Mornings at Paladin's Academy can be quite an eventful time. Fun fact: the most likely time for a villain attack ranges from 1 am to 7 am, which is why there's a wide variety of night-themed superheroes. Sadly, this morning won't be as eventful, as today marks the first day of White Mask's mandatory community service.

Just the night before, he got the email regarding the schedule. He audibly groans, reacting to his new 6 am schedule and the fact it's every day for two weeks, essentially taking up the whole break. Still, it was either that or expulsion, so honestly, he can't really complain that badly. He closes his laptop and goes to bed, just hoping the next day will go by quickly.

As the morning arrives, White Mask starts his usual routine for the day. Before anything else, he does one hundred push-ups, one hundred squats, one hundred situps, and a ten-kilometer run. This exercise helps maintain his lean physique, increasing both his strength and dexterity. After which, he eats high-fiber cereal in the empty lounge. As expected of college students, no one is awake at this ungodly hour. Then he takes a good long shower before changing into his hero gear. Even if some would say community service is menial, no job is too small for a Superhero.

While walking towards the stairs, White Mask passes by Dreadnought's room. He stops and lingers for a moment. No one has seen him since the attack. He has locked himself in for days on end. Nasty rumors have begun to spread. Some claim they can hear whispers of demonic Latin. Others say Dreadnought has shed his humanity, and has become a fully fledge Devil.

"That's bullshit," White Mask whispers. But he can't deny what he saw. A flaming monster. With draconic wings and a serpent's tail. Something straight out of Revelations. Maybe they're right, maybe he really has thrown it all away. Maybe it's only a matter of time before he...

"What are you doing?" A quiet voice whispers. From the corner of the hall, Matter steps forward from the shadows. Her lavender hood rests on her scarlet hair. Her fog-grey eyes glare at him.

"Minding my own business," he smirks, "unlike you."

"Well, take your business elsewhere," she points aggressively.

"The fucks that supposed to mean?" White Mask steps forward.

"You know damn well what it means," she remarks, shoving him aside.

"I'm not surprised you're still sticking up for Dreadcuck. Standing outside his door like a sad dog, waiting for her master to come home. It's honestly really pathetic."

Matter grabs White Mask by the collar and pins him to the wall. But he doesn't even react, as if, in an act of pity, he surrenders himself to her. She gently lets go and leaves the corridor.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Yeah, that's what I thought," he mutters under his breath, fixing his collar and walking out.

Moments pass as White Mask finally arrives at the Student disciplinary office. Within the main building, the office can be found on the ground floor. Just pass through the right hallway from the registrar. He quickly notices that there is a good number of students present, all sitting on the outside chairs, ironic given the nature of the school, but it seems that most of them are in the higher batches. All except one familiar face.

"Julia?"

"Oh hi, Captain Powerless!" Te(404 not found) Julia smiles and waves, "I didn't expect you here."

"It's kinda your fault I'm here."

"Oh riiiiight," she laughs, "the white splash. Don't worry, I deleted everything concerning that; well, THEY made me, haha."

She points toward the office door.

"Why?"

"Let's just say it was a part of my plea deal, okay?"

"Alright."

The two quiet down and wait their turn. For some time, students just keep going in and out of the office. Around twenty minutes pass before they hear, "Those assigned community service, please enter and head for room four."

They both stand up and walk in together, much to their mutual shock. They enter and make their way to room four, passing by other delinquent students. Once they enter, they find that a couple of other naughty first years have been forced to attend. Julia giggles as she whispers,

"Look, it's Fortune, quite unfortunate for him, huh? He maxed out his scholarship spending on the latest shitty gacha game."

"Abaddon, ho ho ho, he had a drunken outburst at Atimré."

"Meraxes, a wild flame, burned down a huge chunk of the forest practicing."

"How, how do you know all this?" White Mask questions.

"Big brother told me," she winks.

At the front desk sat their monitor for today. With a big yawn, she slouches back on the chair and stretches her arm. Her once-kept blonde hair was now messy, and for once, her bright red jacket was zipped up to full. Instead of blue jogging pants, she wore black short shorts and running shoes.

"Is everyone here?" Sparkplug groans, "eh, doesn't matter. For those here, welcome to community service, where we, as heroes, give back to the community we protect."

She stands up with a piece of crumpled paper in her hand, "Now, I won't ask why any of you are here, so let's cut to the chase. Ms. Winter says that recently, Paladin's station has been overrun with trash and rodents. Your job is to clean the station without using your powers as a lesson in responsibilities or something?"

Sparkplug scratches her head, "As stated by her, you will all do this from sunrise till sundown, with Sparkplug, hey that's me, as assigned monitor for two weeks until further notice."

"You guys get all that?"

The five reluctant students collectively nod.

"Alright, let's get to it!"

And the day goes on without any more trouble. With the community service team now assembled, the goal of this act has been made clear. Act III, the cleanup arc, has begun! Stay tuned for next week's gripping adventure involving White Mask, a bathroom, and a student whose superpower is super poops!