Chapter 1
In the bustling metropolis of Elysium City, where skyscrapers pierced the clouds like defiant spears and the air hummed with the energy of extraordinary abilities, every human on Earth was born with a superpower. From the ability to manipulate fire with a flick of the wrist to bending time in fleeting moments, these gifts defined society. Heroes, those who wielded their powers for justice, were idolized and ranked from 1 to 100 based on their feats, popularity, and impact. At the pinnacle stood legends like Aurora Blaze, who could summon solar flares, or Shadow Veil, master of illusions. But not all chose the path of light—villains lurked in the shadows, using their gifts for chaos, domination, and personal gain, clashing in epic battles that reshaped landscapes.
Amid this empowered world lived Rimuru Takahashi, a 20-year-old with tousled black hair, sharp green eyes, and a perpetual smirk that hid his deepest insecurity. Born without a single trace of superhuman ability, Rimuru was an anomaly—a "Blank," as the rare powerless were derogatorily called. In a society where power was everything, he had learned to survive on wits, grit, and sheer determination. Bullied in school for his lack, he had turned inward, honing his mind through books, strategy games, and observing how others used their abilities. "Powers aren't everything," he'd tell himself, but deep down, the ache of being ordinary in an extraordinary world gnawed at him.
His saving grace was his childhood friend, Kuetsu Harada, a lanky 20-year-old with wild red hair and an infectious grin. Kuetsu's power was a marvel: he could summon mythical beasts straight from his imagination—dragons with scales of molten gold, phoenixes that reborn from ashes, or ethereal unicorns that healed with a touch. The catch? It required vivid mental focus; a distracted thought could warp the summon into something unintended, like a fluffy rabbit instead of a ferocious griffin. The two had been inseparable since kindergarten, when Kuetsu had accidentally summoned a tiny chimera to scare off Rimuru's bullies. "We're a team," Kuetsu would say. "Your brain, my beasts—we're unstoppable."
As they approached their final year of high school, the dream solidified: enroll in the prestigious University of Heroes, the elite academy where aspiring saviors trained under the top-ranked pros. Graduates often skyrocketed into the hero rankings, their names etched in history. But admission was brutal, reserved for those who could prove their power in a grueling entrance exam. For Kuetsu, it was a no-brainer—his summons had already earned him local fame for stopping a minor villain's robbery. For Rimuru? It was a pipe dream. "How am I supposed to compete?" he'd grumbled one evening as they sat on the rooftop of their apartment building, watching heroes streak across the sky like shooting stars.
Kuetsu clapped him on the back. "Come on, Rim! You've got more smarts than half those ranked heroes combined. We'll figure it out. Besides, the university's motto is 'Power in All Forms.' Maybe they'll see your potential."
Motivated by Kuetsu's unwavering faith, Rimuru threw himself into preparation. He studied hero tactics, villain patterns, and even the university's exam history. The test wasn't just about raw power; it included strategy simulations, combat scenarios, and problem-solving under pressure. Still, the core requirement was demonstrating a superpower. As the exam day loomed, Rimuru's anxiety peaked. "What if they laugh me out of there?" he confided in Kuetsu during their train ride to the sprawling campus, a fortress of gleaming spires and training arenas nestled in the mountains.
The University of Heroes buzzed with energy as hundreds of applicants gathered in the grand auditorium. Proctors—retired heroes with scars and stories—outlined the rules: Phase One was a written strategy test, Phase Two a simulated villain encounter where powers must be showcased, and Phase Three a team-based challenge. Rimuru aced the written portion, his answers on countering a telekinetic villain drawing impressed nods from the graders. Kuetsu, meanwhile, summoned a spectral wolf pack to breeze through his demo, earning cheers.
But Phase Two was Rimuru's nightmare. In a holographic arena, he faced a simulated rampaging golem, a construct designed to test offensive capabilities. The crowd watched from the stands as other applicants unleashed blasts of energy or summoned barriers. Rimuru stood there, heart pounding, with no power to call upon. "Applicant Takahashi, demonstrate your ability," boomed the announcer.
Sweat beading on his forehead, Rimuru scanned the arena. He had no powers, but he had observed. The golem's movements were patterned—repetitive charges followed by a cooldown where its joints glowed vulnerably. Dodging a massive swing, he shouted, "It's not about what I have—it's about what I know!" He grabbed a loose training prop from the edge of the field—a simple metal rod—and timed his strike perfectly, jamming it into the golem's exposed joint during its cooldown. The simulation sparked and shut down, the crowd murmuring in confusion.
The proctors conferred. "No power manifestation," one noted. But the head examiner, a grizzled veteran ranked #47 known as Ironclad, stepped forward. "The rules state 'effective use of one's gifts.' This kid used his intellect like a weapon. In the field, brains save lives as much as brawn." Turning to Rimuru, he added, "You're in—provisionally. Prove yourself in Phase Three."
Elated but exhausted, Rimuru reunited with Kuetsu for the team challenge: a mock city rescue from a "villain" horde. Paired together by chance, they complemented each other perfectly. Kuetsu summoned a fleet of imagined wyverns to handle the brunt, while Rimuru directed them with pinpoint strategy, exploiting weaknesses the beasts couldn't see alone. They cleared the scenario in record time, drawing applause.
As the sun set on the campus, acceptances were announced. Kuetsu whooped in victory, but Rimuru's name appeared with an asterisk: "Admitted under Special Observation." Whispers spread—could a Blank really become a hero? Rimuru clenched his fist, determination igniting in his eyes. This was just the beginning. Little did he know, his "powerlessness" hid a secret even he was unaware of, one that would shake the hero world to its core.
End of Chapter 1.
