With Great Power Comes Great Responsibilty

Chapter 31

Meanwhile, outside the library, Gray and Lyon were walking back toward their dorms.

"Gray, I have the best news ever," Lyon said, a huge grin on his face.

"Really? Let's hear it."

"I just met this incredible girl. She's smart, beautiful, and talented."

"Sounds like a catch. Is she into you?"

"Well, not exactly at first. She said she had feelings for someone else... but I managed to talk her into going out with me tomorrow night."

Gray raised an eyebrow. "Smooth. Think she has a friend you can set me up with?"

"Actually, yeah. Her roommate's super cute. I'll ask if she can introduce you during the date."

"You're the best."

They continued walking, joking lightly, when suddenly Lyon stopped in his tracks.

"Hey, what's up?" Gray asked.

Lyon looked uneasy. "I just remembered—I forgot something. I need to go back and grab it."

"Want me to come with you?"

"No, it's fine. You go ahead. I'll catch up later."

"Alright, suit yourself."

Lyon took off quickly, and though Gray felt a flicker of suspicion at how abruptly he left, he shook it off as nothing serious. Back in their room, Gray grabbed his textbook on blood work and began studying.

An hour later, a deep, echoing boom rattled the windowpanes. He shot to his feet and looked outside—one of the classrooms across campus had exploded.

"Crap."

Without hesitation, Gray jumped up, pulled on his hero costume, and rushed out the door.

...

Inside the library, Lucy looked up as the rumble of the explosion reached her ears. Natsu was already on his feet, heading toward the door.

"Natsu, where are you going?"

"I'm going to see if anyone's hurt. You stay here—where it's safe."

"Natsu, wait! Come back!" she called after him.

But he was already gone, ducking into a side hallway. Once out of sight, he quickly changed into his Red Dragon suit and bolted toward the blast.

A few minutes later, Red Dragon and Blue Tiger arrived at the wreckage at the same time. Smoke and debris filled the air, flames still licking at the remains of the building. Inside the ruined classroom, they found Professor Lancer barely conscious, bleeding heavily, half-pinned beneath a collapsed desk.

"Is he alive?" Red Dragon asked, kneeling beside him.

Blue Tiger checked his pulse. "Yeah, but barely. We need to get him to a hospital—fast."

A sinister voice echoed through the rubble.

"Don't waste your time. He'll be dead in just a few minutes anyway."

They turned to see Black Demon standing in the shadows, his eyes gleaming beneath his mask.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Blue Tiger growled. "Why are you attacking these people?!"

Black Demon laughed darkly. "That's none of your business, cat boy." He turned his gaze to Red Dragon. "Actually, I'm here for you."

Natsu's fists clenched.

"So tell me, Red Dragon... have you thought about my offer? What's your answer? Are you in—or are you out?"

"You're the one who's out—out of your mind!" Red Dragon snapped.