The Hero's Offer

The cafeteria was bustling as usual, but the noise wasn't unpleasant. The clinking of cups, muffled conversations, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee created a cozy atmosphere. Cyrus moved efficiently, balancing trays and fulfilling orders with precision. His body was accustomed to the rhythm of the job, but his mind didn't always keep up.

He was wiping the counter when he heard the doorbell chime, announcing a new customer. Before he could even look up, he heard the urgent voice of Louis, the café owner, resonating close to him:

"Cyrus, attend to that person right now!"

The stern tone made Cyrus turn immediately, confused. It was then that he saw who had just walked in.

Magnus Von Daimo.

That name wasn't unfamiliar to anyone living in the city. Magnus was one of the most influential heroes in the world and the Director of Divine Glory. His presence carried a natural authority, and just his entrance into the café made the atmosphere subtly shift—customers whispering, employees trying not to show their nervousness.

He walked calmly through the room, his sharp eyes scanning the environment before settling directly on Cyrus.

"You look more overwhelmed than usual today, kid." His voice was firm but carried a casual tone.

Cyrus forced a smile. It wasn't entirely genuine, but it was practiced enough not to raise suspicions.

"Just another day like any other."

Magnus let out a low chuckle and headed to a table near the window. He picked up one of the books from the café's collection and began flipping through it calmly.

Cyrus was about to return to work when he felt a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Stay calm, Cyrus. Do as you always do, and everything will be fine," Louis murmured, low enough for only him to hear.

"As if you didn't already have enough problems," a sluggish, bored voice echoed in his mind. "Now you have to impress a hero. How delightful."

He ignored the unsettling presence creeping in his consciousness and hurried to attend to Magnus.

As he approached the table, the hero's voice cut through the silence before he could speak.

"Have you ever thought about a future bigger than this?"

Cyrus's hand tightened slightly on the order pad. His heart faltered for a moment, but his face remained neutral.

"And here we go…" Nathanos murmured, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The great Von Daimo making empty promises. Does he really think you're worth anything?"

"What do you mean?" Cyrus asked, keeping his tone neutral.

Magnus closed the book, placing it on the table before finally looking at him.

"Divine Glory. You have talent, Cyrus. And, more importantly, you have determination. With the right training, you could become an Avatar."

Those words carried a weight that Cyrus wasn't sure he wanted to bear.

"Did you hear that?" Nathanos whispered, his voice low and laced with cruel amusement. "He thinks you can be an Avatar. How foolish. If he knew the truth, he'd burst out laughing."

Cyrus kept his expression controlled, but something inside him twisted.

"I…" he tried to respond but hesitated.

He had always wanted to be part of Divine Glory. He had always dreamed of it. But… what if he failed? What if, in the middle of training or combat, one of the others took over?

His gaze briefly wandered to the window. The reflection in the glass showed only himself, but for a moment, he swore he saw shadows moving within his eyes. A cold sensation ran down his spine.

"You already know the answer," Nathanos's voice slid like poison. "No matter how hard you try, you'll never be one of them. You already carry all of us within you… but that just means you'll never be more than a puppet."

Cyrus closed his eyes for a second, breathing slowly. Not now.

"I'd like to accept, Mr. Magnus, but…" His voice sounded firm but a little quieter. "My financial situation doesn't allow me to even consider this possibility."

Magnus watched him for a moment before leaning back in his chair, a slight smile at the corner of his lips.

"That doesn't have to be a problem. Divine Glory invests in promising talents."

A chance. A way out. But… what if it wasn't enough?

The tightness in his chest grew. He held the tray firmly, his fingers gripping the metal edge as if it were the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

"Accept it," Nathanos whispered, almost gently. "Let's see how far we can go before you fall apart."

Cyrus felt a slight weight in his chest. He held the tray tightly and averted his gaze.

"Give me some time to think."

Magnus nodded.

"Think carefully. But don't take too long. The entrance exam starts in just three days."