Chapter 13: The Hidden Class

The Rift Champion staggered backward, dark mist leaking from the gash in its armor. For the first time since it arrived, the creature looked uncertain.

Kai stood tall, his blue energy crackling violently around him, his eyes flickering silver for a brief moment before returning to normal.

Luna, still catching her breath, stared at him in shock.

"Kai…" she whispered. "What was that?"

Kai didn't answer. His heart pounded in his chest. The energy surging through him felt different—raw, unfiltered, like it wasn't meant to exist.

Seraphina, standing a few feet away, had gone completely still. Her golden eyes were locked onto Kai, her expression unreadable.

"This can't be possible…" she murmured.

Kai rolled his shoulders, tilting his head at the Rift Champion. "You still wanna do this, big guy?"

The Champion stared at him, then turned its crimson gaze toward Seraphina.

"Identification: Seraphina Vale. Former guardian of the Rift."

Seraphina tensed.

Luna's eyes snapped to her. "Former guardian?"

Kai raised an eyebrow. "So you're more than just a mysterious swordswoman, huh?"

Seraphina ignored them, keeping her focus on the Champion. "Why are you here? Why are you targeting Kai?"

The Champion straightened, raising its sword once more.

"The unstable anomaly must be contained."

Kai scoffed. "Man, you guys really love calling me unstable."

Seraphina's fists clenched. "I was right… You weren't meant to have SSS-Class abilities."

Kai exhaled. "Yeah, I kinda figured that out when a ten-foot-tall demon knight came falling from the sky to kidnap me."

Luna turned toward Seraphina. "What do you mean he wasn't meant to have them?"

Seraphina hesitated, but before she could answer—

The Rift shuddered, pulsing ominously.

The Champion took a step back.

Then, something that had never happened before… happened.

It withdrew.

The Champion's blade vanished, and it faded into black mist, retreating back into the Rift.

Kai's breath hitched. "Wait… it's leaving?"

Seraphina's jaw tightened. "No. It was never here to fight."

Luna blinked. "Then what was it doing?"

Seraphina turned to Kai, her expression grim.

"It was testing you."

Kai's fingers twitched at his side. Testing me? For what?

Before anyone could say another word, the Black Hole pulsed violently, sending a final shockwave through the city—

And in the sky above, for just a moment, an ancient symbol glowed within the Rift.

Luna gasped. "That mark… I've seen it before."

Seraphina took a deep breath. "So have I."

Kai frowned. "What the hell does it mean?"

Seraphina's golden eyes turned toward him.

"It means your power isn't SSS-Class."

Kai's heart skipped a beat. "Come again?"

Seraphina's gaze was sharp. "You aren't just an anomaly, Kai. You're something else entirely."

She took a step forward, her voice calm but firm.

"You have the Hidden Class."

Kai's pulse spiked. "The what?"

Seraphina exhaled. "The class above SSS."

Luna's breath caught in her throat.

"The +++ Class."

Kai blinked. Then, after a long pause—

He let out a short laugh.

"Okay. Now you're just making stuff up."

Seraphina didn't smile.

"I wish I was."

Luna looked between them, her mind racing. "Wait, but that's just a myth. No one has ever—"

Seraphina interrupted. "Because it was never supposed to exist."

She turned back to Kai, her golden eyes filled with something close to fear.

"But you, Kai… you are proof that the Rift has already started to change reality."

Kai ran a hand through his streaked hair, trying to process everything.

"So let me get this straight," he said, exhaling. "I'm not just a normal human. I wasn't even supposed to have SSS-Class abilities. And now, apparently, I have some mythical rank that shouldn't exist?"

Seraphina nodded.

Kai sighed. "Awesome. Love that for me."

Luna placed a hand on his shoulder. "Kai. This is serious."

Kai chuckled. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm trying really hard not to pass out right now."

Seraphina crossed her arms. "There's more."

Kai groaned. "Of course there is."

She met his gaze. "If the Rift recognizes your existence… it won't stop sending enemies after you."

Kai let out a slow breath. "So, what, I'm public enemy number one now?"

Seraphina's expression darkened.

"Not just for the Hellions."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Luna's stomach dropped as realization set in.

"If the government finds out…"

Kai blinked.

Oh.

Oh.

Seraphina nodded. "They will see you as a threat. And they won't let you live freely after this."

The weight of her words sank in.

Kai Takashi wasn't just a sarcastic troublemaker anymore.

He was something far more dangerous.

Luna took a deep breath. "Then we keep this a secret."

Kai arched an eyebrow. "Yeah, because secrets always go well."

Seraphina looked toward the Black Hole Rift, which had now settled into its usual ominous form.

"This is just the beginning," she murmured.

Kai ran a tired hand down his face.

"Yeah," he muttered.

"Figured as much."

Elsewhere…

Deep within the Rift, a shadowed figure watched through the swirling darkness.

A low, amused chuckle echoed through the void.

"The key has awakened."

The figure turned, their red eyes glowing faintly.

"Let's see how long he survives."