"Oh man I'm going to be so late!!!!" Ernesto shouted as he was seen running across the street.

"Of all the days I had to wake up so late!!" He kept running frantically, skillfully dodging the people and cars that were in front of him, though that didn’t mean that they were both not annoyed by him.

‘I can’t be late! Not when it’s the first day of me doing the exam!!’ Ernesto shouted in his head.

As the teen kept running, a large object appeared out of nowhere as it crash landed in front of the center of the street, knocking the male off his feet.

Ernesto groaned as he got up, with the people around him moving out the way from the object.

Once the dust settled it was revealed that the large object was none other than a large alien.

It was about the size of a van and the length of a tiger, covered in red armor plates around its whole body, and had a scorpion-like tail.

"Something tells me the zoo didn't open up a new exhibit today."

The monster then roared as its saliva dripped down onto the concrete. Though it wasn't normal saliva as the concrete was eroding.

"Of course it has acid saliva. Cause why wouldn’t it?" Ernesto sarcastically said.

The monster saw the black haired teen before it ran towards him and spit out some of its acid.

Ernesto’s eyes then glowed purple as he quickly dodged out of the way but the monster continued to chase and pounce after him.

'Ah shit. This thing ain't going to let up until it takes a bite outta me. And I don't even have my license yet to take it down!!' He said in his head as he kept avoiding the creature.

However the monster wasn't still letting up as it spit out more of its acid in hopes of injuring him.

The monster then roared loudly, probably in annoyance, as it began to curl up its body like an armadillo. It then began to roll at Ernesto at high speed before it jumped into the air as it used its tail like a spear.

‘Fuck it. Even if I don’t have my license, I gotta at least hold this thing off.’ Purple energy surrounded his body with lightning wrapping around his fist.

“Eat this!!!!”

However….

BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!

The monster was knocked out midair as something exploded in front of it.

"Huh??" Ernesto said in confusion as he didn’t do anything. 

Suddenly multiple car screeches were heard behind him. Ernesto then turned around as he saw three armored trucks pull up, with one of them having a rocket launcher attached on the roof of the truck.

"About time we found it. S.W.O.R.D's gonna have my ass on a stick if that shit keeps being on the loose." A voice said as a man with long, brown-black shaggy hair wearing a black coat stepped out from one of the armored trucks.

“All right boys, let’s bring this sucker in so it doesn’t cause any more damage.”

Multiple soldiers in riot gear then ran out of the truck and went to detain the creature.

Ernesto then quickly got up as he saw the soldiers bring out a large electrical net and quickly captured the monster.

“So kid, what are you doing here?” The man asked as he stood beside him. “Though I’m surprised you haven’t left at all.”

“Uh that’s right sir. My name is Ernesto Garcia. I was actually on my way to where the entrance exam will be held to join The New Pantheon.”

“Hmm The New Pantheon huh? So you’re planning on being a Hero or something?”

“Yeah actua-“

ROOOOOAR!!!!!

The creature interrupted them as it managed to rip apart the net with its teeth.

“Shit it ripped through it!!” One of the soldiers shouted.

“Detain it again!!” Another shouted as they pulled out their armored piercing M16A2 rifles and shot at it.

But the creature apparently paid no mind to the bullets as it spat out its acid in retaliation.

“Oh yeah. I forget they said that it shoots out acid.”

“How do you even kill that thing?” Ernesto asked as the man walked forward.

“How? You beat it till it drops.” The man said as he grinned and cracked his knuckles, not being worried in the slightest.

The monster noticed him and charged at him while roaring.

“Look out!!”

“Ha!! It’ll take more than that to scare me!!!”

The creature lunged and went to bite at him, but the man managed to catch its jaws with his bare hands.

“Phew!!! No wonder you’re pissed. Somebody didn’t give you a breath mint. Don’t worry, I’ll give you one after we’re done here.”

He then kicked it back and upped the creature from its chin before smacking it from its head as he also kneed it in the face at the same time, knocking it out cold.

“Holy shit. He actually did it… So easily too…” Ernesto said in awe as the man told the soldiers to load it into one of the trucks.

“Well that’s taken care of. Though I don’t know what they’ll do about the acid on the concrete. So, see ya kid. Hope you become a Hero.”

“Wait!! Who are you? Are you part of S.W.O.R.D?”

“Me? Nah. I ain’t a part of it. Name’s Kiyoshi Tsukumo. I’m actually a part of The New Pantheon as an instructor.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now we see Ernesto in one of armored trucks as Kiyoshi is driving it to where the exam will take place.

“So you’re actually an instructor, huh?”

“That’s right.” Kiyoshi said. “I’m supposed to be assigned to train and watch over one of the new teams that are going to be made.”

“Oh yeah. I heard that The New Pantheon operates best when it comes to team building.”

“Mhm. While you can operate solo, having someone backing you up is the best move. Especially when it comes to dealing with The Syndicate and other shady groups.”

“Yeah. Hope I get placed on a team.”

“You think you’re gonna pass the exam?”

“Yeah. After all, I got a goal to complete. I need to pass in order to achieve it.” Ernesto responded as he looked out the window.

“Is that so? Then pray tell, what is your goal?’

Ernesto then looked at him. “….I want to become the greatest Hero.”

“The greatest? What, you wanna become the strongest Hero or something?”

“No. The greatest Hero. I want to become someone that people can look up to. Just like my dad was for others when I was a kid. He may not have been the strongest Hero among The Godhead, but he was still a part of them. I want to become like him.” Ernesto said.

“Mmm. Though you said “was”. Is he..” Kiyoshi trailed off.

“No. He’s alive, somewhere. He was on a mission up in space and didn’t return home. I was told that he stayed behind to let his teammates escape. I want to become a Hero so that I can find him and also make my dreams come true.”

“Is that so? Well I won’t judge you for your goals. Everyone has a reason to be a Hero: whether it’s to be the strongest, become famous, or even explore the world, or any other worlds that exist. But every Hero needs to remember this: the Titans are the real threats out there. No amount of villains can compare to the threats of those monstrosities.”

“Are they that bad? I remember being told in middle school by one of my teachers about the first Titan that appeared near the end of the 1980’s. Something about it stopping the Cold War and crossing through Australia and Africa I think. They don’t seem to be that powerful, since it was still defeated. I mean, even my dad faced one many years ago.”

“Did he defeat it?”

“W-well…. He did have help from the other heroes. And… didn’t really… defeat it. That went to Nathan Stark, the Star Savior.” Ernesto said as he looked away.

"Thought so. But to answer your question, that very Titan, Apollyon, did put the war on hold, but it also traveled between other continents, like Europe, North America, and Greenland. It left destruction all over and to the point where parts of Canada and Russia, and almost all of Greenland, were destroyed just by dropping itself in the North Pole. If you think something like that is considered “bad”, then sure, they’re bad. Oh, and did you forget about the Titan attack that appeared only 2 years after that and the one that appeared 5 years after that one? I think that was the one your dad “defeated”.” Kiyoshi added.

“Ok, ok. I get it. Point taken. The Titans are really bad.”

“Mhm. You better be grateful we haven’t had another Titan attack since then.”

After driving for 10 more minutes, a large steel tower was seen as Ernesto and Kiyoshi were close to it.

“There it is, kid. The organization for The New Pantheon and where the exam will take place. If there is even an exam left.” Kiyoshi said.

“Wait what? What time is it!?” Ernesto asked in a panic.

“9:42 a.m right now.”

“Oh shit!!!” Ernesto shouted as he quickly got out of the truck.

“Hey, what are you doing!?”

“Thanks for everything but I can’t be late anymore than I already am!!!”

Lightning surrounded his body as in a blur, he ran towards the tower.

“Hey, wait!!!!” But Ernesto didn't listen as he kept running and burst into the building. He then went up to the front desk, panting.

"Where...where is the exam hall..?"

"The exam? It's to your left but…"
The attendant said but he didn't let her finish as he ran to where she pointed.

"H-Hey..!!"

Ernesto kept running as he saw the doors that were up ahead.

"And the next candidate is-

"ERNESTO GARCIA!!!!"

The entire room fell silent and everyone looked at Ernesto who was panting heavily.

"Made it…in…time…"

"Mrm… Mr. Garcia was it?" One of the instructors asked.

"Yes sir… I’m here to take the exam…" Ernesto said as he caught his breath.

"Hmm, let's see.." The instructor said as he scrolled on a tablet, trying to find Ernesto's name among the participants with G in their last names.

"Ah there you are." 

Ernesto Garcia
Sex: Male
Age: 18
Power Type: Violet
Tier: 1
Abilities: 2
Magnitude: 2
Missing

"As it's said here, you were dubbed "missing". That means that you weren't here when we called your name to take part in the test. And now you show up about 45 minutes late. I'm sorry to say, but you cannot take part in the test."

Ernesto's heart dropped as the instructor said that.

"N-no way… All that effort, wasted…" He said.

"I'm sorry. But you cannot-

"Please!!! There has to be another way. I-I don't care who I have to face. Just please let me join. I don't care if I have to take on everyone in this room!!!!"

"If you wanna fight, then there’s no need to shout." A voice said as Kiyoshi walked into the room.

"Mr. Tsukumo?"

"Kiyoshi Tsukumo. I assume you have a reason for being late?" A second instructor asked.

"Had to deal with some wild traffic before I ran into the kid here. Regardless, I think kicking him out is a bad idea. I thought the whole of these exams were to see the potential of future Heroes. I mean, if the current Pantheon can’t take on the Titans, then who will?" 

The instructor sighed as he asked that.

“Yes you are correct. We do need more Heroes joining our cause, however, as per rules for these exams, if a participant were to miss the exam under any circumstances, they must retake it the next year if they wish to pass. I don’t make the rules, however, all participants must follow them.” 

“Hmm is that so?” Kiyoshi said as rubbed his forehead to think.

After a couple of seconds, a thought came to mind.

“Then I propose a proposition!”

“Kiyoshi you know we can-“

“Just hear me out for a sec!” Kiyoshi interrupted as the instructor gave in to listen. “Thank you. Ahem. I propose that Ernesto here goes on to take the test as the last participant. If he beats his opponent, then he’ll join and be a part of the team that I will be instructing. If he loses however…”

He looked at Ernesto before going back to the instructors.

“Then we’ll restrict him from ever taking the test again.”

“Yeah!! ……Wait what!?” Ernesto shouted in shock.

“So how does that work for you all? I mean, he wasn’t going to join today regardless. How about giving him a chance before seeing if he gets in or goes on to find another job to do?” 

The air was silent and heavy as the instructors talked amongst themselves before coming with their answer.

"...Very well. We will allow this to happen. But remember, it was your idea in the first place." The instructor said. "Ahem. We allow Ernesto Garcia to take part in the entrance exam. However, if he were to lose, he will not be allowed to retake the exam under any circumstances. Is that clear?"

"What do you think, kid?" Kiyoshi asked as he turned to Ernesto.

The black haired teen then gave them a determined look.

"Bring it on."