Dawnforge Arc Begins
The day had finally arrived.
The Dawnforge Tournament—Lionel Academy's greatest event—was about to begin, and excitement flooded every corner of the academy. Students rushed into the massive stadium, parents filled the stands, and even top-ranked national heroes took their seats to witness the next generation rise.
Inside the Hero Class waiting area, everyone buzzed with energy.
Roger stretched exaggeratedly."Today… HISTORY will remember me."
Zack rolled his eyes. "History will remember how fast you get knocked out."
Rain giggled softly. "Please don't start fighting before the tournament starts."
But all chatter died when people remembered the first match of the day—
Astra Noire vs Bam Relic.Two of the strongest students in the class.
Everyone knew the difficulty of it. Astra was a monster in human form. Yet Bam trained harder than anyone could imagine.
Raze, adjusting the new blue combat suit Forgebound had built for him, looked at Bam quietly.
"You ready?"
Bam grinned, clenching his fists."Bro… I've been ready since birth."
Roger patted Bam's shoulder."Win or lose, surviving Astra for even a minute will make you a legend!"
Zack snorted. "Survive ten seconds and I might even respect you."
Bam exhaled deeply."Thanks for the support, idiots."
Raze smirked. "You'll do fine."
Bam nodded. "And you better not lose your match either. Finale boy."
Raze tightened his gloves. "I won't."
◆ ◆ ◆
The Stadium Roars
The Dawnforge Stadium was PACKED.
Every seat was filled—students, teachers, families, and pro heroes. The energy shook the ground.
Principal Ricardo Leonel floated down to the center, raising a hand to silence the crowd.
"Today," he declared, "marks the beginning of the Dawnforge First-Year Grand Tournament. A test of will, ability, and spirit. Let this be the day the world sees a new generation of heroes rise!"
The crowd erupted.
Bam smacked his cheeks. "Alright… it's now or never."
"Match One!" the announcer's voice boomed across the stadium."Astra Noire! Bam Relic! Please step into the arena!"
Thunderous cheers filled the air.
Bam pounded his chest, cracked his neck, and walked into the blinding lights of the arena while applause shook the stadium.
But…
Astra did not appear.
Seconds passed.
The crowd murmured.
"Where's Astra?""Is she late?""No way, not Astra…""Did something happen?"
The announcer hesitated.
"…Astra Noire, please step into the arena."
Silence.
Still nothing.
Bam frowned and looked toward the tunnel she should've walked out from.
"Oi… Astra?" he muttered, confused. "Don't tell me you overslept or something…"
Roger, from the stands, squinted."This is weird… Astra is never late."
Rain bit her lip anxiously."Something feels wrong."
Zack crossed his arms."She wouldn't skip a fight. Not her."
Raze felt something twist in his gut.Astra wasn't someone who ignored battles.Something must have happened.
Suddenly, teachers and staff began whispering frantically. Principal Leonel's expression tightened.
Celeste Ardyn rose from her seat, eyes sharp.
"Where is she?" she whispered.
A wave of unease washed through the stadium.
◆ ◆ ◆
Bam Steps Forward
Bam raised his voice nervously, trying to make light of the situation:
"Uh… Astra? You know this is our fight, right? You're the star today! Get out here!"
He laughed awkwardly.
No response.
A cold breeze drifted across the stadium.
Rain whispered, "This… isn't normal."
Raze clenched his fists.
Astra Noire, the strongest of their year…missing on the very first day of the tournament?
Impossible.
Principal Leonel finally stepped forward, face dark.
"Students. Remain calm. There seems to be a situation."
A chill spread through the stadium.
Raze stood up slowly, eyes narrowing.
"…Astra. Where did you go?"
The Dawnforge Tournament had begun—but the opening match… didn't start immediately..
And the academy was about to find out why Astra was missing.