Villain Retirement

"Pft."

In truth, even an hour before Riley stepped inside the Hero Association tower, Aerith was already seated inside the lobby. And as soon as Riley entered, she covered her face with a tablet so that people wouldn't notice the growing smile on her face.

Most people generally do not know what she looked like– and so, just a cap and sunglasses, and she was like everyone else. Riley, however, was completely different as an albino– they were even rarer than supers.

And so, Aerith came up with a plan; officially register Riley as a superhero.

In that way, even if he wore a mask outside 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, no one would even bat an eye. They could have gone with an entire helmet that covered his entire head, but exposing his long black hair would be better– the farther he was from looking like Darkday, the better.

It was the best plan that Aerith came up with, 2nd was not allowing Riley to go outside.

Riley would probably follow Aerith's orders– but then again, locking Riley inside a room alone would most likely result in him losing his social skills; not really something she wanted from a murder machine.

And so, here they were– with Riley in full outfit as he walked towards the receptionist to register himself… while the others were just in their casual clothing. This was Aerith's first time in the Hero Association Tower, so she didn't really know how things were being processed…

…but to think the other people who came to register didn't wear their desired superhero outfits. Were they not interested in hiding their identities anymore?

Granted, the number of supers from when she arrived on Earth could not even be compared to their numbers now. As a matter of fact, she read somewhere that most of the babies being born are now more than likely to be a super.

If it continues like this… wouldn't humans be considered one of the Higher Races in the future?

As someone who protected them for hundreds of years, Aerith could not help but be worried, but at the same time… proud for some reason. The humans are not even known by the other races; Earth, not even registered in the Cosmic Codex.

Without a doubt, Caitlain's doing.

Just what exactly is she planning with Earth and its people?

"..." Aerith then shook her head. Now was not the right time to think of such things; because right now, she should be ready to leave with Riley in the blink of an eye if he does something… Riley.

And right now, Riley was just… in line, waiting for his turn to be assisted. And since he was the only one wearing a superhero outfit, he somewhat stood out. But still, the people didn't really bother him since most of them were used to seeing people in outfits.

Well, except for one.

"Where… did you have your costu– I mean outfit made?"

It was Paige, who was also in line directly behind Riley, "I still don't have any idea who to trust to make my costume, but I already have several designs and–"

"I apologize, were you talking to me, stranger?"

And finally, Riley turned around to talk to her.

"Y… yes, I was just asking where you got your outfit," Paige nodded; trying her best not to be lured by Riley's dark, almost intoxicating eyes.

"I got it from another planet," Riley answered without any hesitation.

"Just say you don't want to say it," Paige could only roll her eyes at Riley's answer; pouting for a few seconds… before once again trying to get Riley's attention,

"Come on, why don't you tell me? I… I'll say you referred me to them, maybe both of us can get a discount on repairs."

"I got it from another planet," Riley once again answered as he glanced back at Paige, "It will take half a year if you want something like mine just for the delivery."

"...Is it that hard to be friendly?" Paige crossed her arms, no longer bothering to talk to Riley anymore. Her eyes, however, started to twitch as she tried her best not to try and start a conversation again; her feet, also fidgeting as she wanted to do something.

If only she didn't use her phone to the point the battery died, she could be doing something right now. Who knew there would be a line just to register for the superhero test?

"..." Her eyes started looking around everywhere, trying to distract herself to prevent her from being agitated from doing nothing.

"..." Very soon, her fingers started fidgeting; her thumbs, scratching her palms as she softly bit her lip. But finally, before her lips began to chafe, her eyes found something to do.

"T… that's the Superhero Ranking!" She blurted out as she pointed toward the image being shown on the large screen behind the receptionist; she covered her mouth immediately, of course. But by then, everyone was already looking at her.

The awkwardness didn't last, however, as they all turned towards where she pointed to.

The Superhero Rankings-- An official list that was made by the Hero Association 3 months after the Departure of Megawoman.

It was a way to distract the people from all the stressful things that have been happening in the world lately. Empress was against the idea at first… 

…but if the previous Government did something right, it was their way of fooling the masses that everything was alright. And with the threat of the alien invaders, as well as the rise in numbers of named supervillains– a much-needed distraction was required.

"Next."

The Superhero Ranking was similar to the Mega Academy's student rankings, it was highly dependent on one's popularity. And right now, the one seating at the top was none other than…

…Megagirl.

Publicly known to still be the best that the Mega Academy was able to produce. A spitting image of her mother, the greatest superhero the world has ever known, Megawoman.

She was previously a part of the up-and-coming superhero team, The Baby Crew-- but left months ago for reason unknown; leaving her brother,  Monarch in the team.

"Next."

The second one on the list was also from Mega Academy, Golden Fox.

The third, also from the Mega Academy and Riley Ross's sister, Nuclear Seraph.

All women. Paige didn't go to Mega Academy, but still...

"So… so cool," Paige's eyes started to glisten as she looked at the list, "Someday… someday I will find myself on that list."

"Next! Miss, you're holding up the line!"

"But I don't even have a costume, maybe I should–"

"Excuse me, talkative stranger."

And before Paige could finish her words, Riley moved in front of her and blocked her view of the rankings.

"W… what!?" Paige took a few steps back as she could no longer prevent herself from staring at Riley's dark eyes, "I… I don't have a boyfriend yet, if that's what you wanted to ask. But, I don't really– wait, or are you telling me where you got your costume now? Then--"

"Ma'am! You're holding up the line."

"It's your turn," Riley said as he pointed at the receptionist before walking away.

Seeing this, Paige blinked a couple of times, before rushing towards the front of the receptionist and giving her several documents.

"S… Sorry, I… I was talking to someone."

"..." The receptionist only glared at her, before looking at all the documents she presented. From the outside, this might just look like a simple process– but in truth, the receptionist was actually the one to decide whether or not you're qualified to even take the test in the first place.

It was more meticulous now than when Riley previously took the test. First, they check your credentials, then psychological evaluation, until finally, the practical tests.

Riley was able to pass without any problems because Aerith knows a guy that knows a guy who can forge documents– only documents from Earth, that is.

And so, one might even say that this first step was the most important one. And right now…

"It… says here you are diagnosed with ADHD?"

"Y… yes?" Paige could not help but take in a gulp as she heard the receptionist's words.

"I see," the receptionist closed all of the documents as she handed them all back to Paige, "I'm sorry…

…but I can't allow you to take the test."

"...What?"