[Stormhold Academy - Main Entrance - 5:00 AM]
The morning was still dark, the sun barely threatening the horizon and cold wind cutting through the empty campus.
An armored advanced bus sat parked at the main entrance – sleek black design, reinforced plating and windows tinted dark enough to hide passengers – the kind of vehicle used for transporting high-value targets through dangerous territory.
Damian stood beside it, his appearance drawing imdiate attention.
He wore a stylish black long coat with high collar turned up against the wind, expensive fabric moving elegantly with each movent.
Dark glasses covered his crimson eyes despite the pre-dawn darkness, giving him an almost untouchable aura.
His hands rested casually in his pockets, his posture relaxed but radiating controlled power.
Edrin and Ariana flanked him – Edrin wearing practical combat gear under a jacket, Ariana in form-fitting black that allowed easy movent, both of them alert despite the early hour.
Today, the Stormhold Academy Student Council would travel to Capital City – the Federation’s heart, located several hundred kiloters from Tranquil City.
The World Championship Tournant began in one week, and all participating Academy councils needed to arrive early for registration and preliminary etings.
"..."
They waited in silence, breath fogging in cold air, the weight of upcoming competition settling over them.
Thud Thud Thud
Then footsteps approached.
Elizabeth arrived with Adrian, Victoria White, and Fiona Sigurd trailing behind.
Elizabeth wore her elegant style – purple coat matching her hair and eyes, professional and presidential.
Adrian was dressed like he was heading to a casual outing rather than a tournant – bright colors, relaxed fit and a silly smile on his face as he waved enthusiastically.
"Morning, everyone! Beautiful day for a road trip, isn’t it?"
"..."
His cheerful energy was almost offensive given the early hour and serious atmosphere.
Victoria and Fiona exchanged glances but said nothing, both wearing practical traveling clothes.
But sothing made everyone pause.
Damian felt... different.
Previously, he’d radiated this constant subconscious pressure – leaking through his control and the weight of his strength created an oppressive atmosphere around him.
People had unconsciously kept distance with their instincts recognizing danger.
But now?
Now he felt like a sheathed sword.
The power was still there – everyone could sense it – but it was contained and controlled, no longer bleeding into the environnt.
His Physical Control training with Vash had taught him more than just body mastery. It had taught him energy efficiency and power containnt.
Adrian was the first to voice it, his silly deanor dropping montarily.
"Damian, you feel... different."
Ariana nodded, her spatial sensitivity making her particularly aware of energy signatures.
Damian just smiled slightly, saying nothing, his hands still in his pockets.
They continued waiting.
Minutes passed.
Five minutes... Ten minutes... Fifteen...
The sun began its slow rise, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
But Liam Evergreen, Naomi Lark, Elena Dray, Gareth Blackwood, and Arielle Voss didn’t arrive.
Professor Salazar Blackwood – who was supposed to escort them – also remained absent.
The atmosphere shifted from anticipation to concern to growing realization.
Everyone started realizing sothing was very wrong.
Then Lily’s voice erged – Elizabeth’s AI assistant speaking for the first ti in the group setting, her synthesized tone carrying information that made everyone’s blood run cold.
"Elizabeth. I’ve received official notifications. Council mbers Liam Evergreen, Naomi Lark, Elena Dray, Gareth Blackwood, and Arielle Voss have submitted formal resignations from the Student Council effective imdiately. They will not be competing in the tournant."
"!!!"
Silence crashed over the group like a physical weight.
Resigning right now, hours before departure, when it was too late to find adequate replacents.
This wasn’t coincidence or personal decision.
This was deliberate sabotage!
’She doesn’t seem to know...’
Damian turned to Elizabeth, his voice completely calm with his dark glasses reflecting her pale face.
"You didn’t get any vision warning about this?"
Elizabeth shook her head, her composure cracking slightly.
"S-So visions happen on their own without actively running my skill. Others I can actively seek through my seer skill like trying to find the possible outcos in a situation. But I can’t know everything before it happens."
Her voice carried frustration at her own limitations.
Damian’s gaze shifted to Fiona and Victoria, both of whom tensed under his attention.
"So... Do you also plan to betray the Academy? Better tell now than wait until we’re in Capital City."
His voice wasn’t threatening – just cold, pragmatic and expecting honesty.
Before either could respond, Adrian stepped forward, his silly deanor completely gone, replaced by serious certainty.
"...Don’t worry about them. They’re in the sa camp as us. They won’t abandon us."
Damian studied Adrian for a mont, then nodded slightly, accepting his friend’s judgnt.
The others began panicking, voices overlapping with concern.
"What do we do?"
"We can’t compete with half a team missing!"
"The rules require minimum roster–"
"Should we cancel? Withdraw?"
Damian’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
"Just call Professor Seraphina. She can escort us instead of Professor Salazar."
Elizabeth’s face went even paler.
"But what about the missing team mbers? We need at least 3 substitutes. The tournant requires–"
"Edrin."
Damian’s voice was calm, but his posture had shifted.
"Call Ronan, Lysa, and Zavier. Tell them to pack essential gear. They’re Council mbers now. We leave in twenty minutes."
Elizabeth’s voice rose slightly, stress breaking through her usual control.
"But they’re only first-years! They’re not strong enough to compete against B rank fourth-years from other Academies! They will be slaughtered!"
Damian turned sharply, his voice dropping to sothing dangerous.
"Then what choice do we have?! I kept those fucking traitors in the Council specifically at your request! Because you wanted experienced mbers and you thought they could be trusted!"
His words hit like physical blows.
"And now they betray us at the last possible mont?! When it’s too late to find adequate replacents?!"
"..."
Elizabeth looked down, her fists clenching, unable to argue.
Damian sighed as he cald himself down and his next words ca out softer but sohow more final.
"Forget it... Let my people join us. I don’t trust any other so-called seniors at this mont. At least my Mafia mbers won’t stab in the back."
Ti crawled forward with agonizing slowness.
Then Seraphina arrived – her S rank speed making the trip from her residence instantaneous once called – her black hair pulled back and her violet eyes sharp despite the early hour.
Shortly after, Ronan, Lysa, and Zavier appeared, all three of their faces showing they’d been woken suddenly but were ready regardless.
"..."
They took one look at the tense atmosphere and said nothing, just fell into formation with the other Mafia mbers.
Damian didn’t wait for discussion or debate.
"Everyone in the bus. Now."
His voice carried absolute authority that made even Elizabeth move without question.
But instead of taking a passenger seat, Damian walked to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel.
He pulled out his communication device and made a call, his voice too quiet for the others to hear.
User Comments
0 comments from readers