The Hero Code

The morning air was heavy with anticipation as students filled the school courtyard, buzzing with excitement about the upcoming tournament. Conversations were filled with boasts, predictions, and strategies, as everyone eagerly awaited their chance to show off their abilities.

Tobias, however, was anything but excited.

When Zik and Aiden met him at their usual spot, his face was serious, his posture tense. The light-hearted banter they'd grown used to over the past few days was gone, replaced by an uneasy silence that lingered around him like a cloud.

"I'm not doing it," Tobias said abruptly, cutting through the chatter.

"Not doing what?" Zik asked, blinking in confusion.

"The tournament," Tobias said firmly. "I'm not participating."

Zik and Aiden exchanged glances, the weight of Tobias's words sinking in.

"What do you mean you're not participating?" Aiden asked, frowning. "This is what we've been talking about all week. You can't just back out now."

"I can," Tobias said, his voice steady but low. "And I am. It's too risky."

"Risky?" Zik asked, stepping closer. "You're one of the strongest people in this school. What's risky about showing them what you can do?"

Tobias turned to face them fully, his reptilian eyes sharp. "Exactly that. They already look at me like I'm dangerous, and they don't even know the half of it. What do you think is going to happen if they find out what I'm actually capable of?"

---

Aiden crossed his arms, his rubber body stretching slightly as he leaned forward. "You think they're scared of you now? So what? People fear what they don't understand. But if you hide, you're just giving them more reasons to doubt you."

"Or," Tobias countered, "I'm keeping them from realizing I can level a city if I lose control. If they knew, I wouldn't just be a kid with a mutation ability—I'd be a walking weapon. Do you think they'll let me stay here once they figure that out?"

Zik took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Tobias, I get it. I really do. But hiding isn't the answer. You said it yourself yesterday—your abilities aren't evil, and neither are you. You have the power to show people that, to prove that they don't have to be afraid of you."

"Not everyone deserves to see what I can do," Tobias said, his voice cold.

"Maybe not," Zik admitted. "But the 13th Hero Code says to think good of others."

Tobias turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. "This isn't the time for a Hero Code lesson, Zik."

"When isn't it the time?" Zik pressed, his voice rising slightly. "This is exactly why the code exists. It's easy to assume the worst of people, to think they'll turn on you the moment they know the truth. But what if they don't? What if they surprise you? You'll never know if you don't give them the chance."

Tobias's jaw tightened, his claws flexing at his sides. "And what if you're wrong? What if I show them and they decide I don't belong here? What if I lose everything?"

"Then we'll deal with it," Aiden said, stepping forward. "Together. You're not alone in this, Tobias. You've got us. And we're not going to let anyone run you out of here without a fight."

Tobias looked at them both, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the silence was deafening.

---

Finally, Tobias sighed, running a clawed hand over his face. "You guys don't get it. This isn't about being brave or proving something. This is about staying safe—staying here. If I mess up, even once, it's over for me."

"Or," Zik said quietly, "it's the beginning of something better."

Tobias blinked, his expression softening slightly. "You really believe that?"

"I do," Zik said firmly. "And I think you do, too. You're just scared. And that's okay. But fear isn't a reason to stop trying. If anything, it's the reason to start."

Aiden nodded, his grin returning. "Zik's right. This tournament isn't just about showing off—it's about showing you. And maybe, just maybe, you'll figure out something about yourself in the process."

Tobias hesitated, the weight of their words pressing against the walls he'd built around himself. Deep down, he knew they were right. But the fear lingered, a constant reminder of what could go wrong.

"I'll think about it," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zik smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's all we're asking."

As the three of them walked into the school, the tension between them eased slightly. Tobias wasn't convinced—not yet—but for the first time, he felt a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they could be right.

The anticipation was palpable as students filled the bleachers around the school's outdoor arena. The tournament had officially begun, and the first faceoff was already the talk of the day. Tobias, the quiet newcomer with mutation abilities, was set to face Caleb, a confident B-grade student with a reputation for having some of the strongest offensive abilities in the school.

Caleb wasn't just any opponent. His abilities were all attack-focused—powerful energy blasts, shockwaves, and a flame manipulation ability that could overwhelm most students in seconds. Caleb had been a favorite to win the school tournament for the last two years, and the crowd was already buzzing about how fast he'd take Tobias down.

---

As Tobias stepped into the ring, his expression was calm, but his body was tense. His scales shimmered faintly under the sunlight, and his clawed hands flexed at his sides as he glanced around. He could feel the weight of every gaze on him—judgmental, curious, or outright hostile.

Across the ring, Caleb cracked his knuckles, a confident grin on his face. "You ready, lizard boy?" he taunted, his voice loud enough for the crowd to hear.

Tobias didn't respond. He simply crouched slightly, his stance solid, his gaze fixed on Caleb.

The referee raised his hand. "Ready… begin!"

---

Caleb wasted no time. He lunged forward, summoning a massive burst of flames that surged toward Tobias like a tidal wave. The crowd gasped as the fire roared across the ring, engulfing Tobias's position in an instant.

But as the flames cleared, Tobias stood there, unharmed. His Dragon Scale ability had absorbed the attack, leaving his shimmering armor unscathed.

Caleb's grin faltered. "What the—?"

Before he could finish his sentence, Tobias moved.

With blinding speed, Tobias closed the distance between them, his claws slashing through the air. Caleb barely managed to dodge, his flame manipulation creating a wall of fire between them.

But Tobias wasn't deterred. He circled the wall with ease, his movements smooth and calculated. His speed was deceptive—he wasn't as fast as someone like Zik or Aiden, but his precision made every step count.

---

Caleb switched tactics, launching a series of shockwaves that rippled across the arena. The ground beneath Tobias's feet cracked and buckled, but he leapt into the air, landing with catlike grace.

"Stay still!" Caleb shouted, summoning an energy blast that crackled with raw power.

The blast slammed into Tobias, sending dust and debris flying. For a moment, the crowd cheered, thinking the match was over.

But as the dust cleared, Tobias emerged once again, his scales glinting in the sunlight. He was completely unscathed.

The crowd fell silent.

---

Tobias raised a clawed hand, his expression unreadable. His Poison Synthesis activated, a faint green mist beginning to swirl around him.

Caleb hesitated, his confidence wavering. "What is that?"

Tobias didn't answer. The mist thickened, spreading across the arena, forcing Caleb to retreat. The crowd watched in awe—and fear—as the poison fog seemed to move with a will of its own, surrounding Caleb like a predator circling its prey.

Caleb summoned another energy blast, aiming for the center of the fog. The blast exploded, scattering the mist momentarily, but Tobias used the distraction to close the distance.

In a blur of motion, Tobias was in front of Caleb, his claws stopping just short of his opponent's throat. The crowd gasped as Caleb froze, his flames flickering out.

"You yield," Tobias said quietly, his voice calm but firm.

Caleb hesitated, his eyes darting to the referee, then to the claws inches from his skin. "I… I yield."

---

The referee raised his hand. "Winner: Tobias!"

The crowd erupted—not with cheers, but with murmurs of disbelief and fear.

"He's a monster," someone whispered.

"Did you see how he just shrugged off Caleb's attacks?"

"That poison… he could've killed him!"

The weight of their words settled over the arena like a heavy fog, but Tobias didn't react. He simply stepped back, his posture calm and controlled, and left the ring without a word.

---

The whispers followed him as he walked back to the sidelines. Students avoided his gaze, their fear palpable. Even Caleb, who had been so confident before, looked shaken as he sat down, staring at Tobias like he'd just survived a nightmare.

But not everyone was afraid.

Up in the stands, the principal leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He'd been skeptical of Tobias at first—concerned about the rumors, the whispers, the danger Tobias represented. But now? Now he saw an opportunity.

---

"He's above Grade B," the principal murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the crowd. "Maybe even Grade S."

He could already see the possibilities. If Tobias competed in the regional division, he'd destroy the competition. And the national division? It wasn't just a dream—it was a real possibility.

"This school," the principal whispered, a smile spreading across his face, "is going to shine brighter than ever."

For a moment, his excitement blinded him to the fear spreading through the students. Tobias's mutation didn't matter. His scales, his poison, his overwhelming power—none of it mattered. All the principal could see was victory, glory, and the endless benefits that would come with it.

---

When a teacher approached him, concern written all over her face, the principal brushed her off.

"Principal, don't you think this is dangerous? The students—"

"Nonsense," he interrupted, waving a hand dismissively. "Tobias is the best thing that's ever happened to this school. He's not dangerous—he's gifted. Exceptional."

"But the other students—"

"They'll adjust," the principal said firmly. "Tobias is the most talented student we've ever had. And if they can't see that, then that's their problem."

The principal stood, his smile unwavering as he watched Tobias from across the arena. In his mind, Tobias wasn't a monster. He wasn't even a student.

He was a star.

The murmurs of the crowd filled the air as other matches began in the school tournament. Tobias sat on the bleachers next to Zik and Aiden, his arms crossed, claws resting lightly on his scaled forearms. The whispers from earlier still lingered in his head: "Monster." "Too dangerous." "He shouldn't even be here."

Tobias tried to focus on the matches, but his mind was elsewhere. Every step forward felt like it came with two steps back.

"Hey, man," Zik said, nudging him gently. "You okay? You've been quiet since your match."

"I'm fine," Tobias said curtly, though the tension in his voice betrayed him.

Aiden leaned over with a grin. "You're not fine. You're sitting there like someone told you recess got canceled forever."

Before Tobias could reply, a student approached the bleachers, looking nervous. "Tobias?"

Tobias turned, his reptilian eyes narrowing slightly. "Yeah?"

"The principal wants to see you. In his office. Now."

Tobias froze, his claws gripping his arms a little tighter. "Did he say why?"

"No," the student said quickly, backing away as if being near Tobias was enough to make him uncomfortable.

Zik and Aiden exchanged a glance.

"I'm going with you," Zik said immediately, standing up.

"Same here," Aiden added, cracking his knuckles. "No way we're letting you face that alone."

Tobias hesitated but nodded, standing slowly. "Alright. Let's go."

---

The walk to the principal's office felt longer than usual. Tobias's mind raced with possibilities. Was this about the match? The poison fog? Had he scared people so badly that the principal was going to tell him to leave?

Zik walked beside him, his brow furrowed in thought. "Relax," he said finally. "It's probably just about your performance in the tournament. You crushed it out there."

"Yeah," Aiden chimed in. "If anything, he's probably going to congratulate you. Maybe even give you a medal or something."

Tobias gave them a skeptical look. "Or he's going to tell me I can't compete anymore because half the school thinks I'm going to turn into Godzilla."

"Dude," Aiden said, grinning. "If you were Godzilla, I'd let you step on me just for the story."

Tobias couldn't help but snort, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "You're impossible."

"That's the spirit!" Aiden said, clapping him on the back.

---

When they reached the principal's office, they were greeted by a surprisingly cheerful secretary who waved them in.

Inside, the principal was waiting with a device on his desk and a wide smile on his face. He was practically glowing with excitement, his usual stoic demeanor replaced with an energy that was almost unsettling.

"Tobias!" the principal said, standing up and extending his arms as if welcoming an old friend. "Come in, come in! And you brought Zik and Aiden—perfect! Sit down, all of you."

Tobias hesitated but eventually took a seat, Zik and Aiden flanking him like silent bodyguards.

"Sir," Tobias began cautiously, "is something wrong?"

"Wrong?" the principal asked, laughing. "Nothing's wrong! Quite the opposite, in fact."

Tobias frowned, unsure where this was going.

"I've been watching you closely, Tobias," the principal continued, pacing behind his desk. "Your match today was… extraordinary. And I have to say, you've exceeded every expectation I had for you."

Tobias shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you, but—"

"But nothing!" the principal interrupted, grinning. "You're special, Tobias. And I don't mean in the way people whisper about. I mean truly special. Which is why I called you here."

He gestured to the device on his desk—a sleek, metallic scanner that hummed faintly with energy.

"This," the principal explained, "is a power analysis device. It can measure the grade of your abilities with incredible precision."

Tobias stiffened. "You want to measure my abilities?"

"Yes," the principal said, his tone softening slightly. "Not because I don't trust you—far from it. But because I need to understand what we're working with. Your abilities are unlike anything we've seen at this school, Tobias. If we're going to support you, I need to know exactly what you're capable of."

Zik leaned forward. "And if it's about helping him," he said, "then we're all for it."

Tobias glanced at Zik, then at Aiden, who nodded in agreement. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "Fine. Let's do it."

---

The principal placed the scanner over Tobias's hand, and the device lit up with a soft blue glow. Numbers and data began scrolling across the screen, and the principal's grin grew wider with every second.

Finally, the scanner beeped, and the results were displayed:

Grade: S-Class.

Tobias, Zik, and Aiden stared at the screen in stunned silence.

"I knew it!" the principal exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "S-Class! Do you know how rare that is, Tobias? You're a once-in-a-lifetime talent!"

Tobias didn't say anything, his mind still processing the confirmation of what he already suspected.

"This changes everything," the principal continued, pacing excitedly. "Forget the national division—we're going international! With your abilities, Tobias, you could put this school on the map in a way no one ever has before."

Zik and Aiden exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of shock and pride.

"Told you you were a big deal," Aiden said, nudging Tobias with a grin.

"Sir," Tobias said cautiously, "you're… not concerned about my mutation?"

The principal stopped pacing, turning to look at Tobias with a surprisingly soft expression. "Concerned? Tobias, you're the most handsome student in this school as far as I'm concerned."

Tobias blinked, taken aback.

"You're not a monster," the principal continued firmly. "You're a student—a gifted one. And as far as I'm concerned, you're part of this school, no matter what anyone else says. In fact…" He picked up his phone. "I'm appointing Mr. Reyes as your PR coach. He's one of the best, and he'll help you improve your image."

"My… image?" Tobias asked, confused.

"Exactly," the principal said. "Because people don't fear what they understand. And once they see you for who you really are, they'll stop fearing you altogether."

---

As they left the office, Tobias felt lighter, though he still wasn't entirely sure what to make of everything.

"Well," Zik said, grinning, "that went better than expected."

"Yeah," Tobias said softly, a small smile creeping onto his face. "It did."

"And now you're officially the golden boy of the school," Aiden teased. "S-Class and all."

Tobias laughed, shaking his head. "You guys are impossible."

"That's what we're here for," Zik said, clapping him on the back.

For the first time in a long while, Tobias felt like maybe—just maybe—things were starting to change for the better.