The stage lights blazed brightly, illuminating the contestants as they lined up to showcase their costumes. The crowd was electric, cheering wildly for each elaborate design that stepped forward. Souta stood near the end of the line, his heart pounding inside the Iron Sentinel suit.

“This is it,” he thought, his hands flexing nervously inside the gauntlets. “I’m about to compete in front of all these people. Just stay calm and sell it. Remember: confidence is key.”

The host, a flamboyant man in a brightly colored blazer, strode onto the stage, microphone in hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Best Fan Design Contest! Are you ready to see some of the most creative, mind-blowing costumes here at Comic-Con?”

The crowd roared in response, and the host grinned. “Let’s meet our contestants!”

One by one, the competitors stepped forward, striking dramatic poses as the host introduced them. The crowd cheered for each one, their enthusiasm growing as the costumes became increasingly intricate. A woman in a fully articulated mecha suit drew gasps of admiration, while a man dressed as a cybernetic samurai earned thunderous applause with his glowing katana.

Souta watched them from the sidelines, his nerves threatening to overwhelm him. “These people are amazing,” he thought. “How am I supposed to compete with that?”

“Remain confident,” Sentinel’s voice chimed in, calm and reassuring. “Your design is unique. Highlight its capabilities.”

Souta nodded subtly. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

Finally, it was his turn. The host gestured toward him with a flourish. “And now, let’s welcome… The Iron Sentinel!”

Souta stepped onto the stage, the neon-blue veins of light running through his armor glowing faintly as he moved. The crowd fell silent for a moment, their eyes widening at the sleek, futuristic design. Then the cheers erupted, louder than Souta had expected.

“Look at that detail!” someone shouted from the audience.

“It’s like something out of a AAA video game!” another fan exclaimed.

Souta took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and struck a confident pose, crossing his arms and letting the light from his suit catch the stage’s reflection. The crowd’s cheers intensified, and Souta felt a surge of confidence.

“Sell it,” he thought. “This is your moment.”

He took a few slow, deliberate steps forward, letting the crowd take in every angle of the suit. The glowing lines along his limbs pulsed faintly, giving the impression of a living machine. As he reached the edge of the stage, he raised one hand and waved casually to the audience, adding a touch of charm to his imposing presence.

“Now that’s a showman!” the host exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically. “Tell us, Iron Sentinel—what inspired this design?”

Souta leaned into the microphone, his modulated voice coming out smooth and confident. “This is my own original character,” he said. “The Iron Sentinel—a guardian of worlds, equipped with the most advanced technology in existence. Built not just to protect, but to inspire.”

The crowd erupted in applause, and Souta felt a rush of pride. “They’re buying it,” he thought, a grin spreading beneath his helmet. “This might actually work.”

As the final contestant stepped onto the stage, Souta’s confidence wavered slightly. His biggest competitor—a tall man in a cybernetic angel costume—drew audible gasps from the crowd. The wings of his costume spread wide, each feather lined with LED lights that shimmered like a living aurora. His intricate armor glowed faintly, and he carried a staff topped with a rotating, glowing crystal.

The host was practically gushing. “Now this… this is craftsmanship! Let’s hear it for Celestial Guardian!”

The crowd roared, their applause almost deafening. Souta’s heart sank. “Great,” he thought. “How am I supposed to beat that?”

“Activate scanning mode,” Sentinel suggested, its calm voice cutting through Souta’s doubts. “It will showcase advanced functionality and highlight your suit’s uniqueness.”

Souta hesitated for a split second, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s go big.”

As the host prepared to announce the final deliberation, Souta stepped forward again, raising one hand dramatically. The neon-blue veins of his suit flared brighter, and his visor lit up with a faint glow. “Let me show you what the Iron Sentinel can really do,” he said, his voice steady and commanding.

The crowd fell silent, their eyes glued to him as the suit’s scanning mode activated. A grid-like overlay spread across his visor, and beams of light emanated from the suit, scanning the stage and surrounding area. The glowing lines moved with precision, highlighting details in the audience, the other contestants, and the stage itself. The data fed back into Souta’s HUD, creating an intricate 3D map that hovered above his palm as a hologram.

The audience gasped, their murmurs of awe spreading like wildfire. “That’s insane!” someone shouted.

“Is that real tech?” another fan asked, their voice filled with disbelief.

Souta clenched his fist, causing the hologram to dissolve into a burst of light. He straightened up, the glow of his suit pulsing rhythmically as he spread his arms wide. “The Iron Sentinel isn’t just a design,” he said confidently. “It’s a vision of the future.”

The crowd erupted into wild applause, their cheers echoing through the hall. Even the host looked impressed, his eyes wide with amazement. “Well, folks,” he said, laughing into the microphone, “I think we might have a winner!”

After a tense deliberation by the judges, the host returned to the stage, holding an envelope. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, “the winner of this year’s Best Fan Design Contest is… The Iron Sentinel!”

The crowd roared, and Souta felt his knees almost give out from the shock. “I… I actually did it,” he thought, stepping forward as the host handed him the prize.

“And now,” the host added, “as the winner, you’ll get an exclusive meet-and-greet with the one and only… Aria Valentine!”

Souta’s heart raced as the crowd cheered again. For the first time, he wasn’t just watching from the sidelines. He was the one in the spotlight, and it felt amazing.

After winning the Best Fan Design Contest, Souta was quickly escorted through the back halls of the convention center, away from the cheering crowd and toward a more private area. His heart still thumped wildly in his chest, the gravity of what had just happened starting to settle in. He was about to meet Aria Valentine, the goddess of superhero films, the woman who had captured the world’s attention with her role as Solaris in Star Ascendant. She was known for her beauty, her grace, and her incredible acting talent.

And now, here he was—about to meet her.

As the door to the private room opened, Souta felt a wave of nerves crash over him. His hands twitched inside the suit’s gauntlets, and he could feel his heart racing faster than it had when he was fighting in the alleyway.

“Sentinel,” he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with both excitement and uncertainty. “Can you… make me seem more confident? I don’t want to mess this up.”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Affirmative,” Sentinel replied, its calm, reassuring tone flowing through his ears. “Activating confidence enhancement function. Neural modulation engaged.”

Souta felt a subtle shift in his posture as the suit adjusted. The tightness in his chest loosened, and a wave of cool confidence washed over him. He straightened up, his shoulders relaxed, his breath steady. The Iron Sentinel was no longer just an impressive suit—it was a part of him, guiding his movements and emotions.

He took a deep breath. “Okay, I can do this.”

As the door swung open, he stepped into the room. Aria Valentine stood near the window, her radiant blonde hair cascading over her shoulders like sunlight. Her stunning blue eyes lit up as she saw him enter, and she smiled warmly. She was dressed casually in a chic yet comfortable outfit—nothing flashy, but her presence made her shine in any setting.

“Well, hello there!” she greeted, her voice smooth and inviting. “Congratulations on the win! You were amazing out there. I have to say, I’ve never seen anything quite like your suit.”

Souta felt a rush of heat rise in his cheeks. His mind was spinning. “She’s talking to me. She’s complimenting me. Focus, focus, Souta!” He forced a smile, doing his best to keep the fanboy excitement in check.

“Th-thank you!” he stammered. “I’m, uh, I’m a huge fan of your work. Star Ascendant is, like, one of my favorite movies. I—I mean, you were incredible as Solaris! I’ve been following you since forever!”

Aria chuckled softly, her smile never fading. “That’s so sweet of you to say. Thank you for the kind words. You must be proud of your design. It’s not every day someone creates something as unique as this.”

Souta felt his chest swell with pride at her words. “Well, it’s kind of my personal project,” he said, trying to sound modest, though the suit’s confidence function was making it easier to speak with assurance. “I call it The Iron Sentinel. It’s kind of a mix of my favorite things, but mostly, I wanted it to represent the idea of a protector… someone who fights for the good of others.”

Aria tilted her head, genuinely impressed. “I love that. There’s so much heart in your design. And honestly, the craftsmanship is incredible. It’s rare to see such attention to detail. I’m guessing you’re not just a fan, but a creator as well?”

Souta nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I mean, I try. I’m working on making the whole universe around it. There’s a lot more to the suit than just the design—it’s a whole story. One day, I hope to make it more than just a costume.”

Aria’s eyes sparkled with interest. “I think that’s amazing. You’ve really put your heart into it, and I can tell.”

At that moment, Aria’s assistant, a calm-looking woman with dark hair and professional attire, entered the room holding a camera. “Aria,” she said with a polite smile, “are we ready for the photo?”

Aria turned to Souta with a playful glint in her eye. “How about it? Want to take a picture together? I’d love to have a shot with the creator of such an amazing suit.”

Souta’s mind raced. “A picture? With her?” His breath caught in his throat. “S-sure, I’d love that,” he said, trying his best to sound casual, though his voice cracked slightly. He didn’t know whether he should bow, shake her hand, or just stand there like a nervous wreck.

Aria laughed softly, sensing his nerves. “It’s just a picture, don’t worry! Just be yourself.”

As she posed next to him, Souta’s suit sprang into action, his hand subtly shifting to create a holographic proxy phone. He held it up, capturing a perfect shot of the two of them together. The Iron Sentinel’s advanced systems allowed him to snap the picture without ever having to reach for a physical phone. The camera flash lit up the room, freezing the moment.

The assistant snapped a few more shots, adjusting angles and making sure everything was perfect.

Aria turned back to him, her smile warm. “I’ll make sure to keep this picture. It’s not every day I get to meet someone so talented, and so kind. You really deserve this moment.”

Souta, still trying to process the surreal nature of what was happening, managed a smile. “I… I don’t know what to say. This is a dream come true.”

Aria placed a hand on his shoulder, her expression sincere. “You’ve got a lot of talent, and you’ve got a story to tell with that suit of yours. I hope to see more of it in the future. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even be up on the big screen with a character of your own one day.”

Souta’s eyes widened. “Up on the big screen? With my suit? With her?” The thought of being part of the movie industry, of creating something that could stand alongside the superheroes he admired, made his pulse race.

“That would be… amazing,” he said, his voice full of hope.

Aria smiled, giving him a friendly wink. “I hope we get to meet again. You should definitely stop by the fan event later. I’d love to see your designs and hear more about what you’ve been working on.”

Souta’s heart skipped a beat. “I’ll definitely be there! I’ll… I’ll see you there!” he said, his voice filled with excitement.

As Aria and her assistant left the room, Souta stood there for a moment, trying to collect himself. His mind was still reeling from the fact that he had just met Aria Valentine—the Aria Valentine—and had a photo with her to prove it.

The suit’s calming voice came through his earpiece. “Mission complete. You have achieved your goal. Enjoy the rest of the event.”

Souta let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “This is it,” he thought. “This is just the beginning.”

The fan event was a whirlwind of excitement. Announcements for upcoming movies filled the air with cheers and gasps of anticipation, the screen lighting up with trailers, teasers, and surprise reveals. Souta found himself a fan favorite among the crowd, with people constantly approaching him for pictures and autographs.

“Man, I’m not even famous, and I’m getting this much attention,” Souta thought, signing another makeshift autograph on a fan’s notebook. “Feels like I’m the main event here.”

As the announcements slowed and the crowd began to settle, Souta finally found a moment to sit down and take it all in. He was still buzzing from the interactions with other fans, and for the first time in his life, he felt truly noticed—truly alive.

But just as he was about to relax and enjoy the next big reveal, Sentinel’s calm voice chimed in his ear.

“Ping detected. Potential emergency. Do you wish to review?”

Souta blinked, straightening slightly. “Emergency?” he whispered under his breath. “What kind of emergency?”

“High-priority alert,” Sentinel replied. “A terrorist attack has occurred at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Multiple hostages have been taken, including performers and fans. Authorities are on-site but unable to neutralize the threat.”

Souta’s blood ran cold. “Performers? Who’s there?”

“Primary targets include rapper Loco Blaze and pop star Alyssa Rayne, as well as attending fans,” Sentinel informed him.

Souta’s eyes widened at the mention of Alyssa Rayne. She was one of the biggest pop stars in the world, known for her ethereal voice, bold stage presence, and global hits like Starlight Dreams and Heartbeat Horizon. “Alyssa Rayne? She’s huge!”

He glanced around the room. People were beginning to murmur nervously as notifications started popping up on their phones. A few gasps spread through the crowd as they read the news. It was only just breaking to the public, but Sentinel had picked up on it before the media could fully cover it.

“Sentinel, how do you always know this stuff before anyone else?” Souta muttered.

“I am designed to monitor real-time security channels and global communication networks,” Sentinel replied matter-of-factly. “Hostiles are armed and dangerous. Law enforcement has been unable to breach the stadium without risking civilian casualties.”

The murmurs in the room grew louder, and a nervous energy began to fill the air. People glanced anxiously at their phones, the glow of the screens casting uneasy shadows over their faces. Souta clenched his fists.

“This… this isn’t just some costume competition anymore,” he thought. “This is real. Real people are in danger.”

He glanced back at the stage, where the next announcement was about to begin. The excitement that had once filled the room now felt hollow in the face of what he’d just learned.

“Sentinel,” Souta said quietly, his voice firm. “I think it’s time for the Iron Sentinel to step up.”

“Affirmative,” Sentinel replied. “Mission parameters ready. Initiating navigation to SoFi Stadium.”

Souta stood, glancing around to make sure no one was paying too much attention to him. With the room distracted by the news and announcements, he slipped toward the exit, ducking into a less crowded hallway.

As he moved, his thoughts raced. “Alright, this is serious. People could die. This is my chance to actually make a difference—to be the hero.” He paused, smirking slightly to himself. “And okay, maybe it’s because it sounds kind of fun. But still, lives are on the line.”

Once he was clear of the main event area, Souta activated his suit’s camouflage mode. The sleek armor shimmered, fading into near-invisibility as he moved toward the convention center’s rooftop. The cool evening air hit him as he stepped out onto the open roof, the faint hum of the city below buzzing in the background.

“Alright, Sentinel,” Souta said, his voice steady. “Let’s go save some lives.”

The thrusters on his suit roared to life, and he launched into the sky, disappearing into the horizon as the Iron Sentinel raced toward Los Angeles.