It had been ten days since Nico last used his power, ten days of trying to recover from the aches and bruises that had followed the fight with the gang. During that time, he had kept a low profile, attending classes, doing his homework, and trying to keep his head down. Every now and then, Jenna would send him a message, checking in, but Nico hadn’t made much of an effort to hang out with her. He wasn’t ready. Not yet.

He hadn’t touched his power at all during those days. Part of him wanted to experiment with it, push himself, figure out how to control it better. But the memory of the pain—the deep, aching exhaustion that had overtaken him—was enough to keep him from trying anything. He wasn’t ready for another fight. Not until his body caught up to what his power could do.

This morning, however, was just like any other. Nico was running late for his class on human anatomy and the nervous system, his backpack slung haphazardly over one shoulder as he rushed through the hallways. Dr. Kessler’s class wasn’t one you could afford to be late for. The man had a reputation for being brutal with his pop quizzes, and Nico really wasn’t in the mood for extra punishment today.

He turned the corner quickly, his mind racing with thoughts of synapses and neurons, and slammed into someone with enough force to knock them both backward.

“Ugh!” Nico stumbled, nearly falling, his books spilling out of his backpack.

“Nico?” A familiar voice reached his ears.

Nico looked up to see Jenna, rubbing her shoulder but smiling as she bent down to help him gather his things.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” Nico muttered, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks as he scrambled to pick up his scattered textbooks.

“It’s okay, I wasn’t really paying attention either,” Jenna replied, handing him one of his notebooks. Her smile was warm, her presence surprisingly calming. “You’re rushing to class again?”

“Yeah, Kessler’s class… if I’m late, I’m done for,” he said, forcing a smile as he stood up, awkwardly slinging his backpack back over his shoulder.

She laughed softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, don’t let me hold you up, but… do you think we could walk home together after school today?”

Nico blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, sure, I guess…”

“Great! I’ll meet you at the gate,” she said, giving him a quick wave before heading off down the hall.

Nico stood there for a moment, watching her disappear into the crowd of students. His heart raced slightly, a nervous energy bubbling up inside him. Why does she want to walk with me? he wondered. He had saved her, sure, but since then, they hadn’t exactly become close friends. She had reached out a few times, and while he appreciated it, he had kept his distance.

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Still, he couldn’t deny the small thrill of anticipation that Jenna’s invitation sparked in him. Maybe things were changing after all.

As he made his way to class, Nico’s mind wandered, not just to Jenna but to the world around him. This world, shaped by power bearers, was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Every nation was ruled by an emperor—an individual so powerful that they alone held dominion over an entire country. These emperors were the pinnacle of power, the ultimate authority, and their abilities were said to be unmatched. Even in school, the echoes of that power structure were felt.

Nico’s school, like many others, was ruled by a hierarchy that reflected the world at large. The ten most powerful students were known as the Sacred Commandments. They didn’t just control the student body—they were the de facto rulers of the school. Each of them possessed abilities that set them apart from the rest, and they wielded their powers with the kind of confidence that only came from knowing they were the strongest.

The Sacred Commandments weren’t just famous within the school. Their names were whispered among the student body like legends, their reputations growing with every demonstration of power. Some of them came from prestigious families, heirs to powerful lineages. Others were self-made, having trained relentlessly to reach the top. Together, they ensured that the school’s power hierarchy remained intact, ruling with an iron fist—or, in some cases, with flames, lightning, or other devastating abilities.

For a student like Nico, who had only just begun to understand his own abilities, the Sacred Commandments were an unreachable goal. He couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to face one of them in a fight. The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine.

Nico slipped into his seat just as Dr. Kessler began the lecture. As he tried to focus on the lesson, his mind kept drifting back to the Sacred Commandments. Rumor had it that Kyle, the guy who had humiliated him in their fight a few weeks back, was aiming to become one of them. Kyle’s taekwondo skills, combined with his fire manipulation, made him a rising star in the school. People said he might even challenge for the tenth spot soon.

That guy’s already strong enough as it is, Nico thought grimly, and he’s still pushing for more.

The idea of someone like Kyle becoming even more powerful unsettled him. But then again, wasn’t that what everyone wanted? Power was everything in this world, and the higher you climbed, the more respect—and fear—you commanded.

The lesson dragged on, and by the time the final bell rang, Nico’s mind was exhausted. He gathered his things slowly, the weight of his thoughts heavier than usual. As he left the classroom and headed toward the school gates, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of anticipation.

When he reached the gates, Jenna was already there, waiting for him. She waved as he approached, her usual bright smile on her face.

“Ready?” she asked, falling into step beside him as they began to walk.

Nico nodded, unsure of what to say. The walk was silent for a few moments, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the crisp afternoon air. Finally, Jenna spoke.

“So… how’ve you been?” she asked, her voice light but tinged with genuine curiosity.

Nico shrugged, keeping his eyes forward. “Same as usual, I guess.”

“Yeah?” She gave him a sidelong glance. “You haven’t been using your power much, have you?”

Nico’s steps faltered slightly. He hadn’t told anyone about his decision to lay low, but Jenna seemed to pick up on it. “How do you know?”

She smiled knowingly. “I could tell. You don’t seem as drained as you did after… well, after that night.”

Nico felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. He hadn’t thought anyone had noticed. “I just… haven’t felt the need to use it.”

Jenna nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I get it. It’s a lot to handle, especially when your body’s not used to it. But, Nico, you’re stronger than you think.”

He gave her a skeptical look, unsure of how to respond to that.

“I’m serious,” she continued, her voice more earnest now. “I’ve seen people with powers their whole lives who couldn’t have done what you did that night. You’ve got potential, Nico. You just need to believe in it.”

Nico swallowed hard, not sure if he could believe her. But something in her words made him want to try. Maybe he wasn’t ready to face someone like Kyle again—or the Sacred Commandments, for that matter—but he couldn’t deny that he felt something inside him. Something waiting to be unlocked.

As they walked, the sun dipping lower in the sky, Nico couldn’t shake the feeling that this conversation was the beginning of something important. Something bigger than just him and Jenna. In a world ruled by power bearers and dominated by the Sacred Commandments, Nico knew he was at the bottom of the hierarchy.

But maybe… just maybe… that wouldn’t be the case forever.