"What happens to a man who trespasses into a girls' dormitory without consent?"
I probably looked like a pervert right now, but I didn't care.
"They are immediately expelled, of course," Ms Seraphine replied, casting me a sharp side-eye. Confusion lingered in her gaze.
Of course, she wouldn't understand. All of them wouldn't understand.
There wasn't enough time left. Only two minutes remained.
"I see," I murmured. I picked up the bottle of water from my desk and strode toward the girl who had been nervously shifting in her seat earlier. "You hear that, Oliver Nightfall?" I said calmly.
"People like you are to be expelled."
I twisted the cap open and flung the water across his face.
"Wai—wait! What are you doing?" his voice cracked. The fine makeup on his face began to melt, streaking down his cheeks.
Gasps rippled across the classroom as the delicate illusion collapsed.
With one smooth motion, I reached forward and tore the wig from his head. Dark, cropped hair spilt free beneath it. I held the wig up for everyone to see.
"Class," I said quietly, "meet Oliver Nightfall."
"Oliver?!!!"
"Not Olivier?!!"
"What?"
"What's going on?"
"Hello, cousin," I whispered into his ear. "This is the first and last time we will meet." Colour drained from his face, and his lips turned blue. Eyes widening, his jaw tightened. Trembling, his knees buckled as he collapsed to the ground, hair standing on end.
"H—how do you know my name? I've never introduced myself, nor have I ever met you," His voice trembled.
"A little bird had warned me about this, and…" I poured the rest of the water on his head. "Most perverts' names are Oliver."
Murmurs erupted from the class.
"An institution?"
"They had never met, and yet he guessed his name correctly?"
"How is this possible?"
"Does he have a woman's sixth sense?"
"But even we didn't notice!"
"Oliver, come with me," Ms Seraphine dragged Oliver out of the classroom and shut the door firmly behind them.
All the students in 1-D began packing their things.
"How did you know?" Crystal asked in her usual cold tone.
"You're curious," I commented.
"..." She shot me a death glare.
"Alright, I'll tell you," I held up my hands to surrender.
"The first time I noticed him was when he was shuffling in his seat. Girls don't shuffle in their seats with their legs open wide. The second time was when the girls squealed over wanting to be in the same house as Liam. Oliver was frowning in frustration before donning his usual cheerful smile. But with these two notes as evidence, it won't be enough. Never act on suspicion unless you have three pieces of evidence.
So I asked Ms Seraphine about the consequences of trespassing on the girls' dorm without their consent. Of course, I knew the punishment was expulsion, as I had just read the student handbook. But I could not ask my question if Oliver didn't stand up when the teacher asked all the girls to stand up. So I waited. I waited until every girl, including him, stood up before I asked the question.
And when I did, from the small thread of shadow I had placed on a card and thrown onto his back earlier, I could sense his heartbeat increasing by the moment. Thus, it proved my suspicions."
I didn't tell her about what Kaori had told me beforehand.
"You truly are a terrifying man." She studied my face, trying to read my emotions.
"Am I?" I snapped my fingers, and the card that was originally on Oliver's back flew back to me. I held it between my two fingers and studied it carefully before making it dissipate into a shadowy mist.
"..." Crystal stared for a long period of time before slinging her bag over her shoulder.
I glanced at her retreating figure.
Just by looking at me, how much does she already know?
~~~~~~~~~~
The entrance ceremony was more disappointing than I thought it would be. During the ceremony, I had been assigned to House Aqualis. They even distributed the cloaks to us for House Meetings and Practical classes that require the usage of magic. Each cloak is all black and has a red, blue, brown, or yellow crest of their house's animal.
House Ignivar had a red crest with a phoenix, House Aqualis had a blue crest with a Sea Serpent, reflecting our calm, elegant and dangerous personalities. House Zephyria had a green crest with a falcon, and House Solcrest had a yellow crest with a lion. At the bottom of each crest was our house name.
Apparently, during house meetings, we had to wear this cloak there and a tie that they also gave us that matched our house colour. Each tie was threaded with thin gold diagonal stripes to make it seem more elegant. Principal Celestine instructed us to wear our house tie instead of our standard red ties. That was a new rule they had made this year.
Also, during inter-house games, we were given house T-shirts to go with our Gym shorts. Each shirt was in the colour of their respective houses. In front of the shirt was Celestara High's star-shaped crest with Celestara High printed below the crest. At the back of our shirts was a quote, a different one for each house, and at the top left corner of the quote was our house mascot. And below the quote on every T-shirt was the same thing: "FOUR HOUSES ● ONE CELESTARA FAMILY"
The quote on my shirt was "In still waters, truth is reflected."
Sigh, what a long day. I have so many things to wash now.
Celestara High was like a small city. It has all the facilities you could ever imagine. We are not allowed to leave the school compounds at any point in time during these three years except for the summer holidays. And the only way to get back to Celestara, the capital of Lucarion, was by boat. So, of course, Celestara High has everything you need. Shopping malls are available on every corner of the island.
There are also parks to walk with your familiar. Beaches are located at the front of the island, and swimming pools and most sports facilities are near the dorms. The private training rooms and artefact rooms are located near the gymnasiums and the library.
I'll probably get a private training room when we win our inter-house competition. This way, I'll get a discount.
It's nine right now.
Getting dinner at a restaurant feels too unnecessary. I'll get something at a convenience store instead.
As soon as I stepped into the store, the bell rang.
"Ding! Welcome to Friendly Mart!"
I walked towards the already-cooked meals corner.
Just when I was about to bend down and take a bento…
I saw her again.
"Another unpleasant coincidence," Crystal commented without even looking up. She was studying the label on her bento.
"Stop being so hostile to me," I said. "Since we sit next to each other, let's get along."
The things in the city sure are expensive.
"You seem to lack social skills."
"You too."
"That's right, but I never intended to be friendly in the first place."
One CMP is worth around one copper coin. Back in Starhaven, one copper coin could last us for months, but now, one hundred copper coins was treated like ¥100, and the bento I was looking at earlier was worth one hundred copper coins.
"Celestara High sure is generous, giving us so much money," I muttered.
"It's too good to be true," Crystal replied. "I'm saving till I know exactly what Celestara's motive is."
I glanced over my shoulder.
Students are given so much money each month, yet there is still free stuff in a corner of the convenience store. Do students really spend so much that they have no more money left?
"Free?"
"Is this for the people who spend all their money?" I asked.
"Even though we get 1,000,000 copper a month? The school is too kind. They make the environment here like paradise. Students cannot focus in class, and their grades will deteriorate."
"USELESS PIECE OF TRASH!!! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE??!!!" Someone shouted from outside the convenience store.
"I recognise him from our class. Ethan, right?" I asked. I had recognised him by his messy dark brown hair and sharp green eyes. He was bigger than I thought.
Though he reminded me of someone…
"I'd rather not get involved," Crystal paid for her things and left.
"..."
"Ding!" The machine deducted 300 CMP from my phone as soon as I swiped it.
"Thank you for your payment!" The staff placed my bento and drink into a plastic bag.
"Your brother is that coward, Tyler, right? Are you waiting for Big Brother to come and save you?" They mocked. "We're not afraid of him. He's no longer as strong as in Middle School, HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" The three seniors laughed at Ethan.
He stayed quiet.
"Excuse me, perhaps you're talking about me?" A man taller than Ethan placed his hand on one of the seniors' shoulders.
"Oh? So you finally showed up, Tyler?" They scoffed.
Tyler?
No wonder Ethan looked so familiar. Tyler was his older brother.
Tyler walked over and stood beside Ethan and smirked, "So? What will it be?"
"SLAAAAAP!!!!!"
One of the seniors raised his hand and slapped Tyler.
"What's wrong with you? What made you so weak and pathetic?!! You're not even going to fight back?!!!" They sneered at Tyler as he dropped to the ground, clutching his cheek.
"You don't understand," he said as he stood up slowly. "You've never seen real hell before," He laughed. "Once you've experienced hell, everything else is considered heaven!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!" He threw his head back and laughed like a maniac.
Wise words, Tyler.
"Huh? What are you talking about??!!!" The senior raised his hand once more.
"That's quite enough." I grabbed his hand mid-air and whispered something into his ear.
Before scurrying off, they said one more line, "Watch out, bitch. Remember, the 'D' in class D stands for defects. Class D is only there to make the rest of us look like perfectionists. Hahahahaha!!!!!" They sneered.
"Ace? What are you doing here?" Tyler asked as I helped him to his feet.
"Buying dinner."
"Oh, thanks," Tyler bowed deeply before leaving.
"Sorry for the inconvenience!!" Ethan bowed towards me. "We could never thank you enough!!!"
"Oh, it was nothing," I shrugged.
"What did you tell them?" Ethan asked curiously.
"Oh, I just told them that there was a CCTV camera right there," I turned around and pointed to the one attached to the ceiling. "Our school monitors bullying very carefully, so if they were caught, they would be punished severely or even expelled."
"Wow, you notice such small details," Ethan squinted at the tiny camera latched onto the ceiling. "Why don't you have lunch with us tomorrow?"
"I'll think about it," I answered. Quite a nice person. It's only disappointing that he's a dumb athlete. He has a great heart. Perfect for a pawn of mine. I'd better think carefully about this. I get bored with my toys too easily. I need a toy that can entertain me longer.
After waving goodbye to Ethan, I turned a corner and headed toward my dorm.
Today was the first time I had seen my class. And there were a few classmates I would like to make my precious chess pieces. Crystal, Reine, and—
"You." I spun around and pointed at a shadowy figure loitering behind me. "Come out."
"As expected of you," he laughed as he clapped for me. The air behind me melted to form a boy wearing a dark hoodie standing behind me. "I've chosen the right Grandmaster." His element must be shadow. His ability to conceal his presence from most people is stupendous. The effort he must have put in to master this element must have been tremendous to be almost on par with me.
"I didn't see you in class."
"I'm sure you did," he smiled. So he knows. He could be even more ingenious than Crystal. "I see things that people don't. Their perspectives, their motives, their hearts and even their…minds." He took a few steps toward me. "That's why I chose you." He looked deep into my eyes, even though it was hidden behind my blindfold. "Because I understand you. I understand your pain, your desire to protect your family, and your dream to love even when your emotions have been sealed away. I even know the way you see people as only mere chess pieces."
My eyes widened.
The wind blew against my surprised face, my hair waving with the wind.
"Interesting." My stunned expression was instantly replaced with an amused smile. "Then, will you be willing to be my…Bishop?"
"Of course, Master." He placed a hand over his heart and bowed. "Only you are worth serving ."
"Your name?"
"Lucas, Lucas Crowe, Master," He remained bowing. He then looked up and gave that Cheshire cat smile to me again.
"Someone as intelligent as you should be collecting followers yourself. Why me?" My expression turned cold.
"Because I understand that to survive in this economy, you must stay with the strongest. And you," he pointed at me. "Have caught my eye."
Lucas has indeed grasped the concept of this world well.
"Is there anything you would like me to look out for?"
"Ah, yes—"
"Reine?" He smirked.
He knows me too well. Definitely wife material. I need this type of wife in the future.
"And don't—"
"Cross boundaries?" Lucas finished for me. "Of course, Master. Now," He bowed once more. "I shall take my leave."
"..."
He is a great observer. And he not only observes, but he also takes note.
The biggest mistake you can make is wanting to be noticed.
Recognition is a leash.
Once people know what you're capable of, they start building walls to stop you.
I prefer to be the shadow in the corner.
The one everyone forgets.
Why?
Because while they are busy performing for the crowd, I am dismantling the stage.
Emotions are just noise.
Anger makes you predictable.
Sadness makes you stagnant.
Love makes you vulnerable.
This is why Lucas knows every motive of mine.
I don't 'read' the situation.
I study it.
From then on, if someone insults me, I won't get angry. Instead, I analyse why they felt the need to speak. To control the game, you must first control the chemical reactions in your own brain. Most people are sprinting towards a finish line that doesn't exist. They want the 'win' today, right now. But a true master plays the long game.
I am willing to lose ten battles if it guarantees I win the war.
I can wait months, even years, for the perfect moment to move a single pawn.
Time isn't my enemy. It is my greatest ally.
While you are chasing the sun, I am learning to master the night.
I will be the shadow, pulling strings from the dark…
Till my opponent sits across from me and makes his first move.
I pushed open the door to my room. It was a lot more spacious than I thought. From the door, there was a shoe rack to put my shoes. After removing my shoes, I took out my training shoes, sports shoes, and slippers from my luggage and put them all on the shoe rack.
My first impression of my dorm was that it was one gigantic penthouse. Just how rich is Celestara High?
There were three floors.
The first floor felt more like a reception area. To my left, there was a large sofa with some lamp tables and small couches next to it. And to my right, there was a huge dining table for twelve.
As I walked forward, I noticed a wine cellar in front of me. Really? Is Celestara High seriously encouraging drinking? From my experience on Earth, wine was fruity, and whiskey was strong and bold. Both of them had alcohol that burned a little in my mouth. Despite my young age, I was able to love and appreciate their tastes and would often sneak a few sips of them from Boss Sinclaire when he wasn't looking.
To my surprise, when I checked the labels on the wine bottles, they were aged just the way I like it, five to twenty years. This is great. Beside the wine room was a lounge bar nook, suitable for serving evening drinks such as espressos. Next to the lounge was a piano. Not any ordinary piano, but a grand piano. How very fascinating. If someone like me got such a luxurious dorm room, then just what does Princess Arielle and Snow's dorm room look like?
To the right of the wine room was the guest toilet and powder room for guests. And at the far left of the room was an insanely large kitchen, filled with cooking utensils and appliances master chefs can only dream of. In front of the kitchen was a kitchen island for breakfasts.
I walked up the glass spiral staircase to the second floor. Now, the second floor was more like a place for personal space. On the left of the staircase was my master bedroom. It was nice and cosy. There was a magnificent view of the sunset on the right of my bed. Just imagine waking up to the dreamy scenery of Celestara High. And next to the bed was a bedside table to charge my devices. On the right of the staircase was my study area with a desk and shelves behind me, filled with rows and rows of study materials and books for leisure. It was as if I had a personal library behind me.
Next to my bedroom was my spacious bathroom. In the centre, stealing the spotlight was a luxurious bathtub. As soon as I stepped into the bathroom, the curtains in front of the bathtub closed, giving me privacy. I guess when I sink myself into the bathtub, I can open the curtains and gaze at the sunset again. There was a toilet and a long sink on the right of the bathroom, giving me enough space to arrange my toiletries. And on the left was my shower area.
Opposite my bathroom was my closet room where multiple fashionable and luxury clothing items hung. From casual to formal, they had it all. In my size. That was the interesting part. And in the centre was a collection of luxury watches. I guess it's for me to look smart. This is definitely giving off CEO vibes.
And lastly, no, second lastly, there was a small walk-in pantry and mini bar next to the closet room—my favourite part of the second floor. It had snacks for late-night cravings and drinks to keep me energised after a long day.
Lastly, there was the laundry and linen room. I must say it looks better than I expected.
Now, it was time for me to check out the last floor. The last floor was slightly different from the rest and more like an ultimate oasis and game hub It was divided up into an indoor gaming and media zone and an outdoor terrace with an infinity lap pool, outdoor sauna, and a fire pit lounge. There was even a poolside bar and grill station for parties. Beside the pool were some sun lounges and poolside cabanas. I'm sure I'm living the dream life of many right now.
On the third floor, just beside the large balcony were changing rooms and a guest bath for the guests. And beyond that was a media lounge, which was like a private cinema. There was an enormous television and sofas and cinema-like chairs sitting in front of it. The room connecting it led to an entertainment room.
At the back of the room was a private entertainment lounge with a robot serving drinks. Mocktails, cocktails, whiskey, beer, wine- they had everything. Even high-end food too. I might have forgotten to mention this, but each bar, lounge, or station had a high-tech robot tending to it, making the atmosphere feel much more advanced.
And at the sides was a chess table for guests to play chest or for me to play chest with my bartender robot if I felt lonely, a pool table, and even a multi-purpose table for casino games. There were even arcade games at the corner of the room.
I was so sure I was living the dream life at that moment.
"Like your room?" Big Sis took off her shoes and stepped into the living room.
"How did you——?"
"You left the door open," She grinned smugly.
I sighed.
Big Sis was as cheeky as ever.
"So?" Big Sis looked around. "Do you like it?"
"Did you do this?"
"No, I certainly did not," Big Sis puffed out her cheeks. "You can't just assume that everything that happens is always your fault!" She crossed her arms.
"Most of the time it is your fault," I said flatly.
"Hey!!" Big Sis stomped over and knocked my head.
"Ow…" I rubbed my head.
"That's for always blaming everything on me!!" Big Sis's brows furrowed. "Hmph!" She looked.
"Yes, yes, I was wrong. I apologise," I apologised, rubbing my head. "Hmph!" Big Sis repeated. "Fine, tomorrow morning I'll tie you a bun."
"But it won't go with my style!" Big Sis protested.
"It will," Big Sis raised an eyebrow. "Just trust me," I said confidently, though the tone of my voice didn't sound so.
"Fineeee," She sighed. "I'll let you off just this once."
"So?" I asked. "Why are you here?" I sat on the comfortable leather chair in my study. "Have a seat," I gestured to the chair in front of me.
"You're talking to me as if you're the boss here," Big Sis gave me her usual smirk. "Let's get straight to the point." She crossed her legs. "I heard you have expelled our dear cousin without even knowing his name or acknowledging him?" She leaned in close. "Word sure does spread around the campus fast, doesn't it?" She laughed.
"Some say you splashed water on his face. Others say that you kicked him down and threatened him. You either told him to get lost or people like you are to be expelled." Big Sis paused to see my reaction.
"..."
People exaggerate things too much to seek attention.
"I told him that this would be the first and last time we'll meet," I added.
"Mm, so it seems that my informant was right," Big Sis pursed her lips. "Now that you have humiliated one of the supposed candidates to being the 'heir' of the Nightfall family, Grandfather might be upset. But what is definite is that the other branches of the Nightfall family will ostracise us. We might need to hold a family meeting to discuss this…" Her voice trailed off. Then she winked at me, "However, on the other hand, if you meet Oliver again, that won't leave the lasting impact of your words. Hm, what should we do…" She scratched her chin.
"I apologise, I'll be careful next time." I lowered my head.
"Aw, Ace, this is not your fault," Big Sis cooed. "Okay! For my cute little brother, I'll handle this situation myself!!" She sat up suddenly, her face beaming. "But if things go south…" She turned to me. "We might bring forward your Duke ceremony," Her lips tilted upwards knowingly.
My eyes widened.
"How—?'
"I just know." She gave me a lopsided grin.
"Is that so?" I crossed my legs this time. "Then I will be more careful the next time. And the next time you know something," I stood up from my chair and strode towards her. I looked down at her shorter figure. "I will not be surprised."
Her jaw dropped, and her cheeks reddened slightly.
"Really?" She managed to pull herself together. "Then I look forward to our next meeting."
And I led her out.