With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 30

Black Demon continued his rampage, targeting scientists and doctors across the city. Despite the efforts of Red Dragon and Blue Tiger, who managed to save most of his intended victims, there were still tragic instances where they arrived too late. Each failure weighed heavily on them, especially when they came agonizingly close to catching Black Demon—only for him to vanish again, as if mocking their efforts.

"This really sucks," Gray muttered to Natsu as they made their way to Professor Clive's class one morning.

"I know, right?" Natsu replied with a frustrated sigh. "What the hell is this freak trying to do? Wipe out every doctor and scientist in the city?"

"Looks like it," Gray said grimly. "The only question is—why?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Natsu shrugged. "We might actually get somewhere if we had any clue who this guy really is."

Gray nodded. "Well, we can dig into it later. For now, let's just get to class before Clive locks the door again."

Later that day, as students filtered out of Gildarts's class, Gray noticed his roommate Lyon looking especially tense—angry, even. Before meeting up with Natsu, Gray decided to check in and find out what was bothering him.

"What's the matter with you, Lyon?" Gray asked, noticing the scowl on his roommate's face.

"My professor failed the essay I wrote on my dad's company," Lyon snapped. "Apparently my words weren't 'intelligent' or 'descriptive' enough."

"Ouch. Who do you have?"

"Professor Lancer."

Gray winced. "Oof... yeah, he's a real piece of work."

"That's the problem with professors and scientists," Lyon muttered. "If you're not as smart as them, they assume you're an idiot. My dad is gonna murderlise me for this grade."

"Why don't you ask for a rewrite?" Gray offered.

"What's the point? Even if I nail it, he'll just fail me again. I swear, the guy's got it out for me."

"Why do you think that?"

"He thinks I'm just a spoiled rich kid who bought his way into school thanks to my dad's money, not because of my brains."

"Don't let him get in your head, Lyon," Gray said firmly. "He's probably just jealous you'll end up making ten times his salary."

Lyon didn't laugh. Instead, his expression darkened.

"Still... someone should teach him a lesson."

"Yeah, well, that someone can't be us. One wrong move and we're expelled."

"I know," Lyon muttered. "Anyway, I've got class. Catch you later?"

"Yeah."

Lyon walked off, still visibly fuming. Gray shook his head and headed toward the main hall to meet Natsu, ready to shift gears and focus on their classes, hero business, and—somehow—their social lives.

"I've got great news, bro!" Natsu grinned as soon as he saw him. "Meant to tell you last night but totally forgot."

"What is it?"

"I've got a date with Lucy."

Gray blinked. "No way. Wait—is this actually a date? Or are you calling a study session a date again?"

Natsu hesitated. "Well... technically, it's a guy and girl spending the evening together doing an activity."

Gray raised an eyebrow. "So it's a study date."