Chapter 1: A ‘Normal’ World

  Superpower, an ability that defies the natural laws of human logic. It’s something that goes beyond the limits of what a regular human can do — an extraordinary gift. Centuries ago, these powers would have been seen as miracles, even worshipped by people who believed they came from the gods. But now? They are commonplace.

  Nearly 90% of the population is born with a super power, and it’s no longer anything extraordinary. People can breathe fire, move objects with their mind, or shatter stone with a single punch — all feats that would have once seemed impossible. What once seemed like miracles is now simply part of everyday life, so woven into the world that no one questions it anymore. The moment the first Singular was born — a person with abilities beyond human comprehension — the famous theory of evolution was discarded. The rules of the natural world shifted, and society adapted. Powers were no longer anomalies; they were the new normal.

  The emergence of these diverse and unpredictable abilities initially threw the world into chaos. People with powers appeared everywhere, and there were a lot that didn't know what to do with them, but there were also those that didn't hesitate to use them for their own selfish desires. It was a world on the brink of collapse, where fear and confusion reigned. But from that chaos, something incredible was born — a new profession that would bring peace and order to the world: Heroes.

  Heroes were powerful Singulars, individuals with a strong sense of justice and the will to use their powers for the greater good. They became symbols of hope, standing as guardians against the chaos that threatened society. Their efforts calmed the world, and over time, humanity evolved to accept Singularities as part of life, integrating them into every aspect of society. What had once been feared became a source of strength, and the world slowly adapted to this new reality.

  Even now, the Hero profession stood as the cornerstone of society, maintaining a delicate balance between order and chaos. Who didn’t admire heroes? Their strength, courage, and unwavering sense of justice made them symbols of hope. They were the ones who kept the world together.

  Hiro Shiratori, a 13-year-old boy, was no different. He had always admired heroes and dreamed of becoming one himself. But that dream was crushed when he was just five years old, the moment he awakened his Singularity. Unlike the flashy abilities of the great heroes, Hiro’s power was deemed as ordinary.

  Though 90% of the population possessed a Singularity, most of these abilities were far from impressive. They weren’t meant for grand battles or saving the world — they were just small quirks that made life a little more convenient. For instance, one person might awaken the ability to emit hot air from their palms. It wasn’t much use in combat, but it worked great for drying hair after a shower. Another might gain the ability to slide their legs across the ground, a power perfect for getting to work quickly but little else.

  Hiro's power seemed no different — plain, unimpressive, and far from the dreams of heroism he once held.

  Hiro’s power was called Vital Stream. It gave him a minor boost in stamina and slightly elevated his body’s natural recovery — just enough to match a professional athlete at peak condition. In a world overflowing with flashy Singularities, his ability was neither outstanding nor particularly useful.

  Hiro woke up from a dream.

  He had been soaring through the clouds, weightless and free, with the wind rushing past him. It felt exhilarating, like nothing in the world could hold him back. For a moment, he wanted to stay lost in that endless sky. But reality wasn’t so kind.

  He sighed, staring at the ceiling.

  It was time to come back down to Earth.

  Today marked the start of a new semester at Junior High school. Hiro pushed himself out of bed — sluggishly but surely. Another year was beginning, and he had no choice but to face it head-on.

  The morning air was crisp as Hiro sprinted down the sidewalk, weaving through the scattered crowds. His legs pumped rhythmically, faster and faster, powered by the Vital Stream flowing through his body. Most people would've been panting by now, but Hiro barely broke a sweat. It wasn’t flashy, but it got the job done.

  The city around him buzzed with life, a living monument to the Hero Era.

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  Massive posters of famous heroes covered skyscrapers, their colorful costumes shining proudly against the clear blue sky. Holographic billboards floated above the streets, showing heroes endorsing everything from energy drinks to sneakers.

  "Protect your future with Power Boost 9000!" declared a smiling hero, flexing bulging arms while sparkling animations surrounded him.

  "Stay light on your feet — Lightning Step sneakers, recommended by Bolt-Gale!" another ad boomed, a streak of blue lightning zipping across the air.

  As Hiro passed an intersection, a new, gigantic poster caught his eye — a flashy hero standing atop a frozen mountain, shards of ice spiraling around him. His costume was an elegant mixture of white and navy blue, with a sharp, jagged cape resembling a snowstorm. His name blazed in bold letters:

  "Glacier Fang!"

  Hiro slowed for a moment, staring up at the poster. His jaw tightened slightly.

  Without a word, he looked away and kept running.

  Soon, a commotion ahead made him slow down. A crowd had gathered, people murmuring excitedly, cameras flashing in the air. Curious, Hiro jogged toward the noise, slipping into the growing throng.

  He squeezed through just in time to see it — a battle unfolding right in the middle of the street!

  Two heroes were facing off against two villains, and the air crackled with tension.

  "Who are they fighting?" someone beside Hiro whispered.

  "I heard those two tried to rob the Bank of East Sector this morning!" another person replied breathlessly.

  "They're petty crooks, but still dangerous with those powers!"

  In the world Hiro lived in, villains were those who abused their Singularities for violence, crime, and destruction. Most were small-time troublemakers, but there had been times in the past when villains had leveled entire cities. They were always a threat that heroes and law enforcement had to take seriously.

  The heroes stood out instantly:

  The first was a towering man clad in black and gold, his costume bulked up around his arms with enormous mechanical gauntlets. Every swing of his fists made the ground shake. His name, proudly displayed on his chestplate:

  "Titan Fist!"

  Beside him zipped a sleek figure — a woman clad in a silver and teal suit, glider-like wings spreading from her back. Ripples of high-frequency sound pulsed from her every movement. She spun and sliced through the battlefield with sharp bursts of sound. Her hero name echoed from the crowd:

  "Echo Glide!"

  The two villains were giving it their all but looked outmatched.

  One villain, a wiry man in a tattered hoodie, had the ability to stretch his arms like rubber, slinging them wildly to try and snatch civilians. The other, a stocky man in sunglasses, could flash blinding light from his palms, hoping to disorient the heroes.

  "Look out, Echo Glide!" a kid shouted as the light flared.

  "No way, she’s too fast for that!" someone else answered excitedly.

  Titan Fist roared forward, stomping the ground so hard that it cracked, sending a shockwave through the area. The stretchy villain lost his balance for just a second — and that was all Titan Fist needed. He lunged and grabbed the rubbery arm mid-swing, twisting and slamming the villain into the pavement with a thunderous boom.

  "Whoa!! Did you see that grapple?!"

  "Titan Fist is a monster!"

  Meanwhile, Echo Glide spun upward, using bursts of sound to propel herself into the sky like a jet. She dodged another blinding flash and countered with a sonic burst — a sharp, high-frequency blast that stunned the second villain, making him clutch his head and drop to his knees.

  "Ouch, that's gotta hurt! Echo Glide's sound attacks are insane!"

  "She totally owns the air!"

  Around the scene, police officers were busy setting up barricades and ushering civilians back. In this world, the police and heroes worked together — heroes handled combat, while police secured the area and formally arrested the villains after they were subdued.

  Within minutes, both villains were restrained with Singularity dampening cuffs, special gear designed to block powers once locked on.

  "Villains subdued! No casualties!" an officer barked through a megaphone.

  Hiro leaned against the barricade, wide-eyed with excitement. His heart raced as he watched the heroes standing tall, Titan Fist giving a thumbs-up to the crowd, Echo Glide landing gracefully beside him.

  Reporters swarmed the edges of the scene, cameras flashing, microphones held high.

  "Another brilliant capture by Heroes Titan Fist and Echo Glide!" a reporter announced. "Their quick response prevented any injuries during the attempted bank robbery this morning. Once again, heroes prove to be the pillars of our society!"

  Hiro's eyes gleamed as he watched the scene unfold, the crowd cheering around him.

  A small, stubborn flame of hope flickered quietly in his chest.