"Vincent! Get your useless ass over here!"
The angry shout echoed across the spacious training hall, drawing the attention of several employees who were busy preparing equipment for the afternoon training session.
Some turned toward the source of the commotion, while others continued working as though nothing unusual had happened.
After all, hearing someone shout at Vincent Crowe had become such a common occurrence that hardly anyone considered it worth investigating anymore.
Vincent, who was carrying a heavy crate filled with training equipment, stopped walking and glanced toward the man standing near the center of the hall.
He was a handsome young man with neatly styled blond hair, broad shoulders, and an expensive combat uniform bearing the agency’s emblem.
A silver Hero License was attached to his chest, identifying him as one of the officially registered Heroes employed by the organization.
His name was Derek Blackthorne, a Rank 2 Superhuman and one of the agency’s most promising young Heroes.
Unfortunately, he was also the person Vincent hated most.
"What are you standing there for? Are you deaf?" Derek demanded impatiently, crossing his arms as Vincent approached. "I told you to bring the reinforced training weights ten minutes ago. Do you have any idea how much of my valuable time you’ve wasted?"
Vincent glanced at the crate in his arms before answering calmly. "The equipment supervisor asked me to deliver these first. Your weights are still in storage, but I’ll bring them once I’m finished."
Derek stared at him for several seconds before bursting into laughter.
"Did you hear that? Our little errand boy thinks he gets to decide whose orders are more important!" he exclaimed, deliberately raising his voice so that everyone nearby could hear him.
Several Heroes chuckled at his remark, although a few employees simply lowered their heads and pretended to concentrate on their work.
Vincent had worked at the agency long enough to recognize the difference between people who genuinely enjoyed humiliating him and those who were simply afraid of attracting Derek’s attention.
"I’ll get your weights now," Vincent replied, placing the crate beside the equipment racks before straightening his aching back.
"Good. At least you still understand your place," Derek remarked with a satisfied smirk, dismissing him with a casual wave of his hand.
Vincent clenched his fists momentarily before forcing himself to relax. He had learned long ago that arguing with Derek was pointless.
The man possessed everything Vincent lacked: talent, connections, an impressive Energy Signature, and the official recognition that came with being a licensed Hero.
In this era, Superhumans were among the most admired individuals in society. Those who obtained Hero Licenses could join prestigious agencies, accept dangerous assignments, eliminate Villains, and hunt the monstrous creatures known as Exomorphs.
Successful missions brought enormous financial rewards, public recognition, and Hero Merit, which contributed to their professional standing.
Naturally, Hero Agencies competed fiercely to recruit talented Superhumans.
Vincent, however, belonged to an entirely different category.
Although he had awakened as a Superhuman several years earlier, his Energy Signature was exceptionally weak.
His innate ability, Physical Reinforcement, allowed him to temporarily enhance his strength, speed, and durability by circulating Flux Energy throughout his body.
Unfortunately, the amount of Flux Energy he possessed was so pitiful that even maintaining the enhancement for a short period left him exhausted.
His evaluation had placed him near the bottom of Rank 1, the lowest recognized Superhuman Rank.
Without impressive abilities or sufficient resources to improve himself, Vincent had never managed to obtain a Hero License. Instead, he accepted employment at the agency, hoping that working alongside professional Heroes would eventually provide an opportunity to advance.
Several years later, that opportunity had still not arrived.
Instead of fighting Villains or hunting Exomorphs, he spent his days cleaning training facilities, transporting equipment, delivering refreshments, and performing whatever miscellaneous tasks the licensed Heroes demanded.
And among everyone employed by the agency, Derek Blackthorne had made it his personal mission to remind Vincent of his inferiority.
"Hey, Vincent!" A female employee called out just as he reached the storage entrance.
She approached with a clipboard tucked beneath her arm, glancing nervously toward the training platform before lowering her voice. "Don’t let Derek get to you. He’s deliberately looking for trouble today. Apparently, his latest mission report received fewer Merit recommendations than he expected."
"That explains why he’s in such a wonderful mood," Vincent replied with a tired smile, earning a brief chuckle from the woman.
"Just finish what he asked and stay away from him," she advised, her expression becoming serious again. "You know how he gets when someone embarrasses him."
Vincent nodded appreciatively before pushing open the storage room door. "I know. Thanks for the warning."
After she departed, Vincent entered the storage room and located the reinforced training weights.
Each was designed for Superhumans whose physical capabilities far exceeded those of ordinary people. Even the lighter sets were considerably heavier than conventional gym equipment.
Vincent selected the weights Derek had requested and loaded them onto a transport trolley. As he pushed it toward the training hall, he could already hear the sounds of combat demonstrations and enthusiastic conversations coming from inside.
Several Heroes had gathered around the central training platform, where Derek was demonstrating his strength by effortlessly lifting equipment that would have crushed an ordinary person.
His audience applauded whenever he completed another impressive feat, feeding the arrogant smile spreading across his face.
"Perfect timing! Everyone, I have something entertaining planned," Derek announced upon noticing Vincent returning, his smile widening as he gestured for the nearby Heroes to gather around.
Vincent immediately felt an unpleasant sensation settle in his stomach.
"Since our resident Rank 1 genius has finally arrived, why don’t we give him an opportunity to demonstrate his extraordinary abilities?" Derek suggested mockingly, pointing toward a massive reinforced weight resting beside the platform.
Vincent followed his gesture and frowned when he recognized the equipment.
"What exactly do you want me to do?" he asked cautiously, already suspecting that Derek had something unpleasant in mind.
"Simple. Carry that weight across the platform without using the trolley," Derek answered, folding his arms across his chest as several Heroes exchanged amused glances.
Vincent stared at him incredulously. The object weighed several hundred kilograms, far beyond what he could safely lift even with Physical Reinforcement.
Derek knew that perfectly well, which made the request nothing more than another attempt to humiliate him.
"That’s not possible with my current strength," Vincent explained, struggling to maintain his composure. "If you need it moved, I’ll use the trolley."
"Really? But aren’t you a Superhuman?" Derek questioned sarcastically, tilting his head as though genuinely confused. "Surely someone who dreams of becoming a Hero should be capable of something this simple."
Laughter spread through the gathered audience, and Vincent felt his face growing hot. Nevertheless, he refused to give Derek the emotional reaction he clearly wanted.
"Being a Superhuman doesn’t mean everyone possesses the same physical capabilities. You know that better than anyone," Vincent replied, meeting Derek’s mocking gaze while keeping his voice deliberately calm.
For a moment, Derek’s smile disappeared. He stepped closer, narrowing his eyes as he examined Vincent with growing irritation.
"Are you lecturing me?" he demanded, clearly displeased by the response.
Vincent shook his head, suppressing the frustration building inside him.
"No, I’m explaining why your request is unreasonable," he answered firmly, refusing to lower his gaze despite the threatening expression on Derek’s face.
The atmosphere around them changed immediately. Several employees stopped working, while the Heroes who had been laughing moments earlier became noticeably quieter.
"Interesting. It seems carrying equipment all day has finally given you the courage to talk back," Derek remarked coldly, taking another step forward.
"I’ve finished delivering your weights. If there’s nothing else, I still have work to do," Vincent responded, turning toward the trolley with every intention of leaving before the confrontation escalated further.
Unfortunately, Derek had no intention of allowing that.
A powerful hand suddenly grabbed Vincent’s shoulder and spun him around. Before he could react, Derek shoved him backward, sending him stumbling into the equipment rack. Several metal weights crashed onto the floor, producing a deafening noise that echoed throughout the training hall.
"What makes you think you can walk away while I’m speaking?" Derek demanded angrily, glaring at Vincent as though he had committed some unforgivable offense. "Have you forgotten who you’re talking to?"
Vincent slowly straightened himself, breathing heavily as he examined the fallen equipment. Fortunately, none of the weights had landed on his feet, although his shoulder throbbed painfully from the impact.
Around them, dozens of people watched the confrontation unfold.
Nobody intervened.
Vincent understood why. Derek was a licensed Hero with considerable influence inside the agency, while Vincent was merely an unlicensed employee whose position could easily be filled by someone else.
If he retaliated, Derek could accuse him of attacking a registered Hero. Even if Vincent somehow avoided criminal charges, the agency would almost certainly dismiss him.
That knowledge had kept him silent through countless humiliations.
But apparently, silence was no longer enough.
"Apologize," Derek ordered, looking down at Vincent with undisguised contempt.
Vincent raised his head, his expression tightening as he struggled to suppress his anger.
"For what?" he questioned, unable to understand how Derek could possibly consider himself the offended party.
"For disrespecting me," Derek answered coldly, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"I haven’t disrespected you," Vincent insisted, clenching his jaw as he met the Hero’s furious gaze.
The response had barely left his mouth when Derek struck him across the face.
The slap was powerful enough to knock Vincent off his feet. He crashed onto the training platform, his cheek burning as the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
"That’s what happens when trash forgets its place," Derek declared with a cruel laugh, apparently enjoying the sight of Vincent sprawled helplessly before him.
Something inside Vincent finally snapped.
He had endured years of insults, humiliation, and unreasonable demands because he believed patience would eventually improve his circumstances.
He had convinced himself that becoming stronger required time, that obtaining a Hero License remained possible, and that someday people like Derek would no longer be able to look down on him.
Yet every concession had only encouraged further abuse.
Vincent slowly pushed himself upright, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. His entire body trembled, although whether from pain or anger, he could no longer tell.
"You’re right about one thing, Derek," Vincent said quietly, raising his gaze toward the blond Hero as his expression hardened. "I’ve forgotten my place."
"Good. Then get on your knees and apologize properly," Derek commanded with a satisfied smirk, apparently mistaking Vincent’s words for an admission of defeat.
Vincent ignored the command.
Instead, he drew a deep breath and began circulating the small amount of Flux Energy within his body. A faint current of power spread through his muscles, strengthening his limbs as his innate ability awakened.
Physical Reinforcement.
The enhancement was weak, embarrassingly so compared to Derek’s overwhelming strength, but Vincent no longer cared about the difference between them.
For the first time in years, he was going to fight back.
And before Derek could understand what was happening, Vincent stepped forward, twisted his waist, and threw his first punch directly toward the arrogant Hero’s face.