Atlas stood frozen, taking in the sheer size of the room before him. It was at least five times larger than the cramped one-bedroom apartment he had lived in. The ceilings stretched high, chandeliers casting a warm golden glow over the polished wooden floors. Luxurious furniture lined the walls, each piece exuding wealth and status. It was a space meant for the elite, something Atlas could never have afforded if not for the scholarship that had changed his life.
He tightened his grip on his duffle bag, feeling oddly out of place. While others relied on their strength, abilities that could conquer cities, Atlas had only his flight. He had never been physically strong, a fact that placed him among the lower ranks. Yet, through sheer dedication, he had sharpened his intellect, studying every night after his delivery shift. Even though he didn't get enough sleep, he worked hard and in the end, the results prevailed.
The voice that broke his thoughts was effortless, brimming with confidence.
"Well, I'm sorry about that," the boy said, a grin playing on his lips. "Name's Ryder. Freshman. A-Rank."
Atlas studied him. Ryder looked every bit the prodigy: broad-shouldered, his stance relaxed yet powerful, radiating strength. The kind of person who belonged here.
"An A-Rank and a freshman." Atlas exhaled, shaking his head. "Your life seems to be going well. First day here, and you've already scored an SRC girl. So why are you even here? You're already pretty strong."
Ryder's grin widened. "First of all, she wanted a taste of this," he said, patting his abs with the arrogance of someone who knew exactly how good he looked. "And second, strength has no ceiling. Vortex Academy can push me to S-Rank."
"That makes sense." Atlas extended his hand. "Atlas. D-Rank."
Ryder's brow arched slightly, but he took the handshake.
"Brains, huh? Rare." He clapped Atlas on the shoulder, firm enough to remind him of the gap between them. "But brains alone won't keep you alive here." His eyes gleamed with something unreadable.
"Oh, by the way, there's a welcome party tonight. You should come with."
Atlas shook his head, tossing his duffle onto the bed. "I'm going to the library."
Ryder caught his shoulder before he could move.
Atlas tensed.
The ease in Ryder's grip told him everything. He wasn't even trying, yet Atlas couldn't move forward. This was the difference between an A-Rank and a D-Rank.
"I don't do parties," Atlas muttered, adjusting his glasses. "They're a waste of time."
Ryder smirked. "No one survives here being all work and no play. Especially D-Ranks. You need connections. You might meet powerful future hunters tonight, ones who'll matter when it counts."
Atlas clenched his jaw. He could tell refusing wasn't an option.
"Fine," he relented. "But I'm not staying long."
Ryder grinned. "That's the spirit!"
The moment they stepped in, the bass thrummed in Atlas's chest, rattling his ribs. Laughter, drinking, the scent of sweat and expensive cologne filled the air. The room pulsed with energy—a playground for the privileged.
Before they even had a chance to talk to anyone, an arm draped over Ryder's shoulder. It was a girl, stunning, with wavy auburn hair, piercing green eyes, and an easy confidence that came from knowing exactly how much attention she commanded. But she wasn't just any girl, Atlas had seen her a few times, trending on TikClock and occasionally on YourTube. Famous. Untouchable.
Ryder followed her without saying a word.
Atlas sat on a nearby couch alone, beside a couple making out. He sighed and looked up awkwardly.
"Leave me alone! I already told you, I have a boyfriend, and there he is over there!"
Atlas blinked. The girl was pointing at him.
The guy chasing her froze, frowning with a beer bottle in hand. The girl rushed to Atlas's side and whispered, "Play along," before laying a kiss on him.
She was a beautiful brunette with blue eyes. Atlas couldn't resist.
The guy looked even more pissed, clicked his tongue, and walked off. Atlas was pretty sure he had just made an enemy and lost his first kiss to a complete stranger.
She smiled. "Wow, you're not the best kisser, are you?"
Atlas let out a nervous laugh, adjusting his glasses. "Not to strangers."
She suddenly got serious. "Okay, look, I'm not one of those cheap girls, but I really need your help. I swear it'll be worth it. Just pretend to be my boyfriend for the next couple of hours until the party ends, okay?"
Flustered, Atlas nodded.
A few minutes later, Ryder returned, alone this time. The influencer he had followed was nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, sis, I see you met my roommate, Atlas," Ryder introduced. "D-Rank—but don't let that fool you. He's pretty strong."
It was an obvious lie.
So this girl was Ryder's sister. Shocked, Atlas blinked as she tilted her head before winking.
"So, a roommate of yours, Ryder? He sure helped. And I'm guessing you're not like the others. A thinker, perhaps? I like that." She handed Atlas a drink. "Lilia. B-Rank. Try this—thanks for your help."
Atlas hesitated, eyeing the amber liquid.
"I don't—"
"Come on." Lilia leaned closer, her breath warm against his neck. "One sip won't kill you."
Ryder laughed. "Consider it part of your initiation."
A sudden hand snatched the cup away.
"Leave him alone," Asia said coolly, stepping between them.
Ryder's smirk deepened. "Back for seconds?" He leaned in.
"You wish," Asia scoffed. "You didn't even last a minute."
Atlas bristled.
Who did she think she was, making decisions for him?
Without breaking eye contact, he plucked the cup from her grasp and took a sip.
Fire seared down his throat. His eyes watered.
Asia's expression faltered, just for a second. Sadness flickered there before she turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Atlas took another sip.
"See? Not so bad—and you're even getting protected by Asia. You must be something special," Lilia teased, watching him closely.
Atlas shook his head before taking another sip.
As the night went on, the world became hazier. He vaguely remembered talking—laughing, even. Then, at some point, a sharp chill crawled down his spine. The room went silent.
A mysterious hooded figure kept eyeing him.
"You don't belong here," the person murmured.
Red eyes glowed from beneath the hood. The figure's voice echoed like a cave, as if speaking directly into Atlas's thoughts. He couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl—just… something off.
Atlas felt the temperature drop, goosebumps spreading across his skin. "What?"
The figure leaned in.
"Be careful who you trust, Atlas."
Then—
Darkness.
The Morning After
Atlas woke to the soft scent of something floral.
His head pounded. The bed beneath him—too soft. The sheets—too smooth.
Then—
His shirt was gone.
His trousers were gone.
Panic surged through his chest.
Beside him, a voice—smug, knowing.
"Morning, genius."
He turned sharply.
Lilia.
Lying beside him, propped on one elbow, that same smirk on her lips.
Atlas's stomach dropped. His mind raced, clawing for memories—fragments of the night before.
But all he found was nothing.
A void where something important should have been.
And a gut-wrenching certainty that he had lost something he could never get back.
Something he had saved for his future wife.
Still in shock and unsure what to do—
His phone buzzed.
Mom.
"I have to go," he muttered, scrambling for his clothes. His hands shook as he shoved them on, glasses askew, heart hammering.
He didn't wait for Lilia's response.
He didn't want to hear it.
He bolted.
But as soon as he entered his dorm, his stomach clenched.
Two figures sat on the couch.
The hooded figure from yesterday.
And the influencer who had been with Ryder.
Ryder approached his guests, holding two glasses.
"Atlas, you're back…" Ryder drawled. "You disappeared on us yesterday. Where were you?"