The perfect heroine

On the other side of the headquarters, under the incessant flashes of the cameras, Aiko Yamato was still surrounded by reporters. Each one more insistent than the next, thirsty for statements from her. But the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a man in an impeccable suit and neatly combed hair. He exuded authority and self-confidence, his footsteps echoing firmly on the marble of the headquarters. A smug smile danced across his face as he approached Aiko.

— Aiko! What a pleasant surprise! No one told me you were at headquarters. — His voice sounded theatrical, as if he were putting on a show for the audience. Aiko looked up, her face expressionless. She didn't try to hide her discomfort.

— I didn't want anyone to know. I'm just passing through. — His answer was dry and unenthusiastic.

The man, Akihiro Sagawa, Executive Secretary of the Brotherhood, ignored her coldness and, without warning, hugged her from the side, an attitude clearly calculated for the cameras.

— You know... it would be very convenient if you coordinated the newcomers' training today! - he said, flashing a broad smile. The journalists went into a frenzy.

— Aiko Yamato will conduct the training?! - Quick, call the press chief!

We've got a leak! — call the team right away! need exclusivity on the roof!

Aiko felt the pressure of the spotlight. The discomfort turned to frustration. She knew she couldn't refuse without creating a bigger stir.

— Tsk... - She took a deep breath, reluctantly accepting it. - Right.

Akihiro's smile widened even more.

— Great! Then let's get going...

The gym was packed. Recruits of different levels filled the large space, which was more like an arena. None of those present were above Rank C, but everyone seemed eager. The whispers soon spread as Aiko entered the room, everyone's eyes turning to the Golden-haired warrior.

— Man, she's even more beautiful in person... 

— Have you seen her achievements? Aiko is a living legend!

 — Why are the reporters here? Isn't this supposed to be an indoor practice?

 — What a drag... these press guys get in the way of everything.

Satsu, who had arrived last, was trying to catch his breath at the back of the gym.

When he looked up and saw her again, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

— Again... — he muttered, swallowing dryly. Aiko Yamato stood there before him, like a specter of unreachable strength. She raised her voice, silencing the murmurs.

— Today you will be evaluated by me. I will test the combat level of all of you and report back to the brotherhood. - His eyes ran over the recruits like sharp blades.

— If anyone excels, I'll send a letter of recommendation to my contacts so that they can get a suitable position within the Brotherhood.

A murmur of excitement filled the gym. For many, this was their golden opportunity. But then, with one fluid movement, Aiko drew her daggers. Her gaze turned icy.

— But I didn't say I'm going to take it easy.

An invisible pressure gripped the room. Like a predator releasing its presence, Aiko exhaled a fragment of her power. The ground seemed to vibrate slightly. The lower ranks shuddered, feeling the weight of that force. Even the C-ranks showed hesitation.

Satsu felt his legs tremble involuntarily. His body was screaming at him not to move.

Rank C recruits stumbled, unbalanced by the weight of the aura she was releasing. Even the more experienced ones watching swallowed.

Satsu felt his legs giving way, his muscles burning as if they were going to melt. His heart beat in a chaotic rhythm and cold sweat trickled down the back of his neck.

— She's not even fighting... he thought, choking on his own fear.

— You can come — whispered Alko, his voice as smooth as the silk of a death

trap.

The first group advanced unison, six D and C rank recruits, their weapons flashing under the lights of the gymnasium. One of them, an axe-wielding warrior, struck a vertical blow with a roar. Alko dodged easily, spinning in the air in a movement so fluid that it seemed to defy gravity. His dagger struck the side of the axe, deflecting it with a metallic sound that echoed like thunder.

Before the warrior could react, she landed on his shoulders, her feet light as feathers, and jumped again, using his body as a springboard. The man collapsed to the ground, the air escaping his lungs with a muffled groan.

Two recruits attacked from the sides, swords crossing in a perfect trap. Alko leaned back, the blades passing within millimeters of her face. With an almost imperceptible smile, she struck the hilt of one of them with the hilt of her dagger, causing him to drop his sword.

 The weapon fell, and before it hit the ground, she kicked it with surgical precision, hitting the second recruit in the chest. He flew backwards, crashing into the wall with a thud.

— Is that all? — Alko teased, raising an eyebrow as he retreated in slow steps, like a feline cornering her prey.

The remaining recruits exchanged determined glances. A Rank C summoner raised his hands, and a stone creature emerged from the ground, roaring. At the same time, a mage launched a sequence of ice projectiles, while a melee fighter advanced in a zigzag pattern, trying to confuse her.

Alko stopped, closing his eyes for a split second.

— Time to play.

She leapt at the stone golem, her daggers driving into the creature's joints. Mana pulsed in her blades, and the monster disintegrated in a swirl of gravel. Before the shards fell, she was already in the air, spinning to dodge the ice projectiles.

One of them grazed her arm, leaving a trail of frost, but she didn't even blink. Landing behind the mage, Alko pressed the tip of the dagger against the back of her neck, cold enough to freeze the blood in the recruit's veins.

— You're slow — he whispered, gently pushing her away with his foot.

The fighter, taking advantage of the distraction, grabbed her from behind, his muscular arms wrapping around her back like a steel serpent.

— I've got you! - he shouted, triumphant, his muscles shaking with effort. Alko laughed, a light, melodious sound that contrasted with the tension in the air.

— Do you really want to try to hold me back?

Her blue eyes shone like supernova stars, and the air around her distorted. A burst of mana erupted from her body, blue and blinding, enveloping her in a cloak of pure energy. The fighter was thrown like a rag doll, smashing into a concrete column ten meters away. The impact made the gym shake, and chunks of plaster fell like rain.

Satsu fell to his knees, an incandescent pain piercing his chest. It was as if his body was being crushed by an invisible giant. His vision blurred and he saw, through a veil of tears, Alko walking towards him. Her every step echoed like a hammer in his skull.

— You... - she stopped in front of him, leaning slightly. - Why are you still standing?

Satsu tried to answer, but only a groan came out. His hands dug into the ground as he struggled against the force that was crushing him.

— Resistance is useless — she whispered, almost pityingly. - you can rest

now.

A touch of his dagger on Satsu's shoulder, light as a butterfly's wing, was enough. He collapsed, the world going dark in a swirl of pain and despair.

When the dust cleared, all the recruits were on the ground, groaning or unconscious. Alko put his daggers away, without a drop of sweat on his face. The silence that followed was so heavy that even the spectators' breathing sounded like howling winds.

— Training is over — she announced, turning leave.

Then, finally, with everyone on the ground defeated, the test was over.

Everything calmed down.

Aiko maintained a slight, sweet smile. With a single movement, she turned and began to walk out of the gym, as if none of it had been a real challenge.

The secretary, taking advantage of the presence of the reporters, began to clap exaggeratedly, his voice echoing through the gymnasium:

— That's the true power of an S Rank of the Brotherhood of the Phoenix!

The reporters immediately approached again, their cameras flashing non-stop, notepads being filled out in a hurry. Voices were mixed in a flurry of anxious questions:

— Aiko! Aiko! Did anyone stand out? Has anyone in this new group of recruits shown exceptional talent?

Aiko remained calm and replied in a friendly tone:

— We are all strong because...

Before she could finish, the secretary abruptly interrupted her, laughing scornfully:

— Of course not! - He gestured theatrically, as if to ridicule the idea. -

There's not even a Rank A in that bunch of idi... err, I mean... in that one

batch of recruits! Our S rank didn't even break a sweat!

The reporters took notes fiercely, their expressions reflecting the tension and impact of the secretary's words. Aiko watched the scene for a moment, her gaze becoming more serious, but her expression still maintaining composure. Then she spoke:

— Mr. Secretary, could you come with me for a moment, please? The secretary, still inflated by his own ego, gave a smile.

— Of course, Mrs. Aiko, course!

Turning to the reporters, he added with an authoritative tone:

— The press can now, we've finished our work for the day. With that, Aiko and the secretary led the way, a suffocating silence taking over the corridor through which they were walking.

The man, who had once seemed so imposing, now swallowed dryly, feeling the tension grow with every step. Finally, as they passed through a door that led to a more secluded corridor, where there was nono one , Aiko stopped abruptly.

Before the secretary could ask her anything, she turned around and, with an agile and precise movement, pushed him brutally against the wall. The impact caused a dry thud to echo down the corridor. Aiko now stared at him with an expression

She was somber, completely different from the friendliness she showed in front of the cameras. Her presence dominated the space, and the pressure emanating from her made the secretary shiver involuntarily.

— If you do that again without telling me... — His voice was low, but laden with a cutting threat. — I'll see to it myself that you're removed from your position.

Aiko pulled her hand away from the wall, leaving behind the imprint of her fingers etched into the concrete, a silent reminder of her strength. The secretary, sweating

cold, he stared at it with wide eyes, his throat dry. He knew Aiko wasn't joking.

She began to walk away, her light, steady footsteps echoing down the corridor. But before she was completely out of sight, she turned her head back, her eyes shining with a frightening intensity of power.

— And one more thing... - His voice sounded like a sharp blade cutting through the silence. - Don't diminish anyone else in front of me.

The secretary felt a shiver run down his spine. His legs failed him for a moment, and he fell to the ground, panting. The air seemed heavier, and he needed a few seconds to catch his breath. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he realized that he was relieved that it was all just that.

Now he understood. It wasn't just Aiko's strength that made her respected, but her unwavering morals.