Confusion spread through the Dawnforge Stadium like wildfire.
The announcer's voice cracked in the echoing silence:
"C-Contestant Astra Noire… has not arrived!"
Bam, standing alone in the arena, raised both hands helplessly.
"Uhh… so… do I win? Or…?"
"Bam, shut up," Zack muttered.
Roger leaned forward over the railing."Where the heck is she!? Astra is never late!"
Rain bit her lip. "Something must have happened. She wouldn't miss this without a reason."
Raze silently agreed.Astra Noire was many things—quiet, cold, intimidating—but irresponsible was not one of them.
Just then, a teacher approached a woman seated near the front.
A gentle-looking woman with short black hair and a composed face.
Astra's mother—Serene Noire.A normal human. No Nexas.Just an ordinary mother in an extraordinary world.
The teacher asked softly,"Ma'am… do you know where your daughter is?"
Serene sighed, her voice calm but tired.
"She's fine.Check the news."
Immediately, every screen in the stadium flickered and switched to a global broadcast.
The entire arena fell silent.
◆ ◆ ◆
Yesterday—One Day Before the Tournament
Astra sat on her couch, munching on snacks, watching morning news.
The broadcaster spoke casually:
"Good evening. A small meteorite—roughly 60 meters in diameter—is estimated to strike the northern polar region tomorrow morning.Government officials assure there is no threat to human populations."
Astra nodded to herself."Okay, so no people hurt. Good."
Then the announcer continued:
"However… nearly two thousand Emperor Penguins are currently nesting in the predicted impact zone."
Astra froze mid-bite.
"…Penguins?"
The news showed a cluster of penguins waddling around adorably.
Astra's eyes widened.
"Oh no. No no no."
She immediately stood up and headed toward the door.
Her mother dropped her laundry basket.
"Astra! Where are you going!?"
"I'm going to save the penguins!"
Serene rushed in front of her."You have a tournament tomorrow! The big one! The whole nation is watching!"
Astra, dead serious, replied:
"Mom. Penguins."
Serene pointed a trembling finger."Astra… you cannot save every animal on Earth."
"I can't," Astra agreed. "But I can save these ones."
Before Serene could protest, Astra hugged her tightly.
"I'll be back before the matches begin. Promise."
Then—
WHOOM!
Astra blasted into the sky with a sonic boom.
Serene stood alone at the doorway, laundry forgotten, muttering:
"…My daughter is going to give me a heart attack."
◆ ◆ ◆
At the North Pole — Hours Before the Tournament
International news drones captured live footage of a massive fiery meteor descending.
Reporters shouted over the roaring winds:
"W-We are currently witnessing a live view of the incoming meteorite—!!"
But then—
A streak of light shot upward from the ice.
A girl.
No flight device.No support gear.Just raw power.
"A STREAK—!! Wait—Is that a person!?"
"Is someone—FLYING!?"
Astra Noire punched straight upward, reaching the meteor in seconds.
She tried smashing it—but she stopped instantly.
"If I break it… pieces will fall.They might kill the penguins…"
She gritted her teeth.
"Okay… option two."
She positioned herself under the meteor and pushed upward.
Her arms shook.Her bones cracked.Her vision blurred.
The meteor pressed down like a falling mountain.
"Nngh—!Come on…!MOVE!"
The ice below her splintered.
Dozens of cameras around the world zoomed in.
A girl—barely a teenager—holding a falling meteor with her bare hands.
International broadcasters were losing their minds:
"IS THAT A CHILD!?""WHAT COUNTRY DOES SHE BELONG TO!?""H-Her strength… this is beyond hero-level…!!"
Astra screamed:
"IF YOU HURT MY PENGUINS—I SWEAR I'LL BREAK YOU!"
Slowly—inch by inch—the meteor began to slow.
Then—
It stopped.
Astra panted heavily.
"I… did it…"
She gently set the meteor down on empty ice, far from any nests.
The penguins in the distance squawked happily.
Astra melted.
"Awwwwww."
She flew back at Mach speed.
"I have a match to get to!"
◆ ◆ ◆
Back to the Stadium — Present
Every screen showed the meteor footage.The audience was dead silent—mouths hanging open.
Even pro heroes stared like children.
Roger screamed,"SHE SAVED PENGUINS!??"
Bam fell to his knees."I'm supposed to fight THAT!?"
Zack grabbed his head."She's not human. I refuse to believe it."
Rain whispered,"…She really did that just for animals…"
Raze stared in stunned disbelief.
Principal Leonel covered his face.
"She moved a meteor…A METEOR.And she's still competing!?"
Then Serene Noire stood and spoke calmly:
"She'll arrive in a few minutes.She said she'd be back on time."
BOOM—!!!
A deafening sonic boom tore across the stadium.
A streak of white-blue light split the sky—
And Astra smashed into the arena like a falling comet.
CRAAAACK—!!
Half the battlefield cracked under her landing force.
She stood up, dusting off snow and ice.
"…Sorry I'm late."
The entire stadium erupted into hysteria—
"ASTRAAAAA!""THE PENGUIN SAVIOR!!!""IS SHE EVEN A STUDENT!?""WHAT KIND OF MONSTER IS THIS!?"
Bam stared at her with shaking hands.
"…Astra…L-Let's fight another day… maybe…?"
Astra tilted her head.
"No. I'm ready."
Bam's soul left his body.
Raze watched from the seats, awe in his eyes.
Even he had to admit:
Astra Noire was in a league of her own.
And this was only Match 1.