.
‘I used to be like that, too.’
Back when he was still young—when he desperately wanted to awaken his powers but his ability couldn’t catch up to that desire.
He remembered all too well how much he trembled with feelings of worthlessness and anxiety about an uncertain future. Even though no one was disappointed in him, he was disappointed in himself—to the point of self-loathing.
And how did he overcome it? Just like Seria.
He reminded himself of the reasons why he had to move forward, of his goals.
Family. His domain. His country. And himself.
Once he awakened and became an Ability User, he chose to walk this path willingly.
Instead of searching for reasons he might fail, he chased the determination that he must reach his goal—simple as that.
‘The most important thing in any superpower story is an unbreakable will.’
Of course, he was only giving this much attention because she was from the same kingdom. If she were from another country? Not a chance.
As Seria, now a little more reassured than before, continued to chat brightly, Abel looked at her and smiled faintly.
“Young Master, we’re almost there.”
“That was quick.”
“Showing the proof of admission to the Continental Academy got us the fastest passage through the Empire.”
You may remember the verifiers who had come not long ago to assess Abel’s abilities.
Their job wasn’t just to evaluate prospective students. Their most important mission was to issue proof of admission to Ability Users accepted from each nation.
Not just anyone can enter the Empire. Even if you’re allowed entry, there are strict inspections at every checkpoint.
But those with the verifier’s certificate are exempt. It’s essentially a special pass that says: This person is an Ability User and a foreign dignitary. Unless they cause serious trouble, send them directly to the Academy.
What if someone forges it? If that were easy, the Empire would never allow this system.
The verifiers themselves are Ability Users who make a living issuing these certificates. And every checkpoint is manned by inspectors with specialized powers to detect forgeries.
‘It’s a well-thought-out system that explains why the Continental Academy—though not neutral—is located inside the Empire.’
From the perspective of someone from the Kingdom of Ascal, it might feel a bit frustrating, but still, the Empire is the largest and most advanced nation.
And if the Academy is meant to be the best educational institution, then the only place it should be is within the Empire.
‘Though technically, the Academy is designated as a special zone—part of the Empire, yet not quite under its rule.’
Thinking this, Abel opened the carriage door and stepped outside.
They had arrived at the final checkpoint before the Academy. Only after having their certificates confirmed here could they enter the Academy’s special district.
***
“Two of you, correct?”
Two knights—not regular guards—approached and looked over Abel and Seria.
Although there are Ability Users, they aren’t common. So knights are still highly regarded personnel in this world. The fact that such knights are handling duties that regular soldiers might normally do is a testament to how important the Academy is.
Abel nodded, again feeling the weight of the institution.
“You should have the certificates given to you by the verifiers. You were informed that if you don’t have them, you won’t be allowed entry under any circumstances.”
“Here they are.”
At the knight’s signal, a man from behind stepped forward.
There was a strange light in his eyes—a sign typically seen in people with emotion-based powers. He was the inspector tasked with verifying the authenticity of their certificates.
“Both certificates are valid.”
“Very well. Please bring your belongings and follow me. From here, you’ll be transported by a carriage operated by the Academy.”
It was time to part ways with the coachman who had come with them from the Kingdom. Abel and Seria said their goodbyes, and the coachman cheered them on, wishing them the best.
As the knights watched the scene, they waited for the farewells to finish before approaching to give them some final instructions.
“From this point on, you are officially freshmen of the Continental Academy. Please act accordingly. The school rules are listed in detail in the guide we’re handing out now. Make sure to read it at least once.”
As Abel looked through the guide, he noticed many sections specifically addressing nobility—likely because so many noble students attended.
It clearly stated that even if someone is a commoner, if they are a senior, they must be treated accordingly. And that no one may use their social status as a weapon.
“Ah, and one more important thing.”
A knight helping with their luggage spoke up.
“A little commotion is fine.”
“Huh? Wait, did I hear that right?”
“You heard correctly, milady.”
He spoke slowly and clearly, so there was no need to ask again.
“Within the Academy, a certain degree of commotion is tolerated.”