Elira stood at the front of the class, arms crossed. "You all will not be given points if the class performance is poor," she said sharply. "And if anyone fails… they're to be expelled immediately."
"What? That's just cruel," Ivy muttered from her seat.
Elira's eyes narrowed. "Wake up. This is the Crimson Vale Academy. It's not some random school." She turned toward the board and added, "As you know, these points can buy you anything in the academy. That's how important they are. Also…" She paused, scanning the class. "The test will begin soon. Prepare yourselves accordingly."
The room went silent. Elira continued, "That's all for today. You'll use the rest of the day to settle into your dorms and buy whatever you need."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked out.
The students followed, filing out one by one. Kairon stayed seated, staring at his phone.
"We were all given 100,000 points for being in the Obsidian Rank," he muttered. "So the higher ranks probably got even more. Still, 100,000 is way too much… And the way points are given monthly based on class performance—like activities and tests..."
He stopped, frowning.
Then a voice came from nearby. "You there. Kairon, right?"
He looked up. Aria was standing near his desk.
"What do you think about this point allocation system?" she asked.
Kairon glanced around and leaned back. "I think it's fishy. But why ask me? Didn't you say earlier you had no intention of making friends?"
"You were close, so I decided to ask," Aria replied. "I intend to keep that promise, so don't worry."
"That's good. It would've been a bummer if you were just blabbering nonsense." He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder.
Aria clenched her fists. Who does he think he is?
Suddenly, Kairon stopped in his tracks. He turned slightly, his cold eyes locking onto hers.
"I'm Kairon Vale," he said, then walked away.
Aria blinked. "Huh? How—? Can he read my mind?" She stood up, a bit shaken, and followed the others out.
---
Shopping Mall
Kairon rolled his trolley, grabbing only what he needed for school. He scanned his phone at the register.
"Only 100 points used, huh…" he muttered, walking away.
Not far off, Aria was at the shampoo shelf, scanning for her preferred brand. A hand suddenly reached in and handed her a bottle.
She turned. "Thanks—" Her eyes widened. "You again?"
"Buy this one. It's cheaper," Kairon said calmly. "That way you can preserve your points."
Without another word, Aria put it in her cart. They walked side by side through the mall.
"So," she began, "do you think there's a motive behind the point system?"
Kairon stayed cool. "Who knows? I didn't sense anything odd… But if there is, it's gotta be about the amount. This is a famous academy after all."
Aria's eyes lit up as something clicked in her mind. "That's it!" she said. "We all got 100,000 points, and we'll get more next month. That's way too much for just one month. I think we're being tested."
"Oh?" Kairon raised a brow. "And why do you think that?"
Aria explained, "This is like an economic management test. They knew if they gave us too little, we'd be careful. So instead, they gave us a lot. They want to see if we'll manage it or blow it all. That's the trap."
Kairon chuckled lightly. "Can't believe you figured that out on your own."
"It's not that surprising," she said with a confident smirk.
They exited the building and went their separate ways.
---
Dorm Room 5
Kairon stopped in front of his door.
"So this is my room," he said, scanning his phone. The door slid open with a beep.
He entered, dropped his bags, changed out of his uniform, and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
A few moments later, he got up, boiled some water, poured it into a cup, and mixed in coffee. Sipping it slowly, he looked out the window.
"Everything now… is just a game," he whispered. "Let's play, Papa."
He finished his coffee and stepped out, closing the door behind him.
---
Somewhere in the Academy
Kairon walked through a corridor, turning a corner—and stopped.
There stood Aria… surrounded by three older students. One stood in front, two behind. The one in front wore glasses.
"Brother," Aria said, her voice small. "I'm sorry I ended up in the Obsidian Rank… but I'll make it up to you. I'll get to the Platinum Rank!"
The guy scoffed. "Who's your brother? We're in school. Don't call me that."
Tears welled in Aria's eyes.
"You've already brought disgrace to my name," he continued coldly. "From now on… don't show your face to me again."
He turned, walking away as the other two followed.
Kairon, hands in his pockets, watched quietly. They're seniors… and that medal—Platinum Rank. That guy must be her brother.
As they passed each other, Kairon stopped beside Aria.
"Why are you crying?" he asked calmly. "They've forsaken you. So what? You said yourself—you don't intend to make friends. If the world forsakes you… then forsake the world. Get to the Platinum Rank and shove it in his face."
Aria wiped her eyes. "How dare you… That's my brother!"
Kairon walked up to her, and she backed away until her back hit the wall. He leaned in and gently pressed his finger against her chest.
"Your heart is making you weak. Wake up to reality. Don't let love—sibling love—blind your judgment. You won't beat him like this."
Then he turned and walked away, wind rustling around him.
Aria stared at his back, stunned. "Am I… weak? Is my love making me weak…?"
She clenched her fists. "No. My love is my strength. I will reach Platinum Rank… no matter what."
She looked back toward Kairon. "I may not like you or want to be your friend… but thanks."
She turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Meanwhile, Kairon walked quietly down the hallway.
"The trap's been laid," he said with a small smile. "Now it's time for the bait to walk in."
He kept walking—his figure slowly disappearing into the shadows of the academy.