VILLAIN'S RISING

–2 Hours Earlier–

“Isn’t it beautiful? The weather I mean.”

“Not as beautiful as you love.”

“Aww, if you weren’t such a creep I might have considered dating you”

“And if you weren’t a Willburn I might have considered… Nah, I wouldn’t have even known your existence then haha!”

Rebekah could only sigh at that response. She knew it was true but still.

She eyed Sam one more time from head to toe. It’s just been a day since she killed him yet here he was, standing in front of her as if nothing happened.

“Interested in me?” Sam said with a smirk.

“Yeah right,” Rebekah rolled her eyes. “Tell me, are you the Progenitor?”

“…Woah, I’m impressed, Rebekah!” Sam widened his eyes in surprise.

“Let’s say if you’re right, then what?”

“If you’re right then I would apprehend you and alert my brother.”

Sam could only scoff at that response. He didn’t need any mind-reading to know it was total bullshit.

“Rebekah, if you wanted to do that you would’ve done that already”

Rebekah sighed again. To be honest, she has fought this man in front of her many time. She was even tortured by her, but none of that scares her as much as his insight does.

“Yeah, you’re right.”_.

“I know, I’m always right. Although I need to know why I’m right. What is it that you want from me? What is the price I have to pay for you sparing my life even after all the awful stuff I did to you?”

Sam tilted his head and waited for Rebekah to answer.

“All the awful stuff? Do you think what you did to me was awful? ha!” Rebekah scoffed.

“What you did to me was not even half as bad as what my own father did to me. That brings me back to why I didn’t let out your secret. I want you to kill my father.”

“…What? I’m sorry what?!” Sam couldn’t help but curl his eyebrows at the ridiculous situation that has presented itself.

“My father, he has been brainwashing my brother and me since childhood. I managed to escape his control but my brother isn’t so lucky. Anthony still believes every single word he says. I can’t kill him alone, since all my powers come from him, he can take it anytime he wishes to. That’s why I need you.”

Although Sam couldn’t use his mind-reading on her, just by her earnest voice he could tell what she was telling him was true.

But it was still too early to believe her. Besides even if he does believe her, there are way too many variables in play.

For starters, Rebekah wants her father dead. Sam wants that too, however, Rebekah wants to save her brother. Sam wants to gouge out his insides.

They were not aiming for the same goal in the least!

“Why are you hesitating? Isn’t that what you want? To kill my father?”

“Of course, I want that, but I also kinda want to kill you and your brother you know.”

“Yeah, well… Can’t let that happen, any chance you can give up on that?”

Rebekah put on a sweet smile and asked adequately.

“Oh yes, you convinced me!” Sam replied sarcastically, “Of course not!”

“Hmmm, I thought we could work together but-” Before Rebekah could finish Sam spoke up.

“But… We can work together till we kill him.”

“…Huh… I actually like that idea.”

“Yes, I know. None of us alone could kill him. He has killed the King of Mars for god’s sake!” Sam said and stretched his hand for Rebekah to shake.

“Hmm, fine. I accept. We will work together until we kill Starsuper.” Rebekah took Sam’s hand and shook it. “But remember-“

“Yes, your brother won’t know about this alliance,” Sam spoke with an assuring smile.

“Smart aren’t ya?” Rebekah smirked in satisfaction.

***

–Present–

“What does a hero need besides their strength and wits?” The female teacher in lavishing red costume asked.

“A hero should be hot!”

“Yeah, no, not a requirement but okay, anyone else?”

“A hero should be smart!”

“That’s what wits mean you, dimwit! Anyone else?”

“A hero should not be a pedo!”

“That… You know what? I won’t even reply to that.”

“A hero should be cool, he should be popular and should have a cool signature move!”

“For once! A good answer for once! Yes, a hero should have a signature move and a finishing move. Why? Because that acts as a symbol.”

“Yes! Like Starsuper’s Star Punch!”

“Or like what White Walker had, Denial!”

“Oh-oh! Also, like Lightbringer’s Final Light!”

All the students brimmed with excitement as they all started talking about their favorite heroes’ signature and finishing moves.

Right now they were in the combat field as it was the practical combat period.

A signature and a finishing move act as a symbol for a hero. It’s what they are known for the most, besides their merch if they have one.

A signature move could be anything. An attack, a move, or even a punchline. But a finishing move is a deadly move that the heroes use to end the fight. It’s what you may call, their strongest attack.

While all this nonsense was going on, Sam could only sigh in disappointment.

He had expected so much from the prestigious Hero Academy yet all it did till now was disappoint him.

‘That’s why I don’t like heroes. I mean what is fuck is the use of their finishing move?! Not only does it tells your opponent your power but it also takes away the surprise element! Your opponent can devise a strategy against your finishing move and you’re as good as dead!’

Sam complained in his mind in letdown.

(That’s why most of the big shot heroes possess two finishing moves, one to show the world and the other to use it as a secret backup in case they’re known one fails.)

“So now then boys and girls, have you all thought about what’s going to be your finishing move?”

“Yes, mam!”

Everyone spoke in unison.

The one who spoke was a female teacher covered in a ravishing outfit. Beauty so great that it could very well be called unmatched with silk-like black hair and jade-like smooth skin that she doesn’t mind showing off, she was the epitome of cardinal desire for the most boys present there in the field.

‘Amanda Maxim, you remember her?’

(Of course I do. How can I not? She begged you to spare her life, the bitch was even ready to give her body to you to let her live while all her comrades died in front of her eyes)

‘Hahaha!’ Sam mentally laughed, ‘She was tasty, to say the least

(Haha! Who could’ve thought that she would teach at the Hero Academy someday? And her first batch was yours? Hahaha!)

‘Hmhmhm true, what say? Let’s put her to use again yeah?’

(Oh god yes!! What’s your plan?)

‘Not too big this time. For the time being, we will lay low by using other heroes and villains to cause commotions that will cover our tracks’

(Hmm I see, nice idea let’s do it)

“Good, then shall we begin testing all of your finishing moves?”

“Yes!”

Everyone replied in unison again.

“Then roll no. 1 Anthony Willburn come forward.”

Hearing his name being called Anthony, who was standing beside Sam all this time placed his hand on his shoulder.

“Watch me,” He said with a proud smile before walking up to one of the dummy targets.

“Although we all know your finishing move, but still, go ahead and show us, Anthony”

“Will do mam” Anthony spoke and pulled back his hand.

His whole hand radiated a bright blinding light, people present there had to cover their eyes because of that.

“No no no no no!!” Amanda tried to stop him but after seeing he wasn’t in the mood to listen, she activated her ability.

“Scarlet Glow!” She shouted and tendrils of fire emerged from her exposed skin.

Like some creatures with a mind of their own, fire in the shape of long whips closed in on Anthony to constrain him.

“Star punch!”

-BOOM!

With a loud boom, the ground itself in front of Anthony was split like it was nothing. And the target bunny? Well, its body was nowhere to be seen.

Even the fire whips of the S+ level hero were demolished into embers of fire. Total destruction with but a single punch. And to think he held back even after causing all that.

“A true monster indeed” Sam muttered underneath his breath while all the other students around him were in a daze, even the likes of Kiara and Drake.

The only one unimpressed by this display of power besides Sam was a student who aced the entrance exams.

“Weak!” Lucas Redwing sneered.

Everyone couldn’t help but look at the. source of that voice. However, as soon as the did all of them felt a sour taste in their mouth.

“Now let me show you how the boss does it!”