AAndniz

(AN: Give my novel a try until ch12 please!)
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[Novel synopsis];

In a world scarred by the rise of biomechanical warfare and the shadow of an enigmatic syndicate known only as Ragnarok, one girl stands at the edge of revolution. April, a seemingly ordinary 20-year-old living in the fractured remnants of a future society, hides a past drenched in trauma and secrets. Blinded and deafened during a harrowing attempt to escape her abusive father—a man who destroyed her family—April is forced into a life of silence and darkness. But everything changes after an experimental surgery implants nanotech into her skull, technology far beyond anything humanity should possess.

Now, April sees without eyes and hears through a new kind of sense. The nanotech has awakened a dormant potential in her—a coded sigil etched behind her head shaped like an angelic wing and a spear. It’s not just a symbol. It’s her Gear, a powerful combat system linked to ancient animalistic and Zodiac powers—each wielder embodying a creature of legend. Hers? A spear-born sigil capable of shattering mechs and bending digital space.

When she joins a covert organization aiming to dismantle Ragnarok, April discovers she’s not alone. Other Gear users fight beside her: Jax, the brilliant strategist; Saya, the deadly calm blade; Kai, a hawk-gear user with a fire-forged past; Dante, the powerhouse with unmatched resilience; Juno, the data genius cloaked in mischief; and the Leader, a figure shrouded in mystery who knows more about April’s past than he lets on.

As April navigates brutal missions and high school halls alike—where rivals like Tessa Lane threaten her sanity with cruel mind games—she must balance normalcy and the battlefield. Every encounter pushes her closer to the truth: about her powers, her family, and Ragnarok’s true purpose. But none are more telling than her growing connection with Astra, a lone Gear user with platinum hair and a piercing gaze. Astra has the power, the knowledge, and a burning desire for vengeance. April needs her—but Astra isn’t so easily convinced to join a cause she doesn’t trust.

The deeper April digs, the more the lines blur between ally and enemy. With Ragnarok’s agents—like the cold and calculating River Hoss—looming on the horizon, April must decide who she’s willing to trust, who she’s ready to fight, and how far she’ll go to protect what little she has left. The world doesn’t need a hero. It needs a weapon.

And it just found one.

Ultima's Bite!

The fallout from the cafeteria incident didn't take long.

By the next day, Tessa had already set her plans in motion.

April walked into school, fully aware of the whispering around her. She could feel the tension in the air, the barely concealed glances, the passive-aggressive giggles from Tessa's usual group.

She made it to her locker, moving smoothly as always, when she felt another presence step beside her.

"You're popular today," Michelangelo's voice came, amused as always.

April sighed. "And here I thought you'd have better things to do."

He chuckled. "Nah. Watching this whole drama unfold is way too entertaining."

April ignored him and opened her locker.

But as soon as she did, a thick pile of papers spilled out, scattering all over the floor.

Michelangelo bent down and picked one up. The second he saw it, his grin vanished.

April didn't need to see it to know what it was.

Because the entire hallway had gone silent.

She took the paper from his hand. The texture was off—thicker, almost glossy.

More specifically, of her sitting alone in the cafeteria, completely unaware that someone had taken a picture. Bold text was written across it:

"FAKE BLIND FREAK"

The other students stood in awkward silence, watching, waiting for her reaction.

Some were amused. Others looked guilty. A few quickly turned away, pretending they hadn't seen anything.

Michelangelo let out a slow breath. "Damn. She really went all in on this one."

April crouched down, calmly picking up the photos. Not a single sign of anger crossed her face.

She wasn't going to give them that satisfaction.

Instead, she took every last one, stacked them neatly, and—without a word—ripped them in half.

Michelangelo blinked. "That's it?"

April turned to him, smirking slightly.

"What? You wanted a dramatic speech?"

He grinned. "I mean, yeah. A little bit."

She scoffed and threw the torn pieces into the trash. "Tessa's an idiot if she thinks this is enough to get under my skin."

But even as she said it, she could feel Tessa watching.

Across the hall, leaning against the lockers with her arms crossed, the queen bee smirked.

April didn't even have to turn to know who it was.

Tessa had finally decided to make her next move.

April exhaled, already bored. "Tessa."

The queen bee strutted in front of them, arms crossed, her signature fake smile in place. "I have to say, I'm impressed."

April raised an eyebrow. "That you managed to print a hundred copies of the same pathetic insult? Yeah, I guess that's an achievement."

Michelangelo stifled a laugh. "I'm just here for the show."

Tessa ignored him, locking eyes with April.

"You can drop the act. No one actually believes you're blind."

April tilted her head. "You sure? Because I've definitely seen you make some dumb choices."

The students nearby let out a few gasps. Someone muttered, "Oh, damn."

Tessa clenched her jaw, but she covered it quickly with another smile. "You're just lucky Michelangelo finds you entertaining."

April smirked. "And you hate that, don't you?"

Tessa's fingers twitched, but she didn't rise to the bait. Instead, she gave a small, amused laugh. "Enjoy your little moment, April. Because trust me—when I'm done, you won't have anywhere to hide."

April shrugged. "That's cute. But next time, if you're gonna try and ruin me, at least be original."

And for the first time—April knew she had gotten under her skin.

Chapter 44: Round Two Begins